With their silky coat and elegant black-and-tan color pattern, the Gordon Setter is quite a handsome dog. Gordon Setters are relatively rare in the United States, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reasons to love this breed. Gordon Setter enthusiasts may cite the breed’s intelligence, work ethic, and youthful spirit when telling you why they love their Gordons.
Let’s look at a few interesting facts about the Gordon Setter.
They Hail From Scotland and England
Gordon Setters are originally from Scotland and England, where they first appeared in the early 1600s. They were bred to hunt game birds and were praised for their reliability.
They Were Named After a Duke
Gordon Setters were originally called black-and-tan setters, but their name was changed to Gordon Setter after the fourth Duke of Gordon, who played a major role in developing the modern breed. The Duke of Gordon began breeding these setters in the early 19th century. By the early 20th century, most Gordon Setters could be traced back to the kennels at Gordon Castle.
Daniel Webster Brought the Breed to the United States
Daniel Webster and his friend, George Blunt, brought the Gordon Setter to the United States in the 1840s. (Webster served as Secretary of State 1841-1843, 1850-1852.) They purchased two dogs, “Rake” and “Rachael,” from the Duke of Gordon kennels, and these two dogs became the foundation of the Gordon Setter in America.
Ed McMahon and Diane Sawyer Had Gordon Setters
Gordon Setters aren’t common family pets, but there are a couple of celebrities who have owned them. Ed McMahon, from “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” had a Gordon Setter named “Juniper Berry.” Diane Sawyer, former anchor for ABC News, had a Gordon Setter named “George.”
They’re the Largest of the Setter Breeds
The Gordon Setter is the heaviest and largest of the setter breeds (the other three being the Irish Setter, the Irish Red and White Setter and the English Setter). These dogs are known for their stamina and intelligence. Gordon Setters are known for having an excellent memory, becoming better hunting dogs with each passing year.
Why They’re Called ‘Setters’
“Setter” is a part of their name because the breed was known for sitting or laying down next to partridge, grouse, pheasant, and quail to notify hunters of their location. The hunter would then throw a net on the bird or dog to capture it.
Setters on the Silver Screen
Movies where you can spot a Gordon Setter include “Morning Glory” (2010), which stars Rachel McAdams and Harrison Ford. The scene features Ford’s character with McAdams hunting in the forest where his dog, a Gordon, runs to catch up with him while walking on a forest trail.
Early AKC Recognition
They were among the first nine charter breeds recognized in America by the AKC in 1878 in addition to the Pointer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, and English Setter.
They Appeared at the Inaugural Westminster Show
The first-ever Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in 1877 included 79 Gordon Setters and had two Staghounds from the late General George Custer’s pack and two Deerhounds that had been bred by the Queen of England.
Changes to the Gordon’s Name
They were originally referred to as Gordon Castle Setters, but in 1892 the word “Castle” was officially removed from the breed’s name.