Field Spaniel

[Troy]

The Field Spaniel

ANKC Standard

(from http://www.ankc.org.au/home/breeds_details.asp?bid=11 )

Group: Group 3 (Gundogs)

General Appearance: Well balanced, noble, upstanding sporting Spaniel built for activity and endurance.

Characteristics: Ideal for rough shooting or companion for the country dweller. Not suitable for city.

Temperament: Unusually docile, active, sensitive, independent.

Head And Skull: Conveys the impression of high breeding, character and nobility. Well chiselled, occiput well defined, lean beneath eyes. A thickness here gives coarseness to whole head. Slightly raised eyebrows. Moderate stop. Nose well developed with good open nostrils. Muzzle long and lean neither snipey nor squarely cut. In profile curving gradually from nose to throat.

Eyes: Wide open but almond shaped with tight lids showing no haw. Grave and gentle in expression. Dark hazel in colour.

Ears: Moderately long and wide, set low and well feathered.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck: Long, strong and muscular enabling dog to retrieve his game without undue fatigue.

Forequarters: Shoulders long and sloping and well laid back. Legs of moderate length. Straight, flat bone.

Body: Chest deep and well developed. Ribs moderately well sprung. Length of rib cage is two thirds of the body length. Back and loin strong, level and muscular.

Hindquarters: Strong, muscular; stifles moderately bent. Hocks well let down.

Feet: Tight, round with strong pads and not too small.

Tail: Docked: Docked by one third. Set on low. Never carried above level of back. Nicely feathered with lively action.

Undocked: Set low. Never carried above level of back. Nicely feathered with lively action. Reaches approximately to the hocks. Of moderate length in balance with the rest of the dog.

Gait/Movement: Long, unhurried stride with great drive from the rear. Short, stumping action undesirable.

Coat: Long, flat, glossy and silky in texture. Never curly, short or wiry. Dense and weatherproof. Abundant feathering on chest, under body and behind legs, but clean from hock to ground.

Colour: Black, liver or roan [blue roan, black roan or liver roan]. Any one of these with tan markings. In self-coloured dogs white or roan on chest permissible. Clear black/white or liver/white unacceptable.

Sizes: Height: approx. 46 cms (18 ins) at the shoulders

Weight: 18-25 kg (40-55 lbs)

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog�s ability to perform its traditional work.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum

See Photos of the Field Spaniel

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

3. How common is it in Australia?

4. What is the average lifespan?

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

9. How much grooming is required?

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

If you wish to contribute to the knowledge about this breed, please answer the above questions. (Copy and paste them into a new post).

• Please only answer if you breed or own a pedigree example of this breed.
  
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• Please keep posts limited to answering questions or for asking further questions if you require more (or expanded) information.
  

See Photos of the Field Spaniel

Field Spaniel Breeders

Field Spaniel Puppies For Sale

[poocow]

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

First time owner, exhibitor

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

The Field Spaniel is descended from the Cocker, Sussex and English Water Spaniel in an attempt to create a more rugged spaniel that would excel both in the field and the ring. The Field Spaniel was one of the first breeds developed specifically for the show ring. During the late 19th century, breeders took the Field Spaniel’s distinct characteristics too far, creating a dog that was heavy boned, short of leg and long in spine. This new dog had neither the hunting nor show ability of its forebears, and quickly fell out of favor. By the beginning of the early 20th century the Field Spaniel was near extinction. Noting the animal’s peril, Field Spaniel proponents experimented with crosses with other spaniels, including the English Springer Spaniel, in an attempt to replicate the original Field Spaniel. These efforts were successful, and by the 1950s the breed had regained its regal appearance, and had attained a sustainable population.

3. How common is it in Australia?

Field Spaniels are a rare breed.

4. What is the average lifespan?

Teens

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

Happy, independent, love to please, sensitive. Some Field lines do have a tendency to be timid, so socialisation with people and other dogs is essential.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

30min-1 hour daily

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

Yes provided they are willing to spend the time grooming and exercising them.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

Yes they have an independent nature. I often find Morgan just poking around the garden on her own when the other dogs are inside.

9. How much grooming is required?

Regular brushing/trimming.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

As a puppy, most likely but adults are very calm and laid back.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

PRA, hip dysplasia

Also need to monitor pups during the teething phase as they can go down on their pasterns.

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Their history with Field Spaniels etc

Have the parents been tested for PRA.

What were the parents hip scores (need to be below 16 - breed average)

What grooming is required (if not familiar with grooming spaniel breeds).

My baby - Wintergem Flyin Nuhrizn

[SparkyTansy]

Poocow when you say they were specifically bred for the showring, were/are they still used in the field?

[poocow]

Poocow when you say they were specifically bred for the showring, were/are they still used in the field?

Yes they were/are still used in the field, used with shooters for retrieving game. They've also been used for truffle work.

[SparkyTansy]

So they only retrieve - not flush? or do they do both?

I always assumed their body type was bred for a specific type of scrub/brush but as you wrote that they were sort of bred for the show ring i was wondering what their purpose was in the field and their location origins.

Thanks

[poocow]

They flush and retrieve both on land and in water.

When I was researching Fields I found it interesting that they were developed for the show ring - as well as the Field. They require similar attributes for both the field and the ring apparently.

I know the breed was very popular in America when they first became recognised by the AKC but this declined when they started being bred too much and ended up very long in the body and short in the leg. They infused cocker and springer blood into the breed to get the Field back to what it originally was.

The breed originated in England in the 1800s

[SparkyTansy]

thanks PC!