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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is a deep-chested, high-drive bird dog built to range a field all day — which means two things at the bowl: this breed needs real fuel, and it needs protecting from bloat. How you feed a Gordon matters as much as what you feed.

Here is exactly how to feed a Gordon Setter on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that supports their joints, their feathered black-and-tan coat, and a calmer, less rushed mealtime.

  • Adult weight45–80 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–13 years
  • CoatLong, silky, feathered black-and-tan — needs weekly grooming

The largest and only black-and-tan setter — AKC's 99th most popular breed

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A healthy Gordon Setter
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Gordon Setter's body needs

Every Gordon Setter trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Deep-chested, bloat-prone build

    Needs: Calmer, smaller, slower meals

    A deep chest puts the Gordon at real risk of bloat (GDV). Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw lets you feed less volume per meal and split the day into two or three smaller, lower-stress feedings.

  • Tireless sporting energy

    Needs: High-quality animal protein & fat

    Real meat, organ and ground bone fuel lean muscle and steady, all-day stamina for a dog bred to hunt — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + a lean frame

    Real bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s help calm joint inflammation, and keeping a Gordon lean takes load off the hips.

  • Long, feathered black-and-tan coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that glossy feathered coat and easing the seasonal itch some Gordons get.

  • Allergy-prone, itchy skin

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed chronic skin and ear inflammation, so a sensitive Gordon eats a shorter, cleaner ingredient list.

How much to feed a Gordon Setter

Quick answer: a healthy adult Gordon Setter (45–80 lb) needs about 6.8–12.0 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
45 lb 6.8 oz 3.4 oz
54 lb 8.1 oz 4.1 oz
63 lb typical Gordon Setter 9.5 oz 4.7 oz
72 lb 10.8 oz 5.4 oz
80 lb 12.0 oz 6.0 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Gordon Setter

For a Gordon Setter we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition. Rehydrate it with warm water to add moisture and slow mealtime down.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit itch-prone or sensitive Gordons; richer Beef or Salmon suits hard-working dogs in season. Rotate proteins for variety and feed by weight, split across two or three meals.

Recipes for Gordon Setters

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Daily support for Gordon Setters

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Treats Gordon Setters love

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Feeding a Gordon Setter by life stage

  • Puppy: Gordon Setter puppies are a large, slow-maturing breed, so grow them slowly to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 small meals and resist overfeeding — fast growth raises hip dysplasia risk.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, athletic waist, split across two (or three) smaller meals to lower bloat risk. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and workload, not the bag.
  • Senior: A senior Gordon slows down but should stay lean and muscular. Keep protein high to preserve lean mass, trim total calories as activity drops, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Gordon Setter concerns — and the diet connection

  • Bloat / Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)This deep-chested breed is at real risk. Smaller, calmer, calorie-dense meals fed at ground level — and moisture-rich rehydrated raw — support a less rushed mealtime; learn the warning signs and treat any swollen, distended abdomen as an emergency.
  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but a lean body plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, plus omega-3) help support day-to-day comfort and ease load on the joints.
  • Itchy skin & seasonal allergiesA whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps dial down the inflammation behind the seasonal itch some Gordons experience.
  • Hypothyroidism & coat conditionA dull, dry coat and unexplained weight gain warrant a vet's thyroid check; alongside care, omega-rich whole-food nutrition supports skin and coat quality and helps maintain a healthy weight.
  • Ear infectionsLong, floppy feathered ears trap moisture; a low-inflammation whole-food diet supports the skin overall, while regular ear cleaning does the rest.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Gordon Setter: what to know

The single most important feeding rule for a Gordon Setter is mealtime calm. Because this deep-chested breed is prone to bloat, feed two or three smaller meals instead of one large one, avoid raised bowls, and keep hard exercise to a minimum for an hour before and after eating.

Freeze-dried raw helps here: it is calorie-dense, so each meal is small in volume, and rehydrating it with water adds moisture and slows a fast eater down. Feed to a lean, athletic body condition — you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

Gordon Setter feeding questions

How much should I feed my Gordon Setter?
A healthy adult Gordon Setter (45–80 lb) needs roughly 7–12 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two or three meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean, athletic waistline and adjust every few weeks.
How do I feed a Gordon Setter to lower the risk of bloat?
Feed two or three smaller meals instead of one big one, use a floor-level bowl rather than a raised one, and keep hard exercise to a minimum for an hour before and after eating. Rehydrating freeze-dried raw with water also slows a fast eater and adds moisture.
What is the best food for a Gordon Setter with itchy skin?
A minimally processed freeze-dried raw diet built on a lean single protein (Chicken or Cod) keeps the ingredient list short and skips the starchy fillers that can feed inflammation, while whole-food omega-3s support the skin barrier and coat.
How do I switch my Gordon Setter to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It is rich, so start at the lower end of the range, rehydrate it, and watch your Gordon's waistline and stool as you go.
Does a Gordon Setter need joint and coat support?
Most benefit from both. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine for the hips this breed is prone to, and whole-food omega-3 supports the long, feathered black-and-tan coat.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

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    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.