Lily’s Second Chance

Gordon Setter Guide: Temperament, Size, Grooming and Adopting a Rescue

Gordon Setter history and overview

The American Kennel Club places the Gordon Setter in the Sporting Group and lists Scotland as its origin. The United Kennel Club describes it as the only gun dog developed in Scotland, stabilized by the fourth Duke of Gordon between 1770 and 1820. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that the present-day breed made its debut in the 1820s and that a breeding pair from the Duke's kennels reached the United States in 1842.

Gordon Setter size and weight

The American Kennel Club puts the Gordon Setter in its Large size category. The American Kennel Club gives males as 24-27 inches and 55-80 pounds, and females as 23-26 inches and 45-70 pounds. The United Kennel Club gives the same weight ranges for males and females, while VCA Animal Hospitals gives a single range of 55 to 80 pounds for the breed.

Gordon Setter temperament and personality: are Gordon Setters good family dogs?

The American Kennel Club describes the Gordon Setter's temperament as confident, affectionate and bold. The same profile rates the breed 5 of 5 for family affection, but 3 of 5 for child compatibility, so how it suits a household with children may vary. VCA Animal Hospitals calls the breed sweet-natured but sometimes bossy, and notes it can stay puppyish until about age 4.

Exercise needs

The American Kennel Club rates the breed's energy 5 of 5. VCA Animal Hospitals says plenty of daily exercise brings out the best in the breed and helps keep it from becoming too rowdy.

Gordon Setter grooming and shedding

VCA Animal Hospitals recommends daily brushing to prevent mats and to control shedding, regular ear cleaning, and weekly pedicures. The American Kennel Club lists the coat as medium and double, and rates shedding 3 of 5 and grooming frequency 2 of 5.

Gordon Setter training

VCA Animal Hospitals suggests consistent but gentle obedience training, since harsh corrections tend to cause the dog to shut down emotionally. The American Kennel Club rates trainability 5 of 5.

Gordon Setter health problems and life expectancy

The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 12-13 years for the breed. VCA Animal Hospitals names gastric torsion (bloat), hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism among the breed's health issues. Ask a veterinarian what these concerns mean for an individual dog.

AKC breed facts

These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Gordon Setter as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.

AKC group
Sporting Group
AKC recognition year
1878
Height (AKC published)
24-27 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
Weight (AKC published)
55-80 pounds (male), 45-70 pounds (female)
General life expectancy
12-13 years
AKC size category
Large

AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)

  • Energy: 5 of 5
  • Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
  • Trainability: 5 of 5
  • Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
  • Shedding: 3 of 5
  • Vocalization: 3 of 5
  • Drooling: 4 of 5
  • Adaptability: 4 of 5
  • Playfulness: 3 of 5
  • Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
  • Affection toward family: 5 of 5
  • Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
  • AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
  • AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5

Health screenings AKC lists for the breed

Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.

  • Hip Evaluation
  • Elbow Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
  • CHIC DNA Repository
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 4 (PRA-rcd4) - DNA Test

Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).

Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.

References

Senior Gordon Setter dogs looking for homes

Each dog is listed by the shelter or rescue named on the card. Please confirm availability with them.