Page 248 - Showsight March 2013

Ireally thought the little black
ball of fur I had just met was a
long bodied cocker mix. I had
been involved with Setters and
Cocker Spaniels in performance
events for over 10 years, but had
never heard of a Field Spaniel. My first
experience with the breed was amazing.
The little Field bitch was confident and
energetic, with a mind of her own. She was
active, smart, and needed a “Job!” Doggie
daycare was perfect for her. It was an outlet
for her energy and taught her social skills.
We also started obedience and agil-
ity training. She learned quickly and was
easy to motivate. Food, toys, she loved it
all! I was her other mother, trainer, mentor,
playmate, and her best friend. Although,
together we challenged each other in the
many venues in agility, rally and obedi-
ence. I learned how a Field Spaniel learns
and thinks, and that they had their way of
doing things. A true crowd pleaser, she also
taught me that Field Spaniels can really do
it all.
I now live with three wonderful Field
Spaniels each with their own unique per-
sonalities. From room to room, I find a
Field following me wondering what we
will do next. Some of their favorite activi-
ties are fetching, running, wrestling with
each other, going for a walk, chasing the
birds, rabbits, and squirrels, burrowing
through the snow, car rides, or just laying
in the sun. They are funny, cuddly Spaniels
that want to be my lap dogs. Not realiz-
ing that they are nearly too big for my lap!
They are very much creatures of habit and
love to predict their day, helping me with
my daily duties. As long as they are with
the family, they are happy.
They are a versatile spaniel that love the
outdoors. They are eager to please their
humans, and are happy doing agility, rally,
obedience, hunting, tracking, lure cours-
ing, dock diving, working as a therapy dog,
or just being faithful companions. Being
a sporting companion dog they must be
THE ACTIVE, INQUISITIVE SPANIEL
By Nichole Dooley & Daphne Stover
“THEy ARE VERy MUCH
CREATURES OF HABIT
and love to predict
their day,
helping me with my daily duties.”
248 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013