Field Spaniels
Author
The Field Spaniel Society
of America. Arrangements and permissions
for electronic distribution handled by
Jay Ryan, Ryan_J@bls.gov.
Copyright 1995 by The Field Spaniel Society of America.
Table of Contents
The Field Spaniel was developed in England during the latter half of
the 19th century to fulfill the demand for an all black, medium-sized,
well-boned dog adept either at working in dense cover or in retrieving
from land and water. For a time there was considerable interbreeding
among all varieties of spaniel, and the progeny that resulted were
usually registered under the variety they most resembled. Eventually,
with the advent of more formalized dog shows, spaniels under 25 pounds
were recognized as Cocker Spaniels, large liver and white or black and
white dogs became known as English Springer Spaniels, and the solid
color dogs over 25 pounds retained the name Field Spaniel.
The first Field Spaniels in the United States were listed with the
American Spaniel Club in the 1880's and registered with the American
Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894; by the end of the 1920's the breed had
disappeared from the AKC registration books. Field Spaniels were
returned to the United States in 1968 when R. Squire and C. Tuttle
imported three from England. These three Fields and subsequent
imports form the basis for the majority of Field Spaniels presently in
the United States. The Field Spaniel Society of America was formed in
1978, and is recognized by the AKC as the parent Club for the Breed.
The modern Field Spaniel is a sturdy,
medium-sized spaniel averaging 18 inches in height, and weighing from
40 to 55 pounds. Well balanced in bone and substance, the Field is
larger than the English Cocker, yet smaller than the English Springer.
Hair coat is long, flat, glossy, and silky in texture, with good
feathering on the chest, body, and legs. Colors are Black, Liver, or
Roan, or any one of these with tan markings.
An active, friendly dog, the Field is loving and eager to please.
They are excellent with children and other animals, but can be
somewhat reserved with strangers. Alert and able to bark an alarm,
Fields are not guard dogs, nor are they dogs for those with "House
Beautiful" aspirations. Though seasonal shedding is only moderate,
their large, heavily webbed feet testify to the breed's fondness for
water, and their drinking habits often leave the floor around their
bowls swamped. True to their retrieving nature, Fields love to carry
objects around in their mouths. They also like to travel, tend to
snore, and can have a very diverse vocal range. To be at their best,
young Fields should be trained and allowed to experience as many
non-threatening situations as possible, including meeting a variety of
people and animals.
Although in recent years there has been virtually no selective
breeding for hunting ability, the Field remains a fine working
spaniel. When trained, the Field will quarter in dense cover to flush
birds, such as pheasants, quail, and chukars, with ease and will
retrieve them with a soft mouth. The excellent nose and independent
spirit of the Field make them a joy as hunting companions. Fields
currently compete in field and water tests, and tracking.
Most Field Spaniels enjoy showing and are excellent for someone who
wants an attractive medium-sized dog without a lot of grooming. The
Field is also an excellent choice for owners who want to handle their
dog themselves, since it is possible, if there are enough dogs in
their region of the country, for an owner-handler to finish a Field to
a championship. A number of Fields have placed in the Group Ring.
Training a puppy for showing may begin as early as 8-12 weeks. As
with any puppy training, care must be taken not to over-train or
over-show.
Like many spaniels, Fields are very bright and active dogs and if not
trained may well become bored and get into mischief. However, the
same independent spirit that makes the Field a good hunting dog can
make obedience training an interesting challenge. If trained with
positive methods at the correct age, a Field can be a happy,
high-scoring worker. The natural reserve and placidity of Fields also
makes them excellent for therapy dog work.
Fields are less coated than the majority of spaniels, and one kept as
a pet requires little grooming. Besides being cleaned and brushed,
all Field Spaniels need their toenails, the hair between the pads of
their feet, and the hair inside their ears clipped. The pad and ear
clipping is not only more attractive, but the shorter hair dries more
quickly, which helps prevent the development of eczema.
Field Spaniels that are shown require more grooming. When presented
to the dog show judge, a well-groomed Field should look natural.
Clippers are used only on the head and the front of the neck, and any
other grooming is done with thinning shears and stripping knives.
Overall, Field Spaniels enjoy very good health. When health problems
do occur the two most common health problems encountered are hip
dysplasia and thyroid disease.
Of course, all dogs should be checked regularly by a veterinarian, kept
up-to-date on all shots, including parvovirus, and kept on a heartworm
preventative.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia, the most common
skeletal defect in dogs of all breeds, is an inherited condition that
results from a poor fit between the ball and socket apparatus of the
hip joints. Symptoms range from none to severely crippling and there
is no cure. All Field Spaniels, but especially those used for
breeding, should have their hips x-rayed.
Thyroid disease
Thyroid disease is not a life threatening condition, nor does it
necessarily result in loss of quality of life. Symptoms can include
weight gain, lethargy, poor coat, and/or scaly skin. Confirmation is
made via a blood test and treatment requires daily medication.
Other conditions
Other conditions that occur occasionally in Fields are Progressive
Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Sub-Aortic Stenosis (SAS). PRA is an
incurable disorder that leads to blindness. Once again all Fields,
but especially those used for breeding, should have a yearly eye exam
by a canine ophthalmologist. SAS is a hereditary condition that
causes the sudden death of a puppy or young dog; any Fields used for
breeding should be examined and declared clear by a competent
veterinarian.
Ectropion, or loose eyelids, and the much less common entropion, in
which the eyelid is turned in towards the eyeball, may also occur. If
severe either condition might require surgery.
Ask the breeder as many questions as needed to help you make an
informed decision as to whether the Field Spaniel is the breed for you
and your family. At the very least request information about
temperament, hips, eyes, and thyroid of both parents and any siblings
of the puppy or dog you are purchasing. The absence of problems in
the parents and siblings significantly increases your chances of
purchasing a sound, normal dog.
Look for a puppy that is outgoing
and friendly, with an overall appearance of good health. If possible,
try to visit the litter before making your decision. Always have a
new animal examined by a vet within 24 to 48 hours to ensure its
health.
For the most current information, see the Field Spaniel
Society of America:
http://www.akc.org/clubs/fssa/. Another source of information on
Field Spaniels is An International Association of Field Spaniel Enthusiasts:
http://www.epick9.com/iffs/.
Rescue
http://clubs.akc.org/fssa/rescue.htm
Breeder referral
http://clubs.akc.org/fssa/breeder.htm
Please see the official (U.S.) standard at the AKC site:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/fieldspa.cfm
Field Spaniel FAQ
Jay Ryan,
Ryan_J@bls.gov
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