Field Spaniel: Characteristics, Grooming, Health, Training
You Must Know

Group: Gun Dogs. AKC Sporting group

Also Known As: Field

About Field Spaniel

History and Origin of the Breed The Field Spaniel was developed in England. The dog had been developed through a careful breeding of the English Cocker Spaniel. However, during the last 1800s attempts by breeders to greatly exaggerate the length and weight of the Field Spaniel by employing poor selection practices had almost ruined the breed. By the 1920s the folly had been brought to light and breeders had turned towards modernization and adopting of superior breeding measures. Despite this and despite the fact that the dog is talented at tracking, hunting, retrieving and acting as watchdog, the Field Spaniel is today perceived as a rare dog.

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Description of the Dog

The Field Spaniel is a moderately sized dog. It is slightly heavier and longer in body than the Cocker. The dog has a long and silky coat. This has a liver or black solid color. There may be tan markings on the dog’s body. Some may also be freckled. There may be a little bit of white in the chest region. Legs, chest, ears, tail and undersides of the dog are feathered abundantly. In these regions there are all straight hairs here, not curled.

The Field Spaniel has got a regular muzzle that is neither too wide nor too pointed. Its nose is large and has very open nostrils. The dog has got almond shaped eyes that are either hazel or chestnut brown. Its neck is strong and muscular. The dog is somewhat longer than taller. Its tail is usually docked.

An important show dog characteristic of the breed is that below the eyes it is lean and thin. The Field Spaniels have moderately long, broad and fringed ears that hang down.

Height: Field Spaniel dogs have heights ranging between 17 and 19 inches.

Weight: The Field Spaniel dogs weigh between 35 pounds and 55 pounds.

Personality

Temperament of the Dog

Field Spaniels figure among Spaniels having the best personalities. Though the dog has got an independent nature yet it behaves in a sweet and affectionate manner. It is smart, active and playful. The dog is especially known for its docile nature.

The dog needs to be socialized well when young in order to avoid excessive timidity arising later in life. This also helps prevent the development of aggressiveness at older age.

The dogs like to roam around. They are good with other dogs, other pets and children. However, if the play with children gets too rough then the dog may become withdrawn. The dogs are quick learners. Kind and consistent training is what these sensitive dogs need. The dogs must never be locked away in a kennel, as regular contact with people is very crucial for their physical and mental wellness.

Activity Level

Exercise requirement

Being primarily a working field dog the Field Spaniel needs plenty of exercise daily. It is best if a sporty family adopts the dog as a pet. The is most happy if it gets the opportunity of independently running and exploring following the interesting scents its nose gathers. However, it can also easily adapt itself to some suitable exercise routine set up for it by its owner. Taking the dog out for long walks daily on a leash can be a good way of providing sufficient exercise to the dog.

Living Conditions

It is not advisable to keep the Field Spaniel inside an apartment. The dog is best provided with some outdoor shelter in a large enough fenced yard. They need to be kept in a fenced area because they have hunting instincts and may take off after some interesting scent if not kept within an enclosure.

Grooming

Like other spaniels the Field Spaniel too requires some grooming to ensure that it keeps a neat appearance and gets no ear infections. The hair of the head, face, ears, throat and face of the dog are kept trimmed. This is important to ascertain that excess moisture is not retained thereby leading to infection.

Ordinarily a simple brushing and combing once or twice a week suffices as regular grooming measure for removing shed hair. However, in case of show dogs of the breed it is important to take the dogs to a grooming professional around four times a year. Such people would remove dead hair by plucking and also professionally thin out the hair on the ears, legs and neck of the dog.

Health Issues: Prone to hip dysplasia and ear infections.

Life Expectancy: About 10-12 years.