Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel emerged in 19th-century England, when breeders aimed for a solid-colored spaniel suited to both fieldwork and the show ring, though an overly long body later hurt both its working ability and its popularity. The long, flat or slightly wavy, silky coat needs regular brushing to prevent matting. Males weigh around 25 kilograms, with a compact but longer-bodied build than most other spaniel types. The breed is now considered rare even in the United Kingdom, its country of origin. Temperament is gentle and calm, devoted to family but reserved with strangers. Training tends to go well, as the breed is eager to work with its owner. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Field Spaniel: how old in human years?

45–46 cmHeight
16–25 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Sussex Spaniel

FCI group: Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs
FCI section: Section 2: Flushing Dogs
FCI: 123
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 45–46 cm

Females 45–46 cm

Weight

Males 18–25 kg

Females 16–23 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

long, flat or slightly wavy, silky coat (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Field Spaniel's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Field Spaniel's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 4/5

Guarding & Alertness

Field Spaniel's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Field Spaniel's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Field Spaniel

First you'll see the tail, which never stops, and then the nose, already buried in the nearest hedge. The Field Spaniel was bred in England to flush birds and bring them back to the hunter, so a day without a proper gallop across the fields isn't a full day. He needs at least an hour of real exercise daily: long walks, fetch, and ideally water, since few spaniels turn down a swim. The hunting instinct is strong, so let him off the lead only where he can't chase a duck all the way to the next village.

He is sensitive and eager to please, but he has opinions of his own, so he learns best through praise, treats and play. A harsh voice will hurt his feelings more than it teaches him. Searching and retrieving games are his favourites, because that's his real job, and a tired mind matters as much as tired legs.

Indoors he's calmer than outdoors: gentle, affectionate, good with children and friendly to other dogs. He's a little reserved with strangers at first but warms up quickly, and he'll leave guard duty to somebody else. A small flat with no garden and no time for long outings will feel cramped, but in an active family that spends weekends outdoors he'll act as though he's won the lottery, then settle at your feet in the evening with damp ears.

Grooming and coat

The Field Spaniel's coat is long, flat or slightly wavy and silky, with feathering on the ears, chest and legs. It looks wonderful as long as someone looks after it: after a run through a meadow, that feathering brings home burrs, seeds and half a puddle. Brush two or three times a week with a brush and a wide-toothed comb, paying attention behind the ears, in the armpits and on the legs, where mats form first. Shedding is moderate, and the hair around the feet and the edges of the ears can be tidied so it collects less mud; a groomer can show you how without losing the natural look.

As you brush, part the coat and check the skin, since redness, flakes or scratched patches hide easily under thick hair. Those long, heavy, hairy ears get little air and stay damp after a swim, so lift them every week, look inside and give them a sniff: a clean ear doesn't smell. The eyes should be clear with no discharge, and the hair around them kept short enough not to poke. Trim the nails when you hear them clicking, and don't forget the hair between the paw pads.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A Field Spaniel is a sturdy working dog, and on a typical day his biggest problem is muddy paws. Like any breed, though, he has a few weak spots: the eyes, the thyroid, the nervous system and the back. Know what to look for and you'll catch changes early, and if you're choosing a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Eye problems

An umbrella term for a range of eye troubles, from problems with the eyelids and lashes to diseases of the eye itself. You might notice more blinking or squinting, a weepy or reddened eye, or one that looks cloudier than it used to. With all those ears and that coat, a Field Spaniel's eyes are easy to overlook, so make them part of your weekly once-over and show any change to your vet.
Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland makes too little hormone and the whole body seems to slow down. A lively spaniel who turns sluggish, gains weight for no obvious reason, grows a thinner, coarser coat or starts seeking out warm spots is telling you something. The changes creep in slowly and are easy to put down to age; whether the thyroid is behind them is for your vet to find out with tests.
Epilepsy and seizures

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. During one, a dog may suddenly fall onto his side, paddle his legs, drool or not respond to your voice, and afterwards seem confused for a while. If your Field Spaniel has a seizure, contact a vet immediately, and if you're choosing a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health.
Intervertebral disc disease

The discs between the vertebrae work as shock absorbers, and in this disease a disc is damaged and can press on the spinal cord. You might see a dog who won't jump into the car or climb the stairs, stands hunched, yelps when touched, or starts to wobble on his back legs. A Field Spaniel loves to leap and bound, so sudden back pain or weakness in the legs means going to the vet immediately.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (25 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 285 g of dry food a day, from €15,58 a month For a neutered, normally active 20,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog