Field Spaniel

Sporting Group Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 17-18"
Weight 35-50 lbs
Lifespan 10-12 years
Price $1,000-$1,800

About the Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel is the quiet member of the spaniel family, a medium-sized, docile, thoughtful gundog without the frantic energy of a Springer or the exuberance of a Cocker, yet in no way lazy. Owners describe a sensitive, affectionate dog that bonds closely, shadows its person around the house, and is somewhat more reserved with strangers than other spaniels. Exercise needs sit between moderate and demanding, met by long walks with plenty of sniffing, retrieving games, and ideally some real fieldwork, since they can manage a full day's hunting yet settle well indoors afterwards. Training must be gentle. This is one of the softer breeds, easily discouraged, and repetitive drilling or harsh correction produces a withdrawn dog rather than a compliant one, while reward-based work succeeds beautifully because they are intelligent and want to cooperate. Grooming is mid-range: a single glossy, moderately feathered coat needing weekly brushing, occasional tidying around feet and ears, and regular ear cleaning given the length and set of the ear leather. Barking is modest. They dislike long absences and attach strongly. The right home is calm, active outdoors, and prepared for a rare breed with few breeders and long waiting lists. The distinctive quality is temperament, since a Field Spaniel is unusually self-contained and deliberate, which suits people wanting a sporting dog's abilities without a sporting dog's noise.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Playful Easy to Train
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 17-18"
Weight 35-50 lbs
Coat Type Double
Coat Length Medium
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Needs plenty of mental challenges

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $1,000-$1,800
Annual Cost $1,200/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Field Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • First-Time Owners
  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Long Work Hours Away
  • Sedentary Lifestyles

Guides for your Field Spaniel

The story behind the Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel emerged in nineteenth-century England from the same land spaniel population that produced cockers and springers, initially as a distinction based on colour, with solid black dogs separated from parti-coloured spaniels for the show ring. Late Victorian breeders selected for exaggerated length and lowness, producing animals that worked poorly, and popularity collapsed as a result. Reform began in the early twentieth century when breeders reintroduced springer blood and bred back toward a moderate, functional dog. Numbers fell to very low levels across both wars, leaving a handful of animals from which mid-century breeders rebuilt the population. It is recognised by the Kennel Club, the FCI, and the American Kennel Club, and remains one of the rarer British gundogs, listed as vulnerable among native breeds.

Originally bred for: Flushing and retrieving gundog, Rough shooting dog, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Field Spaniel

A moderate, well-boned spaniel that gains weight quietly when under-exercised, so measured meals and honest treat counting keep condition right. Working dogs need more through the season. A complete diet with adequate fat helps maintain the glossy coat; feed twice daily.

Watch for: No ingredient pattern is specific to the breed. Long-eared spaniels of every kind are prone to ear inflammation that gets blamed on food when ventilation and moisture are the real drivers. Involve a veterinarian before starting elimination diets on a rare breed.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Field Spaniel

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Field Spaniel with Other Breeds

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