Now, it could just be us here at IndulgeYourPet, but we’ve got to say that the Field Spaniel dog just doesn’t look right without some “throw” toy in their mouth! And for those hunters out there, you might be thinking to yourself…
“Throw toy? No… what he needs is a duck in his mouth!”
And why not?
After all, that’s what these guys are bred for! But nowadays, you don’t need to be a hunter to appreciate how great these little guys are entirely. Nowadays, folks of all “walks of life” are learning how awesome the Field Spaniel is, even those who could never imagine taking this dog on a hunt with them.
This is why…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss the Field Spaniel in a little more detail so that if you are considering possibly purchasing a Field Spaniel puppy, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting yourself into and know if owning one of these little guys is right for you.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Field Spaniel Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: England
Original Function: Bird flushing and retrieving
Height: 17 to 18 inches
Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting Group
Lifespan: 11 to 15 years
Origin of the Field Spaniel Dog Breed
The Field Spaniel Dog Breed is one of many “spaniel” dog breeds developed from the Cocker Spaniel breed and dates back to the early 1800’s. During this time, the only real difference between the “Field Spaniel” and “Cocker Spaniel” was his size in that the Field Spaniel was bred to be a “Larger” version.
Originally, Field Spaniels were “required” to be all black, which isn’t necessarily the “best” color for a dog to be when their purpose is to be a hunting dog out in the field. This is why shortly after being “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894, many Field Spaniel breeders began to cross-breed the Field Spaniel with the Sussex Spaniel to create longer, heavier Field Spaniels that were “liver color” than black.
Unfortunately…
Irresponsible breeding practices and overbreeding led to some significant health issues early on with this breed, which almost led to their near extinction; still, fortunately, these guys’ looks and personalities were too good to let disappear, which is why the breed was ultimately saved by infusing several other “spaniel” species into the mix. As a result, however, it is fair to say that our current “modern” version of the Field Spaniel is only a “handsome” replica of the original 1800’s model.
Physical Characteristics
As we stated before, the Field Spaniel breed was originally essentially the same as its more famous cousin, the Cocker Spaniel, only that they were bred to be larger “versions” of the same dog. Over time, this desire to have a larger and longer dog led to the creation of what we know and love, essentially a bigger, longer Cocker Spaniel with a rich brown coat.
A coat which…
Will cover his belly, chest, back of legs, and ears. And while his coat isn’t as “heavy” as a Cocker Spaniel, he needs grooming to prevent mats from forming. Now, the reason why the Field Spaniels coat isn’t as “heavy” is because the Field Spaniel only has a single coat of fur, lacking the thick “undercoat” which is familiar with other “spaniel” breeds. And while most Field Spaniels will have the “classic” all-liver brown coloring, it is not uncommon to encounter different varieties in roan and black. Many will also have “tan” points and white markings on the chest and throat.
The standard size…
Of a Field, a Spaniel will be around 17 to 18 inches tall and weigh 40 to 55 pounds, which falls a little bigger than the English Cocker Spaniel and smaller than an English Springer Spaniel.
Personality and Temperament
Few will deny that the Field Spaniel dog is a fun-loving, sweet, and sensitive dog that loves spending time with their family. And while they may be a “bit” reserved around strangers, they quickly “loosen up” and relax once appropriately introduced to someone.
This is probably why…
These intelligent and independent dogs make such excellent companion animal that is good with children and gets along reasonably well with other household pets. These guys are straightforward to train and make excellent watchdogs!
But before you decide to run out and adopt a Field Spaniel later today, please remember that these guys will require much exercise. While they make great “apartment pets,” this is only true if you plan to take them outside the apartment for plenty of walks and playtime activities. Because, like many other SUPER intelligent dog breeds that require a lot of exercise, the Field Spaniel can become a “bit” destructive when not given a “healthy” way to burn off steam.
You see…
This is not the “kind” of dog you want to get if you plan on leaving them alone in the house all day. Because these guys will get bored, and when bored, they’re going to think of all sorts of ways to entertain themselves, many of which are probably not going to be something you would “approve” of. So unless you know that you will not be leaving your Field Spaniel alone for long periods or will be able to meet their exercise requirements, do yourself a favor and look for a more “relaxed” dog breed.
Because getting a Field Spaniel when you are “right” for one is just asking for trouble!
Potential Health Concerns
Every dog breed is prone to getting a health condition or two more than others. This is particularly true when you’re considering adopting a pure breed. Unfortunately, the Field Spaniel dog breed is no exception to this rule. This is why if you do choose to purchase a Field Spaniel puppy or, better yet, adopt a Field Spaniel rescue dog, you’re going to want to make sure that you only work with a “reputable” dog breeder and be sure to ask plenty of questions about whether or not their dogs suffer from any of the following medical conditions:
- Ear Infections,
- Hip dysplasia,
- Mitral valve disease,
- And entropion.
While it’s true that not all of these diseases are life-threatening,t if not all, they can become quite expensive to treat, particularly if they recur.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner to take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for their new loved one. If they ever become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the cost of treatment.
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers some of the “best” pet insurance policies, check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
