The Gordon Setter originated in Scotland and was bred to hunt/retrieve game for their owners. They are thought to be a mixture of the English Spaniel, Land Spaniel and the Spanish Pointer. These dogs originally were bred and used for working alongside their masters on a hunt, but today are more used as either show dogs or family companions due to their sweet nature.

This breed has a lean, toned body with straight muscular legs. Their muzzle is long, possessing a gentle bite which aids in retrieving/carrying game and they have large friendly eyes. The Gordon Setter has big floppy ears and a sensitive nose that enables them to quickly find their prey, as well as a long, slender tail that when in the water acts as a rudder.

The Gordon Setter is a calm, well behaved breed that will make a great family pet. They interact well with children and other pets but will need a lot of socialization as puppies to get to this state. This breed will need to be brought around other dogs/animals and busier public situations to get them comfortable with people and loud areas so they don’t become timid adults.

The Gordon Setter will come in only 1 coat coloration which is the black and tan. They have specific colour patching throughout their body that must coincide with the breed standards and if it does not, will count as a disqualification in the show ring!

This breed has a sleek flat coat that is smooth to the touch. They should not have curled or frizzy fur as only the straight coat is permitted for show requirements of the breed’s standard.

The Gordon Setter is a sweet, loving companion that will make an excellent pet! They love people and are exceptionally affectionate with their owners, showing sheer loyalty and devotion to them at all times. They are clever and relaxed, making them an easier breed to train provided their owners use gentle methods and repetition. Although they have a serene persona, these dogs will need a large amount of exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

This breed can be protective of their property and will make a good watchdog that will be ready to alert their owners of intruders! Despite their friendly character, the Gordon Setter will be weary of people they haven’t met but will warm up quickly once they have been introduced.

The Gordon Setter will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing every 2 months will be perfect to keep their coat mat free. This breed is prone to hypothyroidism, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, hip dysplasia, bloat and cataracts.

These dogs will need repetition and clear techniques to teach them obedience or any type of training. Their owner will need to be positive and firm to show the dog that they mean business! Gordon Setters are an intelligent breed and will be able to grasp training concepts much quicker if they are taught in short lessons multiple times per day, so for every session the information will sink in more effectively.

The Gordon Setter will need at least 1 hour of exercise per day which would be best if done in an off-leash park so they can run! These dogs love to swim so that is also an excellent option to burn off their energy. They will do well in a household environment that has a backyard because they need as much space as possible to live in.