The Black-and-tan Setter (Gordon Setter)
This famous breed of Setters can be traced back for a hundred years to the castle of the Duke of Gordon, but whether this nobleman laid the foundation stone of the present breed of Black-and-tan Setter, becomes a matter of speculation.
It is not the least improbable that these Setters have been derived by crossing the English Setter with a Black-and-tan Collie, as certain Gordons exhibit more than a trace of the Collie element.
During the last few years the Black-and-tan Setter classes at the Kennel Club Shows in London have been very badly filled, and unless breeding this variety of dog becomes more popular, in England at least, it will soon deteriorate.
A well-broken Gordon is a most useful dog in the field, though certainly his luck at field trials has not been anything like that of the Englishman.
In colour he should be a glossy raven black, with rich mahogany tan markings, pencilling of the toes being allowable.
On the inside of the fore-limbs, tan ought to show nearly up to the elbows, and up to the hocks, on the inner sides of the hind ones.
There should be tan on the lips, cheeks, undersides of the ears; spots over eyes, on front of the chest, on the vent, and at the root of tail or flag.
Eyes.—To be of medium size and deep brown.