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Breed profile

Gordon Setter

The heaviest of the setters, black and tan with a feathered coat. Loyal, bold and tireless in the field, slower to mature than most.

A black and tan Gordon Setter runs low and fast across a field
A Gordon Setter at full stretch in the field, the job it was bred for.Photo: Nordic-Gordon-Hunters / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
20–36 kg44–79 lb
Height
58–69 cm23–27 in
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
Group
Gundog / Sporting
Origin
Scotland
Popularity
#104 US#108 UK · 2025

Known for: Working dogsRunning partnersCold climates

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Loyal, Bold, Affectionate, Determined.

Health problems to know about

  • Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd4)
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Hypothyroidism

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Two hours of exercise daily with safe space to run, and patient training, as they mature slowly. Brush the feathering a few times a week. Feed smaller meals and avoid exercise right after eating, given the bloat risk.

A good fit for

Active rural or suburban homes, hiking and shooting people, families with older children.

Probably not ideal for

Flats, sedentary homes, owners who want quick obedience.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Gordon Setter breed information
  2. VCA Animal Hospitals: Gordon Setter
  3. Wikipedia: Gordon Setter

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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