Gordon Setters are know for their brains, bird sense, and beauty. The heaviest of the setter family, the Gordon is Scotland’s only native gun dog. History reports that the ‘black and tan bombshell’ (as they are called), had his devoted followers as far back as the 16th century. Formally called the Gordon Cancel Setter, this dog owes its existence to Alexander the fourth duke of Gordon and Richmond, who bred Scotland’s only native gun dog in the late 1770s.  His aim was to produce a larger, heavier setter by introducing bloodhound, and it is widely thought, collie blood for a double coat to adapt to Scotland’s harsh weather. Gordons are not as fast or stylish as other setters, but are more thorough in their search patterns.

Daniel Webster and George Blunt imported Rake and Rachel from the Duke’s kennels in 1842, making them the first Gordon Setters to reach the New World. The Gordon is a tireless worker, able to withstand the heat of a grouse shoot in August better than other setters, and able to work without water for longer periods of time. It will combine the role of gundog admirably with that of family pet and usually makes a better watchdog than other setters.

The average Gordon is a one family dog and works at his best in the field with his owners, quartering the ground thoroughly, his sturdy build and deep chest and excellent nose giving him every advantage in the field. And as such, a Gordon does not make a good kennel dog to be passed from hunter to hunter. But unlike some other breeds of gundog, they do not need to be retrained year after year.

The steady Gordon Setter