Now it could just be us here at IndulgeYourPet, but we’ve got to say for record, that the Field Spaniel dog just doesn’t look right without some type of “throw” toy in his or her mouth!
And for those…
Hunters out there, you might be thinking to yourself…
“Throw toy? Nah… what he needs is a duck in his mouth!”
And why not?
After all, that’s what these guys we’re breed for! But nowadays, you don’t need to be a hunter to fully appreciate how great these little guys are. 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 greater 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 for sure if owing 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 that was 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 breed to be a “Larger” version.
Originally…
Field Spaniels were first “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 in an effort to create longer, heavier Field Spaniels that were more “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 but fortunately, these guys looks and personality were too good to let disappear, which is why the breed was ultimately saved by infusing several other “spaniel” breeds into the mix.
As a result…
However, it is fair to say that our current “modern” version of the Field Spaniel is really only a “handsome” replica of the original 1800’s model.
Physical Characteristics of the Field Spaniel Dog Breed
As we stated before, the Field Spaniel breed was originally essentially the same as his more popular cousin, the Cocker Spaniel only that they were breed 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 which is 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 that of a Cocker Spaniel but, needs grooming to prevent mats from forming. Now the reason behind 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 common 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 area as well.
The standard size…
Of a Field Spaniel will be right around 17 to 18 inches tall and weighing in right around 40 to 55 pounds. Which falls a little bigger than the English Cocker Spaniel and a bit smaller than an English Springer Spaniel.
Field Spaniel Personality and Temperament
Few will deny Field Spaniel dog is a fun-loving, sweet, and sensitive dog that just loves spending time with his or her family.
And while…
They may be a “bit” reserved around strangers, once they are properly introduced to someone, they quickly “loosen up” and relax.
This is probably why…
These smart and independent dogs make such an excellent companion animal that is not only good with children, but also get along reasonably well with other household pets.
Not to mention…
The fact that these guys are very easy to train and make great watchdogs!
But before…
You decide that you want to run out and adopt a Field Spaniel later today, please remember that these guys will require a ton of exercise. And while they do make great “apartment pets” this is only true if you plan to take him or her outside of the apartment for plenty of walks and play time activities.
Because…
Like many other SUPER smart dog breeds that require a lot exercise, the Field Spaniel can become a “bit” destructive when not given a “healthy” way to burn of steam.
You see…
This is not the “kind” of dog you want to get if you plan on leaving him or her 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 that you would “approve” of.
So…
Unless you know that you’re not going to be leaving your Field Spaniel alone for long periods of time, or unless you know that you will be able to meet his or her 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!
Field Spaniel Dog Breed Health Concerns and Life Expectancy
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.
And 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 his or her dogs suffer from any of the following medical conditions:
- Ear Infections,
- Hip dysplasia,
- Mitral valve disease,
- And entropion.
And while…
It’s true that not all of these diseases are life threatening, most if not all can become quite expensive to treat particularly if they recurring.
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 on their new loved one. This way if they ever do 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 on the market right now, be sure to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
