The Gordon Setter is a reliable and calm hunting dog from England. In the profile, you’ll learn everything about the origin, temperament, and care of the Setter.

History of the Gordon Setter

The roots of the Gordon Setter lie in the English hunting dogs of the Middle Ages. Before firearms were available, hunters used nets to catch game birds. The dog’s task was to locate the bird without startling it. The hunters could then throw their net over the bird, trapping it. Since only landowners were allowed to hunt, it was mainly the landed gentry who owned such “setting dogs.” The hunting dogs had long hair but no uniform color. Gradually, different variants developed. For the breeding of the Gordon Setter, English nobles crossed their dogs with Spaniels, Collies, Pointers, and Bloodhounds.

In Scotland, a variant with particularly striking black and tan coat became known. Count Alexander Gordon of Banffshire dedicated himself to the new breed, which subsequently became known as the “Gordon Castle Setter.” By the mid-19th century, there were already numerous breeders in northern England and Scotland. With the founding of the English Kennel Club in 1873, the breed was officially recognized. Since 1924, the breed has been called the “Gordon Setter.” The term Setter is derived from the term “setting dog.” In addition to the Gordon Setter, there are the English Setter, the Irish Red Setter, and the Irish Red and White Setter. Today, the dogs belong to the FCI Group 7 “Pointing Dogs” in Section 2.2 “Setters.”

Temperament and Character

The friendly and balanced Gordon Setter is a classic pointing dog. As soon as he picks up the scent of wild game during hunting, he freezes motionless and points his nose towards the prey. With appropriate training, the confident dogs lift their front paw and indicate the game. The dogs form a deep bond with their owner. They are wary of strangers but not aggressive. Training is not difficult for experienced dog owners, thanks to their eagerness to learn and affable nature. The spirited dogs do not tend to be nervous and are suitable as family pets. However, they dislike being alone and want to be integrated into the family.

Appearance of the Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is an elegant hunting dog with well-proportioned features. His neck is long and arched with a strong nape. The muzzle is long and clearly defined, with wide-open nostrils. The pendulous ears are long-haired at the top. The attentive eyes are dark brown. The dogs carry their tail horizontally or slightly sickle-shaped. The Setter’s coat is medium-length and almost free of curls. The hair on the head and on the front of the legs is short and fine. The coat is uniformly deep black with a silky sheen. On the front of the neck and under the muzzle, as well as on the insides of the legs, it is a bright chestnut red.

Dog Food Recommendations

Puppy Training

The lively and energetic Setter puppy requires consistent and sensitive training. Trust and mutual understanding are important for successful training. You should especially guide his hunting instinct in the right direction from an early age. Experience with dogs and strong self-confidence are helpful for this. However, harshness and violence are completely out of place. A well-trained Setter can be easily controlled without a leash. He conscientiously masters the tasks assigned to him but does not fully submit. For the socialization of the puppy, you should attend a puppy school. Here, the four-legged friend can make contacts with other dogs, and you get help in handling the puppy.

Activities with the Gordon Setter

Properly fulfilling a Gordon Setter’s needs involves more than just daily walks. The active dog needs to be physically and mentally stimulated. The versatile Setter is ideally suited for hunting, but also excels as a loyal companion for active families. He enjoys activities such as hiking and jogging as much as dog sports like obedience or agility. Retrieval games or dummy training are also excellent activities for the intelligent hunting dog. The dog needs his exercise in all weather conditions. A physically or mentally under-stimulated dog is more likely to exhibit behavioral issues. Therefore, make sure to keep your dog adequately engaged, but not overexerted.

Health and Care

Especially Gordon Setters from hunting lines are considered to be robust in terms of health. However, poor nutrition or lack of exercise can promote hip dysplasia. Therefore, like any dog, the Gordon Setter also requires a healthy and high-quality diet with a high meat content. Generally, the dogs are considered easy to care for. Depending on the length of the coat and the dog’s activity level, you should brush the Setter about once a week. The fine, long hair on the ears and legs is particularly prone to matting.

Is the Gordon Setter Right for Me?

Despite their original use for hunting, Gordon Setters are not only suitable for hunters or foresters. Active nature lovers who enjoy hiking or cycling also find a faithful companion in this breed. However, they require meaningful activities. These dogs are not suitable for a small city apartment due to their size and need for exercise. An ideal setting is a large house with its own garden.

Product Recommendations

When purchasing a puppy, you should seek out a reputable breeder. It is best if the breeder is a member of the American Gordon Setter Club or the American Pointer und Setter Club. In general, it is advisable to buy a dog from a hunting line. Dogs from “show breeding” often suffer from more health issues and are more difficult to care for. A purebred and healthy puppy with papers from a breeder costs about $1000. You can also find representatives of the breed or mixes looking for a new home in animal shelters.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

According to reports from the British Kennel Club, the number of Gordon Setters has decreased by 60%. Therefore, the current owners of Gordon Castle have launched a rescue mission. They dedicate the annual “Gordon Castle Highland Games” to the breed and invite every owner and lover of the breed to participate.

Do you have a Gordon Setter or are you considering getting one? Tell us in the comments what you think makes them so special!