I am looking for a general overview of gordon setter temperament and characteristics. My Husband's family has always had red setters from the same breeder - my family has always gone for the Heinz rescue-type! We are now looking to purchase a puppy and are split between a gordon setter or retreiver. Before we end up wth 2 dogs! - I would love to hear what owners/breeders think (apart from the obvious bias) of Gordon's within a young family. Are they keen to please and naturally biddable? (aka retreiver/labrador type) or a bit more spirited and challenging (aka heinz) and no. the red setters were never "mad" and we are naturally assuming that the setter dignity is a breed characteristic in all setters!

Thank you

Joanne

One of my puppy owners main breed is gordons. If you register you will be able to see my email details and I can pass on your query to her.

I have a Gordon Setter pup of 16 weeks. She is of course beautiful and loving. She was house trained by 14 weeks, however.......Bess like some other Setters I have heard of, likes to think she is part of Ground Force and must landscape the garden at every opportunity. Her intelligence seems to mean that while she can be quite easy to teach new things ,she is also training us to come when called by 'talking' and a flutter of long, dark lashes and big brown eyes! Gordons can be quite independent and require a lot of exercise when fully grown - at least 5 miles a day - how much energy do you and your family have for a gundog bred to run all day?
My husband decided on the breed after once meeting two Gordons who were 'Pat dogs' that visited hospices etc.
Let me know what you decide - register it's free - then we can form a support group!
Good luck Sandy

well i had a gordon setter which lived with a flatcoated retriever both together had a great temparnet,3 years between them,the gordon boy was so laid back,a gentle gaint and was bougth up with 2 kids of 10 and 11years old but the sad bit was he die at 5 years old,beacuse he was a great dog that bought me to the world of showing ect, he broke my heart when he went thats why i could not get another one to replace him, i had offers to place him with puppies,the only down side i would say about a gordon setter is the grooming and if they get wet it takes a long time to dry,it use to take a whole day to get him looking good for a show,but it was worth it he always came home with a place,he was very laid back and a bit of a whim,you should not over excerice them for the first year beacuse they are a large breed which needs time to grow,to much could damage their joints and cause other problems.too.the best think gordons do is they take over the settee,resting their bum first on the side then slow rising the legs,then a great big head lays staight across your lap.we had a great time with him in is short live.

If you require any information on the breed Gordon setters please feel free to email me your contact number and I will get in touch.