Gordon Setter

The breed was developed in late 18th century Scotland by the fourth Duke of Gordon, who gave it his name, aiming for a setter sturdy and enduring enough for rugged, hilly terrain. It is the heaviest of the three setter breeds: a male can reach 36 kilograms, on a considerably heavier frame than its English or Irish cousins. The medium length, flat or slightly wavy coat is always black with rich tan markings, and that combination is so distinctive that similar coloring is often described simply as gordon coloring. Though bred as a gundog, the Gordon Setter matures more slowly than most breeds and can be quite boisterous and clumsy as a youngster. With family it tends to be loyal and protective, sometimes reserved with strangers. Regular brushing is essential to keep the coat from matting. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Gordon Setter: how old in human years?

58–68 cmHeight
20–36 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Spinone Italiano

FCI group: Pointing Dogs
FCI section: Section 2.2: British and Irish Pointers and Setters, Setters
FCI: 6
Country of origin: Great Britain

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 62–68 cm

Females 58–64 cm

Weight

Males 25–36 kg

Females 20–32 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

medium-long, flat or slightly wavy, black and tan (medium-length)

Temperament & Family Life

Gordon Setter's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 5/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Gordon Setter's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 4/5

Guarding & Alertness

Gordon Setter's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Gordon Setter's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Gordon Setter

Anyone who has seen a Gordon Setter tearing across an autumn stubble field understands why a lap of the block will never be enough. This is a strong, tireless bird dog that needs long walks and a chance to really run every day, ideally in fields or woods, somewhere safe and fenced, because its nose pulls harder than your voice. A flat is too cramped for it, and an unfenced garden is an invitation to adventure.

It is clever and keen to learn, but it matures slowly and stays a bit of a puppy for a long time, and sometimes a bit stubborn too. Patient, cheerful sessions and plenty of praise work best; harshness only pushes this sensitive dog away. With its family it is affectionate and loyal, patient with children and usually fine with other dogs. It is a little more reserved with strangers than other setters and will let you know someone has arrived, but it will never make a real guard.

A good day for it means a morning outdoors with work for its nose and an evening close to its people. It does not like being left alone for long and will follow you from room to room, and once tired it will claim the whole sofa and sigh as if it had walked a hundred kilometres.

Grooming and coat

A Gordon Setter's coat is medium-length, straight or slightly wavy, black with rich tan markings, turning into long feathering on the ears, chest, belly, backs of the legs and tail. That feathering is where burrs, grass seeds and mats collect after a walk through fields, so brush several times a week and give the dog at least a quick check after every outing in long grass. It sheds moderately: there will be hair on a dark rug, but not clouds of it. Trim the hair between the toes and around the feet regularly; less mud, fewer seeds caught there.

The long, heavy ears cover the ear canal, so once a week lift them, look inside and give them a sniff, and dry them gently after a swim. Check the skin as you brush: ticks, scratches and red patches hide easily under thick black hair, so it is better to find them with your fingers. The eyes should be clear, without redness or heavy discharge; wipe dirt from the corners with a damp cloth.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Gordon Setter is a large, deep-chested gundog built to work for hours in the field, and its health reflects that build. The stomach, hips, eyes and thyroid are worth knowing about, and one of these is better learned in advance, because there is no time to wait when it strikes. Regular vet check-ups and your own attention will catch the rest.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)

This is a condition in which the stomach fills with gas and can twist, pinching off its blood vessels. The dog becomes restless, tries to vomit but brings nothing up, drools, and the belly looks swollen and tight. A Gordon Setter is a big, deep-chested dog, so know these signs by heart: if they appear, the dog needs a vet immediately.
Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a fault in how the hip joint forms: the ball of the thigh bone sits poorly in its socket and the joint wears over time. You might notice that after a long day in the field your Setter gets up stiffly, won't jump into the car boot, or walks with a slight sway at the back. For a dog that lives to run, sound hips are everything, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

This is an inherited disease in which the retina slowly wastes away and sight fades. It shows first at dusk: a Setter that raced around freely by day starts to hesitate at the stairs in the evening or bumps into furniture in a dim room. Because it is inherited, if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland makes too little hormone, the body slows down. A Gordon Setter becomes sluggish, tires sooner, gains weight, and its glossy black coat loses its gleam, thins or turns coarse. These changes arrive quietly, but whether the thyroid is to blame is something a vet can check with blood tests.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (36 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 360 g of dry food a day, from €19,84 a month For a neutered, normally active 28,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog