This type of dog, which is between small and medium in size, was originally bred to retrieve game from both land and water. Despite retaining their exceptional hunting abilities, modern fox terriers are more commonly found in the role of family pet or show dog than in the field. Dogs of this breed are known to be friendly and devoted companions to their human families. Read on to learn about the characteristics of the Field Spaniel dog breed.
Highlights
- Field Spaniels require human connection and will grow neurotic if left alone in a kennel or yard for long periods of time.
- If you want your dog to grow up confident and friendly, it's important to start socializing with them early.
- They are high-energy pets that need daily walks.
- They are guided by scent; therefore, a well enclosed yard is essential.
- Field Spaniels enjoy playing in water and will use their indoor water bowl as a toy if given the chance. They'll include you in the good times by bringing water to you, too.
- They have an insatiable appetite and will resort to stealing to satisfy it.
- If you want a healthy dog, you should never buy one from a pet store, puppy mill, or backyard breeder. Seek out a breeder who takes the time to ensure the health and temperament of her breeding dogs.
Characteristics
Social Appearance
Adaptability
It's a common misconception that a little dog is better suited to living in a limited space. Many tiny dogs have too much energy and are too yappy to live in an apartment building. An apartment dog's best attributes include being quiet, low energy, somewhat peaceful indoors, and respectful to the other inhabitants. Your dog's personal space in your apartment can be improved by purchasing one of these fantastic dog cages.
Sensitivity Level
Depending on the dog, a strong rebuke can be taken in stride by some, while others regard even the tiniest hint of disapproval as a personal attack. If you have a loud or pushy owner, a chaotic home, or a routine that is unpredictable or variable, your low-sensitivity dog, often known as "easy-going," "tolerant," "resilient," or even "thick-skinned," will be able to handle it better. Do you have young children, host a lot of parties, or have a hectic lifestyle? Choose a dog that isn't overly sensitive.
Intensity
You can't tell from looking at them whether or not they're hyperactive, but when they do anything, they do it vigorously. They tug at their leashes (unless you teach them not to), they push their way through barriers, and they down their meals in huge, gobbling gulps. A home with young children or an elderly or feeble person may not be the best place for these dynamos to learn proper etiquette. On the other side, a dog with poor vitality adopts a more reserved demeanor.
Potential for Playfulness
The playful nature of certain dogs never fades away, and they're always ready for a game, whereas the reserved and serious tendencies of other dogs develop through time. Think about how many times a day you want to play fetch or tag with your dog, and whether or not you have children or other dogs who can act as substitutes.
Personality Appearance
Intelligence
In the same way as working dogs, such as those that herd sheep, are bred for intelligence and decision-making, working dogs like those who run all day need to exercise their bodies. The two most common activities that a bored pet engages in are digging and chewing, both of which require mental stimulation. There are several ways to keep a dog's brain active, including obedience training, interactive dog toys like tug of war, and dog sports like agility and search and rescue.
Energy Level
Energy-draining dogs are always on the lookout for a new activity. There are several jobs that require a lot of stamina from dogs, such as herding livestock or recovering prey for hunters. Children are more likely to engage in activities such as jumping, playing and exploring new sights and smells as a result of this change in their environment
A low-energy dog is more like a couch potato than a dog that needs a lot of exercise. Think about your level of physical activity and whether or not you find a hyperactive dog irritating before making your final choice.
Easy To Train
Easy to train dogs can more easily form associations between a cue (like "sit"), an action (like sitting), and a reward than dogs that are more difficult to train. Dogs that require more time, patience, and repetition are more difficult to train.
Getting your dog interested in training will require incentives and games because many breeds are intelligent but have a "What's in it for me?" mentality when it comes to learning new things.
Family Affection Level
Affectionate With Family
Since puppyhood, some breeds remain aloof and independent; others form deep bonds with one individual but are uninterested in the rest of the family; still other types shower their entire family with affection. Canines raised in homes with people tend to be more open to human interaction and develop stronger ties, regardless of their breed or upbringing.
Kid-Friendly
Kids-friendly dogs are calm, strong enough to bear the hefty hugs and pets kids can dish out, and have an unfazed attitude about rushing, scream-inducing children. There are several names you may not expect to see on the list: Fierce-looking Both Boxers and American Staffordshire Terriers are regarded as family dogs (which are considered Pit Bulls). Chihuahuas, which are small, sensitive, and potentially sharp, are not always family-friendly.
Dog Friendly
Dog friendship and human friendship are two entirely different things. The fact that a dog is friendly with humans doesn't mean it's immune to aggression or aggression from other dogs; some canines choose to play rather than fight; others will just run away. The type of animal isn't the only consideration. Dogs who have spent a lot of time playing with their littermates and their mother at the age of six to eight weeks are more likely to be socially competent.
Physical Appearance
Amount of Shedding
Having a dog in the house means that you'll have to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothing and in the home. It's worth noting, however, that shedding varies widely among breeds. Some dogs shed all year long, while others ``blow" just during specific times of the year, and still others don't shed at all. If you're a stickler for cleanliness, you'll need to choose a breed that sheds less or lower your expectations. You can use a deshedding tool to keep your house a little cleaner.
Drooling Potential
While greeting you, some dogs may cover their arms with ropes of drool and create large, wet patches on your clothing. If you don't mind a little drool, go for it; but if you're a stickler for cleanliness, you may want to look for a dog with a low drool rating.
Easy To Groom
Some breeds of dogs can simply be brushed and left alone, while others require frequent washing, trimming, and other grooming in order to maintain their health and appearance. If you don't have the time or money to take care of a dog that requires a lot of grooming, you may want to look into hiring a professional.
Exercise Needs
Evening walks around the neighborhood are perfectly acceptable for some breeds. Others, particularly those trained for physically demanding vocations like herding or hunting, require regular, rigorous exercise.
They can gain weight and release their pent-up energy in ways you don't like, including barking, chewing, and digging, if not given enough exercise. Those looking to train their dog for an energetic canine activity, such as agility, should consider getting a dog that needs a lot of exercise.
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed
Height:
1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight:
37 to 45 pounds
Life Span:
10 to 12 years
History
Initially, the only noticeable difference between the Field Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel was size. Those land spaniels weighing in at more than 25 pounds were classified as Field Spaniels. The larger Field Spaniels were originally expected to be black because they were developed from the Cocker, Sussex, and English Water Spaniel.
Unfortunately, although the Field Spaniel was officially recognised as its own breed in the late 1800s, it fell victim to breeding for exaggeration. Constant infusion of Sussex Spaniel blood led to dogs that were too long, had too heavy of bones, and had too short of legs. The breed stopped being valuable as a hunter and, despite a brief period of popularity in the early 1900s, nearly went extinct.
To get closer to the original Field Spaniel, several were crossed with English Springer Spaniels. Successful breeding efforts have resulted in a visually striking and highly functional hunting dog: the modern Field Spaniel.
Four females from the 1950s Ronayne Regal, Gormac Teal, Colombina of Teffont, and Elmbury Morwena of Rhiwlas are the progenitors of today's Field Spaniels. Although Field Spaniels were exhibited in the United States as early as the late 1800s, the years 1916–1966 were a barren period for the breed, during which it all but vanished from the country. In the late 1960s, the breed was brought back to the United States. Even now, the Field Spaniel is a rather uncommon breed in the United States.
Personality & Temperament
As a result of their sporting-dog ancestry, Field Spaniels is smart and self-reliant, however they tend to be more submissive than other types of spaniels. These canines do best as family members, so make sure they get enough attention and participate in family outings. However, they tend to be shy around strangers and require time to warm up to new acquaintances before engaging with them. Aggression is highly unusual in this breed, yet they are not often timid or afraid.
These dogs may be less excitable than other sporting spaniels, but they still require regular exercise and socialization to avoid destructive boredom. They don't suffer from separation anxiety, but they thrive when given meaningful work to accomplish. They get along well with other pets provided they are introduced to them at a young age, especially children. They are great guard dogs but need to be trained when it's appropriate to bark. To avoid any flushing behavior when out on a walk, it is essential to keep your dog on leash at all times. Off-leash playtime might be provided by a large garden or proximity to a dog park.
Care
Keeping the specific traits of this breed in mind as you plan for their care is crucial. To provide the greatest care for your pet, think about their personality, diet, activity level, grooming requirements, and potential health issues.
Health
Field Spaniels are known for their longevity and robust health, with many living to be between 11 and 13 years old. Certain diseases and disorders can be passed down through generations.
Vision Loss
There are a few eye conditions that commonly affect Field Spaniels.
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Folds in the retina are common in children and may or may not go away as the child gets older. The effect on sight is a black hole.
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Sagging eyelids, known medically as ectropion, are a common problem in this breed and can make it easy for debris to get stuck.
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When the eyelashes turn inward, they might brush on the cornea, a condition known as entropion. It is possible to treat this with surgery.
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The breed is prone to developing cataracts in old age, hence affected members of the breed should not be bred with others of the same line.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common cause of arthritis in dogs, and it is also a risk factor in Field Spaniels. Although dysplastic hips run in families, whether or not they progress to arthritis in later life may have more to do with the patient's degree of physical activity and body mass index than with their genetic inheritance. In any case, radiographs of breeding pairs should be taken and reviewed by experts to cut down on the spread of disease.
Hypothyroidism
Field Spaniels are not immune to the occurrence of hypothyroidism. Although there are currently no diagnostic genetic indicators, sick individuals should not be bred. The disorder, which can be treated with a daily thyroid medication, causes weight gain, lethargy, and problems with the quality of the coat.
Epilepsy
This disorder is uncommon in young Field Spaniels, but it can develop at any age. The reason is unclear. It is unknown whether or not this breed is affected by real epilepsy or whether there may be an underlying reason (such as cancer) in affected people. To further understand the nature of seizures in this breed, more study is required.
Recommended Health Tests
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Nutrition
The average Field Spaniel weighs just 35 pounds, making it a small but sturdy dog.
Because of their higher metabolic rate, Field Spaniels require more calories per day than other dogs of a similar size. If you want your Field Spaniel to maintain its youthful vitality into old age, you should feed it according to its regular schedule and refrain from giving it table scraps.
About 1 cup of dry food per day, divided between two meals, is suggested for this breed (morning & evening). Before making any changes to your dog's food, it's important to get the OK from your vet to make sure you're not over- or under-feeding it.
Grooming
Despite its looks, the Field Spaniel is merely a mediocre shredder. At the very least, brush your dog twice a week, and give it a bath once or twice a month.
Even though their hair is short, Field Spaniels have a relatively thick coat that can become tangled if not properly kept. Trim their fur regularly so it doesn't get too long and matted, which can cause discomfort if it pulls on the skin.
Exercise
Because of its boundless vitality and irrepressible sense of playfulness, this breed needs a great deal of exercise. So as to maintain their health, they need to engage in vigorous physical activity on a regular basis. Two or three walks around the block per day is the bare minimum; four or five trips outside are better still, even if it's just the backyard.
Having a canine companion on walks or outings such as running or playing fetch is a popular activity for many Field Spaniel owners. However, if you don't already have another dog at home, leashed walks with your Field Spaniel for at least 30 minutes every day are essential!
Puzzle toys are a terrific method to keep your dog's mind occupied and its energy levels high because this breed appreciates both physical and mental exercise.
Training
The Field Spaniel is an exceptionally bright canine that picks up new skills with ease. Your dog will be housebroken quickly if you give it enough treats to associate with good behavior and are persistent with its training. But training must begin at a young age so that they can learn their role in the group.
A Field Spaniel will be difficult to train at first, but with positive reinforcement, your canine companion will catch on quickly. These canines are extremely active and require downtime after a day of play. They'll behave better if you play and exercise with them. Also, make sure they get plenty of downtime.
Positive reinforcement is the most effective method of dog training, so showering your dog with praise and tasty goodies will go a long way toward building his or her self-esteem and speeding up the learning process. The Field Spaniel is obedient and smart, so housebreaking should be a breeze.
Children And Other Pets
While Field Spaniels enjoys the company of children, they aren't fans of boisterous play. Field Spaniels, like dogs of any breed, should be supervised around young children to prevent unwanted ear-tugging and tail-pulling.
Puppies
Make sure your home is dog-friendly before bringing a new puppy in. Get rid of any harmful goods or valuables that you wouldn't want chewed up by the dog. The arrival of your new dog also necessitates that you have food and bedding prepared.
Although Field Spaniels tend to be more trainable than other dog breeds, you should still begin basic training and socialization sessions as soon as possible after bringing home your new puppy. This will help him adapt to new environments and social situations with other dogs and people.
Dogs similar to Field Spaniel
The Field Spaniel is closely related to the English Springer Spaniel, the Clumber Spaniel, and the American Water Spaniel.
English Springer Spaniel.
The English Springer Spaniel and the English Field Spaniel are both dog breeds with hunting in mind that got their start in England. Some of the breeds that went into creating the Field Spaniel include the English Springer Spaniel. These two types share a high IQ and sociable nature. The average male Field Spaniel weighs 42.5 pounds, which is significantly less than the 50 pounds often seen in male English Springer Spaniels.
Clumber Spaniel
Just like the Field Spaniel, the Clumber Spaniel is an English-born gun dog. Both types of dogs make good companions for people and their families, and they get along with most other canine companions. Compared to Clumber Spaniels, fields are more active and exert more effort.
American Water Spaniel
Both the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel are loving, active, and simple to teach. In comparison to the Fields, American Water Spaniels tend to be more territorial and vigilant, making them ideal watchdogs.