Editing Gordon Setter (section)

===As a gundog in Scotland and Northern England ===
Among the many changes which took place in sport and country affairs during the 20th century were those concerned with the method of shooting and consequent role of the gundog. These changes were accelerated after [[World War II]], prior to which there were many "dogging [[moorland|moors]]" in the north of England and especially in [[Scotland]]. Walking up game became largely superseded by driving and field-craft by [[marksmanship]]. The function of the gundog was as a result limited to the recovery of dead or wounded birds and — in the age of specialisation — this meant that the [[Labrador Retriever]] came to the forefront while the number of working [[Pointing breed|pointers]] and setters declined year after year.

Besides the modernisation of the style of shooting and the work required of gundogs, the situation was altered by the new developments that also took place in farming, which helped to bring about a marked reduction in the [[partridge]] population. Factors include the introduction of modernisation such as early cutting of [[silage]], the use of fast-moving mechanical equipment, the burning or ploughing of stubble-fields soon after harvest, the destruction of [[hedgerows]], and the use of chemical sprays for weed-killing. The hedgerows had provided shelter and nesting sites; the weeds and other herbage supplied food and cover; whilst the stubble-fields had been a primary source of winter food; so the partridges were deprived of some important assets, whilst the wide use of chemicals on the land exercised a direct harmful effect. These changes significantly affected the status of setters and pointers. Though often used as a general purpose gundog, the Gordon Setter has been a wide-ranging dog employed in the Scotland to locate [[red grouse]] and [[rock ptarmigan|ptarmigan]] on the Scottish or North of England moors and partridges on the stubble-fields of the south of England. Up to the late 1930s, most Gordons were kept for this type of work, so that the majority were to be found in Scotland and the north of England; but now they are more evenly distributed and there are no large [[working kennels]].

The function of the setter is well summarised by Captain Blaine: 
{{cquote|The work required of the setter and pointer differs from that of all other breeds of dog. It is their business to range and hunt independently for game, at a distance from the sportsman, using their own initiative and intelligence to find it, and having done so, to remain staunchly “on point” awaiting his approach. They must search for the body, and not for the foot scent, and be able to maintain a fast steady gallop for long periods without fatigue. For the purpose a dog should have independence of character, speed, endurance, and a sensitive nose, combined with natural ability for hunting the terrain, in the best method of finding game.<ref>{{cite book| editor-last= Smith| editor-first= A. Croxton | title= Hounds and Dogs; Their Care, Training and Working| volume= XII |publisher= Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games and Pastimes| place=London| year= 1932| chapter= The Gordon Setter | first= Capt. L. C. R. |last= Cameron| page= 70}}</ref>}}

Two Gordon Setters have achieved the title of Dual Champion. [[The Kennel Club]] regulations state this title can only be claimed by dogs who have achieved the title of Show Champion and Field Trial Champion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regulations for entries in the Stud Book, Champions and warrants |url= http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/7464/A3370-Regs-K.pdf |website= thekennelclub.org.uk| publisher= [[The Kennel Club]] |access-date=7 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121016072337/http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/7464/A3370-Regs-K.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2012 }}</ref> The first was a bitch, Amscot Irresista Belle; her pet name was Trisca.<ref>{{cite web|title=Only dual champion Gordon dies|url=http://www.dogworld.co.uk/product.php/53594/News/17-Dual|website=DogWorld.co.uk|access-date=7 October 2012|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424035507/https://www.dogworld.co.uk/product.php/53594/News/17-Dual/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= McDonald |first= Christine |title=First Dual Ch Gordon |url= http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/News/2003/August2003/News010803/first.htm| website=OurDogs.co.uk |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref> The second was Trisca's relative, Boyers Scarlatti.{{citation needed|date= August 2020}}