Information on AKC Gordon Setter Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Gordon Setter
The heaviest of the three setter breeds, the Gordon Setter was originally bred as a personal bird dog, but they are equally at home as companion dogs, obedience competitors and show dogs today. Sturdy and muscular, the Gordon suggests strength and stamina rather than extreme speed while on the move. The breed’s distinctive black and tan coat allows it to be found easily in light fields and early snow.
A Look Back
The Gordon hails from Scotland, and his ancient lineage traces back to the early 17th century. Popular among hunters of Scotland, the black-and-tan Setter came into prominence in the kennels of the fourth Duke of Gordon in the early 19th century. As field trials became more popular, the Gordon’s popularity waned in favor of Pointers and other flashy, fast breeds, but the breed remained unparalleled as a one-man shooting dog.
Right Breed for You?
Alert and confident, the Gordon Setter is devoted to his family. Although they are bright, they are not blindly obedient, so may appear stubborn. Gordons are capable of adapting to a variety of living situations, but need plenty of daily exercise on leash or in a fenced area. Regular grooming is also necessary to prevent matting.
If you are considering purchasing a Gordon Setter puppy, learn more here.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1884.
- Ranging in size from 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and 45 to 80 pounds.
- Gundog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Gordon Setter Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Gordon Setter is a good-sized, sturdily built, black and tan dog, well muscled,
with plenty of bone and substance, but active, upstanding and stylish, appearing
capable of doing a full day’s work in the field. He has a strong, rather short
back, with well sprung ribs and a short tail. The head is fairly heavy and finely
chiseled. His bearing is intelligent, noble, and dignified, showing no signs
of shyness or viciousness. Clear colors and straight or slightly waved coat
are correct. He suggests strength and stamina rather than extreme speed. Symmetry
and quality are most essential. A dog well balanced in all points is preferable
to one with outstanding good qualities and defects. A smooth, free movement,
with high head carriage, is typical.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--Shoulder height for males, 24 to 27 inches; females, 23
to 26 inches. Weight for males, 55 to 80 pounds; females, 45 to 70 pounds. Animals
that appear to be over or under the prescribed weight limits are to be judged
on the basis of conformation and condition. Extremely thin or fat dogs are discouraged
on the basis that under or overweight hampers the true working ability of the
Gordon Setter. The weight-to-height ratio makes him heavier than other Setters.
Proportion The distance from the forechest to the back of the
thigh is approximately equal the height from the ground to the withers. The
Gordon Setter has plenty of bone and substance.
Head
Head deep, rather than broad, with plenty of brain room. Eyes
of fair size, neither too deep-set nor too bulging, dark brown, bright and wise.
The shape is oval rather than round. The lids are tight. Ears
set low on the head approximately on line with the eyes, fairly large and thin,
well folded and carried close to the head. Skull nicely rounded,
good-sized, broadest between the ears. Below and above the eyes is lean and
the cheeks as narrow as the leanness of the head allows. The head should have
a clearly indicated stop. Muzzle fairly long and not pointed,
either as seen from above or from the side. The flews are not pendulous. The
muzzle is the same length as the skull from occiput to stop and the top of the
muzzle is parallel to the line of the skull extended. Nose broad,
with open nostrils and black in color. The lip line from the nose to the flews
shows a sharp, well-defined, square contour. Teeth strong and
white, meeting in front in a scissors bite, with the upper incisors slightly
forward of the lower incisors. A level bite is not a fault. Pitted teeth from
distemper or allied infections are not penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck long, lean, arched to the head, and without throatiness.
Topline moderately sloping. Body short from shoulder
to hips. Chest deep and not too broad in front; the ribs well sprung, leaving
plenty of lung room. The chest reaches to the elbows. A pronounced forechest
is in evidence. Loins short and broad and not arched. Croup nearly flat, with
only a slight slope to the tailhead. Tail short and not reaching
below the hocks, carried horizontal or nearly so, not docked, thick at the root
and finishing in a fine point. The placement of the tail is important for correct
carriage. When the angle of the tail bends too sharply at the first coccygeal
bone, the tail will be carried too gaily or will droop. The tail placement is
judged in relationship to the structure of the croup.
Forequarters
Shoulders fine at the points, and laying well back. The tops of the shoulder
blades are close together. When viewed from behind, the neck appears to fit
into the shoulders in smooth, flat lines that gradually widen from neck to shoulder.
The angle formed by the shoulder blade and upper arm bone is approximately 90
degrees when the dog is standing so that the foreleg is perpendicular to the
ground. Forelegs big-boned, straight and not bowed, with elbows free and not
turned in or out. Pasterns are strong, short and nearly vertical with a slight
spring. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet catlike in shape, formed by close-knit,
well arched toes with plenty of hair between; with full toe pads and deep heel
cushions. Feet are not turned in or out.
Hindquarters
The hind legs from hip to hock are long, flat and muscular; from hock to heel,
short and strong. The stifle and hock joints are well bent and not turned either
in or out. When the dog is standing with the rear pastern perpendicular to the
ground, the thighbone hangs downward parallel to an imaginary line drawn upward
from the hock. Feet as in front.
Coat
Soft and shining, straight or slightly waved, but not curly, with long hair
on ears, under stomach and on chest, on back of the fore and hind legs, and
on the tail. The feather which starts near the root of the tail is slightly
waved or straight, having a triangular appearance, growing shorter uniformly
toward the end.
Color and Markings
Black with tan markings, either of rich chestnut or mahogany color. Black pencilling
is allowed on the toes. The borderline between black and tan colors is clearly
defined. There are not any tan hairs mixed in the black. The tan markings are
located as follows: (1) Two clear spots over the eyes and not over three-quarters
of an inch in diameter; (2) On the sides of the muzzle. The tan does not reach
to the top of the muzzle, but resembles a stripe around the end of the muzzle
from one side to the other; (3) On the throat; (4) Two large clear spots on
the chest; (5) On the inside of the hind legs showing down the front of the
stifle and broadening out to the outside of the hind legs from the hock to the
toes. It must not completely eliminate the black on the back of the hind legs;
(6) On the forelegs from the carpus, or a little above, downward to the toes;
(7) Around the vent; (8) A white spot on the chest is allowed, but the smaller
the better. Predominantly tan, red or buff dogs which do not have the typical
pattern of markings of a Gordon Setter are ineligible for showing and undesirable
for breeding. Predominantly tan, red or buff dogs are ineligible for showing
and undesirable for breeding.
Gait
A bold, strong, driving free-swinging gait. The head is carried up and the tail
"flags" constantly while the dog is in motion. When viewed from the
front the forefeet move up and down in straight lines so that the shoulder,
elbow and pastern joints are approximately in line. When viewed from the rear
the hock, stifle and hip joints are approximately in line. Thus the dog moves
in a straight pattern forward without throwing the feet in or out. When viewed
from the side the forefeet are seen to lift up and reach forward to compensate
for the driving hindquarters. The hindquarters reach well forward and stretch
far back, enabling the stride to be long and the drive powerful. The overall
appearance of the moving dog is one of smooth-flowing, well balanced rhythm,
in which the action is pleasing to the eye, effortless, economical and harmonious.
Temperament
The Gordon Setter is alert, gay, interested, and confident. He is fearless and
willing, intelligent and capable. He is loyal and affectionate, and strong-minded
enough to stand the rigors of training.
Disqualification
Predominantly tan, red or buff dogs.
Scale of Points
To be used as a guide when judging the Gordon Setter:
| Head and neck (include ears and eyes) |
10
|
| Body |
15
|
| Shoulders, forelegs, forefeet |
10
|
| Hind legs and feet |
10
|
| Tail |
5
|
| Coat |
8
|
| Color and markings |
5
|
| Temperament |
10
|
| Size, general appearance |
15
|
| Gait |
12
|
| Total |
100
|
Approved October 7, 2002
Effective November 27, 2002
