Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, is credited with establishing the breed we now know as Gordon Setter. His home Gordon Castle, north of Fochabers was where he established his kennel of Black and Tan Setters. They were bred to work and the best dog was the one that could achieve that. It was not till later that appearance started to count. His dogs were either black, white and tan, black and white and black and tan.

The 4th Duke died in 1827.

It is possible to go back further than that. Some records show the early version of your Gordon Setter was first recorded as long ago as the sixteenth century. In 1776 Rev. Mr. Simms wrote "Whatever mixtures may have been since made, there were, 50 years ago, two distinct tribes the black-tanned and the orange or lemon and white."

The setters, a descendant of the "setting spaniel," were raised on many of the large shooting estates. The breed was used mainly to find grouse being sent off to quarter the ground and locate the birds. (If you have ever wondered why your dog runs off it is because many years of breeding have gone into it to make it hunt independently).

The Gordon Setter numbers decreased during the first half of the 20th Century, as the large shooting estates went into decline. In 1923 only 54 Black and Tan Setters were registered with the Kennel Club. During this period the Gordon Setter was rarely seen outside Scotland. By the end of the Second World War the Gordon was becoming more popular as a family pet rather than a working gundog.

Your Gordon Setter is descended from the Black and Tan Setter of long ago. The modern name Gordon Setter was granted by the Kennel Club in 1924, in honour of the 4th Duke of Gordon and the breed has been known as that ever since.

Of the differing setter types the Gordon is considered the biggest and heaviest. Though lacking the speed of the other Setters and of the Pointer, it is renowned for its stamina in the field.

As a breed Gordons are generally late in maturing, not in their prime until 3 years old or more. Nevertheless apart from their ability to work in the field, they make excellent pets. When young they need firm handling but they respond well to training.

This is a very short history of the Gordon Setter and much more of relevance and interest has been written. To fill in the gaps there are many books available which will give you an insight to your dog and its character.

Bibliography The Gordon Setter History and Character by Gompertz

The Gordon Setter Mildred Adams