Gordon Setter: the heaviest of the three British setters, and the one modern field trials left behind

In modern field trials, the dog that covers the most ground in the least time wins. The Irish Setter sweeps wide; the English Setter holds its pace hour after hour. The third of the British setters can quarter a field all day without flagging, reads terrain with a precision few pointing dogs match, and works with the focus of a dog twice its energy, but it runs slower. That is all modern competition needs to set it aside. The Gordon Setter is, for that reason, a rarity on 21st-century field trial circuits: a breed that lost the high-level sport market on top speed, not on ability.

The origin is in the Scottish Highlands, in Banffshire. In the late 18th century, Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, bred working setters at Gordon Castle with a stated preference for robust dogs, black and tan in coat, able to endure Highland cold and rain through entire days afield. The goal was a dog that could hunt grouse, pheasant, and woodcock on moors where the lighter Irish Setter tired before the afternoon was over. The robustness was achieved: The Kennel Club recognized it as an independent breed in 1867, and the AKC entered the Gordon Setter in its registry in 1884. The price it pays for the extra pounds is the speed it does not have.

What does the Gordon Setter look like?

The most substantial of the three British setters. Males stand 24 to 27 in (61 to 69 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 80 lb (25 to 36 kg); females stand 23 to 26 in (58 to 66 cm) and weigh 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg). The build is muscular, with heavy bone and a short back. It shares the elegant outline of the group, but carries roughly a third more mass than the Irish Setter.

The coat is long, soft, slightly wavy, with abundant feathering on the ears, chest, belly, and the back of the legs. Here the breed marking is absolute: deep coal-black with chestnut (tan) markings in a fixed pattern. Two spots over the eyes, on the cheeks, throat, chest, the inside of the legs, and under the tail. The AKC standard allows no variation; any other color is a fault. It is the only setter with a single official color scheme among the three British breeds.

The eyes are dark brown, with an intelligent, calm expression. The ears are long, set low, and hang close to the head. The tail is carried in line with the back or slightly raised, never over the topline.

What is the temperament like?

Tenacious, loyal, reserved with strangers, deeply bonded to its family. A textbook description of the Gordon could be mistaken for that of other setters, but there are differences that show up in daily life.

With its family the Gordon is affectionate and steady, without the overflowing exuberance of the Irish Setter. The bond forms slowly and lasts. With visitors, the Gordon takes longer to accept someone it does not know; the initial reserve is normal and should not be mistaken for aggression. This is a dog that evaluates before it decides.

The tenacity that makes it effective in the field complicates basic training. It learns well, retains commands, and understands what is asked of it, but when it has a goal of its own (a scent to follow, a trail across the yard) the recall fails more often than in breeds more dependent on the handler. Early socialization and obedience worked from three months of age narrow that margin of independence, but it never fully disappears.

With children over six years old the breed lives well: it is patient and tolerates active play. With very young children, watch the jumping, which can knock over a two-year-old with no ill intent at all. With other dogs the relationship is usually trouble-free if the dog has been well socialized. Around small prey animals the hunting instinct is active.

The Gordon is less high-strung than the Irish, but it needs daily physical activity and mental stimulation. An adult confined without exercise turns to destructiveness as efficiently as any setter.

What health problems does it have?

The breed has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, reasonable for a large dog, though somewhat shorter than the lighter setters.

Hip dysplasia. A common condition in large breeds. Hip screening of breeding stock by radiograph (OFA protocol) is standard among serious breeders. A puppy whose parents hold no hip certification is a bet placed without information.

Progressive retinal atrophy rcd4. This specific form of the disease, the rcd4 variant (rod-cone dysplasia type 4), has a DNA test available that identifies clear, carrier, and affected dogs. A carrier can be bred safely if paired with a genetically clear dog. An affected dog develops progressive blindness, first at night, advancing toward complete loss of sight. Any breeder who does not mention the PRA-rcd4 DNA test deserves a direct question about it.

Bloat (GDV). The Gordon's deep chest is a risk factor for this veterinary emergency. Gastric dilatation can progress to volvulus within hours, fatal without urgent surgery. Preventive measures include not exercising the dog in the hour after meals, splitting the daily ration into two feedings, and knowing the signs: a distended abdomen, retching with no result, restlessness, and excessive drooling. Prophylactic gastropexy at the time of spay or neuter is increasingly recommended for deep-chested breeds.

Hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone deficiency appears at moderate frequency in the breed. The most common signs are weight gain with no change in diet, lethargy, coat loss, and cold intolerance. Treatment with oral levothyroxine is effective and lifelong.

Inherited heart conditions. There are records of hereditary heart disease in the breed, though the exact prevalence is not well quantified. A cardiac check at the annual veterinary visit is advisable from age five.

How much exercise does it need?

Between 90 minutes and two hours of effective daily physical activity, not just a walk. The Gordon Setter is an all-day field dog: its body is built to trot for hours at a sustained pace, not to sprint on a leash. What works best in an urban setting is a walk combined with a long off-leash stretch in an enclosed area (a park, open country) plus scent games or search work, which tire the dog mentally.

An adult with under 60 minutes of real exercise a day ends up with release behaviors: destroying objects, repetitive barking, escaping over the fence. Exercise tolerance is high; boredom tolerance is very low.

How do you groom it?

The long coat needs regular attention to avoid matting. The minimum program is brushing two or three times a week with a pin brush and a long-toothed comb, paying attention to the feathering on the ears, armpits, groin, and hind legs, where knots form first.

The drop ears trap moisture and lack adequate ventilation. Check weekly and clean with a veterinary ear solution every ten to fourteen days. Cases of otitis externa are common in the breed if ear care is neglected.

Bathe every four to six weeks with a shampoo formulated for long coats. Dry the dog completely before it goes outside in cold weather, because a wet coat on a large dog takes hours to dry and can lead to chilling in winter.

Trim nails monthly and brush teeth three times a week. This is not a breed for frequent professional grooming, but many owners take the dog to a groomer two or three times a year to tidy the feathering and clean the ears.

How much does a Gordon Setter cost in the US?

The breed has a limited presence in the US. The number of active AKC breeders is small, which means waiting lists are common and few puppies are available each year.

Puppy price from a reputable breeder: between $1,500 and $3,500 in 2026. The range varies by line (show or field), the number of genetic tests run on the parents, and the kennel's reputation. Below $1,000 you should ask hard questions about the testing done.

Estimated annual cost for a healthy adult:

• Premium large-breed food: $700-1,200.
• Routine veterinary care (exam, vaccines, parasite prevention): $400-800.
• Grooming or grooming supplies: $150-400.
• Pet insurance: $500-900.
• Accessories and miscellaneous: $200-400.

Estimated total: $2,000-3,700 a year absent any major illness.

Gordon Setter quick reference

Block	Item	Value
Identification	Canonical name	Gordon Setter
	Other names	Scottish Setter
	Country of origin	United Kingdom (Scotland, Banffshire)
	AKC group	Sporting Group
	FCI standard	No. 6
	FCI group	7 (Pointing Dogs)
	FCI section	2 (British and Irish Pointers and Setters, with working trial)
	Kennel Club recognition	1867
	AKC recognition	1884
Physical	Weight, males	55-80 lb (25-36 kg)
	Weight, females	45-70 lb (20-32 kg)
	Height, males	24-27 in (61-69 cm)
	Height, females	23-26 in (58-66 cm)
	Coat	Long, soft, slightly wavy, feathered
	Single color	Coal-black with chestnut (tan) markings in a fixed pattern
	Other colors	Not accepted by the standard
Health	Life expectancy	10-12 years
	Hip dysplasia	Common in large breeds; OFA screening standard for breeding stock
	PRA-rcd4	DNA test available; identifies clear, carrier, and affected
	Bloat (GDV)	Elevated risk from deep chest; veterinary emergency
	Hypothyroidism	Moderate prevalence; treatable with levothyroxine
	Heart conditions	Annual cardiac check advised from age 5
Temperament	Energy level	High
	Trainability	Moderate (field independence)
	Hunting instinct	Very active
	Reactivity to strangers	Reserved; accepts slowly
	With children	Good with kids over 6; supervise with toddlers
	With other dogs	Good with early socialization
	With small animals	Risk from hunting instinct
Lifestyle	Daily exercise	90-120 minutes of effective activity
	Apartment suitable	Conditional; needs ample walking and regular open country
	Heat tolerance	Moderate (long coat; avoid hard exercise in summer)
	Cold tolerance	High (Scottish Highland origin)
	Brushing frequency	2-3 times a week
	Ear care	Weekly check; cleaning every 10-14 days
US market	Puppy price 2026	$1,500-3,500
	Availability	Limited; waiting lists common
	AKC breeders	Small number; check the AKC Marketplace and GSCA referral
	Estimated annual cost	$2,000-3,700

Is the Gordon Setter for you?

This Scottish setter fits homes with a yard or easy access to open country, with owners who can give it between an hour and a half and two hours of real activity every day and who value a reserved, loyal dog over an effusive one that is friendly with anyone. It is a poor choice for someone who wants easy off-leash obedience, or for someone stepping into the setter world without prior experience with pointing breeds. The combination of a long coat, an active hunting instinct, and considerable weight calls for a committed owner profile. Whoever has that profile clear finds in the Gordon a solid companion with decades of gundog history behind it.

FAQ

How does the Gordon Setter differ from the Irish Setter?

The most visible difference is color: the Irish Setter is uniform mahogany; the Gordon is black and tan with no possibility of variation. In weight, the Gordon is ten to twenty pounds heavier depending on sex. In temperament, the Irish tends to be more outgoing and active with strangers; the Gordon is more reserved and less impulsive. In field speed, the Irish Setter beats the Gordon in most modern field trial evaluations.

Are there Gordon Setter breeders in the US?

Yes, though the number is small. The Gordon Setter Club of America maintains a breeder referral list, and reputable litters are typically few each year, which often means waiting lists of several months. The AKC Marketplace lists registered breeders as well.

How much exercise does it need a day?

Between 90 minutes and two hours of real physical activity: long off-leash stretches, scent searches, pointing work if there is access to open country. An urban leash walk does not cover an adult's needs. Below 60 effective minutes a day, release behaviors appear.

Is it a good breed for families with children?

With children over six years old it lives well: the Gordon is patient and tolerates active play. With young children, supervise the friendly jumping, which can knock a child over because of the dog's size and weight, not from aggression.

Can it live in an apartment?

With conditions. The Gordon can adapt to an apartment if daily exercise is consistent and it has regular access to open spaces where it can move off leash. In small apartments without ample walking or trips to open country, behavior deteriorates within weeks.

What is the PRA-rcd4 DNA test and why does it matter?

Progressive retinal atrophy in its rcd4 variant (rod-cone dysplasia type 4) causes progressive blindness in affected dogs. The test identifies three states: clear (two healthy copies), carrier (one altered copy, no symptoms), and affected (two altered copies, will develop blindness). A responsible breeder tests both parents and can show the certificates. Breeding a carrier to a clear dog produces no affected puppies; breeding two carriers produces about 25 percent affected in the litter.

Is the Gordon Setter subject to breed-specific legislation in the US?

No. The Gordon does not appear on the breed-specific legislation lists that some US cities and states apply to certain breeds. Liability and ownership rules are set at the state and municipal level and are not breed-restrictive for the Gordon.