At a glance the quick version
FCI standard gives 18-25 kg for both sexes; Wikipedia notes a wider real-world range of 16-27 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, flat, silky single coat
A glossy, flat-lying coat with a silky feel that resists weather well, with feathering on the ears, chest, underside and back of the legs. It should never be curly or wiry.12
Personality what they are like
A soft-natured, sensitive spaniel that is calm at home yet keen and energetic outdoors. It tends to be more laid back than a Cocker, has an independent streak, and is usually patient with children and friendly with other dogs when well socialised.124
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working gundog built for flushing and retrieving, so it needs daily walks plus off-lead running or scent games.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Regular brushing keeps the silky coat and feathering free of tangles; the long ears are worth checking after outings.2
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its family and does best as a companion that shares everyday country life with its people.12
The story where it all began
The Field Spaniel came from crosses of Sussex-type and Cocker spaniels in the late 1800s, first as a black show spaniel. After two near disappearances, breeders rebuilt it in the mid-20th century as a sounder working dog, partly with English Springer blood, and The Kennel Club restored its championship status in 1969.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Only 51 Field Spaniels were registered with The Kennel Club in 2009, the fewest of any spaniel breed that year.2
- 2
The modern breed traces back to just four dogs from the 1950s.2
- 3
A Field Spaniel named Ch. Obo, born in 1879, is a shared ancestor of today's English Cocker Spaniels.2
- 4
A 2024 UK study found Field Spaniels living about 13.1 years on average, above the purebred average of 12.7.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 123, Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs), Section 2 Flushing Dogs.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Recognised; listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed.2
- AKC
- Recognised (Sporting Group).4
Popularity 51 Kennel Club registrations in the UK2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Field Spaniel. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 123 Field Spaniel fci.beused for group, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Field Spaniel - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, lifespan, registrations, fun facts
- UK dog longevity study (2024), cited via Wikipedia pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govused for lifespan
- Field Spaniel - AKC akc.orgused for recognition, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.