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Gordon Setter breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Gordon Setter the black avenger of the Highlands, a substantial bird dog named for a Scottish aristocrat that is bold, confident and resolute in the field and sweetly affectionate by the fireside.
The largest and most substantial of setters, it has a glistening black coat with tan markings.
Temperament
Gordon Setters were bred to be personal hunting dogs and also served as nannies. They live for cuddling by your side or at your feet as well as running in a field.
They are stubborn yet very soft and loving. They live to please their owner.
Lifespan
Gordon Setters live 12 to 13 years. Bloat, a sudden life-threatening stomach condition, may occur, so owners should learn the signs and what to do.
Cancer is the most common cause of death in elderly dogs of all breeds, with no one specific type more prevalent in Gordon Setters and young Gordon Setters dying of cancer is unusual.
Care
Brushing at least weekly is essential to prevent matting and shedding is minimal if the dog is brushed regularly. Monthly grooming includes trimming the hair on the feet, the nails, inside and around the ears and around the vent and tail area, plus a check of the teeth for plaque.
Their genetic makeup gives them a drive to run, so they need exercise. They can live in an apartment if they get daily exercise.
History
Generations of Scots huntsmen bred hounds and collys into setter lines to produce a large, rugged bird dog suited to difficult conditions. Alexander, Fourth Duke of Gordon, master of Castle Gordon in the Highlands, took a keen interest and by the early 1800s his kennel was producing setters recognizable as today's breed.
Between litters, the duke found time to play a key role in developing the Scotch whisky industry.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 5 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 5 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 3 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |