Description: The Gordon Setter is recognizable by its sleek black and tan coat, which should be predominantly black with tan markings on the legs, lower legs, vents, muzzle, and a spot above each eye. It is also possible to get a pure red Gordon, these can be born to normal parents and is due to the recessive red gene, although a perfectly normal dog, the red Gordon cannot be shown. Its coat should be long and silky with many feathers on the tail, ears, chest, legs and belly. It is a slender dog with long legs, a long neck, and a long body. They should be between 23 and 27 inches long and weigh between 45 and 80 pounds, with males being larger than females.
History: The Gordon Setter breed was developed in Scotland in the early 17th century and comes from the same genetic mix as the Irish Setter and the English Setter, although the Gordon Setter is slightly larger than both. It wasn’t until the 18th century when Duke Alexander IV of Gordon began breeding them that they became popular, it is this man that the dogs are named after. They are a multi-purpose dog but were primarily pan as bird dogs, to point out, and then retrieve the fallen bird. Although they are excellent hunters both on land and in the water, they are not as fast as other breeds, which caused their popularity to decline. They were recognized by the AKC in 1884.
Temperament: The Gordon Setter is well known as a loyal dog with a happy outlook on life, provided he has been well socialized from puppyhood he will get along with everyone and should never be aggressive. They love to play and please people, they are very sociable and very intelligent. They are easy to train and are interested in everything. They have an excellent memory, which can cause a problem if they have picked up bad habits, however they are an obedient dog and a skilled hunter. They are very energetic as they were bred to run for hours so they need plenty of exercise and love to participate in any family activities.
