Who knows much about this breed? I have only ever met one before who was still a puppy as he was just like a flying ball of legs How much exercise do they need? Are they generally okay with other dogs? How are they for training? Any major health issues? The usual! Plus pics.....
Never owned one, but a friend at the park had Setters for years, both Irish and Gordon. He said they were lovely but all very highly strung and quite fussy eaters; he always struggled to keep the weight on them. In fairness, I don't know if he got his dogs from good breeders or not, so not sure how accurate his description is, but for what it's worth, he now has a Flatcoated Retriever
Haha oh right! Tbh from having another read up on them, I don't think they are suited to me either really! Very beautiful dogs though!
Not many about, they appear to have got finer over the years. Like Pointers, they were built to range far and wide on grouse moors. Temperaments are fine with other dogs, training can be challenging although there have been several campaigned in WT and one has won a "ticket" in wT.
rachaelsetters on the forum has a couple of Gordon's, maybe PM her if you are interested in the breed.
I went on a gordon setter training day a few years ago and they were erm....enthusiastic :-s lol. Lovely, friendly dogs with no problems with them around other dogs and people but the noise of them screaming was a bit much for me :-s Helen
I see a Gordon regularly when out, she is beautiful, greatsith other dogs, but they don't get anywhere near her as she is too busy doing mad zoomies the whole time she is out!!!
I have lived with Gordons for 27 years and cannot imagine life without one! They are eager to please,live peacfully in numbers (providing there isn't any food lying around) I certainly haven't come across a picky eater,they would welcome anything that was put in there bowls. They will excercise as much as you give them but will equally accept a 30 minute trot on busy days. Only owned two bitches who both were a bit highly strung when it came to noises like fireworks,loud planes going over etc but have had 6 dogs and they were all outgoing and confident nothing spooked them ever.. All of them had wonderful temperments,loved everybody and everything. Yes,they are rather exciteable and can be demanding,they want to be doing whatever you are doing and are very much in your face. I understand that they are not the breed for every-one but I feel priveledged to have shared my life with such wonderful dogs.
Thanks You make them sound so much more manageable than others have! Would they be okay to be left for a few hours at a time? Or are they the type to need/want to be with you all the time?
I have never had a problem leaving them,only a problem walking back in to the over the top greeting they give lol. For the first time I have only one and he is brain damaged and very hard to train but he still can be left each day with the run of the house as I have to go look after my 91 year old mum. He wasn't socialised atall as a puppy,was too ill to go out until he was 8 months old and I thought I may have problems there but no, in true gordon style it was.. wow.. another dog,thats fun
I agree with Brophy having got my first Gordon nearly 8 years ago can't ever imagine not being with one - I have three entire males who live in harmony with my English Setter - 8, 5 and 15m. One was a fussy eater as a youngster but now he's great ! some can be but I think no different to any breed at all! In my experience they are very bright and easy to train - on a walk they check back in constantly with me unlike my independent English - if I am waiting for any of them to come back its him!!! Two of them have there silver good citizen and Bentley got his at about 9mths without any training (he did his Bronze and Silver the same day!) I do agility with all three and they love it Like Brophy said they will run forever but equally will have a quick walk if that's all you have time - but they do love their exercise and 'gallops'! They need brain exercise too! They are very much oversize lapdogs - love people love other dogs - they can be noisy and if allowed will wrap you round their paws and get you to do what they want so need firm but fair handling. Not HARSH though! They are fabulous dogs to live with and own and mine are happy to be left for a few hours having each other as company! They are definitely in your face dogs ! and yes they are lively - but if you want a quiet dog who doesn't interact with you don't get a setter! If you are looking for one let me know and I'm sure we can find some great breeders 'your way!'
They're amazing basically! I grew up with the absolute best example of the breed, he was calm and biddable, impeccable with children, excellent with other dogs, highly intelligent and easy to train. They tend to be calmest of the setters, Griffin's half and half and has bits of gordon in him that make him utterly unique, they can be chatterboxes for example so you're never in any doubt of what they want. They're happy to accommodate you exercise-wise, gallops or gambolling, they're happy so long as they're just with you!
