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Field Spaniel Breed Description

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Breed Organization

Field Spaniel Society of America

Native Country
Great Britain

Other Names
N/A

Life Expectancy
Approximately 10-12 Years

Litter Size
Average 5-7 Puppies

Breed Group
AKC Sporting Group

General Description

Its long, silky coat comes in solid colors of black, liver, or roan. Tan points, white markings on the throat and the chest can be ticked or the same color as the rest of the body. They have a moderately long single coat with no undercoat. Feathering of the fur appears on the chest, belly, ears and on the back of the legs. The coat is not as heavy as that of a Cocker Spaniel but will require grooming in order to prevent mats from appearing in the fur. Docked tails were often used in working dogs, as poor blood flow left healing of the non docked tail difficult.


Breed Standard

Head: Dignified, finely chiseled, cleanly cut below the eyes. Pronounced occipital peak. Moderate stop. Long, cleanly cut muzzle. Strong jaws. Well-developed nose.
Ears: Set on low. Moderately long and wide, well-feathered.
Eyes: Almond-shaped. Dark hazel.
Body: Long. Long, strong, muscular neck. High, well-developed chest. Moderately well-sprung ribs. Strong, straight, muscular loin. Strong hindquarters. Strong, straight, muscular back.
Tail: Set on low, never carried above the topline. Nicely feathered. Usually docked by one-third.
Hair: Long, flat, glossy, silky. Never curly, short, or hard. Dense and weather-resistant. Abundant feathering on the chest, the underside of the body, and the backs of the legs.
Coat: Solid black, brown (liver), or roan, or one of these colors with tan markings.
Size: Approx. 45 cm (17.5 in).
Weight: 18 to 25 kg (39.5-55 lb).

History

The Field Spaniel has the same origins as the English Cocker Spaniel but is larger, falling midway between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel in size. The Sussex Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, and perhaps even the Basset Hound were used in developing the breed, which is very rare.

Behavior

Very hardy, tough, active, agile, and powerful but not heavy like the Clumber Spaniel, the Field Spaniel is effective on all types of terrain, from water to thickets. He hunts in a very determined, methodical manner, never losing contact with his owner. After locating game, he flushes it into the air. He is a good retriever, bringing in even large specimens. He is very vigilant and mistrusting of strangers, but he rarely barks. Intelligent, even-tempered, and affectionate, he is one of the most delightful spaniels. He needs patient, flexible training.

Function

Hunting Dog, Companion Dog. He is entirely unsuited to city life. If he must live in the city, he will need lots of exercise for his well-being. He also needs brushing once or twice weekly, as well as regular attention to the ears.

Health

This breed is prone to hip dysplasia and ear infections.


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