Field Spaniel facts for kids
 |
|||||||||||||
| Common nicknames | Field | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | England | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||
The Field Spaniel is a medium-sized dog breed that belongs to the spaniel family. These dogs were first bred in England during the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were originally created to be show dogs, often with all-black fur. However, they weren't very good at hunting work back then.
In the mid-1900s, breeders changed them to have longer legs, making them better for working in the field. Today, Field Spaniels are quite rare. The Kennel Club lists them as a Vulnerable Native Breed in the United Kingdom.
Their fur is usually darker than other spaniels. They have a single coat, meaning they don't have a soft undercoat like some other spaniel types. Their coats are mostly solid colors, sometimes with small markings on their chest. Field Spaniels can be great family pets because they are patient with children. But they need a job or activity, like hunting or dog agility, to keep them from getting bored.
Contents
History of the Field Spaniel
The Field Spaniel was first developed for dog shows. Breeders wanted to create a spaniel that was completely black. Some people didn't like how these early dogs were bred. One of the first breeders, Thomas Jacobs, said that these dogs were a mix of different types, just like most hunting dogs.
Early Field Spaniels were not popular with hunters. Their dark fur was hard to see in the field. Also, their long, low bodies made it difficult for them to move through thick bushes. A breeder named Phineas Bullock helped create the low-slung Field Spaniel. He crossed them with Sussex Spaniels and English Water Spaniels. By the 1870s, his Field Spaniels were very successful in dog shows.
A famous dog named Ch. Obo, born in 1879, is considered the father of the modern English Cocker Spaniel. His son, Ch. Obo II, is seen as the father of the modern American Cocker Spaniel.
Around 1909, Field Spaniels weighed about 16 to 20 kilograms (35 to 45 pounds). Later, some Basset Hounds were mixed into the breed. This led to some health problems. To fix these issues, English Springer Spaniels were used to make the breed healthier. This is how the longer-legged Field Spaniel we see today came about. Most modern Field Spaniels can be traced back to four dogs from the 1950s.
The Field Spaniel is still a rare breed, even in the UK. In 2009, only 51 Field Spaniels were registered with The Kennel Club. Their numbers have been going down since 2000. Among all spaniel breeds, the Field Spaniel has the fewest registrations each year. To help promote the breed, The Kennel Club has named them a Vulnerable Native Breed.
About the Field Spaniel
Appearance
A typical Field Spaniel stands about 40 to 48 centimeters (16 to 19 inches) tall at the shoulder. They usually weigh between 16 and 27 kilograms (35 to 60 pounds). This size puts them between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel.
Their coat comes in solid colors like black or liver (a reddish-brown). Sometimes they have roan patterns, which means a mix of white and colored hairs. They might also have tan markings or white patches on their throat and chest.
Field Spaniels have a single coat that is moderately long. It doesn't have a thick undercoat. Their fur is longer on their chest, belly, ears, and the back of their legs. Their coat isn't as heavy as a Cocker Spaniel's, but it still needs regular brushing to prevent tangles.
Temperament
Field Spaniels are active and curious dogs. They make good companions for families. However, if they are left alone for too long without anything to do, they might get bored and cause trouble. They are good at activities like dog agility and hunting.
They are also patient and gentle with children and enjoy being close to their families. When they are socialized well, they get along nicely with other dogs. Field Spaniels are generally calm and independent. They are not as easily excited as Cocker Spaniels. Experts like Stanley Coren have noted that Field Spaniels are quite smart when it comes to learning commands.
Health of the Field Spaniel
Field Spaniels can sometimes have certain eye problems. These include cataracts (cloudy spots on the eye), retinal atrophy (when the retina breaks down), and retinal dysplasia (when the retina doesn't develop properly). Hip dysplasia, a problem with the hip joints, has also been seen in some Field Spaniels in the UK.
Because of these risks, organizations like The Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association suggest that breeders test their Field Spaniels' eyes and hips. A study found that the main cause of death for Field Spaniels was cancer. The second most common cause was old age. The average lifespan for a Field Spaniel was found to be about eleven years and eight months. This is a bit longer than the average for all dog breeds.
See also
In Spanish: Spaniel de campo para niños
