Breed Specific Links/Other:
National Parent Club Website
FIELD SPANIEL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Taken from the AKC Website:
Copyright © 2002-2012 all content, concept, text, and photos to SandsCape Field Spaniels
Known for its level-headedness and perseverance, the Field Spaniel is a medium-sized flushing spaniel, built for activity and endurance in heavy cover and water. One of the rarest spaniel breeds (they nearly went extinct!), the Field possesses moderately long, pendulous ears and a single coat that is both dense and water-repellent. He can be black or liver in color; either with tan points.
A Look Back
The Field Spaniel originated in England in the mid-1800s and was used to find, flush and retrieve both fur and feather from land and water. The breed was introduced to America in the 1880’s but did not become a distinct breed from Cockers until the 20th century, when it was decided that anything above 25 pounds qualified as a Field Spaniel (the larger of the two types of land spaniel).
Right Breed for You?
A docile and fun-loving companion, the Field Spaniel sticks close to his family and wants to participate in any and all family activities. They may be initially reserved when meeting strangers, but quickly warm up to people. They require regular walks, but their medium-length coat (less than other Spaniel breeds) makes grooming fairly easy, requiring only weekly brushing and occasional trimming.
Field Spaniel History
The Field Spaniel, probably to greater extent than any variety within the great spaniel group, has gone through many exaggerations in type in order to arrive at the breed we have today. Phineas Bullock of England is credited with perpetuating a dog of tremendous body length and lowness to the ground, together with phenomenal bone which culminated for a time in a grotesque caricature of a spaniel. Although the breed was improved, considerable difficulty was encountered in establishing the modern Field Spaniel in the US due to the necessity for introducing Springer and Cocker crosses in order to eliminate the exaggerations. The breed was introduced to America in the 1880’s but did not become a distinct breed from Cockers until the 20th century, when it was decided that anything above 25 pounds qualified as a Field Spaniel (the larger of the two types of land spaniel). Over time, the Field Spaniel has obviously developed other variances in type that separate it as a distinct breed, including its uniform dark color and level-headed personality.
Key Attributes of a Field Spaniel (written by SandsCape Field Spaniel)
Field Spaniels are:
FAMILY DOGS
They thrive in a family environment with regular human interaction. We do not feel Fields would thrive as kennel dog and do not recommend that type of living envionment.
RESERVED NOT SHY
The breed has a tendency to be reserved. This means that adequate socialization is must. The natual tendency to be reserved should not be confused with shyness, however. A typical reserved Field Spaniel will warm up to strangers rather quickly upon inspection but not be fearful in any manner.
TRAINABILITY
We feel that because of a Field Spaniels devoted nature to their people make them very highly trainable. Positive training methods are most successfull.
GROOMING
Grooming of a Field Spaniel is lower maintenance than most of their Spaniel Cousins. Feathering is generally moderate and easily combed. Field Spaniels are annual shedders, however. They do not shed mass quantities though. Not the hair that gets woven into couches or clothing. It is a light dropping of coat as to cause dust bunnies in corners.
From the AKC Standard:
FIELD SPANIEL HEAD STUDY
BISS GRCH SandsCape Pardon Me Boys
Artwork by Linda Zielinski
