Mary Allen
The Gordon Setter is a reliable and calm hunting dog from England. In the profile, you will learn everything about the origin, the character, and the attitude of the setter.
History of the Gordon Setter
The roots of the Gordon Setter lie in the English hunting dogs of the Middle Ages. Before there were firearms, hunters used nets to hunt game birds. The dog’s job was to track down the bird without scaring it away. The hunters were then able to throw their net over the bird, entangling it. Since only landowners were allowed to hunt, the landed gentry, in particular, owned such “setting dogs”.
The hounds were long-haired but not of a uniform color. Gradually different variants developed. To breed the Gordon Setter, the English nobles crossed their dogs with Spaniels, Collies, Pointers, and Bloodhounds.
A variant with a particularly striking black and red coat became known in Scotland. Count Alexander Gordon of Banffshire devoted himself to the new breed, which later became known as the Gordon Castle Setter. In addition, by the mid-19th century, there were already numerous breeders in northern England and Scotland.
The breed was officially recognized with the founding of the English Kennel Club in 1873. From 1924 the breed was called the “Gordon Setter”. The term setter is derived from the term “setting dog”. In addition to the Gordon, there is the English Setter, the Irish Red Setter, and the Irish Red and White Setter. Today the dogs belong to the FCI group 7 “pointing dogs” in section 2.2 “setters”.
Education of the Puppy
The spirited and boisterous Setter puppy needs consistent and sensitive training. Trusting cooperation is important for successful training. You should steer his hunting instinct in the right direction early on. Experience with dogs and strong self-confidence are helpful for this. However, harshness and violence are completely out of place.
A well-behaved setter can easily be controlled without a leash. He conscientiously copes with the tasks assigned to him but does not completely submit them. To socialize the puppy you should attend a dog school. Here the four-legged friend can socialize with other dogs and you can get help with the puppy.
Activities with the Gordon Setter
The proper exercise of a Gordon Setter counts for more than just the daily walks. The active dog wants to be challenged physically and mentally. The versatile setter is ideal for hunting. However, it is also a good companion for active families. He is just as enthusiastic about hiking and jogging as he is about dog sports such as obedience and agility.
Retrieval games or dummy training are also great activities for the clever hunting dog. The dog needs exercise in any weather. A physically or mentally under-challenged dog is more likely to misbehave. So make sure you keep your dog busy, but not overwhelmed.
Health and Care
Especially the Gordon Setter from hunting breeds are considered to be robust in terms of health. However, poor diet or lack of exercise can promote hip dysplasia. Like every dog, the Gordon needs healthy, high-quality dog food with high meat content. In general, however, dogs are considered easy to care for. Depending on the length of the coat and the use of the dog, you should brush the setter about once a week. The fine, long hairs on the ears and legs are particularly prone to tangling.
Is the Gordon Setter Right for Me?
Despite its original use for hunting, the Gordon Setter is not just for hunters or rangers. Active nature lovers who like hiking or cycling will also find a loyal companion in the breed. But then he needs a meaningful occupation. The dogs are not suitable for a small city apartment because of their size and their urge to move. A large house with its own garden is ideal.
When buying a puppy, you should go to a reputable breeder. It is best to belong to the Gordon Setter Club Germany e.V. or the Association for Pointers and Setters e.V. In general, it is advisable to buy a dog from a hunting breed. The animals from the “beauty breeding” suffer more often from diseases and are more difficult to care for. A purebred and healthy puppy with papers from the breeder costs around 1000 euros. By the way, you will always find representatives of the breed or crossbreeds looking for a nice new home in the animal shelter.
Interesting and Worth Knowing
With Gordon Setter numbers down by 60%, according to reports from the British Kennel Club, the current owners of Gordon Castle have launched a rescue operation. They dedicate the annual “Gordon Castle Highland Games” to the dog breed and invite every owner and lover of the breed to participate.