In this final part of Keith’s story, we explore the challenges and highlights of being…
Locksheath Gordon Setters [Part 2]
2.
Locksheath Gordon Setters [Part 2]
Introduction
In Part 1 of Keith’s story, we chatted about how he and his wife, Cari, became Gordon Setter dog breeders, the origin of the Locksheath name, and some early successes at championship shows. This time, we talk about traveling beyond the UK, the origins of the breed, and what makes them so special…
This is part two of a three-part story.
How many dogs do you have?
Currently, six Gordons
The current Locksheath Gordon Setters kennel
They must be quite a handful?
Not really. It takes a bit of organisation, but each one is special to us, a part of the family.
What’s the furthest you’ve been for a show?
At the moment, that’s probably Germany.
What’s it like travelling with the dogs?
Actually they’re quite happy to travel. I’ve got a customised van that’s kitted out with cages and home comforts for them. We do the German shows quite often. Because Summer, our first dog, is of German heritage, we made a lot of friends out there. The stud owner runs a few shows herself, and we go over to support her, setting up, and generally helping out.
Did you have dogs when you were growing up?
I didn’t. I grew up in a childrens’ home. We had a cat, I do remember that [laughs], but I had lots of friends who had dogs and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. I had my first dog when I was twenty one, I think it was. Then it wasn’t until Cari and I had been married about four or five years that we talked about getting one of our own. Cari had grown up surrounded by dogs, quite a mixture. She had a Yorkshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Red and White Setters, Shelties, a Dalmatian and she actually had a Gordon Setter as well.
That’s quite a wide variety, what did you talk about getting?
Cari wanted a Yorkshire Terrier, and my response was, ‘I don’t want to walk a rat on a lead’ [laughs]. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with Yorkshire Terriers, there’s not, they’re lovely dogs. It’s just that I wanted a substantial dog I suppose you would say.
Yorkshire Terrier
I don’t want to walk a rat on a lead
At the risk of sounding sexist, you wanted what would be perceived as a man’s dog [laughs]?
Exactly [laughs]. Cari mentioned an English Setter. Back then I had no idea what one was, I didn’t know anything about them, I’d never even seen one. Again, this is before ‘Google’, so we trekked off to the library in Fareham, the reference section, to find out all about them. Once I’d seen what one looked like, it was, yep that looks about right, we’ll go for one of them. Within two weeks we’d found one in the classified ads paper, being offered in Hamble. That was our first Setter.
What’s so special about Gordon Setters?
I just think that they have presence. They have such a lovely soulful expression. English Setters even more so. Some people describe them as looking very sad, they’re not, they just have a very soft, gentle look about them. I love the shape of their heads and the way their dark eyes pierce you when they look at you. I just fell in love with them [laughs]. Especially the Gordons, for me they are really special. They’re so different.
Are they considered to be a rare breed?
They are, they’re on the vulnerable breed list. Recently there have been a few more litters that have been registered, but generally, on average, it’s about 280 puppies registered a year.
It doesn’t sound like that many.
I think this year there will be more. We know quite a few breeders that have had Gordon pups, which isn’t a bad thing. But, as a breed, they’re not that well known. Quite often when we are out walking them, people will ask if they’re long haired Rottweilers, long haired Dobermans and all sorts of odd names [laughs].
Are they long haired Rottweilers or long haired Dobermans?
Well I suppose if you don’t know, you don’t know.
Exactly that. But then you do get the occasional recognition. ‘oh wow, I haven’t seen a Gordon Setter for years’, so yes, they are a rare breed.
Are they thought of as hunting dogs?
They’re ‘working’ or ’setting’ dogs. Their primary role is to work in the field to help hunters in finding and retrieving game, such as various fowl. They’ll locate the game and let you know where it is by being ‘on point’. Then with a command they will send the birds up ready for the gun.
A bit like a Pointer then?
Yes, they’re well in with the Gun Dog breeds.
Working Gun Dogs
Where do they originate from?
I think it was back in 1800 that the Duke of Gordon introduced them at Gordon Castle in Scotland.
Duke of Gordon: Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (1708-1787), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Reference: Extract from the Purina Website
Setters have existed in Scotland since the 1600’s, and towards the end of that century the 4th Duke of Gordon set about establishing his own recognised type.
For a long time however, the Duke was primarily focused on how well his dogs worked rather than what they looked like, and so his kennels housed and worked setters of many colours, including black and white, red and white and tri-colour – all called the Duke of Gordon’s Setters. It was later in the breed’s history that the black and tan form we know today became fixed, most likely as a result of the breeds success in the show ring.
Larger and slightly slower than smaller setters, the Gordon Setter had more stamina on the Scottish grouse moors and were reputed to bring home more birds than other gundogs.
How long do they live for?
The average lifespan is around 10 to 12 years, but they can live longer than that.
I suppose it depends if they’re used as working dogs or household pets?
It’s really if they’re active and kept healthy, then they will live longer. They’re highly intelligent and need constant stimulation. The oldest we had was ‘Misty’, she lived to fourteen. Sky is our oldest at the moment. She’s ten and runs around like a puppy [laughs]. They don’t ever grow up, they’re a really slow to mature breed.
Misty: Image courtesy of Keith Whiting
What was the interest in being a breeder rather than just an owner?
I had a lot of fun showing Summer, but if I’m honest she has her faults, but that’s just like all dogs. As she was getting older I thought it might be good to have another puppy, but this time one that we had bred. That’s where it started really. We only breed when we want a dog, and we’ve only had three litters of our own in all this time.
Do you have to undergo some sort of training to be a dog breeder?
No. I was fortunate that we had Fran on hand who has been dog breeding for many years and had gained an awful lot of experience. She made sure that we followed all the accepted best practices for training, health checks, and selecting the right sire for mating etc. Ultimately we want to make sure that we have the healthiest pups around and that they have the right temperament. When you consider that you can have anything from eight to twelve, or more, puppies in a litter, and they will all have to go to good homes, we do everything possible to ensure that all the boxes are ticked.
Examples of health checks carried out by Locksheath Gordon Setters
So is there any sort of quality control carried out?
Not as such, but with pedigree dogs there are breed clubs and a breed council. They work together with the breeders to maintain certain standards for healthcare and training, that sort of thing.
What defines a dog as being a Pedigree?
We look at their bloodlines from their original descent, the genetics have to be of the same line all the way through.
Francis Bastable, the original owner of the Locksheath kennel name, with Keith & Cari
You can trace the lineage and, as far as you know, there hasn’t been any cross or interbreeding or whatever?
Exactly. With a few exceptions from way back. But the breed is kept pure.
Example certificate confirming lineage of a Locksheath Gordon Setter
In the final part of Keith’s story, we explore the challenges and highlights of being a breeder, as well as life beyond dog show competitions. Watch this space.
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