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Gordon Setters: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

Gordon Setter temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

Gordon Setter dog breed

The handsome, well-muscled Gordon Setter is the most alert, serious, and sensible of the setters, a graceful yet powerful dog who enjoys hiking, biking, jogging, and field work as regular exercise.

Though usually calm and dignified, with a wise and noble expression, the Gordon Setter does have a silly side, and also a demanding side. Gordon Setters thrive on one-on-one attention, you see. They can be jealous of other pets and are sometimes aggressive toward strange dogs.

The strong-mindedness of the Gordon Setter calls for early training by someone who knows how to establish and enforce rules.

Gordon Setters also have long memories: Once they learn something (whether right or wrong), they'll remember it for a long time. On the negative side, this means bad habits can be difficult to break.


If you want a dog who...

  • Is large and sturdy, yet also elegant and graceful
  • Has a lovely feathered coat – jet black with rust red markings
  • Is the most alert of the setters, the most discriminating with strangers, and makes the best watchdog
  • Is usually sensible and dependable with everyone

A Gordon Setter may be right for you.


If you don't want to deal with...

  • Providing enough exercise to keep him satisfied
  • Exuberant jumping, especially when young
  • "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
  • Stubbornness
  • Regular brushing and combing
  • Shedding

A Gordon Setter may not be right for you.

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Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You?

In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.


Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament  is less predictable than the inheritance of physical  traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

FREE eBooks by Michele Welton

dog icon"Respect Training for Puppies"  and "Teach Your Dog 100 English Words"  are free step by step guides to teaching your pup to be calm and well-behaved.

dog icon"11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy"  is a free guide to keeping your dog mentally, physically, and emotionally happy and healthy so you can enjoy a longer lifetime of companionship.

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  • You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Gordon Setters have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
  • If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy.

More traits and characteristics of the Gordon Setter

If I was considering a Gordon Setter, I would be most concerned about...

  1. Providing enough exercise. Gordon Setters are athletic hunting dogs who need plenty of exercise to vent their energy. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored, which they usually express by destructive chewing.
  2. Providing enough companionship. Gordon Setters are devoted to their family and need a great deal of companionship. If you leave them alone too much during the day, they may express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking.
  3. Potential dog aggression. Many Gordon Setters are fine with other family pets. But some individuals are not tolerant of other dogs of the same sex.
  4. Stubbornness. All of the setter breeds can be obstinate and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Gordon Setter to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. Follow my free online training programs.
  5. Grooming and shedding. To keep their silky coat free of mats, Gordon Setters require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months. And they do shed quite a bit.

Michele Welton with BuffyAbout the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

My best-selling books – now available  FREE  on my website


book coverRespect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
book coverTeach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.
book cover11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.

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