Gordon Setter

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

History

The Gordon Setter derives its name from the fourth Duke of Gordon (1743–1827) who established a kennel of setters at Gordon Castle in Scotland. They were bred to find grouse on the rugged, heather-covered moors of the Highlands. The breed was first recorded in Australia in 1865.

Characteristics

The Gordon Setter’s classic function requires it to quarter the ground searching for game birds by catching their scent above grasses and low growing bushes, such as heather. The breed is then required to point or set to indicate the bird’s location to its handler and remain in that position as its handler approaches and the bird rises.

In some countries, the Gordon Setter is used as a utility Gundog and, as such, is required to find and retrieve other game as well. In Australia today, it is a multi-purpose dog, being a willing obedience dog and a devoted and loyal guardian.

Temperament

A Gordon Setter is an active dog and owners should be prepared to devote time to providing suitable exercise, such as walks, with access to an off-lead area where it can run freely.

The breed is an intelligent animal and responds very well to training, which ideally should be started early on in your dog’s life. It also makes a very good house dog and is patient, loyal and well-known for its attachment to its family.

Appearance

The breed standard describes the breed as a ‘stylish dog, with galloping lines’. It is approximately 62–66cm in height and the male weighs around 29.5kg, with the female usually smaller at 25.5kg. The most striking aspect of its appearance is its black and tan coat, which is moderate in length with fringing on the ears, belly and tail.

Health

Breeders of the Gordon Setter have been very diligent in monitoring their dogs for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and, as a result, the incidence of these problems is low.

Another health issue that has appeared in the past few years is Late-Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy (LOPRA), where affected dogs will slowly go blind from the age of about nine to 10 years. Most breeders use DNA testing to screen any dogs they use, and it is hoped that this problem will be minimised or disappear in a few generations. The Gordon Setter generally lives 12–14 years.

Maintenance

Good feeding and grooming will keep your Gordon Setter looking its best. The coat should be regularly brushed and any knots in the longer parts removed. Eyes and ears should be checked and cleaned, and feathering between the toes should be trimmed to avoid painful knots forming. The breed should of course be kept flea and tick free. The Gordon Setter Club of NSW provides field days where correct grooming techniques are demonstrated.

Suitability

The Gordon Setter makes a great dog for an active person or family. It is loyal and trustworthy and thrives when involved in family life. The breed is intelligent, willing to please and cooperative and, as a result, has been very successful at Obedience work and many have also competed successfully in Agility, Tracking, Jumping and Flyball as well as in the show ring.

The Gordon Setter is generally very good with children and can run and play well with dogs of other breeds.

Words: Christine Rethers

Image: mypets.net.au

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Gordon Setter, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Gordon Setter and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 09 Jul 2015)

Download PDF

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Stylish dog, with galloping lines. Consistent with its build which can be compared to a weight carrying hunter. Symmetrical in conformation throughout.

Characteristics

Intelligent, able and dignified.

Temperament

Bold, outgoing, of a kindly even disposition.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head deep rather than broad, but broader than muzzle, showing brain room. Skull slightly rounded, broadest between ears. Clearly defined stop, length from occiput to stop slightly longer than from stop to nose. Below and above eyes lean, cheeks as narrow as leanness of head allows. Muzzle fairly long with almost parallel lines, neither pointed, nor snipy. Flews not pendulous, clearly defined lips. Nose large, broad, nostrils open and black. Muzzle not quite as deep as its length.
Eyes	Dark brown, bright. Neither deep nor prominent, set sufficiently under brows, showing keen, intelligent expression.
Ears	Medium size, thin. Set low, lying close to head.
Mouth	Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Long, lean, arched, without throatiness.
Forequarters	Shoulder blades long, sloping well back, wide flat bone, close at withers, not loaded. Elbows well let down, and close to body. Forelegs flat boned, straight, strong; upright pasterns.
Body	Moderate length. Level topline, deep brisket, ribs well sprung. Back ribs deep. Loins wide, slightly arched. Chest not too broad.
Hindquarters	From hip to hock long, broad and muscular, hock to heel short, strong, stifles well bent, straight from hock joint to ground. Pelvis tending to horizontal.
Feet	Oval, close knit, well arched toes, plenty of hair between. Well padded toes, deep heel cushions.
Tail	Straight or slightly scimitar, not reaching below hocks. Carried horizontally or below line of back. Thick at root, tapering to fine point. Feather or flag starting near root, long straight, growing shorter to point.
Gait/Movement	Steady, free moving and true, with plenty of drive behind.
Coat	On head, front of legs, tips of ears short and fine, moderate length, flat and free from curl or wave on all other parts of body. Feather on upper portion of ears long and silky, on backs of legs long, fine, flat and straight, fringes on belly may extend to chest and throat. As free as possible from curl or wave.
Colour	Deep shining coal black, without rustiness, with markings of chestnut red, i.e. lustrous tan. Black pencilling on toes and black streak under jaw permissible. 'Tan markings': two clear spots over eyes not over three-quarters of an inch in diameter. On sides of muzzle, tan not reaching above base of nose, resembling a stripe around clearly defined end of muzzle from one side to other. Also on throat, two large, clear spots on chest. On inside hindlegs and inside thighs, showing down front of stifle and broadening out to outside of hindlegs from hock to toes. On forelegs, up to elbows behind, and to knees or little above, in front. Around vent. Very small white spot on chest permissible. No other colour permissible.
Size	Height: Dogs 66 cms (26 ins)Bitches 62 cms (24 & 1/2; ins)Weight: Dogs 29 & 1/2; kg (65 lbs)Bitches 25 & 1/2; kg (56 lbs)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.