The Gordon Setter FAQ

This is not an official FAQ.

This FAQ has been created with great help from Ms. Anita Aronsson, Chairman of The Swedish Gordon Setter Breeding Council and Mr. Tom DePottey, U.S.

"Are there different types of Gordon Setters?"

Since the time the Black and Tan Setter was recognized as an independent breed by the British Kennel Club, there has been deviations in its conformation, character and hunting capability. For the last 150 years fanciers have been engaged in disputes concerning the "true type." At one end of the scale is the larger Show dog usually with plenty of coat and at the other the smaller Field trial dog with less feathering. In between these extremes goes the Dual purpose dog. Any variant would do equally nice as a pet, provided it is properly trained. Whether you prefer the Show- or the Field type depends upon your personal preferences or ambitions.

A Gordon Setter given opportunities to work, mentally and physically, is an excellent pet. On the other hand, a neglected Gordon tends to turn his energy into a destructive behavior. A Gordon Setter shows a devoted loyalty to his master and family, and often becomes an affectionate companion and guard for the children. He will accommodate to almost any circumstances, but he is happiest when together with his master and family, enjoying personal attention. A Gordon put all alone in the backyard will be very unhappy with the situation. If you do not have time to spend with your dog every day, do not buy a Gordon!

There is a spectrum of different characters within the breed. A few Gordon Setters are determined, sturdy, and independent, not minding a good fight with a rival. Others have quite the opposite personality. Most Gordons are boisterous when young, but on growing older they become gentle and dignified. The breed tends to mature late in life. Some individuals are great talkers, enlightening your life with their constant comments. Many Gordons also have a peculiar sense of humor which you will enjoy, and sometimes endure. It is not uncommon for a Gordon Setter owner to have a feeling of being "owned" by his dog. Finally I want to give you a quote from Norman Sorbys book "The field Gordon Setter, the black and tan bombshell"; "Don�t expect the dog to be sorry for his sins. The word "repent" is not in a Gordon�s vocabulary. If he acts sorry, he probably is sorry he got caught. He may also be sorry that you are angry, but not sorry for the deed, which gave him great satisfaction at the time."

Being a hunting dog, the Gordon Setter needs a lot of both intellectual and physical stimulation. To make these dogs physically exhausted without hunting is next to impossible. They will just become more energetic and require more exercise. Gordons are large dogs that need a safe area to stretch their legs off leash, running free. However, be prepared to spend generous time for the intellectual training of your Gordon. That training will be a most convenient way to make the dog exhausted. Mental activity is vital for the dog; if neglected the owner is heading for trouble. If you're not prepared to put much time into your dog, please choose another breed.

Most Gordon Setters are highly intelligent dogs that are able to learn quickly when motivated. Sometimes they learn more than you would expect, and not just appropriate matters. In fact, Gordon Setters have the reputation of being excellent trainers of humans, so beware not to be fooled around by the dog. It is absolutely necessary for a Gordon to learn the basics of polite behavior. Large dogs lacking elementary obedience are a nuisance to their owners, and to the neighborhood. In general it's always better to start with soft training methods, and increase the severity of corrections if required. However, be careful not to ruin the attitude of the dog. A happy dog will learn much faster. Only after you are positive that the dog knows the exercise should the corrections become stronger. While training with the more harsh methods may eventually work, the result will be a dog with a poor attitude and little confidence. A dog who is afraid of it's owner is a sorry sight. If this is your first dog, or even if it isn't, it is a good idea to find a local training center to help in training. Try to find one that uses "positive reinforcement" training. Always watch a couple of classes at each of the facilities before choosing a school. It may not always be the one closest to your home. If you are not willing to spend the time in training your dog, do not get upset if it does not behave as you want as it gets older.

Gordons are bred to localize game birds. Any exercise finding objects or persons appeal to their inborn instincts. Gordon Setters like to work in cooperation with their owner. Agility training may be an ideal activity for some dogs.

There is not one single answer because it depends entirely upon the dog's coat texture. There are three main varieties of coats: short coat (requires a minimum of grooming), curly coat (needs more care), and the long coat (for the grooming "expert"). Show prospects need special attention when it comes to grooming. The Gordon Setter has some coat on the bottom of their feet and between the toes, which is important to trim during the winter. Snow and ice easily sticks there, which may cause the foot to breakdown.

The easiest way to find a good breeder is to contact your local kennel organization, they can help you to find a breeder within reasonable distance from where you live. It's very seldom you can find Gordon Setter puppies in the newspaper. When you are talking to the breeder you have to be prepared to answer a lot of questions, most breeders are very concerned about their dogs future home and existence. If you pass as a future owner it might take a year or more until the breeder have puppies for sale. Here in Sweden 121 Gordon Setters was born 1994 (19 litters) and 116 was born 1995 (14 litters), which mostly never was advertised.

The following information applies only to Sweden. During the 40's the number of Gordon Setters reached an all-time low and during the restoration of the breed there was some inbreeding depression. In the 60's and 70's outbreeding with English Setter occurred to obtain