Gordon Setter
Height58–69 cm (23–27 in)
Weight25–36 kg (55–79 lbs)
TypeSporting
Life Expectancy12–13 yrs
OriginScotland
The largest and most powerful of the setter breeds, with a striking black and tan coat. Gordon Setters are devoted, confident bird dogs that bond deeply with their owners and need vigorous daily exercise.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
4/5
Playfulness
4/5
Energy Level
4/5
Social
Good with Kids
4/5
Good with Dogs
4/5
Good with Strangers
3/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
1/5
Exercise Needs
5/5
Watchdog Ability
3/5
Barking Level
3/5
Care
Shedding
3/5
Grooming Needs
4/5
Health Robustness
3/5
Where Are Gordon Setters From?
Gordon Setters take their name from the Duke of Gordon, who established the definitive strain at his Scottish castle kennels in the early 1800s. He wanted a setter that could work all day in the harsh Scottish Highlands without tiring — tougher and more powerful than the English or Irish Setter, even if a bit slower. The breed was designed for endurance over speed, which gave it a heavier build and a more methodical hunting style than its setter cousins.
What Is It Like Living With a Gordon Setter?
The Gordon Setter’s temperament sets it apart from other setters. Where English Setters are universally friendly and Irish Setters are exuberantly social, Gordons are more reserved and intensely loyal to their own family. They’re not unfriendly with strangers — just measured and dignified. With their people, Gordon Setters are devoted to the point of being velcro dogs. They’re sensitive and responsive, remembering perceived slights for a surprisingly long time. Harsh training methods damage trust and are counterproductive; patient, positive reinforcement builds a Gordon’s confidence and willingness to work.
How Much Exercise Does a Gordon Setter Need?
Gordon Setters demand serious exercise — 90 minutes minimum of vigorous daily activity. Running, swimming, field work, and long hikes suit them perfectly. This is not a breed that will be satisfied with a casual stroll. They mature slowly, staying puppy-like in energy and behavior until roughly age three. Without adequate exercise and mental engagement, a Gordon Setter becomes anxious, destructive, and vocal.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Gordon Setter?
That striking black-and-tan coat requires brushing three to four times weekly, with careful attention to the feathering on the ears, legs, belly, and tail. Regular ear cleaning is important because the pendant ears trap moisture. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, bloat (a life-threatening emergency in deep-chested breeds), progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism. Bloat prevention strategies — multiple smaller meals, avoiding exercise immediately after eating — should be part of every Gordon Setter owner’s routine.
Are Gordon Setters Healthy?
Gordon Setters thrive with active, experienced owners who enjoy spending time outdoors and want a deeply bonded companion. They’re not suited for sedentary lifestyles, first-time owners, or people who leave their dog alone for long hours. The surprising fact: Gordon Setters are the heaviest of all setter breeds, sometimes exceeding 80 pounds, yet they move with a smooth, effortless gait that covers ground more efficiently than their size suggests.
Our Honest Take on the Gordon Setter
Gordon Setters are the heaviest, calmest, and most one-person-oriented of the setter family — but the bloat risk is real, the cancer rates are elevated, and they need more exercise than people expect from a 'mellow' setter.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Free-feeding or one-large-meal feeding. Bloat (GDV) affects deep-chested breeds like the Gordon at significantly elevated rates; feed two smaller meals and consider prophylactic gastropexy at spay/neuter ($300–$600 added cost).
- 2Underestimating exercise needs. They look mellow, but Gordons need 75–90 minutes of daily exercise; sedentary households produce neurotic, weight-gaining Gordons.
- 3Skipping PRA (rcd4) DNA testing. Late-onset PRA affects the breed; the test is under $100 and prevents a heartbreaking late-life surprise.
- 4Letting the coat go. The long feathering mats fast and picks up debris constantly — weekly thorough brushing, more in active seasons.
Who Should Think Twice
Avoid the Gordon Setter if you live in an apartment, work long hours, want a dog that bonds equally with all family members (Gordons pick a person and orbit them), or can't commit to weekly grooming sessions. Also skip if you have small pets — the bird-dog prey drive is intact, even in pet-bred lines. They are emotionally sensitive and harsh training methods produce shut-down dogs; this is not a breed for handlers who default to corrections.
Real Costs in 2026
Gordon Setter puppies from health-tested breeders (hips, elbows, eyes, PRA, thyroid): $1,800–$3,000 in 2026 from preservation breeders. Annual costs including large-breed food ($65–$85/month), grooming every 8 weeks ($75–$110), and vet care total $2,200–$3,200. Add prophylactic gastropexy if not done at spay/neuter — $1,500–$3,000 standalone. Pet insurance at $55–$75/month is strongly recommended given bloat and cancer risk profiles.
Living With a Gordon Setter: Year by Year
Gordon Setter puppyhood is slow, mouthy, and substantial — these are large setters (heavier than English or Irish), and adolescence stretches from 10 to 30 months. The classic setter goofiness is present but tempered by the breed's Scottish guarding heritage; Gordons are more reserved with strangers than English or Irish Setters and form deeper one-person bonds. Adolescence brings strong bird drive, occasional same-sex dog issues, and a stubborn streak that surprises owners expecting a typical retriever-style sporting dog. Prime adulthood (3-10) is what made Gordons the favored bird dog of Scottish lairds: dignified, steady, biddable to their handler while reserved with strangers, capable of hunting all day. The surprise for most owners is the protectiveness — Gordons will alert-bark and position themselves between family and approaching strangers, behavior absent in English Setters. Senior years are typically 10-13; bloat (gastric torsion) and hip dysplasia are the primary end-of-life concerns.
The Training Reality
Moderately trainable — biddable to their bonded person but stubborn with anyone else. Coren ranks them mid-pack. Housetraining by month 5. Marker training and food rewards work, but Gordons evaluate handlers; an inconsistent owner gets a dog that ignores cues, while a steady owner gets a dog that performs reliably. The realistic ceiling is hunt-test work, solid pet obedience, and field trials at regional level. Off-leash reliability is achievable but takes 18-24 months of long-line work, and bird scent will override recall in adolescence. The training pitfall is the protectiveness: untrained Gordons can become barky and territorial with delivery people, neighbors, and visitors. The breakthrough is early, varied socialization (12 weeks through 18 months) plus a clear 'thank you, that's enough' cue for the alert-barking. Skip harsh methods; Gordons hold grudges and shut down for days after corrections they consider unfair.
A Day in the Life
Morning needs are substantial — 60-75 minutes of off-leash running or hunting work, every day. They do not self-exercise and become destructive without real movement. Daytime they shadow their bonded person, alert to every sound, and patrol the house at low intensity. The black-and-tan feathered coat sheds steadily and requires weekly brushing plus monthly bathing; the leg and ear feathering picks up burrs and mats within days of neglect. Most sleep 12-13 hours. Evening is another 30-45 minute walk or play session. The quirk owners discover: Gordons are 'one-person dogs' to a degree that surprises families — most select a primary handler within the first six months and treat other family members as secondary. The other reality is bloat risk; like other deep-chested breeds, Gordons need elevated bowls forbidden, calm post-meal periods, and many owners opt for prophylactic gastropexy at spay/neuter.
How Gordon Setters Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to an Irish Setter, Gordons are heavier, calmer, more reserved with strangers, and more protective — Irish Setters are extroverts where Gordons are introverts. Compared to an English Setter, Gordons are roughly the same size but more guarded and less sociable; English Setters are friendlier with everyone. Compared to a Field Spaniel or Sussex Spaniel (rare alternatives), Gordons are more athletic and longer-legged. If you want a setter with calm steadiness and one-person devotion, the Gordon is the right choice — but if you want a friendly family dog, English Setters or Brittanys are dramatically easier.
Great For
- Families with children
- First-time dog owners
- Active, outdoorsy people
- Multi-pet households
Think Twice If
- You have a sedentary lifestyle
- You want low grooming effort
- You live in a small apartment
Are Gordon Setters Prone to Health Issues?
Gordon Setters are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism. Regular vet visits and a healthy diet help prevent common issues.
Health Robustness
3/5
How Much Does a Gordon Setter Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,000–$2,500
Monthly Food
$60
Annual Vet
$500
Annual Grooming
$200
Est. First Year
~$3,170
Est. Annual
~$1,420
Recommended Gear
Affiliate disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This never influences which products we recommend.
Best For
Compare Gordon Setter
Related Breeds
Other Sporting breeds you might like
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Gordon Setter cost?
A Gordon Setter puppy typically costs $1,000–$2,500. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $3,170, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,420.
How long do Gordon Setters live?
Gordon Setters have an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism.
Are Gordon Setters good with kids?
Gordon Setters score 4/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Gordon Setters shed a lot?
Gordon Setters have a shedding level of 3/5. They shed moderately and benefit from regular brushing.
Are Gordon Setters good for apartments?
Gordon Setters score 1/5 for apartment friendliness. They are better suited to homes with yards and ample space to move around.