Gordon Setter Dog Breed Health Issues, Grooming Tips, History, Description and Temperament

Description: The Gordon Setter is recognizable for their elegant black and tan coat which should be predominately black with tan marking on their paws, lower legs, vents, their 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. Their coat should be long and silky with plenty of feathering on their tails, ears, chest, legs and belly. They are a slender dog with long legs, a long neck and a long body. They should stand between 23 and 27 inches and weigh between 45 and 80lbs, with the males being larger than the females.

History: The Gordon Setter breed was developed in Scotland during the early 17th century and are from the same genetic mixture as the Irish Setter and the English Setter, although the Gordon Setter is slightly larger than both of these. It wasn't until the 18th century when Duke Alexander the 4th of Gordon began breeding them that they became popular, it is this man that the dogs are named after. They are a versatile dog but were bread mainly as bird dogs, to point, and then retrieve the fallen bird. Although excellent hunters on both land and water, they are not as fast as other breeds which led to their popularity decreasing. 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, as long as they have been well socialized from puppy hood they will get along well with everyone and shouldn't ever be aggressive. They love to play and to please people, they are very sociable and highly intelligent. They are easy to train, and they are interested in everything. They have excellent memories, which can cause a problem if they have picked up any 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 need lots of exercise and love to join in with any family activities.

Health Issues: With an average life expectancy of 10-12 years they are generally a healthy dog. However, like a lot of big dogs they can be prone to dip dysplasia. The Gordon Setter can also suffer from eye conditions such as PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), and cataracts. They are also susceptible to bloat so it's best to feed them 2-3 small meals a day to help prevent this. Due to their long ears they can also develop ear infections.

Grooming: As a regular shedder the Gordon Setter needs to be brushed regularly, preferably a few times a week, however when they are shedding heavily you may need to brush them more. Their ears should also be cleaned and regularly checked to make sure they are dry, to help prevent infections. If they've been out in fields it's important to check their feet and coat for any burrs and debris, they may have picked up. Only bath them when necessary or use a dry shampoo when needed.

Living Conditions: The Gordon Setter is not suited to apartment life, they are a very active dog and as well as daily walks need a large garden to run around, to burn off their energy. If they get enough exercise they can be fairly inactive indoors but they need a lot of attention. It's also important to make sure that the garden is fenced so they cannot get out.