Gordon Setters

[DaSwede]

First off, I am a lab guy, but this year I had to retire my hunting buddy because of his age and a bad shoulder. I have always been intrigued by pointers though. A friend of mine asked if I had ever looked into Gordon Setters. I started reading about them and looking at pics of them on the Internet, and they look like a beautiful dog. Just wondering if anyone hunts with them, and what kind of family dog they make? If it makes a difference, I strictly a pheasant hunter.

[setterguy]

I know some guys that have some. I have seen some good ones, some OK ones and some down right awful ones, never a great one.

I'm sure they are out there, but they were bred for years because they are so beautiful, and the hunting instinct wasn't a top priority for breeders. They are starting to come back however and there are some nice lines right here in MN. All setters are very sweet dogs and I would not hesitate to bring one into my home from a personality perspective.

If I was strictly a pheasant hunter and wanted a pointer I would look into the versatile breeds, Wirehairs, Dhrathars, Griffon etc. They are going to track wounded birds much better than any setter. Just my opinion....

There is a place in Pine City that is a hunt club and Gordon Breeder. I'm sure you could go see some dogs work there.

Let me know if I can be of any help.

[verg]

one of my buddies here has a few of them. I hunt with him and his gordons on occasion. His dogs are REAL good for pheasants. Very good pointers, hard workers and retrievers. They have real good pedigrees. He bred a couple of them a year or so ago and think still has one or two left. They of course now are a year and half?? I know he is willing to sell them CHEAP as he as too many now. I'm not sure he as put the work into them either? However, you could get a dog that has a great ped. health etc for real real cheap and work/ train it yourself if interested. I know he did say the instinct is there for the young ones he just hasn't had the time for all the dogs. Again, I bet he'll let them go for a real steal and they orginally sold for $700.

[R. Miller]

I agree with setterguy. If you're set on a Gordon, do a lot of research and I'm sure you'll find a good one, you just may have too look harder than some other breeds. If I was going to start with a pointer I'd look to a good English setter(biased b/c I have one) a Britt or one of the other versatile breeds. Just seems like there's more options out there where you couldn't go wrong IMO

[DaSwede]

Thanks guys. Ive done some research, and it looks like the breed is making a comeback, but has been breed more for show and competition than hunting. I'm sure I'll end up with another lab, but will also look into an English pointer. I just thought the Gordon is a great looking dog.

[grousehunter]

MN is a great place to be if you want a field bred gordon. There are a lot of good breeders in MN and surrounding states. If you still are thinking you would want a gordon I would check out clearcut kennel.

I'll agree with setterguy that for only pheasants one of the versatile breeds are probably a better option overall if you want a pointer.