Hunting the Field Spaniel

[Meathook]

anyone have any experience hunting the field spaniel for upland game? as they don't split their lines into show, agility, rescue, field, etc., it's a little hard to imagine one dog can go in whatever direction he is trained, but it could sure be the case i guess.

folks and research have told me they're "the gentlemen's hunting dog", but still have an off switch. methodical in the field, shy but loyal, plus all the spaniel traits. still, i have not seen a lot about how they perform in the wild, and have yet to see one trialed or even at a hunt test.

thoughts?

[3Britts]

The problem that I can see is that many people will tell you that they have a field spaniel and really have a cross bred dog. Springer/cocker, Cocker/Brittany etc.
I don't know that I would call them a shy dog, the ones that I have seen remind me of a Springer more than anything else.

[Meathook]

we have a fine conformation breeder of the field spaniel in our area, but by her own admission knows nothing of hunting. her dogs are very reserved on meeting new people, and i see from reading that appears to be their way. the build on her dogs is slightly longer than tall, heavier in the chest than the rear.

i have not had a chance to see one work even in a hunt test, so have been most interested in how they handle. the last flusher test i attended was dominated by springers, but also had a decent number of field bred cockers, a water spaniel or two. it doesn't seem many folks are hunting/campaigning them- -certainly not in our area for sure.

at my age (63), one of my larger concerns in switching from the labs i used to keep is ending up with an overactive dog. whereas i figure that can happen in most any breed, i need to play the odds thru the best selection i can muster. i am sure willing to train and run the dog regularly (look forward to it actually), i'd like to have a dog that can relax a little too--just sort of fit into my day.

i'd like to find somebody who swears by 'em, or maybe even somebody who swears at 'em.

[jimbobsomd2]

hello from md.
i currently have a 1 year old female and love the dog. while i got her for hunting as a second job, she has a very strong nose and hunting instinct. she is a bit more active than our lab, she constantly entertains with her desire to figure out a problem. VERY GOOD with strangers and children, easy to train, though bores easily with too much repetition. i do not intend on showing or field trials, as i have other interests, and she accompanies me in those pursuits also. (fishing in particular) strong swimmer, would live in the water if left to. EXCELLENT RETRIEVER! still not use to the muzzle blast of a gun but we're working on that. she definitely has the off switch you desire for a sedate house dog/companion. does not mind a leash, we started early so was part of her training. she always wants to be with you and will attach herself to what seems to be one dominant person in the house. apparently likes someone in the pack to be in control of all situations. has almost mastered hand signals, one downside i did not expect, her vision at ground level is not on a par with our lab. she can mark well from the air but relies on her nose once on the ground.
hope this helps
jim

[Meathook]

hey jim:

thanks for the reply- -exactly the type of information i need. you are in a great position to compare the lab and the spaniel! i am just a little surprised (though not too much) to hear of the great water work. that love of water might help her get over that little gunshyness, if you shoot light when she is happy in the water. i also had excellent luck in the water with .22 dummy launcher on my labs. what you say about the "off switch" is pretty important to me, even tho i plan to run the dog regularly, i won't run it all the time. my old labs used to love to stand by in the trout stream with me, watch the fly, and be ready for the retrieve whenever we connected. bit of a pita, really, but i miss it sorely.

gotta get this dog thing worked out for myself- -i am planning on some extended hunting this fall in the rv- -maybe get in 60 days or so. won't do it unless i'm following a four-footer around...

mike

[jimbobsomd2]

you are welcome mike. Jackee, is sitting here beside me now enjoying quiet time. she learned "easy", "no bark", "no bite" "sit", "stay", "lay down", "this way", and one of my most important commands that i demand of my home trained dogs,"WAIT"......... in about 2 months. she still tests me but for the most part listens....she just wants to know why we have to do this. "whoa" was a challenge because there was no reason for it in her eyes however, several flips at the end of a check cord fixed that problem real quick...... she will beg at the table but will retire to her bed in the kitchen corner if i just point and say "bed".....i guess what i'm trying to say is my girl is very trainable. if you keep them in the house, be aware they have very fine "human-like "hair, wonderful to pet and stroke, i do my own grooming but only a maintenace cut here or there.....however the hair does shed some and will be where you least expect it. if the weather is cool, she is tireless.
mine is solid liver colored with golden highlights everywhere that lightens with exposure to the sun. real pretty dog. her father was Josh, who won his breed in the eukanuba national dog show last year. we drove to cinncinati to get her. very happy with the purchase.