Field spaniel

Field Spaniel was originally bred as a show breed ^[1] , trying to achieve a black coat ^[2] . Some of the dog breeding methods have been criticized. In response to criticism, Thomas Jacob, one of the creators of the breed ^[3] , spoke as follows:

They wrote and talked a lot about the purity of the breed, criticized the methods used by me in calculating the intended type, a lot of stones were thrown at me and my dogs. But where is he, the purebred black spaniel that we hear so much about? There is no evidence of the existence of such a purebred dog (if it existed at all). Like most hunting dogs, they are the result of various crosses.

Original text

Much has been written and said on the purity of the breed; deprecating the means I have adopted to produce them as calculated to alter a presumed type, and frequent missiles have been hurled at me and my dogs from behind the hedge. But where is the pure bred black spaniel we hear so much about? Proof of the existence of the pure bred one (if there ever was one!) Has not been forthcoming. Like most sporting dogs, they are the result of different crosses.

Initially, these dogs were not popular with hunters: when hunting, dogs were hindered by their body shape and inappropriate coat color ^[4] . Phineas Bullock, with the help of dogs previously owned by Sir Francis Burdett (Secretary of the Birmingham Dog Show; they say he had many black Cocker Spaniels), created a new Field Spaniel ^{[5] [6]} . Bullock crossed a field spaniel with a sussex spaniel and an English water spaniel . In the 1870s, his dogs successfully performed at exhibitions. True, crosses eventually led to the fact that the dog began to look almost like a Sussex Spaniel, and not like a Field Spaniel ^[7] .

The progenitor of the English Cocker Spaniel is a dog named Ch. Obo. Born in 1879 from the father of the Sussex Spaniel and the mother of the Field Spaniel. The son of this dog, Ch. Obo II is considered the ancestor of the modern American Cocker Spaniel , “a dog ten inches tall with a rather long body” ^[8] .

By 1909, the average weight of the field spaniel was 16–20 kilograms ^[9] . Then the breed was crossed with Basset Hound dogs. However, this caused problems with the genetics of dogs. The English Springer Spaniels helped bring in more healthy genetic elements, resulting in a long-legged Field Spaniel. Most modern field spaniels come from four 1950s dogs. Their nicknames are Colombina, Elmbury, Gormac, Ronayne ^[10] .

Field Spaniel is an extremely rare breed. In 2009, 51 dogs were registered by the English Club of Dog Breeding. The number of breed registrations has been falling since 2000. Of all the breeds of spaniels registered in the Club, field spaniels are registered the least. (the second place in this anti-rating is occupied by the Sussex Spaniel with 60 registrations in 2009). For comparison, the English Springer Spaniel was registered 12,700 times, and the English Cocker Spaniel - 22,211 times ^[11] . Kennel Club believes that the breed is vulnerable ^[12] .

The standard growth of the field spaniel is 43–46 cm at the withers ^[4] , weight - from 18 to 25 kg ^[13] . It occupies an intermediate position between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel ^[14] . Color, as a rule, monophonic black, brown or roan. Scorching, as well as white or roan marks on the throat and chest in dogs of a solid color are possible ^{[15] [4]} .

Dogs have a moderately long coat without undercoat. It is not as heavy as that of a cocker spaniel, but requires care ^[6] . Docking of the tail is prohibited in many countries, including the UK, but an exception has been made for working animals ^[16] .

Field Spaniel is an active and inquisitive dog, a good companion. However, if the dog is not occupied, she will get bored or spoil things ^[17] . With dogs you can do agility , hunting. Field Spaniels love to stay with their families and children ^[18] . When communicating with other dogs, they behave well ^[6] . As a rule, they are obedient and independent, not as excitable as Cocker Spaniels ^[19] . According to Stanley Coren, described in the book " Dog Intelligence ", the working intelligence of the breed is higher than that of the average dog ^[19] .

Field Spaniels may have vision problems. These are cataracts , atrophy and retinal dysplasia ^[20] . Hip dysplasia is also possible ^[14] . The Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association strongly recommend that Field Spaniel owners conduct eye tests and assess dog hips ^{[21] [22]} . In a study conducted by the Kennel Club, it was found that the main cause of death of field spaniels is cancer, the second most common cause of death is old age.

According to the same study, the median life expectancy of dogs of this breed is 11 years and 8 months. This is five months more than the average dog. True, the share of answers to the question about life expectancy was only 24%, so the result most likely turned out to be inaccurate ^[23] .

• Grayson, Peggy (1984) The History and management of the Field Spaniel , Scan Books, ISBN 0-906360-10-2

• Field Spaniel in the Open Directory Project Link Directory (dmoz)