The Duke of Gordon is known as the "founding father" of the Gordon Setter breed, although the dogs were known throughout Scotland and England as early as the 16th century. In the United States the Gordon Setter was entered into the A.K.C. registry in 1892. This beautiful and flashy bird dog, a hunter of pheasants, quail and other game birds, still retains a strong "birdsense" . In the modern world they are also adept at obedience and agility and of course are well known in the conformation ring.