Health

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Generally speaking, this breed does enjoy relatively good health. We do have some issues, but many years ago when we ran our first health survey, we found that the average life span was around 9. That said, it should be realized that the average lifespan has increased, and is likely to be closer to 12 with a range between 9 and 18 years.

As in any breed, there are some conditions that can afflict a Field Spaniel. Hip Dysplasia was one of the major concerns in the breed, however careful breeding is slowly improving this condition. Another issue can be a thyroid condition. This is not life threatening and can be controlled with medication. There have been some occurrences of heart murmurs, PRA, and a condition called autoimmune hemolytic anemia as well. This latter condition can be quite devastating, but to my knowledge it is not evident in my pedigrees.

    Another condition that crops up from time to time is something we are calling late onset seizure disorder. This is something that none of us knew too much about 15 or 20 years ago, but many of us now believe it may have a genetic component. This issue doesn't show up until the dog is usually at least 7 to 10 years of age, so unfortunately, the dogs have already been bred by that time, and we have no genetic test to determine if the dogs carry for this problem, or even if it is genetic for certain. Many of us also believe that, possibly the genetic link may be a reduced threshold or trigger point that may cause this condition to rear it's ugly head. The FSSA Health committee formed a sub-committee including myself, and we tried to gather information of dogs that have seized so we as breeders can make better breeding choices. I have had this issue in my own lines and in fact, the great-great-great grandmother of my line had this issue. Fortunately, to date I have not had this crop up again, but I cannot say with good conscience that it never will. What I do is investigate pedigrees and try my best to breed to a Sire that has not had this problem in their pedigree for several generations. Unfortunately, this is difficult to find as late onset seizure dogs show up somewhere in most pedigrees.

If you choose to become a Field Spaniel owner, what you can do is complete the testing asked by your breeder and report the findings back to them. Most breeders have a contract asking this of their puppy people, but it does not do them much good unless they can track any and all health issues in the dogs they have produced.

In order for a CHIC number to be assigned to any dog of this breed, the following tests are required. Hip x-rays at the age of two or after to determine status or any evidence of hip dysplasia. Thyroid testing, as this is a common issue in Field Spaniels. The last required test is an eye exam performed by a qualified canine opthamologist. This is to acquire a CERF certification. Most breeders will have their puppies examined by an opthamologist at 8 weeks before they go to their new homes, to assure no congenital eye problems exist, but a check later is required for a  CERF certification. As a breeder, it is always desirable to have puppies certified as healthy before they go to new homes and to also have a cardiac check. There are several checks that breeders also do like cardiac exams, elbow and patella x-rays, color testing, and some others that are not required, but only enhance their health information.

The FSSA Health Committee has  tried to do what they can for the benefit of the breed. They are a source of information and have donated to several studies through the Canine Health Foundation that will hopefully someday benefit Field Spaniels as well as other breeds. During my tenure as Health Chair, we also mapped the DNA of 2 Field Spaniels to hopefully be of use in defining genes that may be involved in some of the diseases that can plague our breed. When possible, we also hold health clinics and collect blood samples for DNA so researchers will have access to this for their studies.

When you get your puppy home, you should of course have them examined by your own veterinarian. First vaccinations will be given by the breeder, but it is expected that the owner will complete all vaccinations required. The Field Spaniel is a very sensitive breed and needs lots of socialization. They are a loving breed, but do not respond well to harsh training methods or treatment. Fed a healthy diet and trained and treated well, they will provide years of loving companionship.