The Gordon Setter

There is no doubt as to how the Gordon setter got its name.   Named after the 4^th Duke of Gordon, its official title was not bestowed upon it until 1924, prior to that it was known as the “black and tan” setter, after its colouring.

This Scottish breed is an elegant dog, as are all the setters but it is somewhat slower that the Irish and English setters, partly because of its build that is moderate and strong rather than racy.

Gordon’s possess a deep and rounded head rather than a pointed muzzle.  Their coat is soft and silky and very often the hair is wavy.  Raven black was the original colour with a fleck of tan, a colouring that is still pre-eminent in the majority of the breed.

Tradition has it that the 4^th Duke of Gordon kept a sizeable kennel and owned a number of black and white coloured dogs, along with some tri-coloured ones.  Legend has it that when the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie, returned to France after the failed uprising of the Scottish clans, he took a black and tan dog back with him.

Whilst pointers were preferred in the Scottish borders for partridges in the mid 18^th century, it was the Gordon setter that was the dog of choice for grouse in the highlands of Scotland.