The Field Worker

Basic Info

The Field Spaniel is a medium-sized breed of dog. It is one of several spaniel breeds, which can serve as gundogs. They measure 17 to 18 inches at the withers. Its long, silky coat comes in solid liver, solid black, golden liver, liver and tan, black and tan, or roan.

Behavior

The dog, ironically, was the first spaniel developed specifically for conformation showing. The breed developed at the time when dog showing was first coming into vogue. With most spaniels being a base colour with white splashes, breeders wanted to create a solid black dog. They bred every black spaniel of that time including Cocker Spaniels and the Irish Water Spaniel. Upon introduction, the dog was an instant hit. The breed enjoyed a burst of success quite early and quickly became a popular breed. The intense focus of show breeders on this breed led to a rapid demise of the original dog. The dogs were crossed with Sussex Spaniels and Basset Hounds to produce low legged, long backed versions leading to tremendous health problems. Just as quickly as the breeds star rose in the show world, it fell once the myriad of genetic problems emerged. On the brink of extinction, breeders worked to restore the breed to its former glory. Crosses with English Springer Spaniels, under the watchful eyes of the English Kennel Club were made to increase the gene pool. Even though the dog is now restored to normal, it has never achieved the same level of popularity and remains a rare breed. The Field is now seen more often in the show rings and in the Field as a hunting companion.

Origin

England