The Gordon Setter breed is primarily a hunting dog breed. Specifically, the Gordon Setter dog breed is a "gun dog" breed. That is, the dogs were bred to retrieve animals, usually birds, that had been shot down by hunters. Active, alert, and self-confident, these strong animals love the outdoors.
The Gordon Setter‘s Behavior
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Source: Wikipedia.
Recommended for: pet; not recommended for small children
Gordon Setters were bred to retrieve objects from enclosed spaces during hunting, and that is still their primary special skill. Many people say that the Gordon Setter dog breed does not lend itself way to traditional obedience training. Gordon Setter dogs are also known for lazing around for hours on end, but that's not the whole story. They love the outdoors and need some physical activity. The dogs are affectionate and playful, even boisterous. The Gordon Setter breed may not be best for small children since sometimes these excitable animals don't know their own size.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.
The Gordon Setter‘s Physical Characteristics
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Here are the characteristics of the Gordon Setter breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.
- Size: Males 24-27 inches, 55-80 pounds; females 23-26 inches, 45-70 pounds
- Coat: Dense and water-repellent
- Color: golden
- Eyes: oval, dark brown.
- Ears: low-set on a line with the eyes, large and thin, folded, carried close to head
- Skull: rounded, broadest between ears
- Muzzle: long, not pointed
- Nose: broad, black
Gordon Setter’s Origins and History
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Source: Gordon Setter Club of America.
Country/Region of Origin: United Kingdom
Original purpose: hunting
Name: The Duke of Gordon is credited with defining the breed in the 1820s.
Historical notes: Black and tan setters, the ancestors of the Gordon Setter breed, date back to at least the 1500s in Scotland and England. The first two Gordon Setters brought to the United States came direct for the Duke of Gordon kennels in the 1840s.