A tonic for Gordons: At-risk breed is bark in business as gathering at spiritual home will see setters strut their stuff

It used to be Scotland’s most popular dog but has seen a dramatic fall in numbers in recent years.

Now it seems the Gordon Setter is making something of a comeback, with a sharp rise in Kennel Club registrations.

Registrations reveal that there has been a 41% rise from 172 dogs in the UK in 2018 to 243 in 2019.

At Crufts this year Freddie the Gordon Setter came fourth in the gundog class.

Now for the second year running the breed will be strutting its stuff at their spiritual home, Gordon Castle in Fochabers, Morayshire.

Last year a big gathering called Save Our Gordon Setter was held to raise awareness of their plight.

Designer dogs like Labradoodles and Jackadoodles and an invasion of exotic foreign breeds had done for the glamorous Gordon Setter.

Kennel club figures reveal that only 170 were registered in 2018 – down a staggering 60% in the last six years. The Kennel Club said the breed was “vulnerable” and “at risk”.

The Gordon Setter Club of Scotland hopes that the second rally will herald a comeback for the breed.

Husband and wife team Angus and Zara Gordon Lennox, who own Gordon Castle and estate, are delighted to be hosting the second Save our Gordon Setter gathering during the castle’s annual Highland Games and Country Fair on Sunday, May 17.

Angus, an international businessman, said: “The Gordon Setter breed was first established at Gordon Castle in the 18th Century by my ancestor, the 4th Duke of Gordon. We still have the original kennels the dogs were bred in on the estate.

“We hope that by organising the event we can educate visitors about this fantastic breed and, in time, persuade them to own one in the future. This is the Gordon Setters’ home and it would be sad if we didn’t get them up and running again from their original home.”

Kyra Paisley, the events manager at Gordon Castle, said: “ There has been fantastic interest in the breed since our first gathering last year. This year we’ve had enquiries from Gordon Setter clubs in America, Estonia and Norway. On the day we will have photographers in the sports ground and drone footage. We will be putting this on our Facebook page for Gordon Setter enthusiasts around the world.”

Hamish Miller, from Kirriemuir, is a fan of the breed. Last year he showed off four at Gordon Castle – Darcy, Bingley, Lucas and 13-month-old puppy named Wickham.

Hamish said: “It’s a shame they are at risk. They are marvellous dogs, family friendly, hard working, intelligent and loyal. Everything that can be done should be done to preserve the breed and make it flourish.”

And he has high hopes for wee Wickham, adding: “He comes from a good line. His grandad and his dad were both best of breed at Crufts.”

Gordon Setters were originally bred as a traditional hunting dog. Now they range in front of the sportsmen and when they spot a bird stand stock still-set-and point until the shooter arrives.