Breeding & Presenting Gordon Setters

Breeding and exhibiting dogs of championship quality is both a science and an art, with a whole lot of luck thrown in for good measure. To make the decisions that produce a dog that not only has these fine qualities but also possesses health clearances and a great temperament only makes the task more daunting. Throw bird ability and agility into the mix, and the challenge can appear insurmountable.

Ours has become a sport that is extremely expensive—just the entry fees and travel expenses alone make a staggering total to middle-class people such as myself. Add to that the high cost of clearances, stud fees, and vet bills, and it is very hard for normal folks to compete. Now that I have reached the age where I can no longer show my own dogs, I must hire a great and kind handler as well. The costs become staggering and prohibitive.

I learned a very long time ago from a wise mentor that to be competitive on a shoestring budget, I had to put not just good dogs on the ground, but outstanding dogs. My mentor promised me that if I was willing to make tough decisions regarding breeding stock, I could compete with the big players.

I feel I have done that. I have two All Breed Best in Show Gordon Setters, two National Specialty winners, and most everything I own and exhibit finishes with at least one specialty win, some with all specialty wins. Not only do my bitches produce, but my stud dogs as well, even when bred to other lines.

It feels uncomfortable to say this—it feels like bragging—but that is why I was asked to write this article. I recently learned that my dogs have had a positive impact on the breed, which makes me feel both humble and proud. There has never been big money behind my dogs; I have not had a “huge face” handler showing my dogs, but I have been blessed with a wonderful and talented handler who has taken my dogs to heights we both thought impossible. In a sport described as being so political, it warms my heart that this is still possible to achieve—not always, but sometimes.

I was asked to write an article for ShowSight Magazine, explaining how we have achieved success while considering temperament and health clearances. Additionally, I was asked to comment on anything I feel is important for judges and exhibitors to know about Gordon Setters.

My philosophy about breeding stock, based on advice from my mentor so many years ago, is that just because a dog earns a championship title does NOT mean it needs to be or should be bred. If a dog is mediocre and struggled to finish, it will produce mediocre at best. Only the very best should ever be bred, and that outstanding bitch should be bred to the very best and most appropriate stud dog that can be found. The “most appropriate stud dog” doesn’t necessarily mean a male in my backyard or one that happens to be black and tan like the bitch. I see people breed what they’ve got to what they’ve got—over and over—and rarely do they get much better than what they started with.

I see top breeders who breed one of their bitches to a dog on the other side of the country or many states away and get puppies that take my breath away. They may own stunning champions they could use, but they choose not to. My advice is to be ruthless in your decisions about what should be bred, and certainly don’t be kennel blind when making that decision.

If you don’t do a credible job presenting your own dog, then don’t bemoan the fact that it doesn’t win when competing against dogs that are well-presented. How often do we see dogs poorly presented only to have the owners complain that they haven’t won and a handler beat them? The handler often shows a clean, well-groomed dog that is competently presented to its best.

Keep careful track of your judges. Not every dog wins under every judge. I usually give any judge 2 or 3 entries with different dogs, but if I notice a pattern—that they only see what is at the end of the lead, or they want a type unlike my line—I save my money and don’t enter under them again. Some judges I will enter under no matter where they are judging; other judges wouldn’t see my dogs if they judged one mile down the road.

I know judges consider drawing good entries at shows as something they take pride in. If that is so, be watchful of whom you point your finger at; because most certainly I am watching, and if you want to see one of my dogs again, you need to point to a good dog—not necessarily mine—but a good one; one that looks like a Gordon Setter.

Gordon Setters are a type breed; they are meant to be substantial. They are not Black and Tan Irish Setters, should not be presented with an extreme sloping topline, should not be groomed like an Irish Setter, and should not move like an Irish Setter. If the dog was painted green, would you recognize it as a Gordon Setter, or mistake it for an Irish Setter? Gordons are to have BONE, SUBSTANCE, BODY, and RIB CAGE SPRING. If they lack these traits and fly around the ring at breakneck speed, they are an Irish Setter in a black and tan coat, not correct type.

Type also depends greatly on head type. The standard states the head should be “brick on brick.” Head planes should be level, with a good stop—not too much or it looks like a Pointer; not too little or it looks like a Collie. There needs to be good depth of muzzle with sufficient flews, though not overly pendulous. A key aspect of head type is the eyes. I am a fanatic on dark eyes. The eyes should be dark, correctly shaped (almond, NOT round), and the expression should be sweet and soft, never hard or harsh (often from tan spots that are too large over the eyes).

Lastly, a Gordon should have a big, effortless stride with great reach and drive. They shouldn’t scramble or shuffle; they should move as if nothing hurts and NOT TOO FAST!

It is possible to put a healthy, sound Gordon Setter in the ring with great breed type and be successful. I am grateful for the many good judges who take their job seriously and find the best dog in the breed that day to award. As exhibitors, it is our job to breed the best Gordon Setters we can, and we need to take that job very seriously!

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Living with the Gordon Setter

Beauty, brains, and bird sense are key words that describe the Gordon Setter. It is also the motto of the Gordon Setter Club of America. History suggests the existence of black and fallow setters as far back as the 16th century in Scotland and England. The Duke of Gordon is credited with establishing the breed with its present characteristics in the 1820s. George Blunt and Daniel Webster imported the breed to America in 1842, with the purchase of two dogs from the Duke of Gordon kennels, Rake and Rachael. These dogs founded the breed in the United States, which the American Kennel Club officially recognized in 1892. At one of the first organized dog shows held in Mineola, NY, back in October of 1874, a Gordon Setter was awarded Best In Show. Gordons were initially bred as bird dogs, for hunting upland game birds such as pheasant and quail.

As hunting companions, Gordons are frequently described as ‘personal hunting dogs,’ with emphasis on the word personal, as they are a close working hunter and also bred to work heavy brush versus the moors. Gordons thrive when they share both hearth and field with their masters. They do not take well to being part of a kennel string. Although the hunting instinct remains strong in the breed, Gordons are equally at home as companion dogs, obedience and agility competitors, and show dogs. Gordon Setters are alert and lively, pleasant and exceedingly loyal. They tend to be devoted to members of their household but are not overly friendly to strangers.

As a general rule, Gordons tend to tolerate attention from people they do not know rather than seeking such attention. They also have ‘antics’ which bring a smile to their owners. Rumor has it that Disney’s Goofy was modeled after a Gordon Setter. When you see images of Goofy ambling across the field with those big ears flopping, it resembles a Gordon. There is no denying a Gordon would stay a ‘puppy’ forever, but with proper techniques, young Gordons can be trained without breaking their spirit. They are not a breed that responds well to heavy-handed style obedience. Gordons are highly intelligent dogs, as quick to spot an advantage as to spot game.

Basic obedience training will make your Gordon a better companion and a better canine citizen. Obedience classes, ranging from puppy kindergarten to advanced competition classes, are available in most areas through local kennel clubs or humane societies. Gordons are capable of adapting to a variety of living situations, as long as they are assured of the love of their masters. They do, however, need plenty of daily exercise to maintain peak physical and mental condition. Gordons need a safe, fenced area in which to run and play. They also need to be taken for frequent on-leash walks. This breed should never be allowed to roam freely because Gordons have a tendency to put their noses to the ground where the hunting instinct might lead them to follow a bird or a squirrel across a busy highway. Children and Gordon Setters are a good combination, especially when the dog is introduced to children at a young age. They occur in the top ratings for a family dog.

Gordons tend to show strong protective instincts to their young charges. If a child persists in teasing a Gordon, the dog will tend to remove himself from the child’s reach rather than frighten a child by so much as a growl. If you have children, please remember that children are not always aware of how to treat a dog, and must be taught to respect the rights of the dog as a member of your household. Many Gordons are great talkers. They can develop quite a vocabulary with various tones to express themselves. These might include pleasure at seeing the food dish prepared, needing a drink, greeting the family, or warning of strangers. Constant wagging of their tail seems to be part of their style as well. Owning a Gordon will provide a loving devoted companion for life.

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In 2017, I was invited by a Scottish friend to come with her to a parade, not knowing what to expect. What I found was a joyful event filled with music that lifted the soul, Scottish dancers dancing in the street, and many Scottish breeds of dogs.

New York City Tartan Week 2024 culminated with the joyful Tartan Day Parade, which celebrates the contributions that the people of Scotland have made to the United States for hundreds of years, and the continuing bond of friendships between them.

The Tartan Day Parade was started back in 1999 by two bagpipers and a bunch of friends who definitely hit a note that will never be silenced. The following of this parade has grown experientially with each passing year.

On April 6th, 2024, on 44th Street and 6th Avenue, there was no shortage of Scottish dancers and bagpipers, drummers, beautiful kilts, marching bands, or Scottish breeds of dogs. The energy of this small yet mighty parade continues to grow, and this year’s parade had packed sidewalks for the whole length of the parade.

The historical impact these Scottish breeds of dogs have made in the world of dogs is unquestionable, and seeing them in the middle of this parade is amazing considering how rare many of these breeds are.

The breeds that came to meet, greet, and walk in the parade were a fine gathering that included five magnificent Scottish Deerhounds, a Skye Terrier, four Dandie Dinmont Terriers, four Scottish Terriers, 15-20 West Highland White Terriers, four Shetland Sheepdogs, two Gordon Setters, one Collie, one Cairn Terrier, and one Golden Retriever. By the time these dogs hit the parade route, all the spectators were cheering the dogs on and wanting to meet them.

In the end, the dogs did get to have one-on-one time with many spectators. The big crowd-pleasers were the Scottish Deerhounds, which one couldn’t walk past without wanting to shower them with hugs while asking lots of questions.

We look forward to hearing the sounds and sights of Scotland next time while sharing the space with all those majestic Scottish breeds along the parade route.

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1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. I live in Paris, Kentucky, on a beautiful 700-acre farm. I started as a teenager in 1967 with my first Gordon Setter, CH Sangerfield Cameo, but did not start a serious breeding program until 2004. We are Munroc Farm Kennel, and my partner, Silvia Timmermann, runs “Munroc Kennel-Europe” in Germany.

2. I look at them critically between 6-8 weeks, paying particular attention to traits I am trying to correct from the parents. Patience is important; some dogs go through the “adolescent uglies.” If he was a beautiful puppy at eight weeks, he’ll be a beautiful dog as an adult, but maybe not a great-looking teenager. That’s an advantage of letting youngsters do field work between six months and two years. It gives them something to think about and do, and earn juvenile points. And it gives us an opportunity to work together, even if we are not going to dog shows.

I don’t select puppies for “performance.” I believe every puppy we breed will instinctively point game birds. Some are more stylish, some use the terrain and wind more instinctively, and some have a more aggressive running style. Those qualities help to determine whether the dog will stop at the Master Hunter level or continue as a Field Trial contender, but I don’t believe I can pick that puppy early.

3. The status of the breed today? I see Gordon Setters all over the world: Australia, the British Isles, the US, and Continental Europe. There are plenty of great dogs, and genetic diversity is available. It’s up to breeders to go out of their way, and out of their area, to find them. I actually think Gordons are in pretty good shape as a breed. The temperaments and rears have improved since I got my first Gordon back in 1967. Otherwise, they are pretty similar and still have the qualities that made me want one in the first place. The only worrisome thing is the split between breeders who breed “just” for conformation and those who breed “just” for field work. I think a Sporting dog needs to look like and perform like the Breed Standard describes, and breeders should feel responsible for producing that.

4. I like the term preservation breeder, because that is what I am; making an effort to preserve the breed as it was developed. A Gordon Setter should look like the Standard but must still instinctively and reliably find and point upland game birds. The dog must be loyal, trainable, and want to work with its owner. That’s what I’m trying to preserve, the classic Gordon Setter.

I think judging has improved over the past few years. Up until recently, it was the biggest, hairiest, and best “sculpted” dogs that were winning. If the dog has a lot of hair (and the handler has good clippers) anyone can create a good silhouette, regardless of the bone structure beneath that hair. But in the last few years, I have seen more judges putting up dogs with the best movement, and more judges preventing handlers from setting the dog up at the end of the down and back, and making them stop on a loose lead, so they can see where the dog’s feet go naturally.

The question of whether there are too many shows, or not enough, or just right the number, is interesting. I think the number of dog shows is fine, but the distribution of dog shows (i.e., clusters) needs to change if we are going to attract any new people. When clubs in different areas all get together and have four shows in a row at one location it does two things:

• It makes it far away for a majority of people, and;
• It means that two of those four days are on weekdays.

This means anybody with a job, or kids in school, can’t go. These are not characteristics that attract people who are young, employed, and have families. These clusters benefit professional handlers, and superintendents, but not individual dog owners. Showing dogs is not very expensive if you can drive there, show your dog, and drive home. Showing dogs is very expensive if it includes 4-6 nights in a hotel and a long drive. We need more local shows.

5. I doubt social media is any worse for dog sports than any other sport. Unfortunately, it encourages people to “watch,” not “do.” If people spent as much time playing with their dogs as they spend playing with their phones, both dogs and people would be better off.

6. As I alluded to before, the biggest challenge facing the dog show community is getting new, younger people interested. This is equally true for field trialing; we need more young people to take up the sport.

7. Positive changes I have seen in recent years include bringing in more foreign judges who have experienced greater diversity of quality dogs, and so will “see” the dog in the ring that is different. Another noticeable thing is the good sportsmanship and willingness to help which I have seen at dog shows in the past few years, especially among strangers and people I barely know. From sharing electricity to helping get dogs to the ring when there is a conflict, there seems to be greater camaraderie than I remember in years past.

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Interview With Rhonda Cornum, Breeder behind the Munroc Farm Kennel

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Rhonda Cornum: I live in Paris, Kentucky, on a 700-acre farm complete with cattle, horses, woods, wildlife, and hay fields. I have been in purebred dogs since junior high school; about 55 years. First love has always been Gordon Setters, though we have expanded to include a few Miniature Pinschers, one English Setter, and a few Irish Red and White Setters.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Rhonda Cornum: The Farm name is “Munroc Farm,” so it is Munroc Farm Kennel. There are three Miniature Pinschers, seven Gordons, and one Irish Red and White Setter that live here with me full time. I am, however, the non-custodial co-owner of a number of other dogs. This is how we manage for each dog to get a family and a lot of individual attention while keeping enough dogs to maturity to make sure we compete with, and breed, the best.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Rhonda Cornum: The most noteworthy winner from the past was “Hunter,” BISS, Am. Ch., Int. Ch. (FCI), Dt. Ch., Dt. Sch. Ch., Ch. PL Gordon’s Dream Admire, VGP (1) HZP, FT, Btr. All those initials indicate Hunter won a Best in Specialty show in Germany, earned an American, German, and Polish championship, and that he won essentially every field award available in Germany.

In addition, Hunter was reserve (of 87 male Gordons) at the World Show in Poznan, Poland, and placed at Crufts several times. Hunter is in the pedigree of every dog we have or have had, with the exception of one Italian and one Australian import.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Rhonda Cornum: Our most influential male is undeniably “Seymour,” GCH Munroc the Black Watch MH. Now completely retired, he looks back at a very successful career, but his greatest contribution is as a sire. He was the GSCA Number One Sire for 2022. He has produced 10 champions to date, including one DC, and there are at least eight more who are pointed both in the ring and the field. Though I never bred to him, he was bred to a very wide spectrum of bitches, with varied looks and pedigrees.

In each case, he stamped puppies with his beautiful head, gentlemanly disposition, and a lot of talent in the field. I have currently leased one of his daughters for a breeding, and am very excited about the prospects.

Our most influential dam is “Amber,” Am. & Austrian Ch. Munroc Forest Amber VGP. She is a daughter of Hunter from the first litter back in 2004. Although originally sold to a woman in Austria, I was able to buy her back when she was four. She had two litters of puppies and every dog we have is, in some way, descended from one of those two litters.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Rhonda Cornum: The farm is a great place to be a young dog and learn about terrain, swimming, and hunting. It was never intended to be a kennel, and there can be dogs everywhere; in the house, on the porch, in a log cabin in the yard, and in a kennel built into an existing barn.

The “house dogs” are the oldest and generally retired from competition, though my 10.5-year-old, “Libby,” still insists on running in a Gun Dog stake at every field trial. Young dogs stay in the log cabin, a few steps from the main house, making them conveniently available for short training sessions throughout the day. Visiting dogs, and adults getting ready for shows or trials, are generally at the kennel.

Puppies are usually whelped and stay through weaning at a friend’s house. If they are whelped here, there is a special puppy room and adjoining covered yard at one of the horse barns. The mom and I move in a few days before they are due. Unfortunately, there is a particularly virulent strain of parvovirus in the ground somewhere near my house, and so it is not safe to have them in the house nor to let them or the mom out in the yard until all are fully immunized.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Rhonda Cornum: It is the same process for selecting what I believe to be the best puppy, for the ring or the field. I have no confidence that a “point” I might see at seven or eight weeks means that I will (or won’t) see the same thing at 7 months or 2 years.

In my experience, they all point! Therefore, my emphasis in picking puppies is movement and conformation. Of course, I look especially hard at the things (width of shoulders, amount of sternum, depth of muzzle, etc.) that might have been less than perfect in either parent.

We do not “select” puppies for the companion events; every Gordon Setter is able to do Obedience, Rally, and Agility if their owner puts in time and effort.

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Rhonda Cornum: I personally rarely do any Companion Events. There is one co-owner of four dogs who is dedicated to Agility. We have the Number One Irish Red and White Setter in Agility, and all the Gordons we co-own have gotten advanced Agility titles. I think it is a great way for owners and dogs to spend time together doing something fun and in which accomplishment can be measured.

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Rhonda Cornum: I am an enthusiastic participant in both Hunt Tests and Field Trials. In the past year, we have finished two Dual Champion Gordons, and have put a Master Hunter on both of those dogs, as well as several other Gordons and my Irish Red and White Setter. I believe demonstrating that my dogs look AND perform as the Standard describes is very important. Actually, I believe this is the responsibility of any good breeder, particularly in a Sporting breed.

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Rhonda Cornum: Because Gordons are (or should be), large, heavy-boned dogs, getting a dog in shape in the summer to be ready to field trial in October and November is a challenge. It’s too hot to run a black dog during the day in August and September in Kentucky. So, we spend a lot of time running with the ATV before the sun comes up.

Later, when we want to run the dogs off leash, I have about 300 acres of woods and there are ponds and creeks all over the farm; the dog stays in the shade and can drink and swim every 5 or 10 minutes.

Getting a dog in shape for the ring is easier. The two miles of gravel road on the farm means they can stay clean and trot at the speed I select with the ATV.

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Rhonda Cornum: There are four diseases in Gordon Setters for which there are DNA tests, so it is easy to avoid these four. There are two diseases for which there are no DNA tests; Dungee and Juvenile Renal Disease.

The renal disease is particularly problematic as:

1. It does not appear until after the puppy enters the rapid growth stage, like 4-6 months.
2. Some people are less than forthcoming about it in their pedigrees. It was one of the reasons I went to Europe to breed my first litter in 2004.

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Rhonda Cornum: If you look around the world, there are plenty of quality Gordon Setter breeders available to ensure adequate choice for many generations to come. My co-breeder lives in Germany and shows and competes all over Europe, so we see an amazing number of quality dogs. You do have to be willing to travel.

On the downside, whether it’s breeders, dog shows, or field trials, there is no doubt that the average age of the humans is getting older. I have been diligently working to get young people interested in those three events; showing, breeding, and field trialing dogs. We have met with some success and I am happy to report that we have at least two puppy buyers under 35 and they are being quite successful. Whether they will turn into breeders remains to be seen.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Rhonda Cornum: Gordons are perfect family dogs. They are, in fact, noted to be less accepting of being on a “trainer’s string” since they really want to have a relationship with their family. They are the perfect gentleman’s gun dog; they make quiet pets when they’re home and they’re very enthusiastic about finding and pointing and retrieving game when you take them afield. Anyone who wants to start with a puppy should be an outdoorsy type person.

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Rhonda Cornum: The biggest misconception is that you must choose either a “field type” dog or a “show type” dog. The truth is many Gordon Setters can do both very adequately. Yes, it is more difficult to successfully breed dogs and simultaneously select them for both conformation and talent.

Unfortunately, we have, in the past and present, had breeders who were unwilling or unable to select for the two important attributes of the breed, and therefore, tried to convince other people it is not possible. I, of course, assume everyone is always selecting for health, longevity, and temperament.

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Rhonda Cornum: I would like judges to remember two things:

While Gordon Setters should be the most substantial of the setters, they are not supposed to be the tallest. I believe that all things being equal, they should look for the average of the Standard (“Shoulder height for males, 24 to 27 inches”) not the tallest dog in the ring.

The first paragraph in the Standard says, “…appearing capable of doing a full day’s work in the field.” No dog commonly seen in the BOB ring today could go anywhere but Astroturf with the amount of coat that is being rewarded.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Rhonda Cornum: To new breeders, I have to say, congratulations, you’ve picked a wonderful breed. What I learned about dog breeding is the same thing I learned about a campaign in the army. You have to have a strategic view, an operational campaign, and a tactical plan.

My strategic view is to “produce the best dual potential dogs possible.” This has to be broken up into steps. You will not get there in one generation.

So then, the operational thing is: “Every dog in my breeding program will have a championship and some field title.”

And then the tactical thing is: “What am I going to do today and this week?” For example, this month, these three are going to a show; or this season, these four will be field trialing.

What I learned about dog breeding is the same thing I learned about a campaign in the army. You have to have a strategic view, an operational campaign, and a tactical plan.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Rhonda Cornum: My first time with my first Gordon, in an outdoor Obedience ring, we had done well until the long sit. She saw a duck fly over the ring, and just took off and sailed over the fence after it. It was bedlam as several other dogs joined in the chase.

Are you looking for a Gordon Setter puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Gordon Setter dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

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Interview with Rhonda Cornum, Breeder of Munroc Farm Gordon Setters, by Allan Reznik.

Where did you grow up?

Rhonda Cornum: I grew up mostly in East Aurora, New York, about 30 minutes from Buffalo. My big loves were horses, dogs, and being outdoors. Luckily for me, I found it easy to do well in school despite spending most hours at the barn riding and walking my dog in the woods.

Do you come from a doggy family? And if not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?

Rhonda Cornum: I did not at all come from a doggy family. My dad loved dogs, but had mutts growing up; my mother was a cat person. I had certainly never been to a dog show. I think my love for, and attraction to, purebred dogs came from reading the books by James Kjelgaard (Big Red, Irish Red, Outlaw Red, etc). After reading those as a pre-teen, I went to the library and started researching dogs. I loved the pictures and description of Gordon Setters, and just had to have one. So, immediately before my 13th birthday, my parents bought me “Reba” (Ch. Sangerfield Cameo). She was my constant companion through high school, college, graduate school, and first two years in the Army, and she has been the mental standard by which I judge every other Gordon Setter.

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

Rhonda Cornum: When I was in junior high school and starting with my first Gordon Setter, there were three owners of Sangerfield Kennels: Peg Sanger, Jean Look, and Fred Itzenplitz. They were so important that, just this month as I drove up to Buffalo, I took the backway so that I could go past their old place in East Randolph, New York. Beyond these three, there have been some important people from whom I have learned a lot in the 55 years of my dog evolution.

When I started showing seriously in the 2000s, I learned a huge amount about grooming, handling, and even the politics of dog shows from Cheryl Mika. Cheryl is a professional handler who had shown Irish Setters since childhood, and is now big into breeding and showing Brittanys. I am slowly getting her into working in the field with a few.

In terms of field work, it was similar. I started going to field trials in 2006 without any dogs, and because of my riding experience, I started planting birds and scouting for other handlers. I learned a lot just by watching large numbers of judges, handlers, and dogs. The people who have trained my dogs have taught me an incredible amount. These include Jesse Chapman, who recognized talent and took my “Libby” to Derby Dog of the Year in 2014. At the same time, Jean Webb comes to mind.

Jean is a long-term Gordon Setter owner and breeder, and in recent decades a field trial and hunt test trainer. She was particularly instrumental in teaching me patience when trying to breed, train, and campaign dual dogs; patience in the field because they often come along slower than the dogs bred exclusively to field trial, and patience in the ring as they are generally more moderate in both size and coat than dogs bred for conformation alone. They are less likely to be big winners, but represent the Gordons that most people read about and want.

Jean and I co-own and co-breed dogs, and share the philosophy of dual dogs. Most recently, I have worked a lot with Janie Bristow; we now co-own three dogs. Janie started as an accomplished obedience trainer, then migrated to hunt test trainer, and more recently, has become active in field trials. Her insight and consistency make it possible to plan my dogs’ careers realistically and accurately.

In terms of breeding, however, I can’t really say I have had mentors. Breeding dogs is like parenting; you learn a lot from both a negative example and a positive one—often from the same people. They may do some things really well, but at the same time they do things you would not want to emulate.

Your Gordon Setters are widely known, highly successful in multiple disciplines, and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Rhonda Cornum: First and foremost, of course, the dogs I breed must be healthy and long-lived, with temperaments that allow them to fit into a family and do whatever task that family wants to undertake. Philosophically, with setters specifically, I firmly believe that the dogs should look like what the standard describes, and must also demonstrate their ability to work in the hunt field as recorded in their history.

A dog that enters the Munroc breeding program must have “talent,” that innate ability to find and point game birds for their handler, using terrain, vegetation, and wind to their best advantage. Of course, that dog must also conform as closely as possible to the standard in terms of structure and movement. Realizing that NO dog is perfect, there is always a balance. We look at the pedigree first, and eliminate from consideration even outstanding individuals if there are genes that we just don’t want to infuse into our program due to health or temperament issues. If the pedigree is acceptable, we proceed to step two.

And here, breeding dogs is like breeding racehorses, cows, or any other animal that has both conformational and functional ideals. I take the bitch I am considering, examine her critically, then look for potential stud dogs that complement her faults; structural as well as performance faults. So, let’s look at “Pixie.” She definitely has talent; she has a beautiful point, always finds birds, runs well in front but listens to her handler (won a 3-point major in her first field trial as an adult). Her pedigree has good looks and talent on both sides. But, she is on the small side, even for a girl, and though she has attractive angles both in front and rear, and plenty of sternum, she definitely has wide shoulders that result in a less pleasing line from neck to back.

So, I am looking for a dog that is:

• Not related, which will help with size;
• Is in the upper half of the standard;
• Has really good shoulders.

I have found him, he is our “Marlon.” Marlon was a stud fee puppy from Keith Whiting, using our Vito on his bitch in the UK. Originally, I was not too excited about this puppy because, despite his good looks, there isn’t a significant hunting title anywhere in that pedigree. But, following Crufts 2020 where Marlon won his class of eight in stiff competition, I brought him back to the US in March to earn his American championship. He is really handsome, so this should have been quick.

Our plan was to return him to Europe in October, but the advent of the COVID frenzy prevented him from showing for a long time, as shows were cancelled. Even after getting his title, overseas travel was very restricted; he was essentially “stuck” here. So, though I did not have great hope, I sent him to train with Janie Bristow, mostly to give him something to do. Well, sometimes dogs surprise me!

Janie reported he was a natural, got his Senior Hunter title very quickly and needs two more passes for his Master. And her report is that he has enough run and style to run field trials. So, we are going to try this. We go through this sort of analysis and decision-making with every breeding. And I am fortunate to have my breeding partner Silvia Timmerman living in Europe. We both travel back and forth several times a year, and have the opportunity to watch and compete against dogs in the US, UK, and continental Europe. We are not constrained by borders when selecting dogs that we think will be advantageous, and we do not have to rely on websites and online photos when making the selections.

There are, to my mind, two significant mistakes made in breeding dogs. The first is breeding to the “dog of the day.” People will breed to a top-winning dog (in the field or the ring) with seemingly no regard to whether his pedigree, temperament, conformation, and talent actually complement their bitch’s faults. The other mistake I see is being so kennel blind that they refuse to breed to any dog that is not related to what they already have. No matter how good your dogs are, there is always a way to make them better.

How many Gordons do you typically house? Tell us about your current facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

Rhonda Cornum: I have a 700-acre farm in central Kentucky, so I have room for dogs. But obviously, nobody can give a large number of dogs all the attention they want and deserve. Our secret, which enables us to keep dogs to sufficient maturity to truly evaluate, has been to find really good custodial co-owners for some of our most promising puppies. We make sure that the people know how to raise and train young dogs, but we may place them in families that might just want to love them. We keep track of them every six months or so. Depending on how they are maturing, we agree on when it is time to show. I don’t care whether the family does it or I do it as long as it gets done.

When it comes time for training and competing in the field, we have already agreed on who’s going to do it (them or a professional), and who’s going to pay for it. And when it comes to breeding, we have already agreed on the goals, which are always to produce healthy dogs, with good temperaments, that have potential to be successful in the show ring and in the field. If we decide not to breed, they are already in a forever home where they are loved and valued.

But to your question of “how many.” How many I house at any given time is definitely a moving target. There are five Gordon Setters that live with me full-time, and will never leave. But even “never leave” is a relative term. They all leave for field training with Jean or Jesse or Janie for months at a time. Then, depending upon their performance, they either compete with me or with one of them handling, so they can be gone for a lot of the year. Additionally, I often have someone else whelp our puppies.

My farm has an extremely virulent strain of parvovirus on it, and we don’t know where they might be able to pick it up. Having puppies that are unprotected at my house means they and their mother have to live in virtual isolation. Much better for the puppies to live somewhere where they can just tumble out of the kitchen door into the yard as they mature. In addition to the “full-time” Gordons, there is one “full-time” Irish Red and White Setter, and three “full-time” Miniature Pinschers. The rest of the group comes and goes, either from Europe or from their American co-owners. They come for various numbers of weeks or months and they leave for various lengths of time.

How do I keep them?

Rhonda Cornum: Some dogs live in the house, some dogs live in a log cabin in my backyard, and some in the actual kennel about a quarter mile from the house. But every dog gets at least two runs in a big field every day, and if getting in shape for field trials, we put a lot of miles on the ATV.

Who were/are some of your most significant dogs, both in the whelping box and in the show ring?

Rhonda Cornum: The most significant dog that I have been involved with was “Hunter,” Silvia’s first Gordon Setter. I bred to this dog, I showed this dog, and I loved this dog. Hunter was the epitome of what I believe a Gordon Setter should be. Since meeting him in 2004, we are on our seventh generation.

Perhaps the most significant one since then is “Seymour” (GCH Munroc the Black Watch, MH). Born in 2013, Seymour again epitomizes what a Gordon Setter should be: Grand Champion, Master Hunter, nine points in Gun Dogs stakes, including a major in an Amateur stake and a win at a retrieving stake. Had I been more experienced and entered him more strategically, he would no doubt have earned his FC. He was bred 10 times over four years to a wide spectrum of bitches; some dual dogs, some “show only” dogs, and three times to people who wanted purely hunting dogs.

He has produced very successful puppies regardless of the owners’ goals (seven show champions and eight more on the way, eight field pointed with two Derby Dogs of the Year, one Master Hunter, and many great family pets and personal hunting companions). From each litter, reports on the puppies are that they have great dispositions, are easily trained, they all point, and they look like Gordon Setters! Seymour retired to a wonderful pet home where he can be the only dog, and his new “mom” says he is the smartest Gordon Setter she has ever met while he sleeps on the couch with his box of toys. Seymour is proof that they can do it all.

His grandmother “Amber” was clearly the matriarch of Munroc. She was the product of “Hunter” and “Grey.” Initially sold as a puppy to an owner in Austria, she earned every hunting title available. Like her father, she found and pointed game birds, searched for and retrieved ducks in the water, and followed a trail and retrieved furred game in the woods. I was able to show her at the World Show in Poland at two years of age, and was so impressed I tried to buy her back. I failed at that time, but circumstances allowed us to get her back at age four. We immediately bred her to a very fine Australian dog that had been imported into Germany. I flew over and brought her to America to whelp; I believe all the dogs we have bred since then have her somewhere in the pedigree.

Other significant dogs?

Rhonda Cornum: I imported “Allard” (Ch. Allard Aristokrat SH) in 2007. With Cheryl Mika and Jean & Rob Webb as co-owners, Allard was the first Irish Red and White Setter to earn a Senior Hunter, and had multiple Gun Dog placements in all-breed field trials. His puppies are demonstrating that same dual potential. He just recently died at the age of 15, but will be an important influence on this breed for years to come. With Cheryl and Brooke Burlingame, I “dabble” in Brittanys. We did have the winner of the Brittany National Specialty in 2017 with GCH Dogwood Hollow Bengal Zero Zero, at the ripe old age of 11 and a half.

And lastly, because I believe so strongly that dual dogs are essential to support in all the setter breeds, I got involved when the 13th-ever dual champion English Setter arrived on the scene. I told Frank Luksa when he finished “Tessa” (DC AFC Windsors Field Harvester) that if she ever has a litter I want one of those puppies. I promised him that the puppy would get every opportunity to be successful.

About a year later he did call me with a litter. I immediately drove to New Jersey from Kentucky to see those puppies, and picked out “Tesla” (FC Windsor’s Lightning over Munroc). Tesla has been everything I thought she could become. Although clearly not bred from “field type” English Setters, she finished her field championship at 18 months. She is a bird-finding machine, and runs like the wind; you definitely do need a horse to keep up with her. She has not quite finished her show championship, but she’s well on the way.

Please comment positively on your breed’s present condition and what trends might bear watching.

Rhonda Cornum: Overall, Gordon Setters have changed for the better since I started in the late 1960s. Their temperaments are more reliably good, and definitely the rears are stronger, with better angulation and sweep of stifle. Otherwise the dogs are similar, although they seem to be bigger (at least the ones you see at dog shows) and have more coat. I believe that this has to do with our judging, which tends to reward extremes. So, if “most substantial of the setters” is the standard, then the theory must be that bigger is better.

Unfortunately, I see a bigger split between the dogs that are at the top of the game at field trials and the dogs that are the big winners at dog shows. I try very hard not to say “field dogs” versus “show dogs.” I think that’s an important distinction because I think that what we really are seeing is people interested solely in dog shows versus people interested solely in field trials. And while I believe individual dog owners don’t need to do both sports, I believe breeders have the responsibility to future generations to produce dogs that are able to participate successfully in both sports.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began as a breeder-exhibitor. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

Rhonda Cornum: There are many things that could be done to attract more people to the sport of purebred dogs, and these could be done at the individual level as well as at the level of the American Kennel Club. We must admit that huge clusters discourage everyone except retired people and professional participants. This is a big problem when what we need is young people to participate. But young people with children have jobs, and kids go to school; they can only show on weekends. So, they start off at a big disadvantage, as they can only show two out of four or five days. In addition, the scarcity of local shows (kennel clubs in different cities, and often in different states, now join clusters) means hotels and long-distance driving, making an already expensive sport even
more expensive.

The American Kennel Club could offer an amateur conformation championship, just like it does an amateur field championship. The dog would not need to be owned by the person showing, it would just need to be an amateur, like field trials. This is essentially how dog showing is done in Europe and, there is no doubt, amateur owners are the vast majority of participants, and definitely more
young people are showing. I would suggest every kennel club that participates in a cluster should be required to hold a weekend “Amateur Show” for each cluster the AKC approves. It could be much less expensive than “Open” shows; there could be more outdoor shows and we could eliminate the requirement for electricity. When I started showing dogs, we brought them clean and groomed; we did not require acres of air-conditioned grooming space with outlets for blow dryers. I truly believe we could fill these shows with younger, amateur participants. And these people would be the basis for the breeders of the future.

I think the limited registration concept has decreased participation in the sport of purebred dogs. I feel sure it has contributed to the profusion of “designer” dogs because people are actually able to buy a “something-poo” without strings attached. I know some purebred breeders who are selling all of their puppies with limited registration. They supposedly don’t want “unworthy” dogs to
be bred. But I don’t know anyone who started off their lives in purebred dogs with the best dog in America, unless their parents were already into dogs. I am sure I did not, but I had a wonderful dog, had a wonderful time, and strived to improve upon where I started. I believe breeders should actually sell the puppies. Breeders can then help the few buyers who later want to breed to have one “just like her.”

We can help those owners evaluate the dogs, and remind them that the most important things about having a litter of puppies are:

• Improving upon what you have, and;
• Finding appropriate homes for all these little dogs.

This is how I have gotten new people into the sport.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

Rhonda Cornum: Well, I hope to continue what we are doing. Again, I think what Munroc can contribute is the emphasis on dual dogs and the opportunity to bring excellent genes into the US gene pool from overseas and vice versa.

While preparing for this interview, I reviewed the stud dogs we have used:

• Hunter – Bred in England and Lived in Germany;
• Skipper – Bred in Australia, Lived in Germany;
• Shadow – Bred in Scotland, Lived in Germany;
• Arnie – Bred in Scotland, Lived in Scotland;
• Linel – Bred in France, Lives in France;
• Truman – Bred in Scotland, Lives in Germany;
• Duncan – Bred in Scotland, Lives in US;
• Vito – Bred in Italy, Lived in Germany;
• Skye – Bred in US, Lived in US;
• Rowdy – Bred in US, Lived in US;
• Cruiser – Bred in US, Lives in US;
• Koenig – Bred in US, Lives in US;
• Reno – Bred in US, Lives in US.

Although not used at stud yet, Silvia and I (and James Newton in the UK) recently imported “Stevie G” from the Carnustie Kennel in Australia. We are very pleased with him, and will bring him to America to show and hunt test when he is fully mature. Just in March, I imported two dual-potential Irish Red and White puppies from Old Crudsand Harbour Kennel in Germany, and sent them a beautiful young bitch (Am. Ch. Munroc American Beauty for Old Crudsand Harbour) that earned two BOBs and a Group 3 at her first weekend showing in Belgium.

We have also brought in some girls. “Quest” was a stud fee puppy from Belgium, and “Belle” was a stud fee puppy from France.

Finally, tell us a little about Rhonda outside of dogs… your profession, your hobbies.

Rhonda Cornum: The short version is that I got out of high school at 16, college at 20, and graduate school at 23. I joined the Army and did biomedical research for four years. Then the Army sent me to medical school and, as a physician, I did more research and then deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990. I was shot down and captured by the Iraqi forces while attempting a search and rescue mission. Despite some very serious injuries, I was fortunate to survive and be repatriated after the war was over.

Following multiple surgeries, I went on to a five-year residency in Urology. After graduating from that, I went on to command two hospitals, and traveled widely while serving in Bosnia and Germany. My Army career culminated in promotion to Brigadier General and assignment to the Pentagon. Following my retirement from the Army in 2012, I moved to Kentucky to run a beef farm, and developed a psychological fitness consulting business.

My life is based on three principles:

1. Never waste an opportunity (because you may not have another chance);
2. If you wait until you “have time” to do it, you’ll never do it;
3. You can sleep when you are dead.

These principles explain, for example, how I became a steeplechase jockey while in medical school. I had thought about it when exercising young horses in New York while growing up. So, when I found myself in Maryland for med school, I was in the prime of hunt country. I found a guy who was the owner, trainer, and rider of his horses, and worked for him on weekends.

I learned a lot, got my apprentice and then full license. I never made much money, but I had a lot of fun and made good memories. It also explains how I found time to write research grants and pursue science (my real passion) while a surgery resident. I will never forget a staff guy telling me that I could not do both. I tried to be respectful, but finally said that the fact that he didn’t think he could do it was not going to limit my expectations of myself.

And it explains how, though I was very busy as the Commander of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany during the height of the War on Terror (2003-2005) and we had 26,000 evacuations through the facility, I found time to show my Gordon Setter “Grey” (Ch. Celtic Arlyss Scott’s Grey) to her German championship. I bred that first litter of puppies with Silvia, and Munroc was launched.

Are you looking for a Gordon Setter puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Gordon Setter dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Gordon Setter Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the bold Gordon Setter dog breed with articles and information in our Gordon Setter Dog Breed Magazine.

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The tail is an important part of the Gordon Setter’s general appearance. There is a correct tail set and carriage, and the breed standard defines it this way:

“Tail short and not reaching below the hocks, carried horizontal or nearly so… thick at the root and finishing in a fine point. The placement of the tail is important for correct carriage. (If the croup is nearly flat the tail must emerge on the same plane as the croup to allow for horizontal carriage.) When the angle of the tail bends too sharply at the first coccygeal bone, the tail will be carried too gaily or will droop…”

I have omitted a bit about the feathering being triangular because, even though it’s important, it’s not pertinent to this discussion.

This describes the perfect tail, but this is the real world where perfection is rare. One is likely to encounter variations in tails, primarily in the way a number of Gordons carry it, especially when they are in motion. A fair amount of this has to do with their attitude on a given day. The Gordon tail is probably more expressive of a Gordon’s mood and attitude than any other part of the dog. One can put a Gordon into a perfect stack that looks beautiful in profile, but when the dog moves, the tail will tell one exactly how the dog feels about what it is doing.

Is the tail up? Is it down? Is it level? Is it tucked? Is it flagging?

Before we go any farther, let me say that I am not an AKC conformation judge. I have, however, been in the breed since 1977 and have seen a fair number of Gordon tails (and been abused and bruised by more than a few very hard ones). I have opinions that some may disagree with and you are free to do so.

A tucked tail has three basic meanings: the dog is either unhappy, unsure, or intimidated by the surroundings. All are a problem, but most of the time the first two are correctable with experience or even with a different day or judge. A shy or intimidated Gordon might be beautiful, but it belongs in a quiet, loving home—not the show ring. A tucked tail is often found on pups or older dogs that are very new to the show ring.

The slightly down tail can be more a result of the tail set than the dog’s attitude, a result of the bend at the first coccygeal bone. The tail may still be wagging and the dog may still be happy and showing well, but it sends a wrong picture. An unhappy or bored Gordon may also carry its tail a bit down.

The “tail up” is worthy of a full evening of discussion among Gordon breeders as to what is too much. The “up” can have several causes. This is not about the twelve o’clock high tail set preferred by some breeders specializing in field trials, nor is it about too sharp a bend at the coccygeal bone. It is also not about the curved tail resembling a scimitar or a sickle. Those tails are not acceptable. The “tail up” is about a Gordon who is so happy that it can’t keep its tail down, and it’s all about the degree that the tail comes up. A little bit up is more than fine; way up is not fine. A wee bit curved is fine; more is not.

When it comes to movement, the standard says, “The head is up and the tail ‘flags’ constantly while the dog is in motion.”

Once again, this depends on the individual dog. There are Gordons that are all business in the ring and, when they gait, the tail will stay dead-still or move only slightly. It may be a bit “up” or it may be totally straight, but it doesn’t move much. The counterpoint to this is the happy-go-lucky Gordon whose tail could create a breeze on a calm day when the dog moves. To make things more difficult, those two flagging movements may “switch dogs” from one day to the next, depending on how their brains are functioning on a given day.

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When judging the Gordon Setter remember it is the heaviest of the four Setters, having more bone and body. Gordons are a single person walking a hunting dog. They have a unique front movement.

The other three Setters are used more for open field work, the Gordon works the heavier brush and because of this, the front legs lift up and then fold back at the pasterns so the feet do not get caught in the brush.

What You Should Look for When Judging the Gordon Setter

Look for a black and tan dog with plenty of substance and is good-sized. Active, upstanding, and stylish, capable of doing a full day’s work in the field suggesting strength and stamina rather than speed. They are equally at home as companions dogs, obedience, agility, field competitors and show dogs.

The head is fairly heavy and finely chiseled. His bearing is intelligent, noble and dignified, showing no signs of shyness or aggressiveness. Clear colors and either a wavy or straight coat are acceptable. A dog of well balance in all points is preferred to one with outstanding good qualities and defects. A smooth, free movement with high head carriage is typical. Many of the words used in this description are taken from the official AKC standard.

Judging the Gordon Setter – Height, Weight & Proportion

The suggested height is 24 to 27 inches for a male and 23 to 26 inches for a female. This is a wide scale. You can have females and males of the same size in the ring, a 24 inch male with the substance of the Gordon is as good as a 27 inch dog.

You may see dogs over 27 inches and our standard says that as long as the proportions are correct, it is ok. To me, going below our standard is more of a fault than going over. A 22 inch female is getting into the Spaniel size.

Dogs should weigh 55 to 80 pounds and bitches 45 to 70 pounds. Again showing the substance of our breed. We want our breed shown in field condition, hard muscles not overly fat or under weight as this hinders the working ability. Again, the weight to height ratio makes him heavier than the otherSetters.

The proportion of the Gordon should be square when measured from the forechest to the back of the thigh verses withers to the ground. The English and Irish Setters are slightly longer than tall.

Gordon Setter Head: Eyes, Ears, Skull, Muzzle, Nose & Jaw

The head should be deep rather than broad, we do not want an elegant head.

The eyes are dark brown, the darker the better, good sized, oval rather than round and not deep set, nor bulging. The eye rims should be tight and pigmented.

The ears are set low on the head, preferably on the line of the eye, they are fairly thin and large, well folded and carried close to the head.

The skull is widest between the ears, nicely rounded and good sized. There should be a clearly indicated stop.

The muzzle is fairly long, not pointed either as seen from above or to the side. The muzzle should be fifty percent of the length of the head and should be parallel to the line of the skull. The flews should not be pendulous.

The nose should be broad with open nostrils and black in color. Snow nose is very common and should not be penalized.

The lip line from the nose to the flews shows a sharp, well defined square contour. A strong under jaw also helps fill out the muzzle so there isn’t any snippiness. A scissor bite is preferred, but a level bite is not a fault.

Gordon Setter’s Neck, Topline, Chest, Loin & Tail

The neck should be long, arched and lean flowing into the shoulders. The throat should be as dry as possible. The neck must be long enough to pick up the downed game and bring it back to the shooter.

The topline should straight with a moderate slope to it. The body should be short from shoulders to hips.

The chest is deep reaching to the elbows, but not too broad to hinder the front leg movement. The ribs should be well sprung and long to allow room for heart and lungs. There should be a pronounced forechest.

The loin is short, strong and broad with no arch. The croup is nearly flat with a slight slope to the tailset.

The tail is thick at the root finishing in a fine point and should reach to the hock. The placement of the tail is important for correct carriage. The placement is judged in relationship to the structure of the croup. The tail is also a barometer to temperament.

Gordon Setter’s Shoulders, Front Legs & Hind Legs

The shoulders should lay well back. The tops of the shoulders should be close together. When viewed from the behind the neck should flow into the shoulders in smooth line and gradually widen from neck to shoulder. The angle of the shoulder blade and upper arm should be 90 degrees.

The front legs should be straight and well boned, not bowed, with the elbows not turning in or out. The pasterns are short, strong nearly straight with a slight spring. Dewclaws may be removed. Catlike feet with well arched toes with plenty of hair between them and full toe pads. The feet do not turn in or out.

The hind legs are long from hip to hock, flat and muscular. The hock is short and strong when standing they should be perpendicular. The stifle and hock joints should be well bent and not turned in or out. The feet are the same as the front.

Gordon Setter’s Coat

The coat should be long and straight, a wave is permissible, but not curls. The hair will be the longeston the ears, under stomach and on the chest.

The tail feathering is long at the root and tapers to the tip forming a triangular appearance.

Colors & Markings of the Gordon Setter

Considering color when judging, the Gordon is primarily a black dog with tan markings, which can be a rich chestnut or mahogany shade. This color can go from a very light chestnut to a very dark mahogany. Black penciling on the toes is allowed.

The borderline between the colors should be clearly defined. There should not be tan hairs in the black.

Gordon Setter’s tan markings are as follows:

• Two clear spots above the eyes, not over ¾ of an inch in diameter
• On the sides of the muzzle, which should not reach the top of the muzzle from one side to the other
• On the throat
• Two large clear sports on the chest, (looks like a bow-tie). However on a darker dog these spots may appear to be a darker brown, this is acceptable
• On the inside of the hind legs showing down the front of the stifle and broadening out to the outside of the hind legs from the hocks to the toes. It should not completely eliminate the black on the back side of the hind legs
• On the forelegs from the corpus or a little above downward to the toes
• Around the vent
• A white spot on the chest is allowed, the smaller the better. This is the only disqualification for the Gordon; Predominantly tan, red or buff dogs

Judging the Gordon Setter Movement: Gait

A bold strong driving free-swinging gait is desired. The head is carried up and the tail is constantlyflagging while the dog is in motion, as mentioned earlier, this is a barometer to temperament as well as his “rudder”. He should be straight coming and going with a powerful reach and drive on the side gait. The overall appearance of the moving dog is one smooth-flowing, well balanced rhythm, in which the action is pleasing to the eye, effortless, economical, harmonious and powerful.

Final Thoughts on the Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is alert, gay, interested and confident. He is fearless and willing, intelligent and capable. He is loyal and affectionate, yet is strong minded enough to stand the rigors of training. They are slow maturing, so sometimes this doesn’t show up early in life. The field trainer that we used always left Gordons in the puppy class until they were over two years of age.

In 2002 the Gordon Setter Club of America put the 100 point scale back into our standard.

It is as follows:

• Head and neck, eyes/ears 10
• Body 15
• Shoulders, forelegs/feet 10
• Hind legs/feet 10
• Tail 5
• Coat 8
• Color/markings 10
• Temperament 10
• Size/general appearance 15
• Gait 12

Some points to remember when judging the Gordon Setter:

• Inch per pound the Gordon is the biggest Setter.
• Should have a deep head with a squared-off muzzle.
• Muzzle perpendicular to back skull.
• Topline is a smooth line from the back of the skull to the tail set.
• No sharp angles.
• Square dog.
• The dog is to be shown in field weight and muscular.
• Must be black and tan.
• Large boned.
• Smooth and powerful moving.
• Style plus soundness equals TYPE.
• It takes the sum of the whole dog or the complete standard to make the ideal Gordon Setter.

Are you looking for a Gordon Setter puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Gordon Setter dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Gordon Setter Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the bold Gordon Setter dog breed with articles and information in our Gordon Setter Dog Breed Magazine.

The post Judging the Gordon Setter appeared first on Showsight Magazine.