Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Gordon Setters Live. Gordon Setter Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Gordon Setter Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Gordon Setter, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Gordon Setters
- How Old is Your Gordon Setter in Human Years
- How Long Do Gordon Setters Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Gordon Setter Live Long
- Conclusion on Gordon Setter Life Expectancy
How Long Gordon Setters Live. Gordon Setter Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Gordon Setter is from 10 to 12 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Gordon Setter. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 157 pet Gordon Setters lived.
From the study, it was found that Gordon Setters have a average lifespan of 11.0 years. Furthermore, the study found that Gordon Setters can live for as long as 16.2 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Gordon Setters.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Gordon Setters are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Urogenital Disease: Problems with the kidneys, urinary tract, and/or reproductive organs
- Hematopoietic Disease: Problems having to do with platelets, blood vessels, or clotting factors.
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Gordon Setter to make your Gordon Setter live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Gordon Setter have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Gordon Setter is in human years? Then, check out our Gordon Setter age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Gordon Setter Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Gordon Setter compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Canaan Dog Lifespan | 14.60 |
| Lhasa Apso Lifespan | 14.30 |
| Hovawart Lifespan | 12.90 |
| Pointer Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Labrador Retriever Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Saluki Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Tibetan Mastiff Lifespan | 11.90 |
| English Setter Lifespan | 11.50 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Weimaraner Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Skye Terrier Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Gordon Setter Lifespan | 11.00 |
| German Longhaired Pointer Lifespan | 10.50 |
| Clumber Spaniel Lifespan | 10.30 |
| German Wirehaired Pointer Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Australian Shepherd Lifespan | 9.00 |
| Greenland Dog Lifespan | 8.46 |
| Shiba Inu Lifespan | 7.00 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux Lifespan | 3.83 |
Common Causes of Death in Gordon Setter, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Gordon Setter, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Gordon Setter.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Gordon Setters
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 38.3 percent of all deaths in Gordon Setters.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Gordon Setter
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Gordon Setters
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Gordon Setters (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Gordon Setters is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Gordon Setters is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Gordon Setters is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Gordon Setters with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Gordon Setter. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Gordon Setter`s gums look pale.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Gordon Setters
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 22.5 percent of all deaths in Gordon Setters.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Gordon Setter
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Gordon Setter eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Gordon Setter stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Gordon Setter is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Gordon Setter has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Gordon Setters
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Gordon Setter`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Urogenital Disease in Gordon Setters
Urogenital problems most often involve infections and blockages, which various degrees of seriousness.
Urogenital Disease is responsible for 13.3 percent of all deaths in Gordon Setters.
Causes of Urogenital Disease in Gordon Setter
Probably, the most important urogenital issue seen in intact female Gordon Setters is the pyometra. A pyometra is an enlarged, pus-filled uterus caused by a severe bacterial infection. A pyometra is several times larger than a regular uterus and is a life-threatening condition. To treat a pyometra, the Gordon Setter`s uterus must be removed, which is a difficult and expensive surgery. Another urogenital infection seen in both female and male dogs is urinary tract infections, which are very similar to human UTIs. If left untreated, UTIs can ascend up the urinary tract and infect the kidneys, which can also be life-threatening. If you notice that your Gordon Setter is urinating much more or less frequently than usual, or if the color or smell of the urine seems different from normal, you should talk to your veterinarian. Another common urogenital issue in male Gordon Setters is urinary blockages, which (as the name suggests) is when there is something stuck in the urinary tract which prevents the Gordon Setter from urinating. If you see your Gordon Setter lifting its leg and trying to urinate but nothing is coming out, you should call your veterinarian. Cancer is also a major urogenital issue in Gordon Setters, just like it is in humans. Urinary incontinence can also be an issue in both male and female Gordon Setters, just like in humans.
How to Prevent Urogenital Disease in Gordon Setters
The only way to completely prevent a pyometra is by getting your female Gordon Setter spayed. Another major benefit to spaying your Gordon Setter is that it dramatically reduces her risk of breast cancer. A spay is a major surgery and does tend to be a bit more expensive than a neuter, but a pyometra surgery is probably 3-4 times more expensive and dangerous than a regular, routine spay. Neutering your male Gordon Setter will also dramatically reduce his risk of prostate cancer and urinary blockages, especially as he gets older. If the spay and neuter estimates from your regular veterinarian are a little out of your price range, low-cost high-volume (LCHV) spay and neuter clinics are also an excellent option. If you find that your Gordon Setter is prone to blockages even though they are sterilized, there are many diets and supplements like this that can help. There are also diets like this and supplements that can help with urinary incontinence, but if these don`t work, your veterinarian can also prescribe prescription medications.
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Hematopoietic Disease in Gordon Setters
Normally, the body can regulate its own blood pressure and fluid volume without outside help. However, issues in hematopoesis can cause high or low blood pressure, blood clots, edema (fluid where it`s not supposed to be, like in the lungs), and even shock.
Hematopoietic Disease is responsible for 12.5 percent of all deaths in Gordon Setters.
Causes of Hematopoietic Disease in Gordon Setter
The causes of hematopoietic problems usually involve inflammation and immune responses gone wrong. This can cause congestion, hemorrhage, and many more problems.
How to Prevent Hematopoietic Disease in Gordon Setters
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog`s gums or skin look very pale or very red. It`s also a good idea to talk to your vet if your dog is experiencing exercise intolerance. Many parasites can cause internal bleeding, so you should have your dog on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round. Here is a good flea and tick prevention medication (buy the box associated with your pet`s weight!).
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Trauma in Gordon Setters
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 12.5 percent of all deaths in Gordon Setters.
Causes of Trauma in Gordon Setter
One of the most common causes of trauma in Gordon Setters is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Gordon Setters
The best way to keep your Gordon Setter from getting hit by a car is by having them on a fixed leash. Veterinarians do not recommend retractable leashes for dogs. This is because, oftentimes, dogs on retractable leashes will bolt into the road before their owners can lock the leash and get hit by cars, even though they were technically on a leash. Having a normal, fixed leash is also a good way to prevent your Gordon Setter from bolting on walks and getting into fights with other dogs before you can lock the leash.
Here is a good fixed leash that can save your Gordon Setter from traumatic accidents.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Gordon Setters
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Gordon Setter is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Gordon Setter`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Gordon Setter`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Gordon Setter offsprings by only breeding Gordon Setter that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Gordon Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Gordon Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Gordon Setter has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Gordon Setter for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Gordon Setter a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Gordon Setters for:
How Old is Your Gordon Setter in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Gordon Setter. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Gordon Setter is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Gordon Setter is 11.0 years.
Gordon Setters are medium-sized dogs. Gordon Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Gordon Setter in converting Gordon Setter age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Gordon Setter`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Gordon Setter`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Gordon Setter`s human age. If you do not know your Gordon Setter`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Gordon Setter is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Gordon Setter`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Gordon Setter`s up-to-date human age.
Gordon Setter Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Gordon Setter age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Gordon Setter`s human age based on your Gordon Setter`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Gordon Setter`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Gordon Setter Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | 26 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 37 |
| 6 | 42 |
| 7 | 46 |
| 8 | 50 |
| 9 | 54 |
| 10 | 58 |
| 11 | 62 |
| 12 | 66 |
| 13 | 71 |
| 14 | 75 |
| 15 | 80 |
| 16 | 85 |
How Long Do Gordon Setters Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Gordon Setter is 11.0 years. In human years, the Gordon Setter lives for 62 years.
How Old is 4-year-old Gordon Setter in Human Years?
A 4-year old Gordon Setter is 32 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Gordon Setter in Human Years?
A 5-year old Gordon Setter is 37 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Gordon Setter in Human Years?
A 6-year old Gordon Setter is 42 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Gordon Setter in Human Years?
A 9-year old Gordon Setter is 54 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Gordon Setter Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Gordon Setter live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Gordon Setter fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Gordon Setter does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Gordon Setter will have a shorter lifespan than a Gordon Setter that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Gordon Setter high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Gordon Setter. Check out our Gordon Setter feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Gordon Setter from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Gordon Setter existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Gordon Setter has access to clean water whenever your Gordon Setter needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Gordon Setter. See our Gordon Setter water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Gordon Setter.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Gordon Setter might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Gordon Setter.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Gordon Setter is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Gordon Setter’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Gordon Setter teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Gordon Setter Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Gordon Setter`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.