General Information

Dog NameGordon Setter
Other NamesGordon Castle Setter
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupSporting
Breed ForHunting gamebirds
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginUnited Kingdom (UK)

Physical And Size

SizeLarge
Min Life Span12
Max Life Span13
Min Ideal Weight for male24
Max Ideal Weight for male31
Min Ideal Weight for female20
Max Ideal Weight for male31

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentAffectionate, Confident, Devoted
Prey DriveYes
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyLow
Child FriendlyHigh
Cat FriendlyMedium
Dog FriendlyLow
Office FriendlyLow
Apartment FriendlyLow
Senior Citizens FriendlyLow
Service DogLow
Search and Rescue DogLow
Biting PotentialLow
Country of OriginScotland
Nicknames and Other NamesGordon Castle Setter
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupGun Dog
Sporting Group
Bred ForHunting gamebirds
SizeLarge-sized
Recognized ByUKC, AKC, FCI, ANKC, KC, NZKC,CKC
Life Span12-13 years
Ideal WeightMale: 55-80 pounds
Female: 45-70 pounds
Ideal HeightMale: 24-27 inches
Female: 23-26 inches
Fur TypeLong, Soft, shiny, slightly wavy
Common ColorsTan, Red, Black and Tan
MarkingsNone
AvailabilityAvailable
AchievementsNone
Suitable for ApartmentsNo
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToEnglish Setter

Gordon Setter Dog is a large-sized dog who is the heaviest of the Setter breeds. They are well-muscled and tends to work hard but also are very playful and makes a great family companion. They need a lot of physical activity to keep them fit and healthy.

Gordon Setter Dog has a powerful appearance with its tall and well-muscled body. Their chest is deep and not too broad at front. The head is long with oval-shaped deep brown eyes and ears are long, set low on the head. The coat is from medium to long which is either straight or light wavy.

Origin and History

Gordon Setter was originated in the early 17th century in Scotland by the Fourth Duke of Gordon. They were bred to be a bird dog who used to hunt. The hunter would shoot at the birds like pheasant and quail and the Gordon Setter would bring the bird to the hunters.

The American Kennel Club recognized Gordon Setter in 1892 under the Sporting Group.

Is Gordon Setter Child-Friendly?

Gordon Setter gets well with children as they are tolerant and loving towards them. They are extremely protective of them and love to play with them. However, rough handling can make them go away so, children should be taught to approach them and taught some manner.

Gorden Setter is child friendly
Gordon Setter with a kid. Image Source: instagram- @marieswedie

Temperament, Behavior and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of Gordon Setter is affectionate and confident. They are very loyal and devoted to the member of the family and forms a strong attachment with one person. They are wary of strangers and do not trust them easily. However, if socialized and introduced properly, they are nice and gentle towards guests.

Behavior: Gordon Setter is a little jealous dog who doesn’t like to share the affection and attention he is getting to any other pet. So, it is better to keep Gordon Setter as an only pet and let other pet in the house if they are to be raised together from puppy-hood.

They might have separation anxiety if they are left alone for a long time which may lead to their aggressive behavior. Therefore, they should not be left alone for a long period of time.

Personality: The Personality of Gordon Setter is bold and powerful. They love their family and are very protective of them. They are of serious nature but also can be fun and playful who wants to be included in family activities. Their reserved nature around strangers and aggressive towards other dog makes him a good watch and guard dog.

Trainability

Gordon Setter training can be difficult as they have a mind of their own and do not like to be told what to do or not to. Therefore, the leader should be steady and strong who can show him who the master is. Positive reinforcement like rewarding with treats and vocal praise would help in training Gordon Setter a lot. They should be enrolled in obedience training and agility training to keep their mind active.

Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesHip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Bloat, Hypothyroidism
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough,
Canine Coronavirus, Leptospirosis,
Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus
SheddingMoedrate Shedder
DroolingAverage Drooler
GroomingAdvance Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage
Separation AnxietyModerate Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 30%
Fat: 15%
Omega-3 an Omega-6 Fatty Acid
Glucosamine
Multivitamins

Gordon Setter is generally a healthy breed who have the possibility of suffering from hereditary health problems. Besides genetic health condition, they may also some time in their life face some canine diseases, which are given below.

  • Bloat: Bloat, which is also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus. It is a painful condition that causes the ballooning of stomach which shuts the digestion and blood vessels reducing the flowing of blood towards the heart.
  • Allergies: Allergies is also known as hypersensitivities that are caused by the presence of something foreign which is harmful to the body. Most likely canine allergies are due to food, smoke, plants, plastics and many more that causes irritation in the skin and other parts of the body like stomach or throats.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism

Facts

  • The Gordon Setter currently ranks 104 of 193 (as of March 2019) registered breeds.
  • In 1981, the Gordon Setter Club of America was formed.
  • The average life expectancy of Gordon Setter is 12-13 years.
  • The phrase used for Gordon Setter is “beauty, brains, and bird sense.”

Puppies

Gordon Setter Puppy Cost
Gordon Setter Puppies
Image Source: dogtime

Cost: The average cost for a Gordon Setter puppy is between $800-$1000 USD. However, adopting a puppy cost a lot lesser than buying from a breeder. Adoption usually cost around $300 inclusive of the expenses before adopting the puppy.

Size

The average height of the male Gordon Setter is between 24-27 inches and female is 23-26 inches. The weight of the male is between 55-80 pounds and the female is 45-70 pounds.

Dog Breeds Similar to Gordon Setter

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