Gordon Sheltie

Both parent breeds of the Gordon Sheltie have origins that trace back to 15th century Scotland. The Gordon Setter is a breed noted for his stamina and agility and his iconic black and tan coat. In fact, they were first called the Black and Tan Setter. Later called the Castle Gordon Setter, this breed was revered for its hunting and retrieving skills. Alexander IV, the Duke of Gordon favored this breed and had extensive kennels in Scotland. After his passing, the heir of the kennels shortened the name to the Gordon Setter. The breed was first seen in North America in the early 1800s and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884 as a sporting dog. The Shetland Sheepdog is another unique, agile breed that was initially bred for the the purpose of assisting farmers with herding livestock. His charges included pigs, chickens, cattle and sheep. The Shetland Sheepdog was small yet sturdy and performed his job well. Also known as the Sheltie, he made his way to North America in the early 1900s. The Shetland Sheepdog was officially recognized as a herding breed in 1911 by the American Kennel Club. The Dog Registry of America includes the Gordon Sheltie on its list of hybrid dogs.