The Gordon Setter is the breed specialized in hunting woodcock, a good pointing dog and perfect for retrieving.
The Gordon Setter is a tenacious and constant worker, not very fast, but with a powerful sense of smell. During the search he always remains in connection with the hunter. The name Setter Gordon is in honor of the breeder who improved the standard of the breed and who established its technical characteristics and excellent hunting skills.
Duke Alexander IV of Gordon Castle was not the creator, but the first breeder and optimizer of the black and tan setters.
The origin of the Gordon setter seems to be traced back to a cross between an "English Setter" and a "Collie". According to various authors, the "Irish Setter" and the "Bloodhound" or "Chien of Saint-Ubert" also participated in the formation of the breed.
The first Gordons bred by the Duke were tricolor, or black with white markings and tan markings. The Duke preferred this cloak with white markings, as it allowed him to better distinguish them from a distance.
Only in 1800 the breed managed to establish itself in European dress, as it was considered very fashionable.
The Evangelical Shepherd T. Pearce, an expert breeder of this breed, insisted in 1865 in advising to lighten the mordophological standard through precise crosses. Among those who listened to the advice of the Evangelical Pastor, it is worth mentioning Mr. Robert Chappan Glemboig who obtained, after several years, the desired dogs, that is, lighter and faster. The setter Gordon of Mr. Chapman's kennel got more awards and was recognized as the best setter of that era. Thus began the exports of this breed to France, Norway, Germany, Sweden and even Russia. Gordons from Norway also arrived in Italy, and in the late 800s and early 900s they were considered the best hunting setters.
Thanks to its excellent hunting skills, this superb breed gained great fame and was deservedly appreciated by all lovers of pointing dogs.
The general conformation is that of a mesomorph, with the trunk inscribed in the square.
The build of this breed is very athletic, with strong bone, not very long muscles, more pronounced transverse diameters than in the English Setter, and much more than in the Irish Setter, rather broad chest.
Specifically, below are the details of the morphological standard:
Height:
- males between 58 and 64 cm
- females between 56 and 62 cm.
Weight: 21 to 24 kg.
Trunk: massive, fits in the square.
Head and muzzle: rather voluminous, never light, with parallel craniofacial axes, square muzzle, very marked stop.
Nose: black in color.
Teeth: correct and complete dentition. Scissor joint.
Neck: well erect and well inserted between the shoulders.
Ears: Hanging, triangular in shape.
Eyes: they are large, sweet, dark.
Limbs: are long, muscular, well upright.
Shoulder: of right inclination.
Gait: Its ideal gait is the gallop.
Tail: set high, carried horizontally.
Hair: 5-6 cm long, silky, slightly wavy, with rich, not too thick fringes.
The Setter Gordon maintains a continuous gallop, calm, a little hopping and less slender than that of the other setters.
Unlike other breeds, the look is less extensive, but more detailed, extending on more meandering diagonals.
The head is carried high, with the nasal bridge inclined towards the horizontal and the short tail, carried well stretched, is in continuous transversal movement, to the rhythm of the gallop. When it encounters a faint scent it reduces the pace, pursuing with meanders towards the origin.
If the olfactory trace convinces him, he gradually slows down until he stops, well erect on the limbs, neck slightly outstretched and head up, a little tilted below the horizontal.
The tail is carried rigid and tense, according to the horizontal line, or slightly above or below it. One forelimb is raised but not very flexed.
When he is in front of the wild, he stops abruptly in twisted poses, as if bent in two, but usually remains erect, with the nasal bridge facing the presumed remittance. He rarely bends his limbs a little.
When the wild tries to save itself, it follows it very erect, connected to the direct emanation, calmly and with uniform motion, constantly maintaining the same distance from the persecuted and with a bearing similar to that of the still. The Gordon Setter always remains in contact with the handler during the hunt.
Compared to its English namesake, this breed is slightly quieter and less fast.