Field Spaniel
A gentle, sensitive spaniel with a long, silky coat and a calmer, more thoughtful manner than its cousins.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 45–48 cm · Females 43–46 cm
- Weight
- Males 18–25 kg · Females 16–22 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Silky, medium, long
- Colours
- Black, Liver, Roan, Black and tan
- Bred for
- Flushing game, Retrieving, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 8, no. 123 · Retrievers, flushing & water dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calmer spaniel
- can offer a quiet, gentle home
- enjoy daily countryside walks
Think twice if you …
- want a very outgoing dog for a busy household
- need a puppy quickly from a large pool of breeders
- are away all day
Care
Temperament
Affectionate, gentle and sensitive, sometimes a little reserved with strangers. It is usually calm in the house.
Exercise
Needs about an hour of exercise daily with time to sniff and explore. Scent work, retrieving and country walks suit it.
Grooming
Brush the silky coat a few times a week and trim around ears and feet. Check ears regularly for infections.
Training
Learns well with patient, positive methods but is sensitive to harsh handling. Some can be independent when following scent.
Health
Hip dysplasia, eye conditions, heart problems and ear infections are known in this small breed population. Ask the breeder for hip scores, eye results and any heart screening.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
- Heart
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Field Spaniel was developed in Britain in the 19th century, originally sharing ancestry with the Cocker and Sussex Spaniels. Exaggerated breeding for long, low bodies harmed the breed, and by the mid-20th century it was nearly gone before breeders restored a more balanced, practical dog.
Today it is rare and usually kept as a companion. It is affectionate, docile and often more reserved than the Springer or Cocker. It enjoys walks and nose work but is not usually frantic. It can be sensitive and does best in a calm household with gentle training and plenty of company.
Did you know?
By the 1950s the Field Spaniel was close to extinction, and the modern breed was rebuilt from very few dogs.