Field Spaniel puppies

About the Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel is a British gundog that very nearly disappeared, having been bred at one point into a long, low show type before being pulled back towards a working build. Today this is a medium sized spaniel with a single glossy coat, slightly wavy, usually solid liver or black, long ears and a calm, level expression. Fields are quieter and more independent than the Cocker or Springer, sensitive to their handler's mood, and steady with children and other animals.

A Field wants regular exercise and a puzzle to work at, and they do well in town or country as long as both are provided. The single coat is easier than it looks: a weekly brush and comb, minimal trimming around the head and feet, and no body clipping. Ears need weekly checks. This is a soft breed: they shut down under heavy handed training and do their best work for calm, consistent handling. Numbers are low, so expect a wait for a well bred puppy.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Field Spaniel puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
• Hypothyroidism, found on a thyroid blood panel
• Inherited eye disease including progressive retinal atrophy and cataract, screened by an ophthalmologist eye exam
• Cardiac disease, screened by a cardiac exam on breeding stock
• Late onset seizures, diagnosed by ruling out other causes
• Ear infections in the long drop ears, caught by regular ear checks

Your Field Spaniel puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Field Spaniel.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 22.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 22.7 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Field Spaniel

Previous: Eurasier · Next: Fila Brasileiro

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Field Spaniel breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/field-spaniel/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.