Rokeena Talks About Gordon Setters

A Little History of the Gordon Setter and more...

To pinpoint an exact time period and geographical area in UK where Gordon Setters first emerged is impossible as the edges of this time frame are very blurred, but it is generally agreed they evolved from Pointers, Spaniels and the Setter of the day which was used in the various regions of Britain. So, even though they are thought of as the setter which was created in Scotland, their actual roots extend to all of the UK, their origins to Scotland being more through their link to 'Gordon Castle' in Scotland.

Naturally it is from the ' Setter ' part of the above trio of ancestors that we find the first recognisable ancestors of the "Black and Tans" as we see them today . The word "Setter" comes from "Setting Dogges", the name giving to the dogs which were used in the 1600s by hunters who had only nets with which to catch game and therefore needed a dog that was trained to crouch low to the ground on finding game, making it easier for the hunters to 'throw' their net over these birds.

In the 1800's, when guns became widely used, the nets were forgotten and these dogs were suddenly not so much in favour. It is interesting to note, this low, crouching to the ground action is still often seen to this day by all four recognised breeds of setters (the Irish, the Gordon, the English and the Irish Red and White Setters).

Another indication which points to his heritage back in this era when the dogs were used with nets, is from the note in a book written in 1620 by Gervaise Markham where he describes the "The Setting Dog" and in doing so mentions amongst the colours the "Black and Fallow".

So it is historical fact that 'Black and Tan' setters appeared long before the Duke Of Gordon began breeding some of the ancestors of our wonderful dogs. This is proved by so many books which mention 'Black and Tan' strains with no connection to 'Gordon Castle' as well as the dog's existence long before The Duke or his castle even came into existence. But it is definitely due to 'The 4th Duke of Gordon' that the Gordon Setter came by his name. It is also historical fact that, in the early 1800's, the Duke's Kennel was so predominated by 'black and tan' setters, which were highly regarded and sought after, that the name 'Gordon Setter' became associated with the breed . The name was used so freely when speaking of his dogs and many other black and tan setters around Britain, that the British Kennel Club decided to call all Black and Tan Setters , 'Gordon Setters' in honour of the Duke. It became official when this statement was printed in the Kennel Gazette in the list of breeds......"dating from January 1st 1924, the Setter (Black and Tan) is now officially designated the GORDON SETTER".

A little bit more...

"Australian History"... click here