Gordon Setter: temperament, size, care and health

About the Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is a large, strong bird dog and the heaviest of the setters, with a deep chest, a strong neck and a handsome black coat marked with chestnut-red on the muzzle, chest and legs, the pattern known as black and tan. The coat is long and silky with feathering. Compared with the Irish Setter the Gordon is sturdier and slower, a dog built for endurance more than for speed.

It was bred to find game birds in rough Scottish country and to hold the position until the hunter arrived. Today most are family dogs and hunting companions. People pick the Gordon for its devotion, its dignified look and the fact that it tends to be steadier than some of its relatives.

Temperament and family life

A Gordon Setter is loyal, confident and often serious. It forms a close bond with its family and can be reserved or aloof with strangers, so it makes a decent alert watchdog. Its protective streak means that socialization from puppyhood is important. A well-raised Gordon is usually good with respectful children, but it can be too big and strong for toddlers.

The breed matures slowly, and a young dog may remain boisterous for years. Some are dominant with other dogs. A Gordon left alone and unexercised will often become noisy and destructive. They want to be near their people, and enjoy a place indoors beside the family.

Exercise and training

This is a working dog that needs plenty of activity. Long hikes, runs in a safe area, swimming and field work will meet its needs. A Gordon may be calmer than an Irish Setter, but a young dog still has abundant stamina and requires an outlet.

Training calls for patience and consistency. The Gordon is intelligent and can be strong-willed, and it learns best with firm, fair, reward-based methods. It can be sensitive to harsh handling. Start recall and leash training early, and keep sessions interesting. Gordons are at their best in field work, tracking, hiking and obedience.

Grooming and shedding

The long coat requires regular brushing, three or four times a week, with a pin brush and comb to prevent tangles in the feathering. Most owners trim the feet, the hair at the back of the legs and the underside of the ears for easier care.

Check and clean the ears weekly because the pendant ears hold moisture. After field work inspect the coat for burrs, seeds and ticks. The black coat can fade in strong sunlight. Bathing is needed every month or two. Shedding is moderate, and long black hairs end up on furniture and clothing.

Health

Bloat is a serious risk in the deep-chested Gordon, and owners should learn the warning signs. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy and other eye diseases occur. The breed also has an inherited disorder of balance called cerebellar ataxia, for which a DNA test exists. Breeders should evaluate hips, eyes and thyroid and use DNA testing where available. This is only general information about the breed, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about an individual dog.

History

The breed is generally traced to Scotland and takes its name from the Duke of Gordon, who kept a kennel of black and tan setters at Gordon Castle. The dogs were prized as steady, enduring workers. Gordon Setters were exported to the United States in the 1800s, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1878. They remain much less common than Irish or English Setters.

Is the Gordon Setter right for you?

A Gordon suits an experienced owner or active family that wants a loyal, dignified dog and can provide exercise, space and company. It is a good choice for hikers and for hunters who value stamina.

It is a poor match for sedentary households, for tiny homes and for people who do not want to groom a long coat. The Irish Setter is faster and more flamboyant. The English Setter is gentler and more outgoing, and the Irish Red and White Setter is a rare, lighter alternative.