Field Spaniel
Animals Club
Extremely agile and equipped with an astonishing sense of smell, the field spaniel has a muscular back and loin; a long head; a lean muzzle; drop ears that are longer and set lower than those of other spaniels; hazel or brown eyes; and a lowset tail carried lower than the top line of the back even when docked. It is shorter than the springer spaniel and taller than the cocker spaniel. Its rich, straight, silky coat is very shiny and slightly wavy. Coloring includes black, liver, golden liver, mahogany red, or either of these colors with tan.
Gentle, calm, loving, and obedient, this versatile, useful breed is a good domestic dog and a good watchdog. A willing worker, the field spaniel is the best fit for hunting in a big area. It is an excellent bird dog, easily trained, and a tireless worker with great perseverance and an excellent nose.
The breed Standard mentions “unusual docility” but it should be remembered that the breed is a sporting spaniel which is active, enjoys exercise and it will get bored if left alone for too long. The Field is energetic and affectionate and needs outlets for both qualities.
This breed has had two lives — as an active, gameflushing gun dog and as a carefully presented show dog. In its latter role it came to look quite different for a while and often appeared under the title of ‘Black Field Spaniel’ or simply ‘Black Spaniel’, this being the favored color for the showring version.
The Field Spaniel is a longer bodied and slightly larger version of the Cocker Spaniel, at first it had been a valuable hunting companion and had proved itself a worthy member of the spaniel family. Then, in the second half of the 19th century, it underwent a major change of direction, when it was accepted as a pedigree breed for the showring and taken up as a show dog.