Field Spaniel
A rare British flushing spaniel sized between the Cocker and the Springer. Quieter and steadier than its relatives, sensitive to new situations, and a genuinely uncommon dog to find.
- Weight
- 16–23 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–13 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Field Spaniel settled into its place between the Cocker and the Springer after a detour in its history when breeders pushed it toward an exaggeratedly long, low body that hurt its ability to work. The type was pulled back toward balance, but numbers never recovered. It remains one of the rarer gundogs, and finding a puppy usually means joining a breeder waiting list rather than shopping around.
Temperament and living together
Temperamentally this is the calm end of the spaniel family. Where a Cocker greets you with its whole body, a Field Spaniel tends to follow you quietly and watch. With strangers it is reserved rather than shy, and that reserve is exactly why socialisation deadlines matter more here.
A puppy who did not meet plenty of people, surfaces, and noises often becomes a hesitant adult.
Exercise and play
An hour of activity a day, split in two, suits most adults. That is noticeably less than a Springer or a Brittany asks for, but it is still a sporting dog and not a housebound one. Scent work satisfies it more efficiently than distance, and many individuals love water.
Coat and everyday care
The coat is a single, glossy, medium-length coat with feathering on ears, chest, and legs. Brush two or three times a week and have the ears and feet tidied every six to eight weeks. That is lighter work than a Cocker.
Home environment and care planning
Two practical warnings. First, ears: the drop ear seals the canal, so check weekly and dry after swimming. Second, weight: Field Spaniels put on kilos easily, and on a body this long the extra load goes straight into the back and hips.
Measure meals rather than free-feeding. Ask a breeder about hip scores and thyroid function, and be aware the breed sits on the smaller side of the gene pool, so health history across the line is worth reading carefully.