Field Spaniel
田野獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Field Spaniel is a rare, glossy black or liver cousin of the Cocker and Springer, once nearly ruined by show fashions and rebuilt as a balanced, moderate gundog. Its standard calls it "unusually docile": a sweet, sensitive thinking dog that is trustworthy with children, tolerant of other animals, reserved with strangers at first and quick to learn when trained with clear communication and minimal correction. It likes both brisk work and downtime with its family, and comes with snoring, sloppy drinking and a perpetually shedding coat.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–46cm |
| Weight | 16–23kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is reported in the breed. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure.
Skin and allergy problems
Skin problems and allergies are commonly reported in the breed. Ask your vet if you notice itching, redness or recurring ear/skin infections.
Immune-mediated conditions
Immune-mediated conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog has unexplained illness.
Behaviour
"Unusually docile" thinking dog
The AKC describes sweet, sensitive souls with just enough independence to be interesting — trustworthy with children, tolerant of other animals and responsive to training; the US standard calls them "unusually docile" yet they are playful and enjoy a romp. As intelligent problem-solvers they thrive on clear communication and reward with minimal correction, need early socialisation and a family sensitive to their needs.
Easy-going, but needs its people
The CKC calls the Field Spaniel fun-loving, independent and intelligent with an easy-going attitude and a great affinity for human companionship; fairly active and playful, it makes a fine family pet for suburban or country living. The AKC adds that Fields do best given challenges for both mind and body, whether in the city or the country.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Field Spaniel
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Spaniel Field (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Spaniel Field
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Field Spaniel (standard no. 123, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club describes an independent breed mixed with sincere devotion, a sensitive nature and a willingness to please, which thrives on constant companionship; it is commonly reserved with strangers at first and warms up on its own terms — caution that should never be mistaken for shyness. Its puppy-buying guidance says Fields are healthy, sturdy dogs with far fewer problems than closely related spaniels, but that no breeder can guarantee a puppy free of inherited disease, so buy from a breeder who tests and will discuss the health history of their lines.”
— Field Spaniel Society of America — The Breed / Choosing a Puppy via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Field Spaniel — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Spaniel Field — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Spaniel Field — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Field Spaniel — FCI standard no. 123 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Choosing a Puppy — Field Spaniel Society of America — Field Spaniel Society of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.