Scottish setter: history of the breed, how it looks and how to keep it?

The Scottish Setter or Gordon is not only a very beautiful, graceful and stylish breed, it is a dog that has an excellent instinct. Animals not only become wonderful pets, but are also actively used in hunting for game. In addition to all this, representatives of the breed often become exhibitors, and if you have a desire to plunge into the diverse world of dog breeding, with the Scottish setter you can do this in completely different directions.

The breed was first mentioned in the distant 1570, in England. However, it was definitely not the dog that we see now. In its current form, the breed was formed only by the beginning of the XIX century. The Scottish Setter was obtained by breeders by crossing. There are versions according to which such breeds as bloodhounds, retrievers, greyhounds, pointers are involved in the creation of the setter, some sources also refer to poodles, the history is rich, and 100% of the data, unfortunately, is not. As a result of breeding, three main groups of setters were formed: Irish, which is sometimes called red, English (interspersed white) and, of course, Scottish with a predominant black color and characteristic tan marks.

The birthplace of the Scottish setter is considered to be a town called Fogabers, it is located in the north of the United Kingdom. It was there that the duke Alexander Gordon lived, who brought the most significant contribution to the development of the breed.Later, this variety was also named in his honor. In the castle of Gordon there were 2 nurseries in which dirhounds and setters were bred. The count was fascinated by the qualities of the dogs and was delighted with the appearance. It was he who formed a single color and set the first standards. In 1882, the breed bred in Scotland was sent to America, where, after another two years, it was officially recognized by the Kennel Club.

Among the setters, this breed is the largest. Inside the view, the parameters vary by gender.

• Males. On average, in height (at the withers), individuals can reach 65 centimeters, but the weight is quite small, a dog weighing 29 kg is considered normal.
• Bitches Height - 62 cm, average weight - 25 kg.

In general, this is a very lean and muscular variety, which is not surprising, given that it was bred for hunting. The coat is long, with a light wave, but on the front of the head and on the edges of the ears it is short. At the base of the tail, the hair is more elongated, becoming shorter as it approaches the tip. Color is black and tan (chestnut). The tan marks are located above the eyes (at the beginning of the eyebrow), on the muzzle from the sides, there is a mark on the throat, two symmetrical spots should be present on the chest, also marks adorn the paws and one tan is located in the area under the tail.

We give a detailed description of the setters.

• Muzzle. In proportions it is considered square, equal to the skull in length. The back of the nose is straight, the nose itself is quite wide, black, with open nostrils. The upper lip dominates the lower and sags slightly. Due to this structure, the bite is called scissor bite, in this case the upper teeth overlap the lower.
• Eyes can be called small, set wide. Due to a slightly lower eyelid, the gaze may seem sad. The color of the iris is dark brown.
• The ears. Elongated, wide, but thin. Begin at eye level and hang outside the muzzle, while adjacent to the head.
• Body. Muscular, lean. Withers expressed. The neck is rather long, but not thin. The chest is wide, down in a downward direction. Belly tightened.
• Limbs. Straight, sinewy, quite widely spaced. The paws themselves are rounded.

In general, character is described as calm, affectionate, playful and friendly. Of course, in each breed there are dogs with character, but, in addition to natural data, training must also act, so any setter can be properly brought up. Other dogs and animals are generally treated kindly and calmly. If you are worried about whether several different pets can get along in the same space, it’s not worth it. The setter will find a common language with the existing beast, even if it is a small and shy animal.

Another point that you should pay attention to is that they have a dominant position in a pack of dogs, so fights can occur among four-legged people in a company, especially in a male one. Gordons get along well with children, they are attached to all family members without exception, but at the same time they are distrustful of strangers. They will not attack in the event of a stranger approaching, but may raise an alarm when invading their territory.For this breed, communication with the owner is very important, so they endure a long separation. If you are often on business trips, and you do not have the opportunity to take a pet with you, it is better to choose a different breed so that the dog does not suffer. For harmonious development, the pet will need to give significant mental and physical stress. This is especially important during the period of active growth of the puppy.

Consider the option in which a dog appears in your house as a puppy. After all, if you acquire an adult, most likely, its character is already formed, and you can’t change it much, you have to accept a new family member as he is. The first thing you should do when a puppy appears in your house is to introduce it to your surroundings. Introduce him not only all the important family members, but also show the rooms. Set standards initially - what can be done and what cannot. In the future, strictly adhere to these rules without any exceptions.

You can start training, that is, a direct study of the teams after reaching a puppy age of 5-6 months. Most often, the common method of carrots and sticks is used for training, and there should be more gingerbreads in the case of setters than carrots. Basic verbal commands can be accompanied by whistles or gestures, because these dogs are very attentive to the actions of the owner and subsequently can more willingly execute commands presented in the form of a gesture than verbal orders.

It is not recommended to start studying a new team if you have not worked well on the previous one. Fasten the material, and achieve its assimilation before mastering new tricks. It is important to hone your skills not only in the house (even if you do it on your own open and spacious lawn), but also in nature, in a previously unfamiliar environment. Arrange periodic outings, but keep your pet under control.

Until the moment when the setter clearly understands and executes commands such as “Near”, “Stand”, “Place”, “It is impossible”, “Forward” and “Lie”, it is better not to go to large open spaces, especially without leash. Further training should be carried out in stages, and it is better to entrust this process to a professional if you are not confident in your own abilities and methods:

• weaning from chasing;
• study of dog exposure;
• correct execution of commands from a distance;
• lifting and stance training;
• training for shuttle search;
• working out the feed command;
• instilling calm behavior during shooting.

Let's start with the most important - no chains and closed small aviaries. Setters love freedom, and they need room for well-being and sufficient activity. If you plan to keep the dog in a fenced area, then it should be split, and it is better to lay the perimeter with tiles or concrete so that the pet could not make a dig. It is not necessary to have a private country house to start such a dog. Gordons are perfectly adapted for living in an apartment. The main thing is that the animal should be able to be active. This refers not only to walking, but also the availability of free space in the apartment.

Activity should be given special attention, this is one of the main conditions for a good quality of life for such dogs. At least 1 time per week you should have a chance to go out of town or walk a dog in a large park.You can combine animal walking and your own sports, such as jogging or cycling, scooter or skateboard. Daily distances from 3 to 10 kilometers with a gradual increase in distances will be a great way to walk.

Another content feature is wool. It is quite long and will require washing, frequent combing and cutting. Learn to do it yourself or find a master with whom the dog is in advance and you can build further work. If you have a show dog, one of the main rules is that the participant in the shows should not live on the street. Due to weather conditions, the dog’s constitution will change, that is, the undercoat will appear, and this will affect the appearance.

Comb your pet with a comb with rare teeth. To prevent the formation of shreds and lumps of felted wool, the frequency of combing should not be less than once every 2 days. Do not overdo it with swimming. Ordinary dogs are recommended to be washed once every 30 days, and show samples - once every 7-10 days. In no case should you forget about special care shampoos and balms, so as not to dry the skin due to frequent washing. And also do not forget about leaving oils. Which ones to choose - ask the breeder, trainer or veterinarian.

In addition to wool, it is important to care for your teeth and ears. It is recommended that you clean at least once a week. Pay attention to the eyes, remove the formations in time. Claws also need care. If you do not cut them in a timely manner, the pet will get tired of walking faster and the risk of injury during training and at home will increase. In 3-4 weeks, the claws will grow and will need correction, consider this.

If you decide to get a dog, remember, it will bring you not only a lot of joy, but also literally eat a certain part of your income. The owner independently determines how to build a balanced diet. Will it be natural food, or will you try to use ready-made feed. In any case, it is better to think over the program in advance. An important point that you should be aware of is food in the winter and during active physical activity (for example, during the hunting season). In this case, the calorie content of the diet increases by 2–3 times in comparison with normal nutrition.

In general, this breed is quite strong, hardy and not too whimsical, but, unfortunately, like other dogs bred by breeding, they have their most common diseases, which a good owner should know about in advance. Genetic diseases that may affect your pet:

• cataract;
• hip dysplasia;
• retinal atrophy;
• hypothyroidism;
• possible inversion of the stomach (due to structural features of the chest).

Prevention against these diseases will be timely vaccination, treatment against parasites and, of course, periodic and systematic monitoring by a veterinarian. During the hunt, such dogs can get microtrauma (cuts, dislocations, bruises). It is better to pay attention to this, especially if the wounds are bleeding or have begun to fester. After each trip, carefully inspect the dog for injuries. In general, setters are wonderful pets. Their life expectancy is from 10 to 13 years, and every day spent with such a pet will be wonderful and joyful. This is a great dog, which is suitable for families with young children, as well as for serious hunting work. This is a beautiful, intelligent, friendly and very sensitive breed, which any owner can be proud of.

See how to properly train the Scottish Setter in the next video.