Medium
12 Years
20 Kg
Gun Dogs
Curious, Docile, Lively, Social
The Field Spaniel is a noble medium size Spaniel type dog which was originally developed a century and a half ago as a show dog. It is one of the larger Spaniel breeds typically between the size of the Cocker Spaniel and the Springer Spaniel. It has an average height of 43-46 cm at the withers and weighs around 18-25kg. The head suggests the notion of high breeding, quality, and nobility. It has a well-defined occiput, a well-chiselled head, slightly raised eyebrows with a moderate stop and long and lean muzzle. The almond-shaped eyes are wide open and dark hazel in colour which gives a gentle expression. It has pendant and well-feathered ears, long and muscular neck with an equally muscular body supported by strong fore and rear quarters. The equally feathered tail is set low and is never carried above the level of the back. The dense single coat of the Field Spaniel is flat, shiny, and silky in texture, never curly or wiry. Abundant feathering appears on the chest, belly, and behind the legs. Coat colours are black, black and tan, blue roan, blue roan and tan, liver, liver and tan, liver roan, and liver roan and tan with some dogs having white markings on the throat and the chest.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The spaniel breed has been documented in the UK for many centuries and the modern breed that we know today evolved from earlier distinctions of Spaniels. The smallest Spaniels evolve to become the toy Spaniels of today while the larger ones were classified according to their working type – land or water. The smaller land Spaniels became the “cocker spaniels” which were very adept in flushing out woodcock birds, while the larger land Spaniels were eventually known as “field spaniels” or “springer spaniels”. The Field Spaniel developed into a breed of its own primarily from a combination of larger black cocker spaniels interbread with other strains from Sussex and nearby regions. It is also said that the early Field Spaniels were interbred with Irish Water Spaniels, the English Springer Spaniels and the Basset Hound. The resulting litter was classified based on weight and colour with the larger pups with generally black, liver or roan coat colours falling under the Field Spaniel breed.
The Field Spaniel is curious, docile, lively, and social. It is an active dog with tireless energy, tends to bark a lot and has a destructive behaviour if bored of left alone. It is not a suitable pet for someone who lives in the city or in a condominium or apartment. It is also not recommended for someone who is out at work all day because leaving the Field Spaniel for hours on end will surely make him annoy the neighbours with his loud bark. The dog tends to suffer from separation anxiety and can also channel its boredom and frustration through destructive behaviours such as chewing and digging. The Field Spaniel is a sensitive breed and thrives on human companionship. It loves being with its family and enjoys travelling. This makes the Field Spaniel highly recommended for an active family who likes the great outdoors where the dog can join in hiking activities and camping in the wilderness. Although the Field Spaniel is not an easy to train dog, it makes up for its highly developed sense of humour. This dog loves to please its owner and love to be praised as well. It has a naughty streak with a loving affectionate personality. It is an ideal rough shooting dog and a countryside companion.
Training the Field Spaniel falls under the moderate side of the scale. This breed is not naturally obedient nor it is a quick learner like other breeds. It requires a trainer with a firm but gentle hand to handle it from an early age in order to raise a well-balanced breed. Positive reinforcement training will yield the best result. Any form of harsh training such as shouting will never benefit the Field Spaniel. Training needs to be consistent so that the dog can memorize and obey all commands taught. Do not expect the dog to obey one day and expect him to do so the next. It needs continuous training to know his lessons very well. The Field Spaniel is a working dog trainable for dog agility and hunting.
Owing to the breed’s good coat, the Field Spaniel is easy to groom and requires little attention to keep it clean and the coat healthy. Although the coat is not as heavy as that of the Cocker Spaniel, it still needs daily grooming to prevent mats from forming in the fur.
The Field Spaniel has a large appetite, especially as a puppy who needs a great deal of the right amount and quality of food given at correct intervals. It is a hardy dog that loves the outdoor life and the fresh air, but is also prone to a few health predisposition. There are Field Spaniels who have been diagnosed to suffer from certain eye conditions such as cataracts, retinal atrophy, and retinal dysplasia. Hip dysplasia has been known to affect some breeds, particularly those from the UK lines. Cancer is the most common form of death for the Field Spaniel, as surveyed by the Kennel Club, with old age ranking second as the cause of mortality. The median lifespan of the breed is 11 years and 8 months but it tends to live longer with proper care and the right diet.
This dog loves the natural outdoor life and enjoys going out on a trip with the family. As a working dog, it requires regular opportunities to channel its energy and do mentally-stimulating activities. Inadequate physical and mental exercise can cause the dog to become uncontrollably exuberant or boisterous and will express its boredom through barking and other destructive behaviour. A great deal of daily exercise is required for this hunting dog. It will suit him best if he has a chance to run and explore in an open field or in a well-secured yard as his nose will take him where the scent is. The Field Spaniel loves water and it will sometimes use his water bowl as a swimming hole which can make a mess inside the house. This dog enjoys swimming so much which is also a great way to get his daily exercise requirements.
It is generally patient with children and loves attention and human companionship. It often stays close to its master and other members of the family. When properly socialised, it is good with other dogs as well. It is generally docile and independent but is not a suitable pet for someone who lives in the city.
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