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Field Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Field Spaniel personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Field Spaniel, including these excerpts: "Levelheaded and mild-mannered, the Field Spaniel has more sporting instincts than most other spaniels and appreciates as much running, biking, hiking, or field work as you can provide. It isn't fair to keep this lively little hunter, bred for activity and endurance, in a small yard with only a walk around the block for exercise. When socialized early and extensively, he is accepting of strangers, though he seldom runs right up to people as might a Cocker or Springer. He is playful and docile with other animals. Field Spaniels do have an independent streak but respond well to light-handed, upbeat training methods. This sensitive breed cringes or withdraws when treated roughly or jerked around. Some enjoy hearing the sound of their own voices. The fun-loving Field Spaniel enjoys splashing in puddles and slobbering in water bowls and will track mud around the house with his oversized webbed feet." History Developed in England, the Field Spaniel flushes birds from their hiding places, then retrieves them after the hunter shoots. Size 17-18 inches and 35-50 lbs

Field Spaniels What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is larger than a Cocker Spaniel and smaller than a Springer Spaniel Is steadier in temperament than either a Cocker or a Springer Has a pretty feathered coat in a variety of colors Is usually polite with everyone Is peaceful with other pets A Field Spaniel may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Providing enough exercise to keep him satisfied "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Timidity or fearfulness when not socialized enough Regular brushing, combing, and clipping/trimming Shedding Barking Excitable or submissive urination (tendency to dribble urine when excited or nervous) Waiting lists (hard to find) A Field Spaniel may not be right for you. If I were considering a Field Spaniel... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Field Spaniels MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Field Spaniels need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Providing enough socialization. Field Spaniels need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with. Grooming. To keep their silky coat free of mats, Field Spaniels require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months. Shedding. Field Spaniels shed quite a bit. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick to your upholstery and clothing, and hide under the furniture. Barking. Field Spaniels are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. To teach your Field Spaniel to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Field Spaniel Training Page discusses the program you need. Finding one. In the United States, fewer than 150 new Field Spaniel puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.) Not all Field Spaniels are alike! There are energetic Field Spaniels, and placid Field Spaniels. Hard-headed Field Spaniels, and sweet-natured Field Spaniels. Serious Field Spaniels, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Field Spaniels, and Field Spaniels who love everyone. If you acquire a Field Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Field Spaniel... There are plenty of adult Field Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/fieldspaniels.html">Field Spaniels: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.