It’s the only hunting breed native to Scotland, and its history goes so far back that when Daniel Webster (American statesman, and the most highly paid attorney of his time) imported his dog in 1842, he was getting a breed that already had 200 years of history behind it.

With the purchase of two dogs from the Duke of Gordon kennels, “Rake” and “Rachael,” Webster and George Blunt’s dogs founded the Gordon Setter breed in America.

Gordon were originally known as Black and Tan Setters, but with the interest of the Duke of Gordon (credited with establishing the breed with its present characteristics) the name changed to Gordon after himself, of course, but also after the castle where he kept his hunting dogs.

In the early 1900’s, the breed went back to the original Black and Tan name, but then was officially recognized as the Gordon Setter by the English Kennel Club. It was one of the first breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Gordons were bred as one-man hunting dogs noted not for speed, but for a patterned and logical approach to finding game birds. The dogs have been used as pointers, for flushing out birds, and for retrieving; it’s this “multitasking” ability that makes its many fans feel that the Gordon is one of the most intelligent of the setters.They’re biddable, can be “talkative,” are alert, lively, and exceedingly loyal. What’s not to love in this breed?

Image “Gordon Setter Running” by Izzy Standbridge is available as a print, home decor and stationary here