The heaviest of the three setter breeds, the Gordon Setter was originally bred as a personal bird dog, but they are equally at home as companion dogs, obedience competitors and show dogs today. Sturdy and muscular, the Gordon suggests strength and stamina rather than extreme speed while on the move. The breed’s distinctive black and tan coat allows it to be found easily in light fields and early snow.
History
The Gordon hails from Scotland, and his ancient lineage traces back to the early 17th century. Popular among hunters of Scotland, the black-and-tan Setter came into prominence in the kennels of the fourth Duke of Gordon in the early 19th century. As field trials became more popular, the Gordon’s popularity waned in favor of Pointers and other flashy, fast breeds, but the breed remained unparalleled as a one-man shooting dog.
Temperament
Alert and confident, the Gordon Setter is devoted to his family. Although they are bright, they are not blindly obedient, so may appear stubborn. Gordons are capable of adapting to a variety of living situations but need plenty of daily exercise on leash or in a fenced area. Regular grooming is also necessary to prevent matting.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1884.
- Ranging in size from 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and 45 to 80 pounds.
- Gundog.
Environment
- Apartment? Not so much.
- Low activity indoors.
Exercise
- Daily moderate to extended exercise.
Grooming
- Regular brushing and combing.
- Bathe only when necessary.
- Average shedding.
Despite his name, the Giant Schnauzer is not a giant breed, but simply a larger and more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer. An active and spirited dog, his sound, reliable temperament, rugged build, and dense weather-resistant wiry coat make him one of the most useful, powerful, and enduring working breeds. His coat, including the beard and eyebrows that are the Schnauzer hallmark, is solid black or salt and pepper.
History
The Giant Schnauzer developed in the Wurttemberg and Bavaria sections of Germany, which were both agricultural areas where dogs were in high demand as farm help. He aided the shepherd in driving livestock to market and was used as a guard dog by the butchers and breweries. During World War I the breed was recognized in Germany for its intelligence and trainability, becoming one of the breeds used for police training.
Temperament
An extremely intelligent, energetic, strongly territorial dog, the Giant Schnauzer loves his owners and feels great responsibility to protect them. He learns quickly, however, and can distinguish between friend and foe. Giants need a lot of exercise, requiring daily walks, playtime with another dog, or romps in the yard. They especially love having a job to do. The breed also requires regular grooming, including brushing and stripping, so owners should be prepared to spend time maintaining the breed’s coat.
- Working Group; AKC recognized in 1930.
- Ranging in size from 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Cattle driver.
Living Conditions
- Apartment? Not so much.
- Fairly active indoors.
Exercise
- Daily extended exercise is needed.
Grooming
- Regular professional grooming recommended.
- Low odor.
- Little to no shedding.
When the Germans wanted a dog that could do it all, they created the German Wirehaired Pointer, a versatile, multi-purpose hunting dog. Strong and medium-sized, with a typical Pointer personality, the breed’s most distinctive feature is its functional wiry coat. Weather-resistant and water-repellant, the outer coat is straight, harsh, wiry, and flat-lying, which helps to protect the dog against rough cover while hunting. The coat must be liver and white in color.
History
Most of the early wirehaired Pointers represented a combination of Griffon, Stichelhaar (both mixtures of Pointer, Foxhound, Pudelpointer, and Polish water dog), Pudelpointer (a cross of Poodle and Pointer), and German Shorthair. The Germans continued to breed the distinctive traits of Pointer, Foxhound, and Poodle until they had created what is today the German Wirehair, a constitutionally tough, courageous breed who points and retrieves equally well on land and in water.
Temperament
Loyal and affectionate, the German Wirehaired Pointer craves human companionship and bonds closely with its “people.” A high energy and high drive breed, the Wirehair must receive regular exercise or have a job to do; otherwise, their creativity and independence may get them into trouble! Although they shed lightly year-round, Wirehairs with a correct coat require only minimal grooming.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1959.
- Ideal size: 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Hunting dog.
Environment
- Apartment? Not so much.
- Very active indoors.
- Love a large yard.
Exercise
- Extended vigorous daily exercise.
Grooming
- Regular brushing.
- Bathe when necessary.
- Average shedding.
The Golden Retriever, with its intelligence and eager to please attitude, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States according to AKC registration statistics. The working ability that has made the Golden Retriever such a useful hunting companion also makes him an ideal guide, assistance, and search and rescue dog. The golden-colored coat is the hallmark of this versatile breed and can range from light to dark gold.
History
The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s and was used predominantly for hunting. He crossed his original “Yellow Retriever” with the Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) found on his estate. Later integrations of Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and more Tweed Water Spaniel produced the retriever we know today.
Temperament
This active and energetic Sporting breed can adapt to many different living situations but requires daily exercise. His water-repellant double-coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing. With his friendly temperament and striking golden color, this breed is both beautiful to look at and a joy to own. The Golden Retriever is great with children and other pets. They have an average lifespan of 10-12 years.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1925.
- Average size: from 55 to 75 pounds.
- Devoted companions, hunting dog.
Environment
- Apartment is ok.
- Moderate activity indoors.
Exercise
- Daily moderate exercise.
- Love interaction and games.
Grooming
- Easy care.
- Regular brushing.
- Average shedding.
A versatile hunter and all-purpose gun dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer possesses keen scenting power and high intelligence. The breed is proficient with many different types of game and sport, including trailing, retrieving, and pointing pheasant, quail, grouse, waterfowl, raccoons, possum, and even deer. A medium-sized breed, he has an aristocratic bearing and can be solid liver or liver and white in color.
History
The origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer is not clear, but the source of the breed seems to have been the German Bird Dog, related to the old Spanish Pointer, and various crossings with local German scent hounds and track and trail dogs. When the Germans introduced the English Pointers to lend elegance to the German Shorthaired Pointer prototype, the result was a utility dog that combined sporting virtue with clean lines, good looks, and sound temperament.
Temperament
The German Shorthaired Pointer thrives as part of an active family. He is an even-tempered, intelligent, and loyal family watchdog that has enthusiasm for his work. An athlete, he can adapt to his living situation but requires consistent exercise. The GSP’s short coat sheds, but grooming is minimal.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1930.
- Average size: 55 to 70 pounds and 23 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Gun dog, family pet.
Environment
- Apartment? Not so much.
- Very active indoors.
Exercise
- Daily extended and vigorous exercise.
Grooming
- Easy care.
- Average shedding.
The German Shepherd Dog is hailed as the world’s leading police, guard, and military dog, however, this dependable breed is more than its 9-to-5 job. Consistently one of the United States’ most popular breeds according to AKC Registration Statistics, the German Shepherd Dog is also a loving family companion, herder, and show competitor. The breed is approachable, direct, and fearless, with a strong, muscular body.
History
The German Shepherd Dog originated in 1899 at Karlsruhe, Germany due to the efforts of Captain Max von Stephanitz and others. Derived from the old breeds of herding and farm dogs, the first German Shepherd Dog exhibited in America was in 1907. The fame associated with Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, two members of the breed whose movies played on variations of the boy and his dog theme, shot the popularity of the breed sky-high.
Temperament
Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming. The German Shepherd Dog is extremely intelligent. They are very easy to train with a firm hand and keep that training well.
- Herding Group; AKC recognized in 1908.
- Ranging in size from 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Herding, police work.
Environment
- Apartment is ok.
- Low activity indoors.
Exercise
- Daily moderate to extended exercise.
- May become restless without training.
Grooming
- Daily brushing.
- Bathe when necessary.
- Average shedding, heavy seasonal shedding.
Medium-sized, elegant, and square in build, the German Pinscher is an excellent watchdog and companion. Bigger than the Miniature Pinscher but smaller than the Doberman, the agility, alertness, intelligence, and stamina of the German Pinscher make it suitable for conformation, obedience, tracking, agility competitions, and more. Their short coats can be black, blue, brown, fawn, or red; some have red or tan markings.
History
Originally from Germany, the German Pinscher was prized for his vermin hunting ability. Despite his name, the German Pinscher is more closely related to the Schnauzer than the Doberman or Miniature Pinscher. Like many breeds, the German Pinscher approached extinction at the end of the World Wars, but interested owner Werner Jung revived the breed.
Temperament
A working dog, German Pinschers possess a natural instinct to hunt vermin and protect home and family. This creates a dog with a strong prey drive and a strong will. However, they are willing learners and they make wonderful multipurpose companions with firm but gentle and consistent discipline. A high-energy breed, they enjoy activities with their owners and require daily exercise. Their smaller size makes them suitable for city or country life, but they enjoy having a yard in which to run. The breed’s short coat needs little maintenance.
- Working Group; AKC recognized in 2003.
- Ideal size: 17-20 inches tall at the highest point of the withers.
- Watchdog; companion.
Environment
- Apartment is ok.
- Moderate activity indoors.
Exercise
Grooming
- Easy care.
- Average shedding.
The English Toy Spaniel is a small, square-bodied dog with a coat that flows like a royal cloak and a merry and affectionate personality. This breed is divided into four varieties based on color: Blenheim (rich mahogany red and white); ruby (rich mahogany red); Prince Charles (white with black and tan markings); and King Charles (black and tan). The coats in Prince Charles and King Charles varieties are longer. The breed appears in numerous noble portraits of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries.
History
Authorities agree that the English Toy Spaniel originated in the Far East and later appeared in England, but exact details remain hazy. The black and tan, King Charles, appear to have been the King’s favorite and the emphasis in early breeding programs was on this variety. For a long time, the varieties were bred without reference to color, producing several varieties in the same litter.
Temperament
The English Toy Spaniel is a gentle, happy, and playful loving breed that is naturally well-behaved and intelligent. They are good family companions and play well with children. Their small size makes them ideal for an apartment. All varieties of the English Toy Spaniel are easy-to-groom and require regular twice-weekly combing and brushing.
- Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1886.
- Ranging in size from 8 to 14 pounds.
- Companion dog.
Environment
- Apartment is fine.
- Low activity indoors.
- Thrive in moderate climates.
Exercise
- Light daily exercise is fine.
Grooming
- Regular brushing.
- Average shedding.
A graceful, elegant gundog, the English Setter today excels in the show, obedience, and agility rings as well as in the field.
Although similar in function to the Irish and Gordon Setters, the English is a distinct breed, differing personality, and appearance. Their beautiful feathered coat is white with an intermingling of darker hairs resulting in markings called “Belton.” Belton markings can be orange, blue (white with black markings), tricolor (blue Belton with tan points), lemon, and liver.
History
One of the oldest gundog breeds, the English Setter was developed in England more than 400 years ago. Believed to have developed from Spaniel stock, the breed was originally called a Setting Spaniel. Before the use of firearms, this “Setting Spaniel” would find the birds and then crouch down on its front legs or “set” to allow the hunter to throw a net over the game. When guns became widely used, a more upright pointing stance was bred into the Setter so he could be more easily seen.
Temperament
This gentle, affectionate family dog loves to be with its people and does not thrive when isolated in a yard or kennel. Athletic and energetic, they also require daily vigorous exercise either on a leash or in a fenced area. Their beautiful, feathered coat requires regular maintenance, including brushing and clipping.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1884.
- Ideal size: 24 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Bird dog.
Environment
- Apartment? Not so much.
- Average to large yard.
Exercise
- Daily moderate to extended exercise.
Grooming
- Regular brushing.
- Infrequent bathing.
- Average shedding.
