What to Feed your Gordon Setter

The Grodon Setter is the only breed of dog called “Setter” originating in Scotland.  The Duke of Gordon developed this specific breed at the kennels on his estate.  He developed it to be both a working and hunting dog.  They herded sheep and pointed to feathered game for sportsmen.  This combination was ideal for gentlemen who needed a working do for most of the week and a good hunting companion for the week end.

The Gordon Setter has a special need for a high fat content diet.  this need for additional dietary fat is especially high when the setter is working or when it is under stress.  Large quantities of water must accompany the additional dietary fat intake during these times.  A sure sign that the dog requires additional fat in its dietary intake is a brittle coat.  When the Gordon has the proper amount of fat in the diet, its coat is very soft.  The best sources of fats for this breed are vegetable or poultry fats.  the worst source of fat for the Gordon Setter is beef fat.

The Gordon Setter’s native environment in Scotland provided food sources of potatoes, wheat, corn, and poultry of the wild game variety.  Therefore, I recommend a blend of foods that are high in their carbohydrate-to-protein ration as the ideal diet for the Gordon setter, The blend I recommend would contain potatoes, wheat, corn, and poultry.  Conversely, I feel the worst blend would be white rice, soy, beef, or horse meat and their by-products.