At one time, the Gordon Setter was known as the “Scottish Setter,” or “Black and Tan” Setter, a breed thought to have evolved from the old “Setting Spaniel.” At the time, Setters came many colors, but “black and fallow” dogs were mentioned in connection with Alexander, the fourth Duke of Gordon, who established a famous kennel of these setters of his preferred color – black and tan – at Gordon Castle near Fochabers near the River Spey in UK.

Legend has it that the Duke wouldn’t shoot over his dogs until they were five years old, so slow (read: fun loving and goofy) were they to mature. Most Gordon owners find this “forever young” aspect an endearing feature of the breed today.

“The Thistle” by Thomas Blinks 1895