The Field Spaniel is a very handsome, unexaggerated dog; the Breed Standard describes him as "Well balanced, noble, upstanding sporting Spaniel, built for activity and endurance". He is taller than the Cocker at 45.7cm and substantially heavier at up to 55lbs. He was developed during the late 19thC by crossing the Sussex Spaniel with the Cocker with the intention of creating a more powerful dog than the Cocker and a lighter one than the Sussex. It took some time before a good balanced dog was arrived at, and he has had some reverses over the years when the breed has only been kept going by a small number of dedicated breeders. In the 1950s numbers were so low that the Kennel Club withdrew Championship status, which was not restored until 1969.
The Field Spaniel is one of the few gundog breeds where the attributes of the show and working lines are common, and this is something which the Breed Society is keen to protect. Their website is a very useful one and, like the Clumber Spaniel's site, gives a very frank assessment of the breed. It should be remembered that where breeders have the best interests of their dogs at heart they will not try and sell you a puppy; rather they will alert you to the drawbacks of the breed and assess your suitability as an owner.
He is a country dog, and he needs plenty of exercise and company. The Field Spaniel is not eager to please in the manner of most spaniels, and his fans claim that he has a sense of humour and will be deliberately naughty just for the fun of it - so if you are planning to acquire one that you should make sure that you have a sense of humour to match!
The coat is a relatively easy one to keep; the body coat, which can be either black, liver or roan, is long, flat and silky and there is plenty of feathering. A regular grooming with a slicker brush is the best way to keep him looking tidy.
The Field Spaniel is a handsome, classy looking dog; if you are attracted to him then a visit to the Society website should help point you in the right direction.
To read the Kennel Club Breed Standard for the Field Spaniel click here.
Field Spaniel Breeders
 
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Shaneco is a small family kennel in Norfolk where all the dogs are part of the family. Shaneco have been showing and breeding English Springer Spaniels and Field Spaniels for over 25 years, winning Challenge Certificates and Reserve Challenge Certificates.
Left is Shaneco Dark Angel - the image enlarges if you point your cursor at it. For more information call Edna Craske on 01328 or email.
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Selected Books
The time to make sure that this is the right breed for you is before you bring him home; if you and your Field Spaniel
are to be happy together there is plenty of research to be done. Even if you do not intend to work him, having an appreciation of Gundog Training will help you understand why he behaves as he does.
In addition to learning what kind of behaviour is specific to Gundogs, understanding your dog, and what his motivations are on a more general level can save a lot of confusion and misunderstandings for both you and him. Many mistakes can be avoided, and quick solutions reached if you have the basics of puppy training to guide you through all the early settling in difficulties. It helps, too, to have some idea of basic healthcare so you can make informed judgements about whether a visit to the vet is necessary or if there is a simple remedy. For example, many cases of upset tummies are best cured by 24 hour starvation. The books we have chosen will be able to guide you as to whether your dog can be treated at home, or a visit to the surgery is necessary.
Field Spaniel Breed Clubs
FIELD SPANIEL SOCIETY Mr John Robertshaw 01282.859535
Field Spaniel Rescue and Rehoming
Contact the Breed Society. They should be able to give you information about Field Spaniels requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own dog, please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for him.
If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions. If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.
