Frequently Asked Questions:
Where are you based?
We are based on the Lower North Shore in Sydney, Australia.
Do you do health testing on your dogs?
Yes! At Daintyfield we do health testing on all our dogs including the following:
Hips & Elbow Scoring
All our dogs have excellent Hips & Elbow scoring with our results on our DogzOnline Profile.
We are scored against the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) Scoring System.
Open to dogs at least 12 months of age, and is evaluated using a single radiographic view of the pelvis in extension.
There are 9 criteria to be evaluated, with scores between 0-6 allocated for each, except for the caudal acetabular edge which is scored out of 5. The scores for the right and left are added together to give a total score. An individual hip score of 10 will be an indication either of instability.
It is recommended that dogs are only bred with a score lower than the ‘breed average’, which can be found on the ANKC register.
Heart Tests
We complete heart tests on all our Field Spaniels & they have all passed their heart tests.
Echocardiography is ultrasound that allows a veterinary cardiologist to see a real-time image of your pet’s heart. A cardiac physical examination includes heart auscultation to identify and characterize abnormal heart sounds indicative of disease. Assessment of pulses, lung sounds, and mucous membranes are also important aspects of the cardiovascular examination and provide clinical information concerning secondary manifestations of heart disease.
Eye Tests
We complete eye tests on all our dogs with Dr Bilson at SASH in Sydney. Ophthalmology service provides screening examination of pets for recognised hereditary eye diseases. This is part of the Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES).
All our Field Spaniels have clear eyes & passed their eye tests with flying colours.
Are your dogs show dogs?
Yes, all our dogs are show dogs & are Australian Champions in Conformation. While we are very selective with the shows we do enter, we enjoy going to shows & seeing our show friends. Archer was recently awarded his Australian Champion & now it’s Summer’s turn to get into the ring.
What supplements do you feed your dogs at Daintyfield?
All our dogs are on Antinol Plus.
Antinol® Plus is an all-natural supplement that is changing dog’s lives for the better. Each tiny capsule is made from a patented blend of marine lipid oils that are fully traceable, sustainably sourced and free from preservatives and fillers.
Antinol® Plus can be used daily as a natural anti-inflammatory for joint and mobility support, for skin and coat condition as well as a wellness influencer/preventative for those looking to be proactive about their dog’s health.
When our females are leading up to & pregnant, the take Elevit Pre-conception & Pregnancy Multivitamin.
We also feed Caltrate to our females when they are whelping to help boost their calcium intake.
How rare are Field Spaniels?
They are now considered to be a rare breed, and are registered as a Vulnerable Native Breed by American The Kennel Club. Their fur is darker than other spaniels and they have no undercoat like most of the other field type spaniels
In Australia, they are one of the rarest breeds.
What is their temperament like?
The Field Spaniel is an active and inquisitive breed, and makes a good companion.
They are suitable for dog agility exercises and hunting. They are patient with children and like to stay close to their family. When socialised, they are good with other dogs.
They are generally docile and independent, and are not as excitable as Cocker Spaniels. Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs lists the breed as being above average in working intelligence.
How long do they live?
A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.
Is a Field Spaniel a good family dog?
Is the Field Spaniel a good family dog?
Field Spaniels are sweet, sensitive souls with just enough independence to make life interesting.
They are trustworthy with kids, tolerant of their fellow mammals, and responsive to training.
Are your dogs a Cocker Spaniel?
The sweet and sensitive Field Spaniel is famously docile, but vigorous and game for anything when at play or in the field.
These close cousins to Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels may be small in number, but their charm is enormous.
Can we see some Daintyfield Spaniels grown up or in Australia?
Yes, most of our Daintyfield pup forever homes create an Instagram account for their pups. We love watching their adventures & living their best lives.
Here are some of our pups who you can follow on Instagram:
What is the difference between a Springer Spaniel & a Field Spaniel?
The Field Spaniel as a rare breed at times gets confused with and thought of as a large Working Cocker Spaniel or a Springer Spaniel, they are neither they are very much a separate breed.
They are known for been calmer than both the Cocker or Springer Spaniel.
We just love them!
Are Field Spaniels bigger than Cocker Spaniels?
Field spaniels today are larger than cocker spaniels but smaller than springer spaniels
Do you have a puppy waitlist?
We have a waitlist for upcoming litters & have a Puppy Questionnaire we ask people to complete to go on our waitlist.
What can I do to increase my chances?
The best way to increase your chances of being offered a Daintyfield puppy is to keep in touch with us via email, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok messages. We are active on social media & like to build rapport with potential forever homes before a litter arrives.
How long do you keep the puppies before forever homes?
At Daintyfield, we keep our puppies with us for the first 10 weeks so they can complete their Puppy Culture training with us & Pet Professor.
Puppy Culture is a program developed by Jane Killion, the professional dog trainer and breeder. It is a comprehensive, organized program for breeders to follow during the first weeks of a puppy’s life.
The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are incredibly important.
This is an almost magical time when a breeder has the power to change the outcome of a puppy’s life by what we choose to teach him or her.
By doing just the right things at just the right time, we can give your puppy the best start possible.
Can I visit my Daintyfield Puppy in person?
Yes!
We welcome forever homes to come visit the litter after 6 weeks old & would love you to bond with the puppies before forever home week.
We also share regular WhatsApp messages, videos & photos of the litter with forever home owners as soon as you pay your deposit to secure your puppy.
Can you fly a puppy overseas to it's forever home?
Yes.
We can fly puppies all around Australia & to other countries around the world.
We work with an agent to book flights with a breeder discount & also help you organise paperwork.
Many countries have different requirements & we can work with our agent to set your pup up for a successful voyage.
We currently have puppy waitlist forever homes waiting in Japan, New Zealand, USA, Italy, Malta, Korea, France & Switzerland.
What made you fall in love with Field Spaniels?
I love that they are a rare breed & I am proud to be a Field Spaniel Dog Mum.
Field spaniels are charming, docile, and loving. They’re sensitive, smart, and sweet natured dogs who make great family pets. They’re also playful and active, and they love spending time outdoors.
Despite their size, they’re total lap dogs. They’re also gentle and patient, making them great companions for kids.
Because they’re eager to please, they can make good choice for first-time dog owners.
It is important to socialize Field Spaniel puppies from a young age.
This means exposing them to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Socialization helps ensure that your Field Spaniel puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
What is the calmest Spaniel?
Field Spaniels are an extraordinarily calm and tranquil breed of dogs. Their trustworthy nature makes them a perfect fit with homes with small children.
What is the rarest Spaniel?
The field spaniel is among the rarest of spaniel breeds.
Are Field Spaniels single coated?
Yes.
Single-coated dogs only have one layer of fur, so there’s no undercoat.
Dogs with just one coat also have a longer hair growth cycle, meaning their fur takes longer to grow out to its full length, which is part of why single-coated dogs generally shed a lot less often than double-coated dogs.
For that reason, single-coated dogs can be better for the allergy sufferers of the world, as they’re less likely to spread a bunch of dander all over.
We have had our Field Spaniels around people with allergies & they have managed well & ended up living with them without any allergies.
How much exercise does a Field Spaniel need?
Two or more hours of dog exercise per day ideally via a variety of activities that engage this clever dog's mind, as well as their body.
Versatile and intelligent, the Field Spaniel will do well in a range of dog sports and competition, as long as they are with their family and kept well entertained.
Snuffle mats with treats hidden inside & a delicious bone also keep them busy on days when you can’t get out for long walks or are rained inside for the day.
If sending a Daintyfield puppy overseas, do they board with you until they are old enough to travel overseas to their forever home?
Yes!
Our overseas forever home pups live with us & are raised in a warm, loving environment & fit in with our daily life.
They enjoy walks with our dogs each day, beach visits, family holidays, boat days on Sydney Harbour, office visits, photo shoots, puppy training, the occasional dog show & are part of our every day life.
We are an active family & live a colourful life which exposes the dogs to many different scenarios.
How often do you have litters of puppies?
We are an Australian National Canine Council (ANKC) Registered Breeder and have litters occasionally.
In our 8 years with Field Spaniels (starting in 2016), we have had 2 litters; our Nautical Litter in 2023 & our Aviation Litter in 2024.
Our next litter will likely be in 2026 however with breeding, you never know. I only breed the best and a lot has to fall into place before I decide to breed.
We have a puppy waitlist & forward puppy enquiries a puppy questionnaire to complete.
How do you raise your puppies?
Our puppies are raised under the Puppy Culture method for the first 10 weeks of their life.
Puppies stay with us until they are 10 weeks old.
Daintyfield Puppies get given the best start it can in life.
Daily Puppy Culture Method, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Induction (ESI) & crate training starts early before going home.
Our puppies come health tested, registered, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and have been well socialised.
They are exposed to many sights, sounds, feelings, and animals/people, including our neighbours children.
We strive to breed the best dogs we can, educate their new owners and ensure these precious puppies get the love, care and attention they deserve.
We have strong beliefs in raising well socialised and friendly puppies that leave our care ready to become beloved members of their forever families.