Field Spaniel
Longer in the body than the cocker and rarer than either breed it sits between. Nearly bred out of existence by fashion, then recovered from working stock.
Photo by RishiBali, CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
The Field Spaniel is a British flushing spaniel that nearly went extinct twice. In the late nineteenth century it was bred to an exaggerated long low shape for the show ring, which ruined it as a working dog, and it had to be rebuilt in the twentieth century back toward a functional animal.
It is now a moderate, workmanlike spaniel with a single flat coat, and it remains one of the rarest British breeds.
Temperament
Calm, sensitive and more independent than a Cocker or a Springer. Field Spaniels are affectionate with their families, reserved with strangers, and notably even tempered.
They are soft dogs that respond badly to harsh handling and can be stubborn in a quiet way. They are less frantic than other spaniels and they need company, doing badly when left alone for long stretches.
Care and grooming
A single feathered coat that needs brushing twice a week and light trimming. Moderate shedding.
The drop ears need weekly cleaning. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy occur. The narrow gene pool is worth asking a breeder about directly. Twelve to thirteen years.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day with scent work. They are working gundogs with real stamina.
The breed is on the UK vulnerable native breeds list with very low registrations, so acquiring one takes patience and usually a waiting list.
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