THE FIELD SPANIEL
(The American Kennel Clubs Standard and Description)
General Appearance
The Field Spaniel is a combination of
beauty and utility. It is a well balanced,
substantial hunter-companion of medium
size, built for activity and endurance in a
heavy cover and water. It has a noble
carriage; a proud but docile attitude; is
sound and free moving. Symmetry,
gait, attitude and purpose are more
important than any one part.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Balance between these three components is essential. Size--Ideal height
for mature adults at the withers is 18 inches for dogs and 17 inches for
bitches. A one inch deviation either way is acceptable. Proportion--A
well balanced dog, somewhat longer than tall. The ratio of length to height
is approximately 7:6. (Length is measured on a level from the foremost
point of the shoulder to the rearmost point of the buttocks.)
Substance--Solidly built, with moderate bone, and firm smooth muscles.
Head
Conveys the impression of high breeding, character and nobility, and
must be in proportion to the size of the dog. Expression--Grave, gentle
and intelligent. Eyes--Almond in shape, open and of medium size; set
moderately wide and deep. Color: dark hazel to dark brown. The lids are
tight and show no haw; rims comparable to nose in color.
Ears--Moderately long (reaching the end of the muzzle) and wide. Set on
slightly below eye level: pendulous, hanging close to the head; rolled and
well feathered. Leather is moderately heavy, supple, and rounded at the
tip. Skull--The crown is slightly wider at the back than at the brow and
lightly arched laterally; sides and cheeks are straight and clean. The
occiput is distinct and rounded. Brows are slightly raised. The stop is
moderate, but well defined by the brows. The face is chiselled beneath
the eyes. Muzzle--Strong, long and lean, neither snipy nor squarely cut.
The nasal bone is straight and slightly divergent from parallel, sloping
downward toward the nose from the plane of the top skull. In profile, the
lower plane curves gradually from the nose to the throat. Jaws are level.
Nose--Large, flesh and well developed with open nostrils. Set on as an
extension of the muzzle. Color: solid: light to dark brown or black as
befits the color of the coat. Lips--Close fitting, clean, and sufficiently deep
to cover the lower jaw without being pendulous. Bite--Scissors or level,
with complete dentition. Scissors preferred.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--Long, strong, muscular, slightly arched, clean, and well set into
shoulders. Topline--The neck slopes smoothly into the withers; the back
is level, well muscled, firm and strong; the croup is short and gently
rounded. Body--The prosternum is prominent and well fleshed. The depth
of chest is roughly equal to the length of the front leg from elbow to
ground. The rib cage is long and extending into a short loin. Ribs are oval,
well sprung and curve gently into a firm loin. Loin--Short, strong, and
deep, with little or no tuck up. Tail--Set on low, in line with the croup, just
below the level of the back with a natural downward inclination. Docked
tails preferred, natural tails are allowed. The tail whether docked or natural
length should be in balance with the overall dog.
Forequarters
Shoulders blades are oblique and sloping. The upper arm is closed-set;
elbows are directly below the withers, and turn neither in nor out. Bone is
flat. Forelegs are straight and well boned to the feet. Pasterns are
moderately sloping but strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feed face
forward and are large, rounded, and webbed, with strong, well arched
relatively tight toes and thick pads.
Hindquarters
Strong and driving; stifles and hocks only moderately bent. Hocks well let
down; pasterns relatively short, strong and parallel when viewed from the
rear. Hips moderately broad and muscular; upper tigh broad and powerful;
second thigh well muscled. Bone corresponds to that of the forelegs. No
dewclaws.
Coat
Single; moderately long; flat or slightly wavy; silky; and glossy; dense
and water-repellent. Moderate setter-like feathering adorns the chest,
underbody, backs of the legs, buttocks, and may also be present on the
second thigh and underside of the tail. Pasterns have clean outlines to
the ground. There is short, soft hair between the toes. Overabundance of
coat, or cottony texture, impractical for field work should be penalized.
Trimming is limited to that which enhances the natural appearance of the
dog. Amount of coat or absence of coat should not be faulted as much as
structural faults.
Color
Black, liver, golden liver or shades thereof, in any intensity (dark or light);
either self-colored or bi-colored. Bi-colored dogs must be roaned and/or
ticked in white areas. Tan points are acceptable on the aforementioned
colors and are the same as any normally tan pointed breed. White is
allowed on the throat, chest, and/or brisket, and may be clear, ticked, or
roaned on a self color dog.
Gait
The head is carried alertly, neither so high nor so low as to impede
motion or stride. There is good forward reach that begins in the shoulder,
coupled with strong drive from the rear, giving the characteristic effortless,
long, low majestic stride. When viewed from front and/or rear elbows and
hocks move parallel. The legs move straight, with slight converence at
increased speed. When moving, the tail is carried inclined slightly
downward or level with the back, and with a wagging motion. Tail carried
above the back is incorrect. Side movement is straight and clean, without
energy wasting motions. Over-reaching and single tracking are incorrect.
The Field Spaniel should be show at its own natural speed in an
endurance trot, preferably on a loose lead, in order to evaluate its
movement.
Temperament
Unusually docile, sensitive, funloving, independent and intelligent, with a
great affinity for human companionship. They may be somewhat reserved
in initial meetings. Any display of shyness, fear, or agression is to be
severely penalized.
Approved September 14, 1998
Effective October 30, 1998
We have included links and pages to help you find a Puppy or Breeder
or to simply help people learn more about this breed.
We invite Clubs, Organizations and Reputable Breeders to submit
links and information to help make this site as informative as possible.
CONTACT: Stacy at
SPORTING BREEDS CENTRAL
Sporting Breeds Central FIELD SPANIEL Breeders Directory and Litter Ads
The FIELD SPANIEL Parent Club
FIELD SPANIEL Rescue Organizations
THE FIELD SPANIEL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
THE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OF THE FIELD SPANIEL
MAIN PAGE