Field Spaniel Breed History
The Field Spaniel has survived over 100 years against he odds. It has had a chequered history, nearly having become extinct three times.
The Term "Field Spaniel " was originally applied to all land spaniels including, the Cocker, Clumber, Norfolk and Sussex. It was toward the end of the last century that it became a recognisable separate breed. It was a man made breed that came about at the same time as dog shows. It was originally known as the Black Spaniel and was created from a cocktail of Sussex, Norfolk and Cocker Spaniel. It has had a dash of Irish Water Spaniel, and reputedly a drop of Basset to add colour.
The beginnings of the Field Spaniel began with liver Sussex, 'Bebb', who was a really the offspring of an English Water Spaniel and 'Flirt', a Black Cocker. Spaniels in these early days were registered according to their size and colour. It was possible to have a Cocker, Field and Sussex in one litter. The Field was a large black spaniel taller on the leg than the Cocker and able to work in the field. Unfortunately those dogs which were shorter on the leg were placed at the shows, which led to the Field being bred low and resembling "Caterpillars". These were far removed from the agile and able worker originally envisioned. In 1892 the Cocker was recognised as a separate breed and this led to the Field being abandoned by the general public in favour of this smaller and less hideous animal. In order to create an interest in the breed, several Fields were mated to Basset Hounds and a profusion of pretty colours were seen. Some Black dogs were kept and the better ones were 'Arlington Duke' and 'Ch Druid'. These were shorter in body and retained the beautiful Field Head. Unfortunately the intervention of the First World War reduced these to a handful.
The shooting fraternity in the Midlands became the saviour to the breed. These men wanted a strong spaniel capable of working thick cover. The mainstay of this was Mr George Mortimer Smith, who had a black bitch 'Wribbenhall Whisper, mated to an English Springer dog 'Ch Matford Duke'. Out of this mating came two well known Champions, 'Wribbenhall Waiter' and 'Wribbenhall Waitress'. Mr Mortimer smith persuaded his friends, Mr R. R. Kelland (Nobel) and Major Beaumont (Strouds) to take an interest in the Field. These gentlemen founded the Field Spaniel Society in 1923, with the object of holding a Field Trial each year. This heralded a golden era for the Field with them running alongside their Springer cousins in the Field Trials. The Black and Tan, 'Ft Ch Butter of Strouds' was Major Beaumont's brightest Star, whilst his brother also campaigned Butter's black sister 'Saxpence of Skerries' to her Field Trial Champion award. The sad end for the Skerries Kennel of Mr L G Beaumont was for them to be destroyed after the death of the owner.
The liver dog, 'Ch Nobel Bang', the Black, and 'Ch Wribbenhall Wetbob', and 'Ch Wribbenhall Whitewash' were handsome specimens who won Challenge Certificates at shows, as well being field trial winners.
With the continued use the English Springer, more and more of the Fields were liver or coloured. Liver is the prevalent colour in the Field today.
With the Second World War came another dangerous period for the Field. Some whole kennels of Fields were put to sleep to save them suffering from the threat of invasion. Food was scarce and as many owners were gentlemen who were involved in fighting the war, the Field declined. No one had time or money for the Field except for Mrs Barnett in Wales. Her husband's keen interest in shooting and her own in the shows had made the Field an ideal dog in the 1930's. After the war she bred the outstanding liver dog 'Vandyke of Pentwyn' from 'Jean of Llandefalle' and 'Llanbrynean Barney.' In 1948 Vandyke won the Gundog Group at WELKS, the only one to accomplish this at a British Show. This dog revitalised interest in the Field Spaniel, and with matings to 'Keepsake of Westwind', and 'Bourbon of Strouds' helped form the basis of the modern day Field. Every breed can name one dog that stands out from the rest, in Fields it was Vandyke. As there were no Challenge Certificates available at this time, Vandyke never even got his stud book number.
The Field proceeded steadily into the 1950's with Vandyke's progeny coming to the fore. Dogs such as 'Ch Renoir of Westwind'; 'Sh Ch Pirouette of Pentwyn', and the brother and sister Show Champions 'Teffont Lac and 'Lalage', kept the breed alive. Unfortunately Challenge Certificates were withdrawn in the 1960's and some of the pioneers of the breed had died or their interest had waned. The Field again declined. A chance find of the two year old 'Sherelake of Rhiwlas' who was out of the Springer 'Ch Whaddon Chase Duke' and 'Sh Ch Teffont Lalage'. Registered on the interbred section she was Grandmother of Gormac Teal and great grandmother of the famous "A" Litter and "J" litters.
It was at this time when another pioneer was found. Mrs A M Jones (Mittina) was looking for a Field for her son Roger (Elmbury). She bought 'Elmbury Morwenna of Rhiwlas' as her foundation dog. She bred three Show Champions in 'Judith, Joanne and Juanita of Mittina'. By 'Gormac Teal' and out of 'Sh Ch Mittina Ridware Samantha', two were sent to the USA and both became American Champions. The black dog, 'Jonathon of Mittina', disliked the Show ring, but produced quality Puppies. The other litter of great importance was the Elmbury "A" litter from 'Juno of Elmbury' by 'Gormac Teal'. 'Adam' and 'Adrian of Elmbury' became Champions, 'Alice and Anna' were Show Champions. These are the basis for all modern Field Spaniels. These dogs brought new aficionados to the breed, enabling the lines to become fixed and the Field to survive.
The breed record holder with 32 CC is 'Sh Ch Mittina Cleo'. Cleo had a typical Field head combined with the bone and substance of a true Field. Her last CC was awarded when she was 10 years of age, indicating the slow maturing nature of a true Field. The only bitch in recent history to come anywhere near to her record is Malcolm Fowkes' black Bitch, 'Sh Ch Shirmal Moonlight Serenade'.
As we approach the Millennium the Field is once again thriving. A hundred puppies are registered each year in the UK, a far cry from the numbers when less than 20 could be expected. The breed is still self-limiting in numbers, with many bitches proving barren, or having Pyometra at an early age. Rearing a litter tends to be an art form.
The modern Field is once again being trained as a working gundog. Fields are holding their own at Minor Breed Field Trials, and occasionally winning them. Though it is unrealistic to expect them to be able to compete alongside the Working Springer and Cocker as they did in their heyday, at least the breed as a dual-purpose animal is being retained.
Shula M Shipton
Bibliography:
The History and Management of the Field Spaniel - Peggy Grayson
The Field Spaniel Society Yearbook 1972 - Roger Hall Jones
Field Spaniel. A complete and Reliable Handbook - Becki Jo Wolkenheim
Hutchinson's Popular and Illustrated Dog Encyclopaedia
© Mishules Publications 1998
The Term "Field Spaniel " was originally applied to all land spaniels including, the Cocker, Clumber, Norfolk and Sussex. It was toward the end of the last century that it became a recognisable separate breed. It was a man made breed that came about at the same time as dog shows. It was originally known as the Black Spaniel and was created from a cocktail of Sussex, Norfolk and Cocker Spaniel. It has had a dash of Irish Water Spaniel, and reputedly a drop of Basset to add colour.
The beginnings of the Field Spaniel began with liver Sussex, 'Bebb', who was a really the offspring of an English Water Spaniel and 'Flirt', a Black Cocker. Spaniels in these early days were registered according to their size and colour. It was possible to have a Cocker, Field and Sussex in one litter. The Field was a large black spaniel taller on the leg than the Cocker and able to work in the field. Unfortunately those dogs which were shorter on the leg were placed at the shows, which led to the Field being bred low and resembling "Caterpillars". These were far removed from the agile and able worker originally envisioned. In 1892 the Cocker was recognised as a separate breed and this led to the Field being abandoned by the general public in favour of this smaller and less hideous animal. In order to create an interest in the breed, several Fields were mated to Basset Hounds and a profusion of pretty colours were seen. Some Black dogs were kept and the better ones were 'Arlington Duke' and 'Ch Druid'. These were shorter in body and retained the beautiful Field Head. Unfortunately the intervention of the First World War reduced these to a handful.
The shooting fraternity in the Midlands became the saviour to the breed. These men wanted a strong spaniel capable of working thick cover. The mainstay of this was Mr George Mortimer Smith, who had a black bitch 'Wribbenhall Whisper, mated to an English Springer dog 'Ch Matford Duke'. Out of this mating came two well known Champions, 'Wribbenhall Waiter' and 'Wribbenhall Waitress'. Mr Mortimer smith persuaded his friends, Mr R. R. Kelland (Nobel) and Major Beaumont (Strouds) to take an interest in the Field. These gentlemen founded the Field Spaniel Society in 1923, with the object of holding a Field Trial each year. This heralded a golden era for the Field with them running alongside their Springer cousins in the Field Trials. The Black and Tan, 'Ft Ch Butter of Strouds' was Major Beaumont's brightest Star, whilst his brother also campaigned Butter's black sister 'Saxpence of Skerries' to her Field Trial Champion award. The sad end for the Skerries Kennel of Mr L G Beaumont was for them to be destroyed after the death of the owner.
The liver dog, 'Ch Nobel Bang', the Black, and 'Ch Wribbenhall Wetbob', and 'Ch Wribbenhall Whitewash' were handsome specimens who won Challenge Certificates at shows, as well being field trial winners.
With the continued use the English Springer, more and more of the Fields were liver or coloured. Liver is the prevalent colour in the Field today.
With the Second World War came another dangerous period for the Field. Some whole kennels of Fields were put to sleep to save them suffering from the threat of invasion. Food was scarce and as many owners were gentlemen who were involved in fighting the war, the Field declined. No one had time or money for the Field except for Mrs Barnett in Wales. Her husband's keen interest in shooting and her own in the shows had made the Field an ideal dog in the 1930's. After the war she bred the outstanding liver dog 'Vandyke of Pentwyn' from 'Jean of Llandefalle' and 'Llanbrynean Barney.' In 1948 Vandyke won the Gundog Group at WELKS, the only one to accomplish this at a British Show. This dog revitalised interest in the Field Spaniel, and with matings to 'Keepsake of Westwind', and 'Bourbon of Strouds' helped form the basis of the modern day Field. Every breed can name one dog that stands out from the rest, in Fields it was Vandyke. As there were no Challenge Certificates available at this time, Vandyke never even got his stud book number.
The Field proceeded steadily into the 1950's with Vandyke's progeny coming to the fore. Dogs such as 'Ch Renoir of Westwind'; 'Sh Ch Pirouette of Pentwyn', and the brother and sister Show Champions 'Teffont Lac and 'Lalage', kept the breed alive. Unfortunately Challenge Certificates were withdrawn in the 1960's and some of the pioneers of the breed had died or their interest had waned. The Field again declined. A chance find of the two year old 'Sherelake of Rhiwlas' who was out of the Springer 'Ch Whaddon Chase Duke' and 'Sh Ch Teffont Lalage'. Registered on the interbred section she was Grandmother of Gormac Teal and great grandmother of the famous "A" Litter and "J" litters.
It was at this time when another pioneer was found. Mrs A M Jones (Mittina) was looking for a Field for her son Roger (Elmbury). She bought 'Elmbury Morwenna of Rhiwlas' as her foundation dog. She bred three Show Champions in 'Judith, Joanne and Juanita of Mittina'. By 'Gormac Teal' and out of 'Sh Ch Mittina Ridware Samantha', two were sent to the USA and both became American Champions. The black dog, 'Jonathon of Mittina', disliked the Show ring, but produced quality Puppies. The other litter of great importance was the Elmbury "A" litter from 'Juno of Elmbury' by 'Gormac Teal'. 'Adam' and 'Adrian of Elmbury' became Champions, 'Alice and Anna' were Show Champions. These are the basis for all modern Field Spaniels. These dogs brought new aficionados to the breed, enabling the lines to become fixed and the Field to survive.
The breed record holder with 32 CC is 'Sh Ch Mittina Cleo'. Cleo had a typical Field head combined with the bone and substance of a true Field. Her last CC was awarded when she was 10 years of age, indicating the slow maturing nature of a true Field. The only bitch in recent history to come anywhere near to her record is Malcolm Fowkes' black Bitch, 'Sh Ch Shirmal Moonlight Serenade'.
As we approach the Millennium the Field is once again thriving. A hundred puppies are registered each year in the UK, a far cry from the numbers when less than 20 could be expected. The breed is still self-limiting in numbers, with many bitches proving barren, or having Pyometra at an early age. Rearing a litter tends to be an art form.
The modern Field is once again being trained as a working gundog. Fields are holding their own at Minor Breed Field Trials, and occasionally winning them. Though it is unrealistic to expect them to be able to compete alongside the Working Springer and Cocker as they did in their heyday, at least the breed as a dual-purpose animal is being retained.
Shula M Shipton
Bibliography:
The History and Management of the Field Spaniel - Peggy Grayson
The Field Spaniel Society Yearbook 1972 - Roger Hall Jones
Field Spaniel. A complete and Reliable Handbook - Becki Jo Wolkenheim
Hutchinson's Popular and Illustrated Dog Encyclopaedia
© Mishules Publications 1998
