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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Field Spaniel Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Field Spaniel Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

field spaniel close up

The Field Spaniel is a medium-sized hunting dog originally bred in England for the purpose of hunting hares. With their loveable personality, it’s hard not to fall in love with these furry friends! They are intelligent, friendly, and make great companions for any family looking for an active pet.

Breed Overview

Height:

16 – 18 inches

Weight:

35 – 55 pounds

Lifespan:

10 – 12 years

Colors:

Blue, red, brown, black, golden

Suitable for:

Families, Households with backyard

Temperament:

Loyal, Sweet, Intelligent, Easy to train, Sensitive

You’ll recognize a Field Spaniel by its light, mixed-colored fur, and adorable face. They’re a great breed for active families with the time to give them what they need! The Field Spaniel is a working breed that needs lots of exercise to stay fit and healthy.

If you think this is the right dog for you, read on for an in-depth Field Spaniel review, covering all the essential information you need to take care of your new best friend.

Field Spaniel Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Field Spaniel Puppies

Once you have your Field Spaniel pup at home, make sure they have all the essentials like a collar, an I.D. tag, and a crate/kennel to sleep in. You’ll want to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for a check-up and any necessary vaccinations. The cost of maintaining a Field Spaniel is about the same as other breeds; where it will include buying high-quality dog food, regular vet checkups, caring for your pup’s health, and other factors.

Field Spaniels are very energetic so they’ll be asking for plenty of playtime. They create strong bonds with their owners and are very affectionate. If you have enough time to commit t your pup’s exercise and to take them out running regularly, this is the right dog for you!


Temperament & Intelligence of the Field Spaniel

Field Spaniels are generally very happy, playful animals who love the company of their owners and other people they meet. They make great family pets because they are so lovable, trainable, easygoing, and affectionate.

This breed can tolerate high temperatures, but they are not suited for living outdoors as they need lots of affection and attention from their owners if they’re going to live in the house with you. They are very active indoors too, so make sure your home has enough space for them to zoom around!

Like any other breed, there are a few different personalities you’ll come across. Some field spannies can be suspicious of strangers while others love to meet new people! The Field Spaniel must learn about and respect its owners as pack leaders. If it doesn’t get proper training in its puppy years, it may become ill-tempered with its owner and other people.

field spaniel outdoor
Image By: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Due to their friendly, affectionate nature, the Field Spaniel makes a great family pet. This breed is very adaptable, and their personality tends to reflect the care they receive from their owners. If you’re looking for a dog to provide love, affection, and companionship for your family, the Field Spaniel is a great option.

If you have younger kids, it’s important to supervise them when they interact with this breed because its size can make it hard for smaller children or toddlers to control it.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Field Spaniels are very social and enjoy the company of other animals. However, if you have a territorial or aggressive dog with other animals, it’s important to get them socialized as early as possible to avoid issues down the road.

We recommend supervising interactions between your Field Spaniel and any other pets in the house, particularly if you have a younger or less-experienced dog. Field Spaniels may be small, but they can play quite rough with larger dogs because of their high energy level.

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Things to Know When Owning a Field Spaniel:

Dogs are relatively demanding to care for, so here are a few things you should keep in mind when raising a Field Spaniel.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Field Spaniel is a fairly compact breed on the small side, weighing only about 35 pounds.

Field Spaniels are known to have a higher metabolism than some breeds, so they need more food each day compared to similar-sized dogs. You must stick to their feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding them if you want your Field Spaniel to stay healthy and vigorous into old age.

It is recommended that this breed receives about 1 cup of dry food per day, split into two feedings (morning & evening). Always check with your vet before adjusting its diet to ensure you aren’t overfeeding or underfeeding your dog.

Exercise 🐕

This breed requires a lot of physical activity because it is very energetic and playful! They must get lots of regular exercise to stay healthy. You should walk them 2-3 times per day at a minimum, but ideally, up to 4-5 walks would be ideal, even if it’s just around the backyard.

Many Field Spaniel owners have other dogs so they can play during their walks or do activities like running and playing fetch. However, if you don’t have another dog at home, your Field Spaniel should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day just from walking on a leash!

This dog also enjoys mental stimulation, so feeding them puzzle toys to keep their brain active is a great way to keep your dog at high energy levels.

Training 🎾

The Field Spaniel is a very intelligent dog that learns quickly. If you provide it with enough positive reinforcement for good behavior and consistent training, your dog will be housebroken in no time! However, it’s important to start training early on to learn their place as part of the pack.

Training a Field Spaniel is going to be tough at first, but don’t worry – with a little encouragement, your furry friend will learn quickly. These dogs have high energy levels, and they need time to recharge after a long day of playing. The more you play and exercise with them, the better their behavior will be! Make sure they get lots of rest time too.

The best technique to train your dog is positive reinforcement, so use lots of treats and attention to boost their confidence so they will learn faster. Housetraining them should be pretty straightforward because the Field Spaniel is intelligent and eager to please!

Grooming ✂️

As you can imagine from its appearance, the Field Spaniel does shed, though only moderately. You will need to brush your dog at least 2-3 times a week, and they should be bathed regularly once or twice per month.

Field Spaniels have relatively short hair and a fairly thick coat that can sometimes get tangled if it isn’t appropriately groomed. You must keep their fur trimmed, so it doesn’t get too matted, which can be painful if it starts pulling on their skin.

Another thing you can do for your pet is clean out the ears. Avoid using cotton swabs because they can hurt your dog’s ears, and just use a small amount of warm water to wipe them out. Most Field Spaniels have a clean and distinct smell, so they don’t require much more grooming than your average dog!

Health and Conditions 🏥

Just as with any dog breed, the Field Spaniel is susceptible to a variety of ailments ranging from minor to serious. In the unfortunate event that your pup falls ill, you’ll want to know which symptoms to look out for and how to react.

Minor Conditions
  • Dry and irritated skin
  • Ear infections
  • Allergies
  • Digestive issues
Serious Conditions
  • Breathing issues
  • Pneumonia
  • Hip dysplasia

Serious Conditions:

One serious symptom to look out for is wheezing, which indicates that your dog is having trouble breathing. These dogs can have defects in their windpipe or trachea structure that cause them to collapse under stress. If this happens, you should rush your pet to the nearest animal hospital right away to receive the care and treatment they need.

Another similar yet unusual symptom to look out for is coughing, which can sometimes signify that your dog has pneumonia or another lung-related issue. Again, immediate action must be taken to reduce the risk of permanent damage!

Finally, hip dysplasia is a condition that can affect dogs of all breeds but is a more common issue in dog species that have been bred for hunting purposes.

The symptoms of this condition vary from one dog to the next but watch out for limping or trouble standing up at first since these are common signs.

As long as you’re aware of what your pet’s normal behavior is like, you should be able to spot when something’s wrong.

Minor Conditions:

While a lot of Field Spaniel owners like to give their dogs baths on occasion, you must avoid bathing your pet too often because this can dry out its skin and cause irritation. If your dog gets dirty or really smelly from running around outside, then consider giving them a quick rinse with some warm water.

One of the most common ailments that Field Spaniels can have is ear infections, which can be easily avoided by cleaning their ears on a regular basis. If your dog has recurring ear infections, you should get them treated by a professional not to cause any serious damage.

It’s also important to keep an eye out for skin conditions like allergies because these can be very uncomfortable and irritable for your dog. If you notice that your pup is scratching itself excessively, it might have skin conditions such as hot spots or skin irritation. Make sure the area stays clean, so infection doesn’t set in, and speak to a veterinarian about long-term solutions for this problem.

Finally, your dog may have some minor digestive issues. For example, diarrhea can be caused by a sudden change in diet or simply by eating unfamiliar food. If you suspect that your dog has gotten into something they shouldn’t have eaten, then try moving their food dish to a place where they can’t reach it. If the problem continues, then you should see a vet as soon as possible because your dog may have eaten something that will require special care!

Male vs Female

Despite being a relatively rare breed of dog, the female Field Spaniel is still considered to be more valuable than its male counterparts. In fact, many people believe that females are stronger and healthier because they’re bred for hunting purposes by hunters who want to take down birds!

As for size, males tend to weigh approximately 60-70 pounds as opposed to the smaller females, who usually reach around 45-55 pounds.

Most Field Spaniel owners say that males tend to be more hyper and excitable than their female counterparts in terms of personality. This is likely a result of testosterone levels being greater in male dogs compared to their female counterparts. Additionally, female Field Spaniels are less likely to suffer from hip dysplasia.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Field Spaniel

1. The Field Spaniel is known to have existed as early as the 1600s in England.

While many dog breeds are relatively new due to modern breeding programs, the Field Spaniel is one of the oldest breeds in England. Nobles, royalty, and wealthy landowners used them for hunting small game like pheasants, rabbits, and hare.

They are portrayed quite a few times in works of art from that period depicting huntsmen with a spaniel companion by their side. The modern Field Spaniel still bears much resemblance to its original ancestors.


2. The name “Field Spaniel” comes from one of its original purposes: hunting hares!

These little guys have been used as working dogs for many centuries and are known to hunt small game like rabbits and squirrels. The earliest ancestors of the Field Spaniel were likely often trained with falcons and hawks flanking them.

The Field Spaniel was bred for a unique trait: it can spring off the ground to catch small prey that might otherwise outrun slower dogs.

The Field Spaniel’s tracking abilities have a success rate of up to 90%, which is one reason it’s so useful for hunters. This breed is also highly trainable—there are even stories of these dogs waking their masters if they hear distant gunshots!


3. It is now more popular in the U.S. than in the U.K.

This breed made its way over to America along with other sporting dogs during the mid-1800s thanks to American immigrants who were familiar with the breed from back home in the U.K.

Today, this dog is rare in its country of origin but quite common across America, where it has been bred to be larger and sturdier for American-style hunting.

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Final Thoughts

Since Field Spaniels require a lot of exercise and attention, most owners only get these dogs if they have enough time to dedicate themselves to their new companion. On the other hand, for those who live alone or don’t have children but still want a loyal canine sidekick, then a Field Spaniel is the perfect dog breed for you!

If you’re looking for a dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle, then the Field Spaniel is an excellent option. These dogs are full of energy and love to be outdoors, running around in open spaces. They also have very mild dispositions, so they typically get along well with children, other pets, and strangers.

Have any questions about these unique breeds? We’ve got all the answers on our blog! Check it out today, or contact us for more information!

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Featured Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock

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