Hi everyone :)

I haven't been on CD for so long!

I Have a dilemma!

Our gorgeous little cocker is now 2 and a half and we are really keen to get a second dog.  There are lots of lovely breeds but there is one in particular I have always loved. The Gordon Setter :) 

I would appreciate any advice.  Both myself and my husband work. Molly is left between 8.45 and about 3.30pm. BUT we have a retired neighbour who without fail comes in every day and takes her for a walk.  She has access 24 hrs a day to a fairly large VERY secure garden.

Being involved in horses we have a very outdoorsy life and Mol gets walked 3 times a day.   She is a happy, well adjusted and content dog.

I am not worried about having a larger breed of dog, our house isn't huge but we have a decent garden and offer plenty of exercise.

I have done lots of research on this breed but advice from someone who knows the breed first hand would be greatly appreciated and opinions on if this breed sounds suitable for us or not.

Thank you :)
Ali

Will get RachelSetters to this and she has the breed :-)

Will get RachelSetters to this and she has the breed :-)

Will get RachelSetters to this and she has the breed :-)

Will get RachelSetters to this and she has the breed :-)

Will get RachelSetters to this and she has the breed :-)

Hiya,

Will give RachelSetters the nod for you, she has 3 currently :-)

Thanks Sue :)

This is the main breed of one of my puppy buyers and I think they are a lovely breed, and all the ones I have met have been.  Vague I know.  All the ones I have met have been pretty mellow, clowns as youngsters.

Hi

So what can I tell you :)

They are an active breed for sure but also can be couch potatoes - they do love company both human and canine :)  Free running really is a must for them :)  Great with other dogs generally.  Great with kids.

Mine are used to being left so no separation anxiety but this can be a problem if its not something they are used to - they can seek their own entertainment if their needs aren't met - I have been very lucky with mine that no destruction issues but from reading your current situation this shouldn't be an issue for you.

They are clowns but very biddable dogs - out of all the setters I have owned I found them the easiest to train - they want to please you they love being part of the pack.  They need a firm but fair hand training wise - they have a way of wrapping you round their paws and will easily train you if you aren't careful :)

Grooming - at least weekly groom through - more often if you can.

Mine are vocal - they love a chat but some people don't seem to have this!  Guess I enjoy their chats!

There isn't a major split on show working BUT the working lines are more active busy - need more brain work I would advise.

Health issues - hips check parents scores and Late onset PRA (blindness) this has only recently been identified so currently one parent must be clear in the mating.

Usual rules on exercise but am sure you will get this information from the breeder.

They are an intelligent breed - setters are NOT stupid :) 

Not sure where you are based but do contact the breed clubs - British Gordon Setter Club and/or The Gordon Setter Association.

What else do you want to know?  I can talk all day about them!  Do feel free to ask anything even about lines you are interested in.  I have seen Lucy's post on FB and will friend you and you can look through my pics :) 

They are fabulous but I am biased.

The bad stuff:

Grooming needs to be kept on top of
can be noisy
Can find own entertainment if needs not met
they never grow up - but that's what I love most about them!

That's all I can think of for now but do ask anything you like :)

I second what rachel has said already.  I've 3 Gordons atm and mine vary one extremely laid back male to 2 more bouncy setters. They are a lovely breed and so long as you lay down the rules early on a joy to live with.  Any more questions and I am sure rachel and I will be able to answer for you.

Jill

I love your description of them :-) I have a friend who breeds them and I go and visit regularly. She says that they are the clowns of the setters. I was never a Gordon Setter person but could quite happily bring one of these home if I had the room.

Thanks Rachel :)

I have just had a look through your pics. Absolutely stunning!  I just adore this breed. 

My mind is made up!

I will probably have loads of questions, so hope you don't mind.  :)

Just got to find a breeder.  I have emailed one that looks fantastic ( I will PM you the name to see if you have heard of them)
They look like they have a litter planned for next Spring.

:)

Oh and forgot to add that mine think they are lap dogs and love to climb onto your knee for a cuddle!   Given the chance I would have all 3 piled on top of me watching the telly! 

Lol it's not just yours Jill - snap great big lap dogs !!

I've never been a huge setter fan but they have won me over, my boy who can be funny with males gets on fab with all of Rachel's, personally I think they are much easier than the dogs I own, shhhush just don't tell mine that ;-)

I used to have an Irish Setter, lovely dog and great fun.

We've recently bought an Irish Red and White Setter and are absolutely smitten with her. :-D

I have one Gordon, she is eight now and has never grown up.
First the bad points: She is a barker and that is a pain, none of my others bark because they simply don't need to. She is a tad obsessed with birds and will sometimes head off after them on walks, especially little song birds and crows for some reason. She tries to rid our garden of all birds and will set at the wood pigeons that are nesting in my tree. She is a puller on lead, never got her out of it in eight years, and she still insists on jumping up to greet us, you can see her fighting with herself not to, but in the end she just can't resist. However she also loves to use you as her personal scratching post and those nails hurt. She can throw slobber to places slobber has never gone before and if you think super glue is good, you could use this stuff in place of no more nails lol

Now the good points: she does not have one bad bone in her body. She is adorable and absolutely loves my daughter. She is fabulous off lead, has a good recall. The setter wooo wooo! She loves my other dogs and mothers them all except the Bernese who she thinks is her mum. My other two dogs are PBGV and she is so sweet with them. She loves cuddles. She makes us laugh every day. Would I be without her? Never. Would I have another one? Possibly :-) then again...