The Gordon Setter is a large Scottish breed commonly used as a gun dog throughout the United Kingdom. Also popular in the United States, these dogs have an outstanding sense of smell and are used primarily for hunting upland birds that go to ground. They are versatile and can also flush and retrieve.

When not hunting, the polite and sensible Gordon Setter's beauty, excellent health and adaptability make it a pleasant companion for the family. They are excellent with children and make good guard dogs.

The Appearance
Height: 23-27 inches
Weight: 45-80 pounds
Lifespan: 10-12 years

The Gordon Setter's head is long and massive, with a squared-off muzzle. The long, pointed ears hang flat beside that head. The deep chest slopes down toward the withers. The tail is undocked.

The Gordon is the only black and tan setter. The body of the dog is black with distinctive markings of a rich chestnut color on their paws and lower legs, throat, and muzzles, with one spot above each eye. The soft, glossy coat may be straight or slightly wavy, with feathering on the legs, underside, ears and tail. Regular combing and brushing of the coat is all that is required to maintain its appearance.

Using in the Field
The Gordon Setter is a methodical, dependable hunter with an outstanding sense of smell. They are commonly used for hunting upland Grouse, Quail and Pheasant. It is a very versatile hunting dog that will track using its sense of smell, point for the hunter, flush out wild game and also retrieve. The Gordon Setter may not be fast compared with other hunting dogs, but he has good stamina and can hunt in adverse weather on both land and water.

The breed is a natural hunter is not a dog that should be allowed to roam free without supervision. It is important for the Gordon Setter to have exercise on a daily basis as it was bred to run. They will not reach maturity until they are 3 years old and require gentle but firm obedience training and socialization at an early age.

In the Home
Gordon Setters are very loyal to their owners. They thrive in an attentive, loving environment. Although patient by nature and good family dogs, Gordon Setters can be quite energetic and may not be best for households with very young children. It is not a breed that should be left indoors for long periods of time or it may become hyperactive.

Gordon Setters should not be allowed to roam freely because of their hunting instincts. They are apt to wander into traffic or other dangerous situations while following a scent. It is a slow dog to mature and not ready to begin training for the field until they are nearly two years old.

The History
The Gordon Setter was originally bred in Scotland in the 1600's and derives its name from Duke Alexander, the 4th of Gordon in the late 1700's. It is believed that the Gordon Setter is a cross between several spaniel breeds and Pointer breeds most of which are now extinct. The idea of mixing spaniels with pointers began in the early 1800s as a way to expand the hunting abilities of the Spaniel.

Gordon Setters were imported to America in 1842, and quickly became as popular as they are overseas. They were recognized by the AKC in 1892.