Field Spaniel
FEELD SPAN-yuhl
United Kingdom· England
The Field Spaniel is a rare English gundog, a taller, more refined cousin of the Cocker Spaniel built for methodical work in heavy cover rather than speed.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
60 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Small to medium home
Grooming frequency
Daily brushing
Coat length
Long
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
11-13 years
Town or country
Either, with enough exercise
Garden size needed
Small to medium
Where it comes from
Origins of the Field Spaniel
Bred in the English countryside for hunters working dense hedgerow and undergrowth, where a low, sturdy build and a good nose mattered more than pace.
- Region
- England
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate, damp lowland cover
- Original job
- Flushing and retrieving game in thick cover
The long read
About the breed
Developed in the mid-1800s from the same stock as Cocker and Springer Spaniels, the Field Spaniel was for a period bred more for exhibition than function, which produced exaggerated, overly long low bodies and near wiped it out as a working dog by the early twentieth century. Careful twentieth-century restoration work, crossing back to Springers and English Cockers, rescued the breed and returned it to a sounder, more moderate shape suited to a day's shooting.
Living with a Field Spaniel suits people who want a gundog's intelligence and biddability without the frantic energy of some sporting breeds. They are calmer and more measured than a typical Cocker, thoughtful rather than excitable, and form close bonds with their household. They need daily exercise with a purpose, ideally scent work or retrieving games, and their silky, flat coat requires brushing two or three times a week plus regular ear checks given their long, low-set ears.
Today the Field Spaniel remains one of the rarest British gundog breeds, with only a few dozen registered annually. It is kept mostly as a family companion and occasional working dog by enthusiasts committed to the breed's survival, and prospective owners often join a waiting list well before a litter is planned.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
4/5
How openly the Field Spaniel greets people it does not know.
Trainability
4/5
Willing and thoughtful, responds well to gundog work.
Energy
3/5
Steady rather than frantic, but needs a proper daily walk.
Barking
2/5
Generally quiet, will alert bark occasionally.
Grooming
3/5
Silky coat and long ears need regular attention.
Suits a first-time owner
4/5
How forgiving the Field Spaniel is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
4/5
Affectionate with its family, a little reserved with strangers.
Independence
2/5
Prefers company and involvement in household life.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Field Spaniel's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Black
Standard colour
Solid black is one of the classic Field Spaniel colours.
Liver
Standard colour
Rich brown, common and traditional.
Roan
Standard colour
Mottled mixture of coloured and white hairs.
Black and tan
Standard colour
Black base with defined tan markings.
Liver and tan
Standard colour
Liver base with tan points over eyes and legs.
Timeline
History & development
1840s
Early spaniel lines split
Field Spaniels emerge from general spaniel stock alongside Cockers and Springers.
1890s
Exhibition extremes
Show breeding produces exaggerated long, low bodies, weakening the breed's soundness.
1920s
Restoration crosses
Breeders cross back to Springers and English Cockers to correct structure and vigour.
1948
Breed club revival
The Field Spaniel Society is reorganised to safeguard the recovering breed.
1950s onward
The breed today
Kennel club registrations settled into a steady pattern and the Field Spaniel moved from a working specialist to a family companion, with breed clubs in the UK and abroad now focused on health testing and keeping true type alive.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Slightly longer than tall, deep chest
- coat
- Flat or slightly waved, silky texture
- ears
- Long, low-set, well feathered
- eyes
- Dark, almond-shaped, gentle expression
- gait
- Free, unhurried, ground-covering
- head
- Long and lean, slight stop
- size
- Medium · 43-46cm · 16-25kg
- tail
- Docked or natural, carried low, constantly active
- colour
- Black, Liver, Roan, Black and tan, Liver and tan. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in trainability, sociability, energy. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Well balanced, sturdy, moderately long body
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Hip dysplasia
Screen for it
Ask for hip scores on both parents before buying.
Ear infections
Low concern
Long pendant ears need regular checking and drying after exercise.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Screen for it
DNA or eye test certificates are worth requesting.
Hypothyroidism
Low concern
Occasional; thyroid testing is available if concerned.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Field Spaniels added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Field Spaniel
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Field Spaniel illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
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Framed poster
Field Spaniel Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Field Spaniel illustration, framed or unframed.
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Hoodie
Field Spaniel Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Field Spaniel illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Field Spaniel Mug
Ceramic mug with the Field Spaniel illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Drying Towel Robe
Microfibre robe that soaks up a wet-walk shake.
Fits any dog
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