Gordon Setter
戈登蹲獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Gordon Setter, "the black avenger of the Highlands", is the largest and most substantial of the setters — a glistening black-and-tan bird dog developed at Castle Gordon in Scotland and built for tough terrain and foul weather, slower than the other setters but famed for staying power and a keen nose. Confident, affectionate and bold, it is resolute in the field and sweetly affectionate by the fireside: bred as a personal hunting dog and even a nanny, it lives to be with its owner, is stubborn yet soft and eager to please, smart and quick to learn. It needs real daily exercise and lots of outdoor time, does best with a job — ideally anything done alongside its person — and The Royal Kennel Club lists it as a vulnerable native breed.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–69cm |
| Weight | 20–36kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 7 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
The rcd4 form of PRA is reported in the breed; The Royal Kennel Club lists the DNA test under its Good Practice tests, and the parent club's health committee points breeders to PRA DNA testing through the OFA and the Animal Health Trust. Ask your breeder for the parents' PRA results and about eye certificates.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Bloat, a sudden, life-threatening stomach condition, can occur in the breed; the AKC tells owners to learn the signs and what to do, and cautions never to exercise a Gordon in the half hour before or after feeding. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Neuroaxonal dystrophy / neurological DNA-tested conditions
Cerebellar degeneration (CCA), an inherited neurological condition, is reported in the breed; the parent club's health committee points breeders to the DNA test offered by North Carolina State University's veterinary genetics laboratory. Ask your breeder which DNA tests the parents have had.
Behaviour
Lives to be with its owner
The AKC says Gordons were bred as personal hunting dogs and nannies and live for cuddling by your side as much as running in a field; they are stubborn yet very soft and loving, live to please, are very smart and learn quickly, and the best job they can have is time spent with their owner. It insists on a few lifesaving basics — a reliable recall, its name and "no" — and notes that although closely bonded, they are fine being alone when the family is out.
Staying power and a keen nose — a country dog
The CKC says the Gordon delights in being near its owners, is mannerly and eager to please in the home with a keen intellect and retentive memory, and may be wary of strangers; a sturdy setter capable of a full day's work in the field, not as fast as the other setters but noted for staying power and scenting ability, it thrives on country living and needs lots of regular outdoor exercise. The AKC adds it can live in an apartment only with daily walking, jogging or cycling, and will self-exercise in a garden but is happiest doing something with its bonded owner.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Gordon Setter
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Setter Gordon (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Gordon Setter
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Gordon Setter (standard no. 6, group 7)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health and genetics committee runs voluntary registries to identify the problems of concern in the breed and points owners and breeders to the OFA (hips, elbows and the breed's CHIC programme), CERF eye clearances — which can be queried for an individual dog even though no public listing exists — and DNA tests for PRA and cerebellar degeneration (CCA). It stresses that a CHIC number only means the clearance tests were done and the results made public; it is in no way a statement that the dog passed them all.”
— Gordon Setter Club of America — Health & Genetics via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Gordon Setter — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Setter Gordon — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Gordon Setter — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Gordon Setter — FCI standard no. 6 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health & Genetics — Gordon Setter Club of America — Gordon Setter Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.