The Gordon Setter is a Scottish large breed of dog, a member of the setter family that also includes the Irish Setter and the English Setter. The heaviest of the setter breeds, the Gordon is a good-sized, sturdily built black-and-tan dog, well muscled, with plenty of bone and substance, but active, upstanding, and stylish, appearing capable of doing a full day's work in the field.
Known as "black and tans," Gordon Setters have a coal-black coat with distinctive markings of a rich chestnut or mahogany color on their paws and lower legs, vents, throat, and muzzles — with one spot above each eye and two spots on the chest. The bearing is intelligent, noble, and dignified. The Gordon Setter takes its name from Alexander, the 4th Duke of Gordon, whose kennel at Gordon Castle brought the breed to prominence.
From the Gordon Castle Kennels
Gordon Setters trace their roots to 1820s Scotland, where they were bred to hunt birds such as pheasants and quails. The breed takes its name from Alexander, the 4th Duke of Gordon (1743–1827), who established his kennel of black-and-tan setters at Gordon Castle, situated near Fochabers not far from the River Spey. The exact date the kennel was established is not known, but by the early 19th century the Duke's setters had brought the breed to prominence.
According to Samuel Brown, a veterinary surgeon and great authority on the breed, the Duke of Gordon and several other noblemen had their original stock of setters from Mr Coke of Longford, and the color was usually black-white-and-tan. The Duke interbred with other kennels besides Mr Coke's, notably with Lord Lovat's. In the mid-19th century, many of the dogs in the Duke's large kennel were black-and-white or black/white-and-tan, as it was felt these colors were easier to pick out when working. Selective breeding has since established the Gordon as the black-and-tan setter.
The Kennel Club applied the name "Gordon Setter" to the breed in 1924; before that, they were known as black-and-tan setters. The breed was brought to the United States in 1842 by George Blunt and Daniel Webster, who purchased two dogs named Rake and Rachel from the Duke's kennels, and the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1892.
The Heaviest of the Setters
The Gordon Setter is the heaviest of the setter breeds, with a strong, rather short back, well-sprung ribs, and a short tail. The head is fairly heavy and finely chiseled, with an intelligent, noble, and dignified bearing. Males stand 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 80 pounds; females stand 23 to 26 inches and weigh 45 to 70 pounds. The weight-to-height ratio makes the Gordon heavier than the other setters.
A Gordon's coat is straight or slightly waved (but not curly), long and silky, with chest, stomach, ear, leg, and tail feathering. The standard color is coal black with rich tan or mahogany markings, though a small amount of white is allowed on the chest. Although uncommon, red Gordons are occasionally born to normal-colored parents, the result of expression of a recessive red gene; predominantly tan, red, or buff dogs are ineligible for showing.
Alert, Confident, and Fearless
The Gordon Setter is alert, gay, interested, and confident — fearless and willing, intelligent and capable. It is loyal and affectionate, and strong-minded enough to stand the rigors of training. The breed is noted for its appearance, loyalty, and lively temperament, and is methodical in the field.
Gordons are intensely loyal to their owners, thrive in an attentive, loving environment, and are good family dogs. Although they have lots of energy outside, Gordon Setters are known to be calm dogs at home. While they will bark to alert their family or get attention — the breed club calls them "great talkers" — this breed isn't known to be overly vocal. However, Gordon Setters may bark excessively and become destructive if allowed to grow bored.
Exercise and Activity
Gordon Setters are full of energy and need regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy. The Kennel Club recommends more than two hours of exercise per day, with a large home and large garden, suited to the country rather than town. A bold, strong, driving free-swinging gait is typical, with the head carried up and the tail "flagging" constantly while the dog is in motion.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this high-energy setter.
Training a Gordon Setter
Gordons are sensitive and empathic, eager to learn, and need firm but gentle handling. They are intelligent and capable, strong-minded enough to stand the rigors of training, and respond well to positive, consistent methods. Early socialization and obedience training are important.
The breed is one of the slowest to mature — not hitting prime until three years of age or more — and will show puppy-like characteristics well into older years. Puppies and adult dogs can be quite boisterous, and although patient by nature, may not be suitable for households with very young children. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Gordon Setter
The Gordon Setter's long, silky coat with feathering needs brushing more than once a week to prevent tangles and matting, especially in the feathering on the chest, stomach, ears, legs, and tail. It sheds, so regular grooming keeps loose hair in check.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a long-coated setter.
Feeding a Gordon Setter
A Gordon Setter should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. As a large, very active sporting dog, it needs sound nutrition. Gordon owners should be mindful of bloat risk — avoid feeding one large meal per day and vigorous exercise immediately after eating.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Gordon Setter is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years; a 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.4 years. Although not as prone to hip dysplasia as many of the larger breeds, Gordons can suffer from the condition. Other health issues can include hypothyroidism, gastric torsion (bloat), and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. Responsible breeders screen their stock.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Gordon Setters can make excellent pets because of their friendly demeanor, loyalty, and gentleness around children, especially when introduced to children during puppyhood. They're great with children according to the breed club, though every interaction between kids and dogs should be supervised and children taught how to appropriately interact with dogs.
Gordon Setters are rare, and it can be difficult to find a puppy, though the breed has grown in popularity in recent years and ranks as the AKC's 99th most popular dog breed. If you're weighing whether a Gordon Setter fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Gordon Setter means committing to a rare, high-energy sporting dog that needs more than two hours of exercise a day in a home with space — they're suited to the country rather than town. Their long, silky coat needs regular grooming, they're slow to mature, and they can be boisterous. If bored, they'll bark and become destructive.
Yet for the right owner, the Gordon Setter is incomparable — a noble, dignified, and intensely loyal black-and-tan with the heart of a tireless hunter.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Intelligent, capable, and eager to learn
- Intensely loyal and affectionate
- Calm at home, energetic outside
- Great with children (with supervision)
- Noble, dignified appearance
- Methodical and reliable in the field
Disadvantages
- Very high exercise needs
- Rare — difficult to find a puppy
- Slow to mature (prime at 3+ years)
- Long coat needs regular grooming
- Can be boisterous
- Prone to bloat and eye issues
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Gordon Setters get? Males 24–27 in, 55–80 lb; females 23–26 in, 45–70 lb.
How long do Gordon Setters live? Typically 12 to 13 years.
Are Gordon Setters good family dogs? Yes — friendly, loyal, and gentle around children.
Are Gordon Setters easy to train? Intelligent and eager to learn, with firm but gentle handling.
Are Gordon Setters good for first-time owners? Their energy and training needs suit experienced owners.
Are Gordon Setters rare? Yes — they rank as the AKC's 99th most popular breed.
What were Gordon Setters bred to do? Hunt birds such as pheasants and quails.
Are Gordon Setters good with children? Yes — patient by nature, especially when raised with kids.
Do Gordon Setters bark a lot? "Great talkers" but not overly vocal — destructive if bored.
Are Gordon Setters good for apartment living? No — they need space and 2+ hours of exercise daily.
Do Gordon Setters shed much? Yes — they shed and need regular brushing.
What health problems do Gordon Setters have? Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat, PRA, and cataracts.