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Field Spaniel

At a Glance

Built for Upland flushing in heavy cover. Pheasant, woodcock, grouse, quail. Close-working spaniel style.
From England. Developed in the mid-1800s from the same stock as the Cocker and Springer Spaniels.
Temperament Calm, affectionate, loyal, sensitive. Bonds closely with handler. Reserved with strangers.
Coat Silky, moderately long, flat or slightly wavy. Feathering on chest, legs, and belly. Black, liver, golden liver, or roan.
Size 35–50 lbs, 17–18 inches at the shoulder
Live with Excellent house dog. Calm indoors, good with children and other dogs. Needs to be with people.
Best for Upland hunter who wants a methodical, close-working flushing dog that doubles as a calm, loyal house dog.
Famous for One of the rarest spaniel breeds in North America. Nearly went extinct in the late 1800s before hunters brought it back.

Origin

The Field Spaniel was developed in England in the mid-1800s, originally bred down from the same stock that produced the Cocker and Springer Spaniels. Early breeders pushed the breed toward an exaggerated show type — long, low, and heavy — that nearly destroyed its working ability by the late 1800s. A dedicated group of hunters and breeders pulled the breed back from the brink in the early 20th century, restoring its athletic build and field instincts. Today it remains one of the rarest spaniel breeds in North America, which means the dogs you find are almost exclusively from working or dual-purpose lines.

Original Purpose

A close-working flushing and retrieving spaniel built for hunting upland birds in dense cover. The Field Spaniel was designed to quarter methodically within gun range, push birds out of heavy brush, and retrieve reliably on land and water.

Hunting Style

The Field Spaniel is a close-working flushing dog. It quarters methodically within gun range, uses its nose aggressively in heavy cover, and flushes birds with authority. It retrieves on land and water, though it’s not as water-obsessed as the Irish Water Spaniel. Its lower, heavier build makes it exceptionally effective in dense brush, briars, and thick upland cover where faster dogs blow past birds. It’s best suited for pheasant, woodcock, grouse, and quail in tight cover situations.

Temperament

Calm. Affectionate. Loyal. Sensitive.

The Field Spaniel bonds closely with its handler and is genuinely pleasant to live with. It’s not hyperactive in the house — it settles well and integrates naturally into family life. It tends to be reserved with strangers rather than outright shy, and it does not respond well to harsh corrections. This is a dog that wants to be with you — in the field and at home.

Coat Type

Silky, moderately long coat that is flat or slightly wavy, with feathering on the chest, legs, and belly. The coat is functional in the field and provides reasonable protection in cover.

Colors: Black, liver, golden liver, roan, or any of these with tan points. The Field Spaniel’s coat requires regular brushing and occasional trimming to keep it clean and functional.

Trainability

Intelligent and eager to please, which makes them trainable — but their sensitivity means you need to keep training positive and consistent. Heavy-handed methods will shut them down fast. They respond well to reward-based training, clear expectations, and a handler who stays patient. Their natural quartering instinct is strong, and most Field Spaniels take to basic spaniel work quickly. Steadiness to flush and shot takes time and repetition, same as any flushing breed.

What It’s Actually Like to Live and Hunt with a Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel is a dog for the hunter who values a methodical, honest working dog over flash and speed. It won’t cover ground like a Springer, but it won’t blow past birds either. In thick cover — the kind that makes faster dogs useless — the Field Spaniel is in its element. It works the cover thoroughly, finds the birds, and puts them in the air within range.

At home it’s calm, affectionate, and easy to live with. It doesn’t demand constant stimulation, but it does demand your company. Leave it alone too much and it’ll let you know. Give it work, give it time, and you’ll have one of the most rewarding and underappreciated hunting spaniels available.

Family Compatibility

Excellent. The Field Spaniel is gentle, affectionate, and good with children and other dogs. It bonds with the whole family and integrates naturally into active households. Its calm indoor temperament makes it one of the more practical hunting dogs for families who also want a house dog.

Common Misconceptions

“The Field Spaniel is too slow for real hunting.”
The Field Spaniel isn’t built for big-running country — it’s built for heavy cover. In the right terrain, its methodical style is an asset, not a liability. It finds birds that faster dogs miss.

“They’re too rare to find a good one.”
They are rare — but that rarity means most breeders are serious about working ability. Do your homework, find a reputable breeder, and you’ll get a capable dog.

Best For

  • Upland hunters who work heavy cover on foot
  • Hunters who want a close-working, methodical flushing dog
  • Families who hunt and want a calm, loyal house dog
  • Hunters willing to seek out a rare breed from quality working lines

Registry & Organizations

  • AKC — American Kennel Club
  • FSA — Field Spaniel Society of America
  • HRC — Hunting Retriever Club

Related Breeds

English Springer Spaniel · English Cocker Spaniel · Boykin Spaniel · American Water Spaniel

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