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AKC: Field Spaniel breed overview

Sporting group · England

Field Spaniel

A gentle, thoughtful spaniel that nearly disappeared after the Second World War and was rebuilt from a handful of dogs.

The Field Spaniel is a rare English gundog, larger and calmer than a Cocker and more sensitive than a Springer. It went through a strange Victorian phase of extreme show breeding, almost vanished after the Second World War, and was carefully rebuilt in the 1960s. Today it is a sweet, biddable companion that still loves wet ground and a good scent.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

16 to 23 kg

35 to 51 lb

Height

43 to 48 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 14 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

18 months

approximate model input

Life with a Field Spaniel

For a breed most people have never met, the Field Spaniel has had a dramatic history. It began in 19th-century England as part of the general spaniel pool, where litters were sorted by size: a pup under about 11 kg (25 lb) was a Cocker, one over that was a Field. Breeders then set out to create a solid black spaniel for the show ring, bringing in Sussex and Cocker lines.

Fashion took over. By the late Victorian era, show Fields had become extremely long in the body, short in the leg and heavy in bone, which made them poor workers and damaged their reputation among shooting people. Numbers fell steadily, and after the Second World War the breed was close to disappearing in Britain.

In the 1960s a small group of enthusiasts rebuilt it from a few remaining dogs, outcrossing carefully to English Springer Spaniels to restore a more moderate, useful shape. Every modern Field traces back to that tiny foundation, which is one reason the Kennel Club now lists it as a vulnerable native breed.

The dog that emerged is gentle, affectionate and more thoughtful than most spaniels. It has a working nose and loves water, yet it settles well in the house. Fields can be a little reserved with strangers at first, and they bond deeply with their family, often following you from room to room.

A great match for

families wanting a gentle, medium-sized gundog
owners who enjoy country walks and water
scent work and gundog training
people who are home for much of the day

Think twice if

rare, so expect waiting lists
sensitive to harsh handling
long ears prone to trouble if not kept clean
can switch off to recall when scenting

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Field Spaniel eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	19 kg	870 kcal	235 g (2.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	19 kg	1000 kcal	270 g (2.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	21 kg	1080 kcal	290 g (3 cups)
Male, very active	21 kg	1350 kcal	365 g (3.8 cups)

Full Field Spaniel feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Field Spaniel

FeedingField Spaniels are hearty eaters, and many will finish anything left within reach. 25 cups, split into two meals.Read more Puppy growthField Spaniels grow steadily and reach adult height at around 12 months, with males weighing roughly 12 to 15 kg at 6 months. They continue to fill out and grow their full feathering until 18 months to 2 years, and heads often keep broadening a little after that.Read more ExerciseAbout 60 to 90 minutes a day suits most adults. Fields are happiest with their nose involved: hunting through cover, working a scent trail or retrieving dummies from water.Read more GroomingBrush 2 or 3 times a week, working through the ear leather, chest and leg feathering with a comb to catch tangles before they turn into mats. Trim the hair on the underside of the ears and around the ear opening to help air circulate, and keep feet tidy by trimming the hair between the pads.Read more TrainingField Spaniels are willing learners but noticeably sensitive. A raised voice or a heavy hand can shut them down for the rest of a session, while gentle praise and food bring out their best.Read more HealthThe small gene pool behind the modern breed makes health screening especially important. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, ear infections, and eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy and some eyelid problems have been reported.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Field and Cocker Spaniels were once divided only by weight, with dogs over about 11 kg (25 lb) shown as Fields.
2The UK Kennel Club lists the Field Spaniel as a vulnerable native breed.
3The modern breed was rebuilt in the 1960s from a few surviving Fields, with English Springer Spaniel outcrosses.
4Victorian show fashion once produced Fields so long and low that they struggled to work in the field.
5Solid black and solid liver are the classic colors, though roans and tan points are also accepted.

Field Spaniel questions

What is the difference between a Field Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel?

Fields are larger and heavier, typically 16 to 23 kg compared with 12 to 15 kg for an English Cocker, with a longer body and a calmer, more deliberate manner. Fields come mainly in solid black or liver, while Cockers have a much wider color range. Historically the two came from the same litters and were separated only by weight until the late 1800s.

Why are Field Spaniels so rare?

The breed was damaged by Victorian show fashions that made it impractical for work, and then nearly lost during and after the Second World War. It was rebuilt from a very small number of dogs in the 1960s, and it has never become fashionable since. Breeders plan litters carefully to protect genetic diversity, so only a small number of puppies are born each year.

Are Field Spaniels good family dogs?

Yes, for families who are home often and enjoy outdoor walks. Fields are gentle, affectionate and usually patient with children, though a boisterous household can overwhelm a sensitive youngster. They prefer company and do not cope well with long hours alone. A home that offers daily exercise, some scent games and a quiet place to rest suits them well.

Can a Field Spaniel be a working gundog?

Many still can. Fields have good noses, a love of water and a natural retrieve, and some compete in working tests and field trials. They tend to work at a steadier, more methodical pace than Springers or Cockers. If you want a working dog, choose a breeder who tests puppies' drive and has dogs doing real work, as show and pet lines vary in instinct.

Do Field Spaniels like water?

Most love it. The breed was developed to retrieve from wet ground and water, and many Fields will head straight for any pond or stream. Teach a reliable recall before letting your dog swim freely, dry the ears well afterwards, and check for strong currents or algae on warm days. A rinse with clean water also stops mud from matting the feathering.

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