The Field Spaniel is a sweet, gentle, and docile dog breed with many excellent qualities to offer any family searching for a wonderful four-legged companion. This charming breed makes for an exceptional hunting companion and has distinctive long, feathery ears and gentle eyes, so they have no problem winning the hearts of their owners.

Come with us to learn all about the Field Spaniel to determine if the breed is right for you. We’ll discuss temperament, traits, history, and much more.

Breed Overview

The Field Spaniel is a close cousin of the Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, and Sussex Spaniel. At one time, the Field Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel were considered the same breed and only separated by weight—the Cocker Spaniel was shown under 25 pounds, while the Field Spaniel was shown over 25 pounds.

Field Spaniel Characteristics

Field Spaniel Puppies

The Field Spaniel is an intelligent pup willing to learn. This breed is capable of being well-trained, and puppies love to play and romp. They are suitable for beginner dog owners and have a gentle and affectionate temperament. Puppies will grow into medium-sized dogs with long, flowing ears that add to their cuteness. One thing to keep in mind about this breed is that the cute little puppy with long ears will probably be a snorer as an adult, which is unappealing to some.

Due to their rarity, you’ll likely need a breeder to acquire a Field Spaniel. Ensure the breeder is legit and knows everything about the breed; that way, you can weed out breeders who breed strictly for money rather than for the love of the breed. You can find breeders throughout the U.S.; however, you’ll likely be on a waiting list due to their rarity.

Field Spaniel Breed Origin & History

Although this breed came to Britain by way of Spain, it nearly went extinct after declining in popularity in the early 1900s. Judges from the late 1800s greatly influenced the evolution of the Field Spaniel, and breeders began changing their appearance to be long and low for the show ring rather than for hunting in the field. The press started ridiculing the breed for its appearance, making them less desirable.

Thankfully, a few breeders in the U.K. preserved the original appearance by breeding them with the English Springer Spaniel to keep these good-natured, docile hunting dogs from going extinct, but they are still a rarer spaniel breed.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Field Spaniel 🧠

The Field Spaniel is an intelligent breed with a sensitive and gentle disposition. We’ve mentioned they are docile, but don’t mistake them for being shy, as this temperament is merely a result of their cautious nature around unfamiliar people or surroundings. They can be aloof with strangers and will study them or “size them up,” if you will; however, once they learn a person, they will warm up to them and show affection.

They are not aggressive in any way and are good-natured working dogs. Even if you don’t use them for the hunt, they make excellent family additions. They have moderate amounts of energy and enjoy playing, making it ideal to have a fenced yard for their safety; however, they are not hyperactive dogs. They do suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods, as they attach strongly to their people. They are even-tempered and make a wonderful, devoted family companion.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Field Spaniels are affectionate with their owners and do well with children. These dogs thrive on human companionship and love to be around their owners. They are curious and playful, but they can be diggers if bored. Physical and mental stimulation is essential to helping them grow into well-rounded adults. They adapt easily to their surroundings and are easily trainable.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The breed is quite tolerable with other dogs and tends to get along just fine with them. Since they are social with other dogs, early socialization is still essential with any breed to ensure they acclimate to new people and animals.

Remember that they were bred to hunt, and they may view smaller animals, like cats, birds, or pet hamsters, as prey. However, if raised with such animals, they can learn to be their friend instead of hunting them.

Things to Know When Owning a Field Spaniel:

Before committing to owning a Field Spaniel, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the breed’s needs to help you determine if the breed is suitable for you and your family.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Field Spaniel has a gorgeously dense and glossy coat, so you’ll need to feed them high-quality dog food to keep the coat luxurious. The food should be complete and balanced with all necessary nutrients and approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to verify the food’s quality. Ensure the food is also age-appropriate (puppy, adult, senior). You can make homemade meals, but we strongly suggest enlisting your veterinarian’s help to ensure what you’re feeding provides all the necessary nutrients the Field Spaniel needs to thrive and be healthy.

Feed the Field Spaniel twice a day, divided into morning and evening feedings. Ensure the food contains quality protein (chicken, beef, lamb, fish) as the first ingredient listed, and follow the amounts indicated on the packaging. If you’re in doubt about how much to feed, consult your veterinarian.

This breed is prone to weight gain and is extremely food-motivated. Limit treats to 10% or less of their daily intake and only provide treats with quality ingredients without artificial fillers or preservatives. Due to their susceptibility to weight gain, avoid giving the Field Spaniel table scraps despite their sweet facial expressions while watching you eat.

Exercise 🐕

Given their active sporting breed status, these dogs possess an energetic spirit and enjoy moderate amounts of exercise. Exercise is key to their physical and mental health, and they’ll enjoy any brisk activity that involves running, walking, hiking, camping, and even problem-solving skills. They also excel in agility and tracking activities. These dogs do not do well being crated all day, and you’ll need the time to properly exercise them during the daytime.

Training 🦮

The Field Spaniel responds well to training. Since they are very food-motivated, ensure you use smaller-sized treats for training sessions to keep obesity at bay. They are intelligent and learn basic commands with ease, and due to their sensitive nature, using positive reinforcement is best. This breed matures slowly, so patience and consistency are key to successful training.

Grooming ✂️

The Field Spaniel’s wavy or flat coat requires regular maintenance. They are moderate shedders year-round, with more prominent shedding in the spring and fall, so regular brushings two to three times per week are essential. They also require minimal trimming with scissors around the feet, muzzle, and ears to keep the coat from matting, but do not clip the coat.

Check the ears often and clean them when needed to avoid ear infections (the breed is prone to ear infections due to their long, feathered ears). Ensure you use dog-safe ear wipes or a pet cleanser, and avoid digging into the ear canal. Brush the teeth as often as you can with dog-safe toothpaste. Don’t forget to clip the nails when needed!

Health and Conditions ❤️

Field Spaniels are generally healthy because they have not been overbred over the years. Still, they are prone to certain medical issues that you should be aware of, especially given their medium-sized build. Note that it’s imperative to find a responsible breeder who offers health guarantees on their pups so that you know the breeder only used healthy parents for breeding.

Male vs. Female

There isn’t much difference between male and female Field Spaniels other than the males being slightly bigger in size. Both sexes can weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, and males may be slightly more independent. However, both sexes are similar in temperament, and each dog, regardless of sex, will have its own personality.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Field Spaniel

1. They Love to Swim

The Field Spaniel loves to swim and is an excellent swimmer. This trait comes in handy while hunting, as they can flush and retrieve birds from the water with ease. When swimming for fun, take the Field Spaniel on family outings to lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water for some great exercise and mental stimulation.

2. They Are a Flushing Breed

Field Spaniels are flushing dogs, meaning they “flush” birds once located and provoke them into flight. Once the bird is flushed from its location, the Field Spaniel retrieves the bird unharmed to the hunter. They have exceptional noses and can find birds that other dogs may miss.

They are also a gun dog breed, meaning they have no problem hunting around a gun and can tolerate gun sounds without fear. They also hold steady after a shot is fired while waiting for the retrieve command.

3. The Coat Is Water-Repellent

The Field Spaniel’s dense coat can be wavy or straight with feathering on the chest, the back of the legs, and the underbody and tail. The water-repellent coat helps protect them from the elements while out in the field.

Final Thoughts

The Field Spaniel is a versatile breed that is an exceptional hunter and family companion. They are a sweet-natured, gentle, docile breed that is devoted to their humans and thrives on human companionship. They require moderate exercise and do not do well being left alone for long periods; they are definitely not suited to be crated all day. They do well with children and other dogs but may need early socialization for living with smaller animals due to their prey drive.

Field Spaniels are a rarer spaniel breed, but breeders are available throughout the U.S. If you’re looking for a gentle, intelligent, and versatile family companion and have the time to meet the breed’s exercise requirements, the Field Spaniel is a perfect fit.

Featured Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock