The Field Spaniel Guide, a Playful and Independent Breed

Why This Breed Makes a Perfect Family Pet

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Is The Field Spaniel Right For You?

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The Field Spaniel is a rare breed known for their docile and independent temperament.
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They are patient with children and make good family pets.
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Field Spaniel puppies must be socialzed early with other dogs to avoid aggression.
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The Field Spaniel breed needs to be kept busy with a purpose, as they've been known to cause mischielf when bored.

HISTORY

The Field Spaniel, originating in England in the 1800s, used to be considered a slight variation of the English Cocker Spaniel, and not a breed in their own right. They were both used to flush and retrieve game, and they were both smaller than the Springer Spaniel, but at some point before the 1900s it was decided that any English Cocker Spaniel over 25 pounds belonged to a different breed, which became the Field Spaniel. A versatile hunting dog, the Field Spaniel has recently become overshadowed in popularity by the Cocker and Springer Spaniels. They were first accepted into the AKC in 1894.

quick facts

Size

Large
Lifespan

10 - 12 years
Hair Length

Medium

Male Height

18 inches (46 cm.)
Male Weight

30-45 pounds (16 - 22.5 kg.)

Female Height

18 inches (46 cm.)
Female Weight

30-45 pounds (16 - 22.5 kg.)
Litter Size

4 - 8 puppies with the average being 6 puppies

APPEARANCE

The Field Spaniel is a bit heavier than their Cocker cousin, but the weight is distributed fairly evenly along their larger body. They have a big nose and a rounded head with the droopy, feathered ears one expects from a spaniel. They have a muscular neck and a deep, athletic looking chest. Their fur is medium in length along most of their body, but short on the face and long and wavy on the ears, rump, and the back of their forelegs.

PERSONALITY

The Field Spaniel is an independent, clever, playful, and friendly breed. They are natural hunting dogs, which makes them athletic and in need of consistent exercise to prevent restlessness. They are notoriously obedient, timid, and docile, which makes them good family pets, but they need to be looked after with young children that may be rough with them, and also need a gentle, but consistent, touch when being trained.

color

The Field Spaniel can be found in a number of colors, from solid liver, solid black, black with tan markings, speckled, white and black, blue roan, liver and white, red roan, tricolor, blue and tan, red roan and tan, and solid tan.