Gordon Setter | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Most hunting dog breeds with exceptional working qualities unfortunately do not have a beautiful exterior. The Gordon Setter is living proof that there are exceptions to the rule. Representatives of this species are real beauties, aristocrats in the dog world and at the same time ideal hunters.

Besides the fact that the Gordon Setter is a dog with excellent hunting qualities, he can also be a loyal, quick-witted and friendly pet, a favorite of the whole family.

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The Gordon Setter is a large dog with a broad chest and muscular legs. He gives the impression of an elegant and dignified dog, which also combines the strength and endurance of a real hunter. The coat is silky and straight, black with tan. Feathers on the legs, chest, belly, ears and tail.

The height of adult males is 61-69 cm, weight is 25-36 kg, adult females are 58-66 cm and 20-32 kg, respectively.

• Head: The skull is elongated, voluminous, slightly convex with a rounded frontal part. The head is broad, powerful, deep. The muzzle is rectangular, wide. The length of the skull and the muzzle are almost the same. The transition line from the forehead to the muzzle is depicted roughly.
• Jaws: Strong and strong jaws. The teeth are snow-white, large in a full set with a scissor bite.
• Ears: The ears are triangular, elongated, hanging. Ears placed at eye level with a tight fit at the cheeks.
• Eyes: The eyes are large, slanting, straight and wide. The color of the iris is dark brown.
• Body: Athletic body type, proportional. The neck is strong, athletic. The withers noticeably exceed the topline. The back is straight, of medium length, not very wide. The loin is slightly arched and muscular. The chest is not particularly deep, but spacious.
• Limbs: Legs of medium length, straight and parallel, powerful. The legs are large, round or elongated, with tight toes, elastic pads and claws.
• Coat: The coat is fairly long, straight, but may be slightly wavy. Color – jet black with eye-catching red tan markings on various parts of the body.

It is above all a hunting dog with all the consequences that flow from it. First of all, it is a high energy level. It should be understood that these dogs were bred to run fast. They have remarkable endurance.

In relations with its owners, the Gordon Setter shows love and devotion, is distinguished by an affectionate and accommodating character. They are cheerful, outgoing, and generally make an excellent family-loving, obedient, and sensitive family dog ​​in a good way.

That is, the dog feels its owners well, fully understands the person, can learn many commands and has enough energy to help the owner in everything in his power. It can be a disabled person’s assistant, a guide dog, etc. By the way, these pets have been used in this capacity for at least 150 years.

Although the Gordon Setter is not very susceptible to disease, a predisposition to certain health problems is still observed. The list below describes a number of illnesses that the this dog is prone to:

• Progressive retinal atrophy – if left untreated, it causes partial or complete loss of vision.
• Hip and elbow joint dysplasia – first stage lameness, tolerable pain, late-stage intolerable pain and immobilization.
• Hepatitis – infectious and toxic, difficult to treat, often fatal.
• Laryngeal spasms – lack or insufficient tone of the muscles of the larynx.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Caring for Gordon is not difficult:

• The coat is combed 1-2 times in 7 days.
• The eyes are cleaned at least 2-3 times a week.
• Ears are checked 3-4 times in 10 days.
• The teeth are brushed once or twice a week.
• Nails are trimmed as needed.
• They do not bathe more than 2-3 times a year.

• The Gordon setter is named after Alexander Gordon, who worked to improve the breed.
• Gordon grows 2-3 years old, it is only at this age that he becomes a serious dog, before that he has the habits of a puppy.
• If the setter begins to bark persistently, it means that he is bored and demands a change of scenery from the owner.
• The heat is destructive for the representatives of the breed. If, for example, you leave such a dog in a closed, warm car, even for a few minutes, he will suffer a lot or suffer from heat stroke.
• The main character of the famous movie “White Bim Black Ear” is a Gordon Setter, although this role was played by a dog of the “English Setter” breed.

The homeland of the Gordon Setter is Great Britain.

The history of this breed began in the 18th century. Initially the setters were guarded by low- and middle-income Scottish hunters, the wealthy were not interested in them yet. Simple hunters were also engaged in the breeding of these dogs; they valued their pets for their stamina, hunting skills, and loyalty.

Duke Gordon played an important role in the popularity of the setter among the nobility. It was he who, for many years, took care of improving, raising the breed.

The ancestors of the modern Gordon Setter are the Old Black and Tan Spaniels, black pointers very popular in England and Scotland at this time.

The Gordon Setter is the result of many years of breeders’ work. In the process of forming the breed, crosses were made with Irish Setters, Pointers, Bloodhounds and Spaniels.

The breeding work lasted until the end of the 19th century. By the end of the 20th century, the popularity of the Gordon Setter was seen in almost every country in the world. In 1988, the breed standard was officially adopted.

Gordon’s efficiency could not but rejoice. Such a dog is able to hunt all day in any place, in any weather, when it was impossible to notice that he was tired. Its task is to track game and indicate its location to the owner with a particular persistence of the smuggler.

Recently, the Gordon Setter has been used less and less as a hunting dog. More and more often representatives of the breed take part in exhibitions. Gordon’s breeding is largely done in the sense of exposure, while hunting abilities and instincts are greatly reduced.

Today he is not included in the list of “trendy” types of dogs.