History
The Gordon Setter takes its name from the Dukes of Gordon, whose kennels at Gordon Castle in north-east Scotland were known for black and tan setters in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. These dogs were bred to range over the moors, find grouse and other game birds by air scent and freeze on point so the guns could approach. The black and tan colouring set them apart from the lighter setters of England and the red dogs of Ireland, and it became the breed's signature.
Compared with its English and Irish cousins, the Gordon was traditionally a stronger, steadier dog, valued for stamina over long days rather than pure speed. The current FCI standard, published in 2016 under British patronage, places it in Group 7, Section 2.2, the setters, with a working trial. It describes a stylish dog with galloping lines, built like a weight-carrying hunter, and gives ideal heights of about 66 cm for males and 62 cm for females.
Temperament
The standard calls the Gordon intelligent, able and dignified, bold and outgoing, with a kindly, even disposition. Owners recognise that description, and many add that the breed is more reserved with strangers than other setters and more devoted to its own family. A Gordon often chooses one or two people as its closest companions.
Indoors an adult is usually calm and affectionate, content to lie close to its people. Outdoors it is a hunting dog, driven by its nose and happy to range wide. Gordons mature slowly, can be stubborn when they do not see the point of a request, and are sensitive to harsh treatment. They are often watchful and may bark at unusual noises in the corridor, more than an Irish or English setter would.
Children and other pets
A Gordon brought up with children is generally patient and protective, and enjoys family life. As with all large, active setters, a young dog can be clumsy and boisterous, so toddlers need supervision. Most get on with other dogs, though some males can be assertive with other males. Cats raised alongside the dog are usually accepted, but birds and small pets trigger the hunting instinct and should be kept apart.
Exercise and the daily walk
A healthy adult Gordon needs around two hours of exercise a day, ideally including off-lead running in safe, open areas. The breed was made for long days on the hill, and it suits owners who like steady, long walks rather than short bursts. Sniffing and searching games satisfy it at least as much as speed.
Recall can be challenging when the nose takes over, so open fields with good visibility are better than dense forest full of deer. Use a long line until the dog returns reliably. Gordons tend to be heavier than other setters, and puppies should be spared long runs, stairs and repeated jumping while their joints develop.
Training
Gordons are intelligent and learn well, but they are thoughtful rather than eager, and they respond best to patient, consistent handling and plenty of reward. Repetitive drills bore them. They take longer than many breeds to grow up, and a dog of two or three can still behave like an adolescent.
Early priorities are recall, loose-lead walking, calm greetings and accepting handling for grooming. Teach the dog to settle at home, because a bored Gordon may bark or chew. Some lines can be protective of home and family, so broad socialisation with visitors and other dogs from puppyhood is important.
Coat and grooming
The coat is short and fine on the head and the tips of the ears, and of moderate length, flat and silky on the body, with feathering on the ears, legs, belly and tail. Brushing two or three times a week prevents mats behind the ears and in the feathering, and burrs and mud collect easily after forest walks. Shedding is moderate. The FCI standard requires a deep, shining coal black without rustiness, with chestnut red tan markings in defined places on the head, chest, legs and under the tail.
Feeding and weight
A good-quality complete diet suited to an active large breed, fed in two meals a day, is usually best. Gordons can be fussy eaters as young dogs and steady eaters later, so adjust portions to body condition. Avoid hard exercise for an hour or so around meals because of the deep chest. Keep the dog lean to protect hips and elbows.
Work out a starting calorie figure and food weight with the calorie calculator. Not sure this is the right breed? Take the quiz.
Health
Every breed carries predispositions. These are the conditions most often discussed for the Gordon Setter, not a prediction for any individual dog.
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd4-PRA)
- Late onset cerebellar ataxia
- Hypothyroidism
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
What to ask the breeder. Ask for hip and elbow scores for both parents, DNA results for rcd4 progressive retinal atrophy and late onset cerebellar ataxia, and a recent eye examination.
Choosing a puppy
Gordon puppies are sweet, clumsy and determined, and they grow into a heavy dog fairly quickly. Socialise them carefully with visitors, children, other dogs, lifts and city noise, because the breed can become reserved if it misses out. Brush and handle the puppy daily so grooming is never a battle. Keep walks short and varied while growing, and begin recall training with a long line from the start.
In Luxembourg the national kennel club is the Fédération Cynologique Luxembourgeoise (FCL), a member of the FCI. Many owners also buy from breeders in Germany, France or Belgium; a puppy coming from another EU country must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, which in practice means it cannot travel before about fifteen weeks of age. Where to get a dog in Luxembourg.
The older Gordon Setter
Older Gordons often stay keen on walks but tire sooner and stiffen in cold, wet weather. Shorter, more frequent outings, a warm bed and non-slip surfaces at home help. Keep an eye on weight and thyroid function, and report any wobbliness or change in coordination to the vet. Gentle grooming sessions remain a pleasant routine for an older dog.
A realistic day
A realistic weekday for a working household in Luxembourg City, with a midday visit. Adjust it to your dog, not the other way round.
Long morning walk with time to sniff and range on a long line
Breakfast, then a quiet rest in a familiar room
Midday visit: an hour's walk in a park, toilet break and fresh water
Evening outing with recall practice, then dinner and a brush
Short calm walk before bed
A Gordon Setter in Luxembourg
A Gordon can adapt to a flat if the daily walks are long and the household is calm, but it is happiest with access to open ground. The parks around the Pétrusse valley and Kinnekswiss are good for regular walks, while longer outings to the Grünewald and Bambësch offer the distance the breed needs. Expect burrs and mud in autumn, and a damp feathered dog in the lift.
The black coat absorbs heat, so summer walks in the 30s °C should be moved to early morning and late evening. Some Gordons bark at noises in corridors and stairwells, which neighbours may notice, so teaching quiet and settling behaviour helps. As for any dog in Luxembourg, a microchip, registration with the commune, liability insurance and the annual dog tax are required.
Every dog in Luxembourg must be identified, declared to the commune and covered by liability insurance. How registration works.
When you travel
A sitter should know that a Gordon may be reserved at first and bonds closely with its family, so a calm introduction and a steady routine help. Two long walks a day are essential, with a long line in woodland. Brush out the feathering after muddy outings, dry the dog, and watch closely for signs of bloat after meals.
PAWLY's holiday and overnight care takes place in your home, so your dog keeps its own bed and routine.
Myths and facts
MythAll setters are the same.
FactThe Gordon is heavier, steadier and often more reserved with strangers than the Irish or English setter.
MythA setter is calm by its first birthday.
FactGordons mature slowly and may stay adolescent until two or three years old.
MythLong feathering needs professional grooming.
FactRegular home brushing and a little tidying of feet and ears are usually enough.
Is it the right dog for you?
Suits
- Walkers and hikers who enjoy long outings in all weathers
- Owners who like a devoted, slightly reserved companion
- Families with older children and time for training
- People interested in field work or scent activities
Think twice if
- You want a dog that is friendly with every visitor
- You cannot manage two hours of exercise a day
- You keep birds or small pets
- You want a low-grooming breed
Questions owners ask
How is a Gordon Setter different from an Irish Setter?
The Gordon is generally heavier and steadier, with a black and tan coat, and it tends to be more reserved with strangers and more protective of its family. The Irish Setter is lighter and usually more exuberant and outgoing with everyone.
Is a Gordon Setter a good guard dog?
It is more watchful than other setters and may bark at strangers or noises, but it is not a guarding breed. A well-socialised Gordon is polite with visitors once introduced. Aggression is not typical and should be discussed with a professional.
Does a Gordon Setter need a garden?
A garden helps but is not essential. What matters is long daily walks with time to run and sniff. A Gordon living in a flat can do well if its exercise is reliable and it has a calm place to rest.
How much grooming is involved?
Plan on brushing two or three times a week, with extra attention behind the ears and in the feathering after walks in woods or fields. Trim the feet and around the ears occasionally. Regular checks for burrs and grass seeds are important.
Sources
Photo: Unsplash (Unsplash License) · Photo: Pexels (Pexels License) · Photo: Pexels (Pexels License) · Photo: Pexels (Pexels License)
General information for dog owners in Luxembourg, not veterinary or legal advice. Official facts (origin, size, group, history and temperament as described by the breed standard) follow the FCI standard; health and care sections reflect breed-club and veterinary guidance and are typical ranges rather than rules. For your own dog, ask your vet, the breed club or your commune. How this guide is written and checked. Last reviewed 8 October 2026.
Need someone for your Gordon Setter?
PAWLY offers an individual 45-minute walk or a home visit at your dog's pace, the same walker every time, and a written report with photos after every visit, across Luxembourg City.
Read next: the journal, for the Gordon Setter
All articles
Grooming and coat care through the Luxembourg year
The Gordon Setter has a coat that needs a routine that holds through the Luxembourg seasons.
Choosing a groomer, and what to ask before you book
A coat like this usually means a groomer; this covers what to ask before you book.
Building a recall you can actually rely on
Scent and movement can cancel a recall; this is the method for the Gordon Setter.
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