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The heaviest of the three setter breeds, the Gordon Setter was
originally bred as a personal bird dog, but they are equally at home
as companion dogs, obedience competitors and show dogs today. Sturdy
and muscular, the Gordon suggests strength and stamina rather than
extreme speed while on the move. The breed’s distinctive black and
tan coat allows it to be found easily in light fields and early
snow. The Gordon hails from Scotland, and his ancient lineage traces
back to the early 17th century. Popular among hunters of Scotland,
the black-and-tan Setter came into prominence in the kennels of the
fourth Duke of Gordon in the early 19th century. As field trials
became more popular, the Gordon’s popularity waned in favor of
Pointers and other flashy, fast breeds, but the breed remained
unparalleled as a one-man shooting dog. The breed was registered
with the AKC in 1878.
General Appearance
The Gordon Setter differs from the English and
Irish setters in that it has a more robust structure, a more massive
head, and more fully developed lips, as well as by the color of it
silky, wavy coat. It is the only black & tan setter. It is a tall,
slender dog with a lovely feathered coat. The head is long, chiseled
and massive, with a very pronounced stop and a large-nostril led
black nose. The long muzzle is squared-off, not pointed and should
be approximately the same length from nose to stop as the skull from
stop to occiput. The teeth may meet in a scissors or level bite, but
a scissors bite is preferred. The long, slightly pointed ears hang
flat beside that head. The oval eyes are dark brown. The topline
slopes gently downward from the withers. The deep chest should reach
to the elbows, but should not be too broad. The well-feathered tail
is thick at the root, tapering to a fine point. The front legs
should be large-boned and straight. The feet should be cat-like,
with arched toes and well furnished with hair. Dewclaws may be
removed. The soft, glossy coat may be straight or slightly wavy,
with profuse feathering on the legs, underside, ears and tail. The
tail feathering should create a triangular silhouette, with the hair
gradually growing shorter as the tail tapers.
Temperament
The Gordon Setter is a dog that has a loving and friendly
disposition, and is loyal, affectionate, and sociable. An alert and
sensible creature, the Gordon Setter has a certain dignity about him
yet still loves to play and join in with family activities and fun.
These dogs love the attention of their owners, and this sometimes
results in jealousy where other pets are concerned. Although the
Gordon Setter is suitable for inexperienced owners as well as the
more experienced, these dogs can be strong minded and independent,
and therefore the owner must be confident and assertive, whilst
remaining positive. The Gordon Setter gets along well with children,
but the large size of these dogs could prove a problem if you have
smaller children in the home. They have very good memories, which
can aid training but can also make bad habits difficult to break.
The Gordon Setter is an energetic dog and loves getting involved in
a wide range of activities, such as jogging, biking, and hiking.
They get along okay with other pets, but can exercise dominance.
When it comes to strangers their reaction can vary, and whereas some
may be friendly others may be more reserved. The Gordon Setter will
bark to raise an alarm if something seems amiss, and this makes him
an effective watchdog. He is quick to learn, obedient, and devoted,
making this breed a good choice for a family pet.
Grooming
Despite the long and somewhat silky coat the Gordon Setter is an
amazingly easy to groom breed. They do required regular brushing two
or three times a week to prevent tangles and mats from forming,
especially in the longer furnishings on the legs, chest, underbelly
and tail areas. The coat lies very close to the body and can be
brushed in the direction of hair growth using a pin or stiff bristle
or wire brush. The longer hair on the legs, tail and belly can be
combed with a metal brush or with the wire or pin brush. Pay
particular attention to the hair behind the legs where the movement
between the legs and the body can cause tangles and mats.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Gordon Setter is
around 10-12 years, and although this is a largely healthy and hardy
breed there are a few health problems to look out for. Gordon
Setters are prone to such health issues as
bloating, juvenile renal
disease, hip dysplasia, lameness, thyroid deficiency, cysts, and
progressive retinal atrophy.
Activity Level
The Gordon Setter thrives on outdoor exercise. They are not
recommended for apartment dwelling, as they love to roam and run
free. A large securely fenced yard or country setting is preferred.
Gordon Setters enjoy a wide variety of activities such as swimming,
hunting, family play sessions, walking with their master, and
playing ball.
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