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Pronunciation

Description

The Gordon Setter is slender, but robust in structure. The head is deep with a long muzzle. The muzzle should be about as long as the skull, with a defined stop. The black nose is broad. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The oval eyes are dark brown. The long ears are set low, about level to the eyes, hanging close to the head. The topline slopes slightly from front to back. The short tail is not docked, and does not reach the hocks. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The soft, shiny coat is either slightly wavy or straight. The hair on the ears, under the stomach, chest, the backside of the legs, and on the tail is longer than it is on the rest of the body. The feathering on the underside of the tail starts out longer at the base and get shorter as it reaches the tip giving the appearance of a triangle. The Gorden Setter is the only setter that has black with tan markings. The tan markings are either rich chestnut or mahogany in color and appear over the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, on the throat, two spots on the chest, on the legs, and on the vent. There may be a small white spot on the chest.

Temperament

The Gordon Setter is distinguished both for its loyalty and obedience. A polite, sweet-tempered, devoted dog, making enjoyable companions that are excellent with children. Intelligent and willing, they are a skilled hunter who is seldom wrong about a scent. Brave, cheerful and affectionate. This breed needs lots of exercise or it may become high-strung. Very loyal to the family, but can be distant with strangers. Generally good with other pets but may try to dominate if it is lacking in human leadership. Proper human to canine communication is essential. This breed likes to roam, so it is a good idea to have a fenced-in yard. Puppies may be clumsy. Train early with good leadership before bad habits set in, while not impossible, it is easier to prevent negative behaviors than it is to fix them. Training these dogs is certainly not difficult, provided the owners are firm, but calm. If they sense the owners are meek or passive they will become stubborn. This dog should be introduced to all situations (people, animals and things) as a young pup to produce a well-balanced dog. A Gordon Setter who has been introduced as a puppy to cats will get along well with them. If strangers visit they adopt a wait-and-see attitude. In general they get along well with other dogs and with children because they are friendly to everyone.

Height, Weight

Height: dogs 24-27 inches (61-69 cm.) Bitches 23-26 inches (58-66 cm.)
Weight: dogs 55-80 pounds (25-36 kg.) Bitches 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg.)

Field lines are often smaller and lighter than show lines (bench types).

Health Problems

Living conditions

Exercise

Life Expectancy

The Gordon Setter was developed in Scotland in the early 17th century. This black and tan setter became popular by Duke Alexander the 4th of Gordon in the early 19th century. They were used as bird dogs, having an outstanding sense of smell. The dogs would point towards the fallen bird, retrieve it and bring it back to the hunter. The Gordon had great stamina and could hunt in bad weather on both land and water, but were not as fast in comparison to the pointers and as a result started to loose popularity as hunters chose other breeds. The Gordon Setter was one of the breeds that was used in the development of the Irish Setter. The Gordon makes a good one-man shooting dog. The Gordon Setter was recognized by the AKC in 1884. Some of the Gordon Setter's talents include guarding, watchdog, hunting, tracking, pointing and retrieving.

Group

Recognition

CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.

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