Gundog Large size 20-36 kg

Gordon Setter

A handsome, loyal black-and-tan setter that bonds closely and needs daily exercise plus regular grooming of its feathered coat.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
20-36 kg, 58-69 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; struggles with long days alone
Moderate
Trainability
Willing but needs steady guidance
High
Coat care
Frequent brushing; coat needs real upkeep
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Very good
Other pets
Generally good with other dogs and pets
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia

The Gordon Setter typically weighs 20-36 kg, stands 58-69 cm, and lives 10-12 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a one-family dog that is devoted rather than everybody's friend,
you can commit to an hour or more of daily exercise for years,
you like a slightly more serious, slower-maturing setter,
you're prepared for regular brushing and ear care.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would regularly spend full workdays alone,
you expect instant obedience - Gordons are thoughtful and sometimes stubborn,
you want a dog that greets every stranger warmly,
coat feathering, shedding, and burrs would annoy you.

A typical day with a Gordon Setter

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    45-60 min brisk walk or off-leash run
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Rest close to its person; Gordons shadow their family
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Short walk and a scent game
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Training session, 15-20 minutes, kept positive
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer outing or field work; brush out feathering
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Calm and quiet indoors when worked

Temperament and training

Loyalty to family Very high
Energy outdoors High
Reserve with strangers Moderate
Bird and scent drive High
Independence Moderate
Guarding tendency Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Using harsh corrections on a sensitive, late-maturing dog · Skipping socialization and ending up with an overly reserved adult · Underestimating exercise needs because the adult looks dignified

Family and environment

Kids Very good
Patient with its own family's children.
Dogs Good
Generally sociable with proper introductions.
Cats Conditional
Works when raised together; may chase strange cats.
Apartment Conditional
Possible only with heavy daily outdoor exercise.
House with a yard Suitable
Best setup; still needs real walks and running.
City Manages
Copes if exercise and training are consistent.
Countryside Ideal
Space to run and work suits it best.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited retinal disease; DNA test available

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Softer, more outgoing setter
English Setter
A gentle, feathered bird dog that is great with family but needs daily exercise and regular coat care to stay content.
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Lighter, more exuberant cousin
Irish Setter
A glamorous, exuberant setter that stays puppyish for years - affectionate and family-friendly, but demands heavy daily exercise and coat care.
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Similar size, cheerier retriever type
Flat Coated Retriever
A joyful, forever-puppy retriever that is superb with family, but a high cancer risk and short lifespan are real drawbacks.
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Frequently asked questions

How is a Gordon Setter different from an English or Irish Setter?
The Gordon is the heaviest and most serious of the three. It bonds tightly to its own family and can be reserved with strangers, where English and Irish Setters tend to be friendlier with everyone. It matures slowly and keeps the same high exercise and grooming needs as its cousins.
How much does a Gordon Setter cost to own in the US?
Puppies from health-tested breeders commonly run $1,000-$2,000; the breed is uncommon, so expect waitlists. Yearly costs for food, routine vet care, and grooming typically land around $1,500-$2,500. Over a 10-12 year lifespan that means $20,000 or more before emergencies - large-breed joint surgery or a bloat episode can each cost several thousand dollars.
Are Gordon Setters good with kids?
Generally yes, with their own family. They are patient and affectionate with children they live with, though a young Gordon is big and bouncy enough to knock over toddlers. Supervision and teaching kids to respect the dog matter, as with any large breed.
Can a Gordon Setter live in an apartment?
Only conditionally. The dog itself is calm indoors when properly worked, but that means an hour or more of genuine daily exercise plus mental engagement, every day, in every weather. Without a committed routine, an apartment Gordon becomes vocal, restless, and destructive.