Sporting group
Gordon Setter
A bold, loyal Scottish setter — the heaviest and most protective of the setters.
Gordon Setters are handsome black-and-tan bird dogs with stamina for long days on Scottish moors. They are devoted to their families and more protective than other setters, and they need exercise, patience and grooming.
- Height
- 23–27 in58–69 cm
- Weight
- 45–80 lb20–36 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–13 years
- Size
- Large
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- Scotland
Coat: Soft, shiny, straight or slightly wavy coat with feathering. Colours: Black and tan.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
Gordons are affectionate, loyal and often form strong bonds with their family. They tend to be more reserved with strangers than other setters and make good watchdogs.
They are intelligent but can be stubborn, and they mature slowly. Gordons need a lot of exercise and mental work; bored Gordons are noisy and destructive.
Living with a Gordon Setter
Exercise
At least 90 minutes of activity daily, including running in safe areas. Excellent for hikers and runners.
Grooming
Brush two or three times a week and trim ears, feet and feathering. Moderate shedding.
Training
Intelligent but independent; positive, consistent training works best. Start socialisation early.
Kids & other pets
Loyal and affectionate with children in their family. Can be selective with other dogs and wary of strangers.
Time alone
Needs company and exercise; long periods alone often lead to barking or chewing.
Home fit
Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.
Is a Gordon Setter right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Gordon Setter matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Gordon Setter typically lives 12–13 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd4)
Late-onset inherited vision loss; a DNA test identifies carriers.
Hypothyroidism
Common in the breed; managed with daily medication.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
A deep-chested breed; learn the warning signs.
Cerebellar cortical degeneration
An inherited neurological disease causing loss of coordination; DNA testing is available.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- Thyroid evaluation
- DNA tests: rcd4-PRA and cerebellar cortical degeneration
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Gordon Setter; Gordon Setter Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Black-and-tan setters were bred in Scotland for centuries, but the breed was popularised in the 1820s by Alexander Gordon, the 4th Duke of Gordon, at Gordon Castle.
Gordon Setters arrived in America in 1842, when Daniel Webster and George Blunt imported dogs from the Duke’s kennel. The AKC recognised the breed in 1892.
Did you know?
- Gordon Setters are the only setter breed with black-and-tan colouring.
- Daniel Webster helped bring the breed to America in 1842.
- Gordons are the heaviest of the setter breeds.
Library guides for Gordon Setter owners
Grooming
Bathing
How to bath a Gordon Setter without drying out the coat.
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Dog Road Work
Structured conditioning for high-stamina dogs.
Exercise & Play
Tug of War
An energy outlet that also builds impulse control.
Grooming
Ear Cleaning
Ear care matters for this coat and ear type.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are Gordon Setters good family dogs?
- Yes, for active families. They are loyal and affectionate but need lots of exercise.
- Do Gordon Setters shed?
- Moderately. Regular brushing keeps the coat healthy.
- Are Gordon Setters protective?
- More than other setters. They are good watchdogs and can be reserved with strangers.