Differences and Similarities between the Gordon Setter and the Plott.

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Gordon Setter Versus Plott: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Gordon Setter and the Plott? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Gordon Setter and the Plott better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Gordon Setter and the Plott.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Gordon Setter and the Plott is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Gordon Setter and for the Plott. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Gordon Setter and the Plott.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Gordon Setter or the Plott.

Gordon Setter versus Plott: Overview

Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott are similar in size. The Gordon Setter and the Plott are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Gordon Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Gordon Setter versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Gordon Setter to the Plott based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Gordon Setter and the Plott

Factor Gordon Setter Plott
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Weight 45 to 80 pounds 40 to 75 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1360 $600
Price Range $1250 – $1500 $480 – $700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • approved laboratory
  • DNA Repository (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • rcd4 PRA (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 106 161

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Gordon Setter in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Plott. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Gordon Setter is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Plott is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Plott is a better pet than the Gordon Setter. So, you should get the Plott!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Gordon Setter and the Plott so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Gordon Setter and the Plott

    Below is a list of where the Gordon Setter and the Plott are most different:

  • Gordon Setters do not get along well with other dogs. However, Plotts get along well with other dogs.
  • Gordon Setters require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Plotts are very easy to groom.
  • Gordon Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Gordon Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Plotts are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Gordon Setter and the Plott

    The Gordon Setter and the Plott are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Gordon Setter and the Plott are most similar:

  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Gordon Setter and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Gordon Setter versus Plott

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Gordon Setter and the Plott.

    Gordon Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Gordon Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Gordon Setter versus Plott

    The lifespan of Gordon Setters is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Gordon Setters is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 years.

    Plotts live longer than Gordon Setters.

    Price of Gordon Setter versus Price of Plott

    The average price of the Gordon Setter puppy is $1360. The price of the Gordon Setter typically ranges from $1250 – $1500. However, the price of a Gordon Setter can be as low as $600 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 17 Gordon Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of the Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Gordon Setter is more expensive than the Plott.

    Gordon Setter Plott
    Average Price $1360 $600
    Price Range $1250 to $1500 $480 to $700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Gordon Setter and Plott. For different price points, the charts show how many Gordon Setter puppies or how many Plott puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Gordon Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Gordon Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Gordon Setter puppy or the Plott puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Gordon Setter versus Adopting the Plott

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Gordon Setters and many Plotts are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Gordon Setter named Bocce that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Gordon Setters like Bocce on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Gordon Setters, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Diesel is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Diesel that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Gordon Setter and the Plott can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Treble is an adorable Male Plott on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Gordon Setters and Plotts that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Gordon Setter versus Popularity of Plott

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Gordon Setter and the Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Gordon Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Gordon Setter is 106 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Gordon Setter

    Popularity of Gordon Setter

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year Gordon Setter Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 105 149
    2014 100 154
    2015 105 149
    2016 104 158
    2017 104 166
    2018 115 171
    2019 113 177
    2020 107 167

    Tolerates Being Alone: Gordon Setter versus Plott

    Gordon Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Gordon Setters shed more than Plotts?

    Gordon Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Gordon Setter or the Plott

    Gordon Setters drool moderately.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Gordon Setter or the Plott?

    Gordon Setters require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Gordon Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?

    Gordon Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Plotts have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Gordon Setters Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?

    Gordon Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Gordon Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Gordon Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Gordon Setter vs. Plott

    Gordon Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Gordon Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Gordon Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Gordon Setter or the Plott?

    Gordon Setters do not get along well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Gordon Setters good family dogs? What about Plotts?

    Gordon Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Plotts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Gordon Setters and Plotts?

    Gordon Setters get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Gordon Setter Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Gordon Setters are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Is the Gordon Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?

    Gordon Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Gordon Setter or the Plott?

    Gordon Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Gordon Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Gordon Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Gordon Setter:

  • Belgian Tervuren (78 percent match with Gordon Setter). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Giant Schnauzer (79 percent match with Gordon Setter). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Mudi (75 percent match with Gordon Setter). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Mudi.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Plott that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Plott:

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Gordon Setter vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Gordon Setter vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Gordon Setter and how the Plott compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Gordon Setter and of the Plott to other breeds:

    Gordon Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Gordon Setter versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Gordon Setter versus Redbone Coonhound     Gordon Setter versus Maltipoo     Gordon Setter versus Carolina Dog     Gordon Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier     Gordon Setter versus Cesky Terrier     Gordon Setter versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Gordon Setter versus Dachshund     Gordon Setter versus Standard Poodle     Gordon Setter versus Doberman Pinscher     Gordon Setter versus Irish Terrier     Gordon Setter versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Gordon Setter versus Bluetick Coonhound     Gordon Setter versus Plott     Gordon Setter versus Cavapoo     Gordon Setter versus Collie     Gordon Setter versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Gordon Setter versus Cane Corso     Gordon Setter versus Lhasa Apso     Gordon Setter versus Bouvier des Flandres     Gordon Setter versus Goldador     Gordon Setter versus Kooikerhondje     Gordon Setter versus Bluetick Coonhound     Gordon Setter versus French Bulldog     Gordon Setter versus Labrador Retriever     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Plott versus Sussex Spaniel     Plott versus Rottweiler     Plott versus Mal Shi     Plott versus German Shepherd Dog     Plott versus Chihuahua     Plott versus Australian Terrier     Plott versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Plott versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Plott versus Field Spaniel     Plott versus Morkie     Plott versus Finnish Lapphund     Plott versus Shih Tzu     Plott versus Irish Terrier     Plott versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Plott versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Plott versus Bull Terrier     Plott versus Pharaoh Hound     Plott versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Plott versus Papillon     Plott versus Bullmastiff     Plott versus Airedale Terrier     Plott versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Plott versus Bich Poo     Plott versus Bernedoodle     

    Conclusion: Gordon Setter versus Plott. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Gordon Setter and the Plott better suits you and your family.