Field Spaniel |
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Description... |
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This breed stands roughly 18
inches tall and will weigh between 35-40 pounds. Their coat has a
silky texture with longer hair on the chest, stomach, ears and legs.
Coat colours include black (solid), liver (solid), reddish mahogany
or a speckled combination of a dark colour and white. Their ears
will hang down.
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History...
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 Field
Spaniels were developed in the last half of the 19th century in
England. When formal dog shows were started Spaniels under 25 pounds
were classified as Cocker Spaniels, larger white & liver or black &
white Spaniels were classified as English Springer Spaniels and
finally dogs with solids colours and over 25 pounds remained Field
Spaniel.
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Traits...
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Field Spaniels are great to play
with, especially since they like to carry stuff around in the their
mouths. They also have a broad vocal range. They are a great dog for
frequent walks and runs.
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Good aspects...
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Field Spaniels are loving and
active dogs who are eager to please. They are great to have around
children and other animals.
They are great for people who want
a good looking mid-sized dog that does not need a lot of grooming.
They are also good for less experienced dog owners.
To have the best dog possible with
this breed, young dogs should go through training and have
experience in many non-threatening situations, meeting a variety of
other animals and people.
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Health...
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Potential health problems include:
hip dysplasia, eye (retinal) problems and ear infections. IMPORTANT
- when puppies reach 3-4 months of age they will go through what is
called ""collapsing front"". The front ankles and knees will weaken
and the puppy will seem to flop about. The puppy will be strong
again by six months of age. Some veterinarians unfamiliar with Field
Spaniels may misdiagnose this as rickets. Another potential health
problem is thyroid disease. It is not a life threatening condition
and it does not need to effect the dog's quality of life. Symptoms
may include: lethargy, weight gain and oily coat and/or scaly skin.
Other occasional conditions are Sub-Aortic Stenosis (SAS) and
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). If you are thinking of using your
Field Spaniel for breeding you should have checked and declared
clear by a veterinarian. When looking for a Field Spaniel you should
be sure to request from the breeders regarding the temperament and
health of the parents and any siblings. Obviously, the fewer
problems in its relatives the fewer problems with your new puppy.
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Be aware...
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This breed will not make a good
guard dog. Some behavior problems have included: excessive barking
at noises, stealing food, and roaming. This breed is also known to
snore. If not trained this bright and active dog may get bored and
get into some mischief as a result.
The breed's drinking habits will
often result in water spilled around their bowl. This and other
traits may mean this is not the best choice for people who pride
themselves on perfect houses.
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Summary...
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Field Spaniels are a rare breed and
it may be hard to find a breeder.
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source: petcare information centre-
petcare.umn.edu
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Further resources... |
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