Field Spaniel: one of the rarest Spaniels, which was not registered for decades

The Field Spaniel is famous for its obedience, somewhat reserved with strangers, affectionate with its family, but very intense when it comes to work. Originally, it was used as a hunting dog, but it relatively early became a show dog.

According to enthusiasts of the breed, the Field Spaniel is a combination of beauty and utility. The main goal in breeding is that these dogs perform well both in the field and at shows, but they should also be suitable as family pets. However, it is important to know that this dog is prone to stubbornness and willfulness, so it is recommended for an owner who is consistent with its training.

History of the Field Spaniel

In the 1800s, many hunters used flushing dogs when hunting birds. Spaniels excelled at this, although they were not yet classified into distinct breeds. They were more often grouped by size and function. By the end of the 19th century, however, this changed with the advent of the first dog shows in England. Dogs resulting from crosses of black-colored Cockers, English Springers, and Sussex Spaniels were named Field Spaniels. The breed’s peculiarity is that it performed excellently both in the show rings and in the field at that time. They could work in fields, water, and thickets, and their wonderful sense of smell allowed them to notice birds that faster but less attentive hunting dogs would miss.

The show success of the Field Spaniel encouraged breeders to develop increasingly attractive dogs. They preferred long-bodied, low dogs, which negatively impacted the breed’s health and performance. Additionally, inbreeding was a significant problem at the time. This quickly reduced the popularity of the Field Spaniel, pushing it to the brink of extinction. So much so that between 1942 and 1967, no Field Spaniels were registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club). It is thanks only to a few dedicated British breeders that these rarities can still be found today. However, due to World War II and the emergence of many new dog breeds, they also faced considerable challenges.

By the late 1960s, enthusiasts returned to the basics and rebuilt the breed according to its original patterns by reintroducing Cocker and Springer blood. In the decades since, the rise, fall, and subsequent resurgence of the breed have served as a cautionary tale for dog breeders.

Breed standard of the Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel is a balanced, noble, and elegant-looking sporting spaniel. Its skull is well-chiseled, with a well-defined occiput and a moderate stop. The nose is well-developed with wide nostrils. It has strong jaws and a scissor bite. Eyes are almond-shaped and dark hazel in color, with a gentle and serious expression. Ears are moderately long, wide, and set low. The neck is long, strong, and muscular. Chest is deep and well-developed. The tail is set low and is proportionate to the body.

Coat is long, flat, shiny, and silky in texture, but never curly. It is dense and weather-resistant. The color is most often liver or black, but it can also be black and tan, and various shades of liver. Solid-colored dogs may have white or yellowish spots on the chest. The height at the withers is approximately 46 cm, and the weight is 18-25 kg. The expected lifespan is around 12 years.

Character of the Field Spaniel

At first glance the field spaniel is an independent breed, but it is a pleasant mixture of sincere devotion, a sensitive nature and a desire to please. A family dog in every sense of the word, he loves to have everyone’s attention. The Field Spaniel is known for his obedient nature. He is usually reserved towards strangers on first meeting, but later relaxes. However, this reticence should never be confused with shyness. The breed simply tends to be cautious at times.

Ideal environment

Sometimes it tends to be stubborn, and a harsh, strict approach will only make this worse. Therefore, it is recommended for an owner who is consistent but also understanding. This dog likes to have a task but easily gets bored with monotony. Field Spaniel prefers to use its nose and is a perfect companion for scent work and, of course, performs well in hunting. It is said that, although it is not the fastest hunting dog, it can sniff out prey that other dogs might pass by.

This dog excels in water and thickets, and if its owner does not hunt with it, it is worth engaging its sharp mind with various dog sports. This spaniel also does well as a family dog, though according to its standard, it is not a city dog and feels best in a calm, rural environment with a garden. It happily accompanies its family on hikes and gets along well with children.

Care of teh Field Spaniel

The shiny, silky coat is undoubtedly one of the most attractive features of the Field Spaniel, but this beautiful coat requires care. It should be brushed weekly to keep the fur shiny. Occasionally, the hair around the head and legs may need trimming. Unlike most Spaniels, the fur on the body of the Field Spaniel should not be cut short.

Its eyes and ears should be regularly checked to ensure they are clean, and its nails should be trimmed if they grow too long. The hair between its paws and in its ears also needs to be trimmed. It is advisable to seek the help of a professional groomer to ensure no injuries occur.

Common health problems

The Field Spaniel may be prone to health issues such as hypothyroidism and ear infections, as well as seizures, heart murmurs, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation.