Canis lupus familiaris
Field Spaniel
Featured photofield-spaniel.jpgThe Field Spaniel is a largest of the British land-spaniels, a slow methodical all-black flushing dog. The Field Spaniel was created in late-19th-century England by Mortimer Smith, who selected the heaviest spaniels of the broader land-spaniel landrace to produce a slow, methodical, all-black flushing dog distinct from the smaller Cocker Spaniel.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Sporting
- Origin country
- England
- Origin period
- Late 19th century
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- Black, Liver, Golden Liver, Roan — with or without tan markings
- Average lifespan
- 12-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1894 · FCI 1954 · UKC 1948 · Group 8 — Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs (Section 2: Flushing Dogs)
Origin
The Field Spaniel was created in late-19th-century England as the largest of the British land-spaniel split. Mortimer Smith selected the heaviest spaniels of the broader land-spaniel landrace to produce a slow, methodical all-black flushing dog distinct from the smaller Cocker. The Kennel Club registered the breed in 1892 and the AKC followed in 1894. The breed nearly went extinct in the early 20th century when faster Cockers and Springers gained popularity; Mr. Mortimer Smith and Captain Tudor Crosthwaite rebuilt the line in the 1950s from Sussex Spaniel and Cocker outcrosses.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1894, the United Kennel Club followed in 1948, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 123) in 1954. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 8 — Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs (Section 2: Flushing Dogs).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe a well-balanced, substantial spaniel, of medium build, slightly longer than tall, with a noble, dignified bearing. The defining feature is the long, single, glossy coat — flat or slightly waved, with abundant feathering on the chest, legs, and tail. Recognized colours are black, liver, golden liver, and roan, with or without tan markings. The breed stands 43-46 cm at the withers.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Field Spaniel's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Field Spaniel in the Sporting Group. The Sporting Group gathers pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels — breeds developed to assist hunters in locating, flushing, or retrieving game birds. The breed's foundation working role was as a largest of the British land-spaniels, a slow methodical all-black flushing dog.
When was the Field Spaniel officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1894; the United Kennel Club followed in 1948; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 123) in 1954.
What is the average lifespan of a Field Spaniel?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Field Spaniel's average lifespan in the 12-14 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
