Field Spaniel
Gundogs

Group:

Gundog

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

high

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

England

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

bird flushing and retrieving

History

The Field Spaniel was developed in England, during the 1800s, to retrieve birds. The spaniels in general take their name from Hispania, the original name for Spain which was their country of origin. They were found in Europe and Britain as early as the 1300s. They were originally bred to flush woodcock. The heavier spaniels, over 12kg became known as the Field Spaniels, while the lighter ones became known as the Cockers. After the Field Spaniel was separated from the Cocker in 1892, cross-breeding with the Sussex Spaniel led to a temporary deterioration in type and soundness, and by the end of WW2, it was nearly extinct. Dedicated breeders since then have brought it back to its proper state. It is a substantial spaniel which represents the best in spaniels as working dogs.

Temperament

The Field Spaniel has one of the best personalities of the Spaniels. It is very independent in nature, but mild mannered, sweet and affectionate. It makes an excellent family member as long as it is given regular exercise. They are good with other dogs, animals and excellent with children, but if play becomes too rough, the dog will become withdrawn. They can be a bit stubborn and temperamental, but they are, overall, very calm dogs.

Upkeep

The Field Spaniel needs daily exercise, and even though it is happiest when given the chance to run and explore, its needs can be met with a long walk on leash. It can live outside in temperate climates if given warm shelter, but it does best when allowed to divide its time between house and yard. It thrives on human companionship and should not be deprived of its family. Its coat needs brushing and combing once or twice weekly. Straggling hairs should be cut every few months, and some clipping and thinning is needed for show dogs. The ears should be checked and cleaned regularly. Some can be somewhat sloppy, and some snore.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
That of a well-balanced, noble, upstanding, sporting dog; built for activity and endurance; a combination of beauty and utility; of unusual docility.

Head and Skull:
The head should be characteristic as is that of the Bulldog or the Bloodhound; its very stamp and countenance should at once convey the impression of high breeding, character and nobility, skull well developed, with a distinct occipital protuberance, which gives the character alluded to; not too wide across the muzzle, long and lean, neither snipy nor squarely cut and in profile curving gradually from nose to throat; lean beneath the eyes, a thickness here gives coarseness to the whole head. The great length of muzzle gives surface for the free development of the olfactory nerve and thus secures the highest possible scenting powers. Nose, well developed, good, with open nostrils.

Eyes:
Not too full, but not small, receding or overhung. The colour in all cases to match the coat and markings, except in livers which may be a light hazel. Grave in expression suggesting docility and intelligence and showing no haw.

Ears:
Moderately long and wide, sufficiently clad with nice Setter-like feather and set low. They should fall in graceful folds, the lower parts curling inwards and backwards.

Mouth:
The jaws should be strong, with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e., the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:
Long, strong and muscular, so as to enable the dog to retrieve his game without undue fatigue.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be long and sloping and well set back, thus giving great activity and speed. The forelegs should be of fairly good length, with straight, clean, flat bone and nicely feathered. Immense bone is not desirable.

Body:
Should be of moderate length, well ribbed up to a good strong loin, straight or slightly arched, never slack. The chest, deep and well developed, but not too round and wide. Back and loins very strong and muscular.

Hindquarters:
Strong and muscular. The stifles should be moderately bent and not twisted either in or out.

Feet:
Not too small, round with short, soft hair between the toes; good, strong pads.

Tail:
Well set on and carried low, if possible below the level of the back, in a straight line or with a slight downward inclination, never elevated above the back and in action always kept low, nicely fringed with wavy feather of silky texture.

Coat:
Flat or slightly waved and never curled. Sufficiently dense to resist the weather and not too short. Silky in texture, glossy and refined without duffelness, curliness or wiriness. On the chest, under the belly and behind the legs, there should be abundant feather, but never too much, especially below the hocks - and that of the right sort - viz., Setter-like.

Colour:
The Field Spaniel should be a self-coloured dog, viz., Black, Liver, Golden Liver, Mahogany Red, Roan; or any of these colours with Tan over the eyes, on the cheeks, feet and pasterns. Other colours, such as Black and White, Liver and White, Red or Orange and White, etc., while not debarring a dog, is a fault.

Weight and Size:
From about 16 - 23 kg (35 - 50.5 lb) Height about 46 cm (18 in) at shoulder.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault is regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.