Gordon Setter

Although Gordon Setter grooming is pretty simple, you should expect to spend some time tending to that long, wavy coat. You’ll want to brush them at least once a week with a slicker brush or wire pin brush to keep their fur from becoming matted. And, because shedding is a part of life with a Gordon Setter, that weekly attention will help keep the whorls of black hair under the sofa to a minimum. Still, you know, don’t toss the vacuum or anything.

The hair on their toes and around their ears will need trimming once a month, and you can expect to bathe your pup monthly as well, which should be sufficient to remove excess dirt and oil and keep your Gordon Setter smelling clean. Fortunately, professional grooming is not needed—unless you’re uncomfortable with tasks like nail trimming. Listen, pedicures are not for everyone, it’s cool. But your Gordon Setter’s nails should be clipped about once a month to prevent painful overgrowth. You’ll know it’s time when you hear that telltale clack-clack-clack on the floor. And, bonus, it turns out bath time is the perfect time to trim nails, because the water makes them softer and easier to cut.

All breeds require dental care, and Gordon Setters are no exception. Ask your veterinarian about an at-home dental routine, which could include dental chews or rinses as well as brushing their teeth daily. Start a toothbrushing routine with your Gordon Setter puppy to establish a lifelong habit. Annual professional dental exams and cleanings by your vet are also essential for good oral health.

The Gordon Setter personality is that of a hunter. They were bred for the task and are therefore always happiest when they’re active and busy. But, if waking at the crack of dawn and spending hours in the woods chasing prey isn’t exactly your thing, don’t worry. A rousing training session with your pup after you’ve downed a cup of coffee can still provide the focus and sense of accomplishment the breed needs to thrive.

These are whip-smart dogs who love to please their humans, making them fairly easy to train, despite a willful streak that can sometimes rear its ugly head. This just means that Gordon Setters need a confident and calm leader who understands that patience is the key to unlocking the pup’s potential. First-time pup parents may find such a characteristic frustrating, which makes the breed better suited to individuals who’ve had dogs before.

When getting to work, prioritize training activities that take advantage of your Gordon Setter’s best traits: high energy levels and intelligence. After they learn the basics (sit, stay, come when called), focus on more challenging activities that require physical stamina and mental fortitude such as flyball, agility and hunting (tracking). Always reward them for a job well done. Positive reinforcement—treats, toys, and praise—is essential. Keep your daily sessions short, 5 to 10 minutes at a time, and fast-paced to maintain their interest and ensure you’re raising a Gordon Setter with good manners. You’ll make Emily Post proud.

But remember, no matter how well you train your pup, you’ll never completely train the hunter (and hunting instincts, i.e. chasing all the small things) out of them. Teaching recall, therefore, is key so your dog will return to you side after tracking down their latest target.

It’s best to start training and socialization with a Gordon Setter puppy to avoid them developing naughty habits and bad behavior later on. Socialization involves exposing them to as many different experiences and stimuli (sights, smells, sounds) early to help ward off fear and anxiety later on. Taking your Gordon Setter on walks—greeting and meeting the people you see on the way—enrolling them in puppy classes and making play dates with other dogs are all good ways to socialize your Gordon Setter.

The Gordon Setter breed typically does well on high-quality commercial dog foods that provide a complete and balanced diet to meet their calorie and nutrient needs. Look for a formula specific to their life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and work with your veterinarian to create a feeding chart to ensure that you’re providing the right type and amount of food for your dog.

Gordon Setters are high-energy dogs, and your vet may recommend a food formulated for active breeds to ensure that your dog is getting the calories and nutrients they need to maintain their go-go-go lifestyle. But be aware that a high-protein diet is not recommended for Gordon Setter puppies, as they could develop health issues from too much protein. As always, check with your vet; they’re in the best position to help you choose a food that’s right for your dog.

Dog treats make great training tools, but be sure to limit them to no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories. For Gordon Setters, being overweight can increase the risk of certain health issues, including joint pain, making it harder to run or engage in other favorite pastimes.

Gordon Setters love to run, which is convenient, since their exercise needs are pretty intense. So, they need to do a lot of it. About one hour a day is probably sufficient. As a pet parent, you can therefore expect to spend a good chunk of your time running, hiking, biking, swimming or tossing a ball with these high-energy hunting dogs. If a triathlon was ever in your sights, now’s the time! You’ll crush it. Gordon Setters also excel at dog sports such as agility, rally and competitive obedience. And once your Gordon Setter has burned off all of their energy, they will happily take a long nap, preferably beside you on the couch.

Intelligence is also one of the top Gordon Setter breed qualities, which means mental stimulation is as valuable as physical activity. Offer them puzzle toys or initiate games like hide-and-seek to keep their minds engaged. Training can also be a form of mental and physical exercise, especially when it incorporates fast-paced games.

Gordon Setters are not the right fit for families who spend more time hanging out at home than they do hitting the trails. These active dogs do best with lots of exercise and plenty of bonding. That means the more time you spend tossing a ball, playing tug-of-war, hiking in the woods, swimming or hanging out at the dog park, the happier your dog will be. Let’s be honest, you will be, too. With the right amount of exercise, Gordon Setters could adjust to apartment life, but a home with a fenced yard—the bigger, the better—is the best option for this breed.

Mixing Gordon Setters with kids is an exceedingly good combination—they’re sometimes called “nanny dogs” and make great playmates for kids. (We hear their rates are competitive.) They are good-natured canines who love children and quickly warm up to strangers. Most Gordon Setters are also good with other dogs, and they’ll likely get along with cats if raised with them from puppyhood. But their innate hunting abilities remain strong, and they may give chase to smaller animals, especially birds.