fellfolioSetter
Gordon Setter
The Gordon Setter is a strong Scottish bird dog. It searches by scent, keeps going over long distances and stays close to its family. Expect long walks and regular coat care.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at shoulder
- 62 to 66 cm
- Weight
- 25.5 to 29.5 kg
- Lifespan
- over 10 yearsUK Royal Kennel Club breed profile
- Activity
- Very high
- Grooming
- Daily
- Training
- Patience & clear guidance
- Owner experience
- First dog with support
Stamina with Scottish roots
Gordon Setters were developed further at Gordon Castle in Scotland as substantial pointing dogs. Their work was to find game birds and stand still to indicate where they were hiding. This pointing behaviour gave people time to approach. Today that often shows as a delight in searching and running. Many Gordons are close to their family while retaining an independent streak.
Birds or fresh wildlife scent can suddenly claim attention outdoors. Practise the dog checking back in despite smells. Calm rules around visitors and children help more than assuming a friendly dog will work everything out alone.
Everyday life
The Royal Kennel Club places Gordons in its more-than-two-hours-a-day exercise category. Long walks and safe opportunities to run form the basis. A simple game of finding a toy hidden in grass gives the nose a clear job. Hunting is not required, but regular activity should suit a working breed.
A long line supports recall practice before wildlife scent becomes too tempting. Train in brief, kind sessions rather than demanding obedience when the dog is tired from an outing. At home, this active dog also needs undisturbed rest.
Staying home alone
Dogs learn to stay home alone in small steps. The RSPCA advises no more than four hours at a time. Puppies and dogs that become unsettled when left alone need shorter absences and gradual practice. Arrange someone to care for your dog when you will be away longer.
Day-to-day care
The black coat with chestnut markings is medium in length on the body, longer and silky on the ears, legs, belly and tail. Comb the longer areas daily, particularly after tall grass. Burrs and mats can otherwise pull at the skin, and the dense coat is slow to dry after rain.
After outings, check between the toes and around the hanging ears. Plant debris and moisture can collect there; redness, odour or repeated head shaking calls for an examination.
Size and build
The Gordon Setter is more substantial than many other setters but remains an agile running dog. The British standard gives about 66 cm and 29.5 kg for males, and 62 cm and 25.5 kg for females. It has a deep chest, long strong legs and a free stride. The colour is glossy black with distinct warm tan markings above the eyes, around the muzzle, on the chest and on the legs.
Even movement and sound condition matter more than an exceptionally abundant coat. A heavy, laboured outline would be a poor match for a dog bred to search over open ground for hours.
Health
The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip grading and a DNA test for PRA-rcd4, an inherited condition in which the retina progressively deteriorates and sight can be lost, in breeding dogs. Eye and elbow examinations are further recommendations. Ask for both parents’ documented results; “tested” alone tells you little without the result.
The UK veterinary charity PDSA also lists allergies causing itchy skin, an underactive thyroid and gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening condition in which the stomach bloats and twists. Repeated itching or unusual tiredness warrants a check. Unproductive retching, marked restlessness or a swollen abdomen is a veterinary emergency because of possible stomach torsion.
Could this breed fit your life?
Could work well if …
- You spend plenty of time outdoors and want to practise search games.
- You can regularly plan for coat care and recall training.
May be more difficult if …
- You want a companion for a few short outings.
- Handling a strong dog on lead would be difficult day to day.
Similar needs, different dogs.
Selected by shared size, activity, grooming and training characteristics.
Sighthound
Afghan Hound
There is a fast hunting dog beneath the long silk coat. An Afghan Hound needs secure places to run and a substantial commitment to coat care.
Herding dog
Briard
The Briard is a large French herding dog with a long, coarse-textured coat and an attentive nature. Exercise, consistent guidance and daily grooming all matter.
Sled dog
Alaskan Malamute
A powerful sled dog bred for sustained work. Its thick coat, pulling strength and need to move shape daily life far more than its striking Arctic appearance.
Sources and photograph credit
- Teaching your dog to be left alone
Used in this profile for: Staying home alone
- Gordon Setter dog breed information
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Size and build, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Gordon Setter breed information
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Gordon Setter, Breeds A to Z
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Everyday life, Size and build, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Gordon Setter breed standard
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Temperament, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
Portrait · Nike the Gordon Setter (18 June 2005) · Markgrogers · Public domain
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Side view · BIR Grupp 7: GORDONSETTER, Sansetters Roover · Johan Frick-Meijer / Svenska Mässan · CC BY 2.0 · Edited
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In action · Gordon Setter · Nordic-Gordon-Hunters · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
Puppy · Gordon Setter puppies · SJYoung1970 · Public domain
