Gordon Setter

Pointing bird dog of Scottish origin. Black and tan, more powerful than the English Setter.

The Gordon Setter is the heaviest and most powerful of the setter breeds. It was developed in Scotland in the 1800s by the Duke of Gordon, and differs from the English and Irish Setter with its black coat and tan markings (brown markings).

As a pointing dog, the Gordon Setter works in the same way as other setters: it searches the terrain, finds birds with its nose, and freezes in a point. What sets it apart is a tighter, more methodical range. The Gordon Setter doesn't cover as much ground as the English Setter, but is more thorough and rarely misses birds.

That quality makes the Gordon Setter especially well suited for forest grouse hunting. In dense forest terrain where a wide range isn't practical, the tighter search is an advantage. The dog maintains contact with the hunter and works systematically through the terrain.

For ptarmigan hunting in the mountains, the Gordon Setter works well, but it isn't as fast as the English Setter in open terrain. Many hunters who hunt both in forest and mountains choose the Gordon precisely because it handles both.

The temperament is calm, loyal, and somewhat more reserved than the other setter breeds. The Gordon Setter bonds strongly with its owner and can be reserved toward strangers. It is patient and well suited as a family dog but needs daily activity.

Training requires patience. The Gordon Setter matures more slowly than many other bird dogs and is often not fully developed until three to four years of age. Positive training works best. The breed responds poorly to harsh handling.

The breed has a dedicated following in Scandinavia. Field trials and shows are arranged regularly, and several breeders focus specifically on hunting qualities.