Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel has to be one of the lesser known of the spaniel type dogs although at one time they were often seen in the show ring having been specifically bred to be exhibited rather than to work as gundogs. Today Field Spaniels have been classed as a vulnerable native breed by The Kennel Club even though they are a great choice not only as show dogs but as companions and family pets too.

With this said they are better suited to people who live in the country and who enjoy spending as much of their free time in the great outdoors with an energetic active canine companion at their side. Field Spaniels are larger than many other spaniel breeds they are intelligent personable and boast lovely glossy coats that really helps these dogs stand out in a crowd making them one of the more attractive native spaniels around and why they are so popular in the showring.

Field Spaniels are a relatively new breed having first been developed around a 150 years ago and there breed numbers have risen and then dropped dangerously low several times over the ensuing years. However thanks to the efforts of breed enthusiasts their numbers have slowly started to rise again. With this said the Field Spaniel was developed by crossing Sussex Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels during the 19th century with the end goal being to produce show dogs rather than working dogs. Because they were not bred to work they were too slow and cumbersome when compared to other working dogs in the gundog group and as such breeders began developing the breed with even more disastrous results.

As previously mentioned the breed virtually disappeared several times since they were first created more especially in the 1860's when enthusiastic and dedicated breeders managed to save Field Spaniels from dissappearing altogether. The result of their endeavours was the Field Spaniel that we know today and their success meant the breed was once again recognised by the Kennel Club in 1969 after their championship status had been withdrawn due to very low numbers breed numbers. Today Field Spaniels are considered one of the vulnerable native breeds with only 46 dogs having been registered with The Kennel Club in 2015.

Although not the most popular of the spaniel breeds the Field Spaniel remains one of the native breeds that may soon make a comeback thanks to their charming looks and their kind endearing and personable natures which are perfect for anyone who lives in the country and enjoys having an energetic inquisitive and tireless caninen companion at their side.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Field Spaniel a vulnerable breed? Yes they have been placed on the Kennel Club's native vulnerable breed list and as such anyone wanting to share a home with a Field Spaniel would need to register their interest with breeders and go on a waiting list for the pleasure of doing so
• Field Spaniels are a relatively new breed having only appeared on the scene around 150 years ago
• They are known for being fun-loving and playful loving nothing more than to please and be given lots of praise
• Traditionally a Field Spaniel's tail was always docked but since the law banning the procedure came into effect in 2007 tail docking is now illegal with the exception being for some working breeds and if a dog suffers from some sort of health issue that requires their tails to be docked. The procedure must be agreed and authorised before being performed by a qualified vet

Height at the withers: Males 43 - 46 cm Females 43 - 46 cm

Average weight: Males 18 - 25 kg Females 18 - 25 kg

Field Spaniels are extremely handsome and noble looking dogs that boast extremely glossy coats. They are well-balanced spaniels and their breeding really does shine through when seen working. Their heads are nicely chiselled with the back of a dog's head being well defined. Their eyebrows are slightly raised with a moderate stop with these spaniels have well developed noses with wide open nostrils. Their muzzle is lean and long adding to a dog's balance.

Their eyes are almond-shaped a dark hazel in colour and large in size with dogs always showing a gentle albeit serious expression. Ears are moderately long and set low being wide and nicely feathered. The Field Spaniel has a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. Their necks are long well-muscled and strong which allows these spaniels to easily retrieve game.

Shoulders are sloping and long being well laid back. Front legs are moderately long straight showing nice flat bone. Their chests are deep and nicely developed with their ribs being moderately well sprung. Their backs and loins are level muscular and strong. Hindquarters like their forequarters are well muscled with dogs boasting moderately bent stifles. Their feet are round and tight with strong hard pads. Tails are set low and nicely feathered which dogs carry gaily when they are alert.

When it comes to their coat the Field Spaniel boasts having a long extremely glossy flat coat that's silky to the touch. Their coats are extremely weatherproof and dogs have a profuse amount of feathering on their chests under their bodies as well as the back of their legs but no feathering from their hocks to the ground. The accepted breed colours for Kennel Club registration are as follows:

• Black
• Black & Tan
• Blue Roan
• Blue Roan & Tan
• Liver
• Liver & Tan
• Liver Roan
• Liver Roan & Tan

It is worth noting that breed colours which are acceptable for Kennel Club registration are not always the same as those given in the Kennel Club breed standard.

Gait/movement

When a Field Spaniel moves they do so with an easy unhurried and long stride covering a lot of ground when they move and showing lots of drive from behind.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and would judge the faults on how much they affect a dog's overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.

Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and it is worth noting that a dog can be a little lighter or heavier as well as slightly taller or shorter than set out in the Kennel Club breed standard which is only given as a guideline.

Field Spaniels are sensitive affectionate and they thrive in a home environment. They love being involved in everything that goes on around them which includes accompanying an owner on car journeys. They are not the "fastest" learners nor are they known to be the most obedient of dogs but with patience and perseverence Field Spaniels can be taught new things providing this is done firmly yet gently from a young age.

Being such an active and inquisitive character they need to be kept busy to be truly happy well-rounded dogs. They do boast a bit of a stubborn streak in them which is one of the reasons why they are not the best choice for first time owners and why they are better suited to people who are familiar with the needs of such an energetic dog. These spaniels need to spend as much time in the great outdoors as possible and are definitely not suited to apartment living. They tend to form strong bonds with one person in a family although they are friendly and affectionate towards everyone in the household.

They are known to like the sound of their own voices which is a behaviour that needs to be curbed when dogs are still young. With this in mind a Field Spaniel must be well socialised from a young age as soon as they are fully vaccinated and their training and education must start early for them to mature into more obedient and well behaved dogs.

Field Spaniels are sensitive by nature and as such they do not respond well to any sort of harsh correction or training methods. They do however answer well to positive reinforcement and once they know their place in the "pack" and understand they can look up to their owners for direction and guidance Field Spaniels grow up to be joy to be around whether in the field or in a home environment.

With this said they are also known to be good working dogs in the field too and providing their education starts when a dog is still young and they are trained and handled correctly Field Spaniels enjoy working and make very very good rough shooter's dogs thanks to their keen noses and their eagerness to dive into the most challenging terrains. However they are not the best "retrievers"although they do have soft mouths and if trained early enough will retrieve a wounded bird for their handlers.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Field Spaniels are not the best choice for first time dog owners because they need to be handled and trained by people who are familiar with the needs of an active energetic and tireless dog and one that needs to be given lots of things to do to be a truly well-rounded character.

What about prey drive?

Field Spaniels are very social by nature and tend to get on with everyone and everything although this is not to say that a dog would not give chase to a smaller animal when the mood takes them and this includes squirrels and the cat from next door. With this said care should always be taken as to where and when a Field Spaniel can run off the lead more especially if there is wildlife and livestock around bearing in mind that like all spaniels they have a keen sense of smell and will happily follow their noses to wherever it takes them.

What about playfulness

Field Spaniels have a very playful fun-loving side to their natures and enjoy being entertained. They are known to be a little mischievous when the mood takes them and being clever they quickly learn what pleases an owner and how to get their own way. With this said Field Spaniels are not the fastest learners but once they learn something they never forget.

What about adaptability?

Field Spaniels are better suited to people who enjoy active outdoor lives and who have secure well fenced back gardens a dog can roam in whenever possible so they can really let of steam in a safe environment. They are not the best choice for people who live in apartments because being so active and energetic Field Spaniels like to be kept busy and outdoors as often as possible to be truly happy well-rounded dogs.

What about separation anxiety?

Field Spaniels form very strong ties with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog's way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained which includes barking incessantly to get attention.

What about excessive barking?

Field Spaniels like the sound of their own voices a little too much which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young being careful not to frighten them bearing in mind that like many spaniel breeds they are ultra-sensitive by nature. Others will only bark when there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on in their surroundings.

Do FieldSpaniels like water?

Most Field Spaniels love swimming and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot and having such large webbed feet they are strong swimmers. However if anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said care should always be taken when walking a Field Spaniel off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing because they cannot get out of the water on their own.

Are Field Spaniels good watchdogs?

Field Spaniels are not natural watchdogs because they are too friendly and social by nature although this is not to say a dog would not be quick off the mark to let an owner know when there are strangers about although they would rarely do this aggressively preferring to keep their distance and bark before settling down again.

Field Spaniels are intelligent dogs but they are not the fastest learners. Their training must start early it must be consistent and always fair in order to get a dog to focus and achieve the best results. They are incredibly sensitive to "voice" and this should be taken into account during their training which is why they are really only a good choice for people who are familiar with the breed or this type of spaniel. With this said just because a Field Spaniel gets something right and obeys a command one day they are quite likely to forget what they have been taught and do something completely different the next which can be very endearing.

Like all puppies Field Spaniel puppies are incredibly cute and it is all too easy to spoil them when they first arrive in their new homes. However owners must start out as they mean to go on which means that once a puppy is nicely settled ground rules should be laid out so that puppies understand what is expected of them. It also helps establish a "pecking order" and who is the alpha dog in a household. The first commands a puppy should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Heel
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Field Spaniels are known to be good around children especially if they have grown up together. They are level-headed and gentle characters by nature however any interaction between children and dogs should be supervised by an adult to make sure things don't get too boisterous.

Care needs to be taken when a Field Spaniel is around any smaller animals and pets because they may just perceive them as fair game. They are generally good around other dogs thanks to their breeding but unless they have grown up with a cat in a household they would think nothing of chasing any cats they encounter.

The average life expectancy of a Field Spaniel is between 10 and 13 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Like so many other breeds the Field Spaniel is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these active and good looking dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:

• Hip dysplasia - dogs should be hip scored
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - BVA/KC eye test scheme
• Heart disorders - Test available through breed club

What about vaccinations?

Field Spaniel puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A lot of vets these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. Wtih this said many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

Like other breeds Field Spaniels can gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight it's important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older dogs too are more prone to gaining weight and again it's essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog's internal organs including the heart which could prove fatal.

What about allergies?

Some Field Spaniels are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:

• Certain dog foods that contain high levels of grains or other cereal-type fillers
• Airborne pollens
• Dust mites
• Environment
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

Participating in health schemes

All responsible Field Spaniel breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues known to affect the breed by using the following schemes:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Breed Club - Heart testing
• BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
• DNA of stud dogs are held at the Animal Health Trust
• Bitches should not produce a litter when they are under 18 months of age
• Bitches should not produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
• No stud dog should be used for breeding purposes when they under 12 months of age

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Apart from the stardard breeding restrictions for all recognised Kennel Club breeds there are no other breed specific breeding restrictions in place for the Field Spaniel.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

It is mandatory for all Kennel Club Assured breeders to use the following scheme on their dogs and all other breeders are strongly advised to follow suit:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme

The Kennel Club also strongly recommends that all breeders use the following scheme on their stud dogs:

• Eye testing
• Bitches should not produce a litter when they are under 18 months of age
• Bitches should not produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
• No stud dog should be used for breeding purposes when they under 12 months of age

As with any other breed Field Spaniels need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Field Spaniel puppy

Field Spaniel puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother the better although it should never be for too long either.

It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.

The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore as follows:

• Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
• A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
• Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
• Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
• A well-made dog collar or harness
• A couple of strong dog leads
• A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise including Field Spaniel puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out which could end up making them timid and shy bearing in mind that like many spaniel breeds they tend to be sensitive by nature.

Keeping vet appointments

As previously mentioned Field Spaniel puppies would have been given their first vaccinations by the breeders but they must have their follow up shots which is up to their new owners to organise. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However if a dog ever needed to go into kennels their vaccinations would need to be fully up to date.

What about older Field Spaniel when they reach their senior years?

Older Field Spaniels need lots of special care because as they reach their golden years they are more at risk of developing certain health concerns. Physically a dog's muzzle may start to go grey but there will be other noticeable changes too which includes the following:

• Coats become coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Field Spaniels can either become overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• Immune systems do not work as efficiently as they once did which means dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs change mentally too which means their response time tends to be slower as such they develop the following:

• They respond less to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a little pickier about their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog can feel disorientated

Living with a Field Spaniel in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities but these are easily managed and should include taking a look at their diet the amount of exercise they are given how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

Older Field Spaniels need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives all the while keeping a close eye on a dog's weight. A rough feeding guide for older dogs is as follows bearing in mind they should be fed highly digestible food that does not contain any additives:

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Fibre content should be less than 4%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

Older dogs don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years because they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.

The Field Spaniel is quite high maintenance when it comes to keeping their coats tidy and their skin in good condition. Their coats and more especially their soft and silky featherings tend to grow very long and as such they need to be brushed on a daily basis to prevent any matts and tangles from forming. Their coats also need to be hand stripped several times a year which is best left up to a professional groomer. Much like other dogs Field Spaniels shed more during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent grooming is usually necessary to keep on top of things.

It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary paying particular attention to the tips which often pick up tiny thorns and other things as Field Spaniels run along with their noses to the ground. If too much wax builds up in a dog's ears it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

These spaniels are extremely high energy dogs and as such they need to be given a minimum of 2 hour's exercise on a daily basis. On top of this and because they are so intelligent it's essential for them to be given a tremendous amount of mental stimulation because if they get bored they are known to develop a lot of unwanted and destructive behaviours.

A shorter walk in the morning would be fine but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam. However the fencing must be extremely secure to keep these energetic dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence they will soon escape out and get into all sorts of trouble.

With this said young Field Spaniel puppies should not be given too much exercise because their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them could result in causing a dog a few problems later on in their lives. They should not be allowed to jump up or off furniture nor should they be allowed to run up and down the stairs because this puts too much pressure on their still growing joints and limbs.

If you get a Field Spaniel puppy from a breeder they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day once in the morning and then again in the evening making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Feeding guide for a Field Spaniel puppy

Puppies need to be fed a highly nutritious good quality diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide a Field Spaniel puppy can be fed the following amounts every day making sure their meals are evenly spread out throughout the day and it's best to feed them 3 or 4 times a day:

• 2 months old - 150 g to 208 g depending on a puppy's build
• 3 months old - 176 g to 246 g depending on a puppy's build
• 4 months old - 187 g to 264 g depending on a puppy's build
• 6 months old - 189 g to 270 g depending on a puppy's build
• 7 months old - 171 g to 250 g depending on a puppy's build
• 8 months old - 153 g to 233 g depending on a puppy's build
• 10 months old - 136 g to 194 g depending on a puppy's build
• 11 months old - 134 g to 192 g depending on a puppy's build

When a puppy is 12 months old they can be fed adult food.

Feeding guide for an adult Field Spaniel

Once fully mature an adult Field Spaniel must be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health. As a rough guide an adult Field Spaniel can be fed the following amounts every day:

• Dogs weighing 16 kg can be fed 215 g to 283 g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 20 kg can be fed 234 g to 308 g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 25 kg can be fed 253 g to 334 g depending on activity

If you are looking to buy a Field Spaniel you would need to pay anything from £300 to over £600 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Field Spaniel in northern England would be £28.32 a month for basic cover but for a lifetime policy this would set you back £65.43 a month (quote as of February 2018). When insurance companies calculate a pet's premium they factor in several things which includes where you live in the UK and a dog's age and whether they have been neutered or spayed.

When it comes to food costs you need to buy the best quality food whether wet or dry to feed your dog throughout their lives making sure it suits the different stages of their lives. This would set you back between £30 - £50 a month. On top of this you would need to factor in veterinary costs if you want to share your home with a Field Spaniel and this includes their initial vaccinations their annual boosters the cost of neutering or spaying your dog when the time is right and their yearly health checks all of which quickly adds up to over a £1000 a year.

As a rough guide the average cost to keep and care for a Field Spaniel would be between £65 to £120 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog but this does not include the initial cost of buying a well-bred healthy Kennel Club registered pedigree Field Spaniel puppy.

When visiting and buying any puppy or dog there are many important things to consider and questions to ask of the breeder/seller. You can read our generic puppy/dog advice here which includes making sure you see the puppy with its mother and to verify that the dog has been wormed and microchipped.

Although Field Spaniels are not as popular as other spaniel breedsthey do have a large fanbase in the UK which means that well-bred puppies can often command a lot of money. As such with Field Spaniels there is specific advice questions and protocols to follow when buying a puppy which are as follows:

• Beware of online scams and how to avoid them. You may see online and other adverts by scammers showing images of beautiful Field Spanielpuppies for sale at very low prices. However the sellers ask buyers for money up front before agreeing to deliver a puppy to a new home. Potential buyers should never buy a puppy unseen and should never pay a deposit or any other money online to a seller. You should always visit the pet at the sellers home to confirm they are genuine and make a note of their address.
• As previously touched upon Field Spaniels have a large fanbase in the UK as such there are many amateur breeders/people who breed from a dam far too often so they can make a quick profit without caring for the welfare of the puppies their dam or the breed in general. Under Kennel Club rules there are specific breeding restrictions in place for Field Spaniels which are that bitches should not produce a litter when they are under 18 months of age and that they should not produce more than one litter within a 12-month period. On top of this no stud dog should be used for breeding purposes when they under 12 months of age. Anyone wishing to buy a Field Spaniel puppy should think very carefully about who they purchase their puppy from and should always ask to see the relevant paperwork pertaining to a puppy's lineage their vaccinations and their microchipping.
• Traditionally a Field Spaniel's tail was always docked but since the law banning the procedure came into effect in 2007 tail docking is now illegal with the exception being for some working breeds and if a dog suffers from some sort of health issue that requires their tails to be docked. The procedure must be agreed and authorised before being performed by a qualified vet.