Gordon Setter as Hunting Dog

The information surrounding the ancestors of the Gordon Setter and the opinions of the different trainers and canine experts concerning the beginnings of this popular dog breed are many and diverse. What we do know is that the name "Gordon" comes from the Duke of Gordon who held these animals in such high esteem that he always had a large number of Gordon setters in his dog kennel. Originally this breed was found extensively throughout Scotland where the first stories emerged concerning the efficiency and conduct of this dog in regards to it being considered a hunting dog. The Duke of Gordon had the idea to cross one of these females with another famous Scottish breed thereby creating the black-tan variety of setter. There are certain trainers that are sure that this dog breed descends from either Labrador or Newfoundland, while there are others that believe that in the

origin of this breed comes from Bloodhound or some breed of continental pointer. All personal feelings aside the belief that the Gordon setter finds it origins in the kennels of the Duke of Gordon appears to be the most credible. One other thing seems certain and that is the size of today's Gordon is considerably less than its predecessors but it has retained the qualities that make is such a good hunting dog; an acute sense of smell, its intelligence and its ability to track over almost any kind of terrain. Typically the male and female Gordon setters are between 55 and 65 cm. tall and weigh about 25 to 30 kg. These breeds' physical traits differ quite distinctly from other setters. Its large head is very different from the English and Irish with its snout being slightly bent in appearance. It has large, flat and triangular shaped ears that hang down. In length its coat is similar to the English setter but its color is coal-black with tan features that differs from Irish setters, which are red, and English setters, which are white with speckles. Gordon setters have tan on their feet and lower legs, vents, and muzzles, and two distinctive tan spots on their chests. With a well-defined sense of smell, intelligence and keen ability to track the Gordon setter is a worthy companion for any small game hunter.

Hunting Dogs Good Hunter? Gun Dog Breeds Hunting Setter English Setter Gordon Setter Laverack Setter Irish Setter Bracos Hunters Italian Bracos French Braco Saint Germain Braco Auvernia Braco German Shorthaired Pointer or Kurzhaar Hungarian Pointer Epagneul Breton Griffons as Hunters Italian Griffon Spinone Italiano Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals German Wirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer or Drahthaar Pointers as Hunting Dogs Perdiguero de Burgos or Spanish Pointer Perdiguero Navarro Old Spanish Pointer English Pointer Retrievers as Hunters Labrador Golden Retriever Golden Retriever History of the English Cocker Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Springer Spaniel Hounds as Hunters Porcelaine History of the Harrier Harrier Beagle Beagles Ibizan Hound Podenco Ibicenco Ibizan Hound Sicilian Greyhound Cirneco dell' Etna Sicilian Greyhound Training Hunting Dogs Why train hunting dog puppies New Puppy Puppy Hunting House training Puppy Potty Training Hunting Name Dog Training Come Command Puppy Stay Accidents & illnesses Rabies symptoms Canine distemper Canine Leptopirosis Internal parasites Types of Worms Hydatid cysts External parasites Ears-Eyes Care Emergencies Care Resuscitating a dog Types of Dog Skin Injury Hunting dog hemorrhages Correct Nutrition Nutrition Hand feeding Puppy Food Breed Reproduction Breeding Cycle Spaying Mating When to Breed Pregnancy of the female dog Birthing puppy dogs Dog Kennel