Owning dogs, in particular providing care for the field spaniel, is nothing new for humans across the globe. Some historians believe dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, people have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the distinction of the tallest pooch. But the most preferred canines are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The field spaniel is another favorite choice with dog owners. Many owners are oblivious, however, of many of the most common field spaniel care tips.
General health care cost of your field spaniel
The yearly budget for rearing the field spaniel—including meals, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even including capital costs for sterilization procedures, dog collar and a leash, a dog carrier and dog crate. Tip: Make sure you have all of your supplies before bringing your field spaniel home for the 1st time.
General field spaniel Care
field spaniel Feeding Plan
- field spaniel puppies between 8 and 12 weeks need 4 meals daily.
- Feed field spaniel pups 3 to 6 months old three meals each day.
- Feed puppies six months to one year old 2 meals every twenty-four hours.
- By the time your field spaniel reaches her first birthday, one feeding in a day is usually enough.
- Sometimes adult field spaniels might eat two smaller servings. It is your responsibility to adapt to your field spaniel’s eating schedule.
Premium-quality dry food provides a well-rounded diet for adult field spaniels and may be mixed with broth, water, or canned food. Your field spaniel may also be fond of cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs, but these shouldn’t add up to more than ten pct of his or her daily calorie intake. field spaniel pups should be fed top-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should cut down on “people food”, however, because it can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and teeth problems, and may lead to very picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, potable water exclusively, and make sure to wash food and water dishes very regularly.
field spaniel Care Tips: Your field spaniel needs exercise daily
field spaniels must have some exercise to stay fit, recharge their minds, and remain in good health. Daily exercise also really helps field spaniels avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior. A little fun and games would appease many of your field spaniel’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Individual exercise needs are dependent on your field spaniel’s level of health and his age—but ten minutes in back of the house and a couple of walks around the block every day probably will not do. If your field spaniel is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will be much higher.
field spaniel Grooming Tips
Frequent brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your field spaniel clean. Inspect for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes field spaniels don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Before bathing, comb or cut out all mats from the field spaniel’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
field spaniel Handling
Pups are obviously the easiest to handle. When carrying the field spaniel pup, place one of your hands beneath your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or your other hand supporting his back legs and rear. Never try to grab or lift your pup by her forelegs, tail or back of the neck. When you have to pick up a bigger, full-grown field spaniel, lift from underneath, supporting his chest with one of your arms and rear end with your other arm.
How to House your field spaniel
Your field spaniel needs a cozy quiet place to rest away from all drafts and away from the ground or floor. You may wish to buy a doggie bed, or make one from a wood box. Place a clean comforter, sheet, blanket, or pillow in the bed as cushion. Wash your field spaniel’s bed covering often. If the field spaniel will be outdoors much, make certain she has access to plenty of cool water and covering in the summer, and a covered, warm, dry area in the cold.
Licensing and Identification for field spaniels
There are licensing rules to follow in your area. Be sure you attach the license to your field spaniel’s collar. This, along with an ID tattoo or tag, will most likely help you recover your field spaniel should she become lost.
field spaniel Temperament Information
About Training your field spaniel
A well-behaved, companion field spaniel is truly a blessing to own. But untrained, your field spaniel can possibly be a big pain. Teaching your field spaniel the minimums—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—strengthens the relationship with both the pooch as well as the neighbors. If you have a puppy, start teaching him the right behavior asap! Doggie snacks should be used as incentive and a reward. Pups can enroll in obedience courses when they have been adequately immunized. Call your community humane society or SPCA for information about training class recommendations. It is wise to walk your field spaniel on a leash in public, even as a puppy. Be certain your dog will come to you when you tell her to. A disobedient or aggressive field spaniel can’t be allowed to play with children.
Your field spaniel’s Health
Your field spaniel should visit the veterinarian for a thorough diagnosis, immunizations and a heartworm blood exam every year, and promptly when he is hurt or sick.
Knowing Your field spaniel’s Oral Health
While many of us may simply dislike our field spaniel’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it might indicate. Foul-smelling breath is a symptom that your field spaniel needs a dental exam. Plaque , which is caused by unhealthy bacteria results in a bad stench that can only be cured with professional treatment. Once your field spaniel has had a professional cleaning, her teeth and gums can be kept healthy by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. Your vet can provide you with additional advice for mitigating dental ailments and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your field spaniel’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Sometimes, field spaniels get periodontal disease, an infection between the gum and tooth. This dreadful condition will sometimes result in loss of teeth and propagate diseases throughout her body. The vet will most likely clean your dog’s teeth as a regular part of your field spaniel’s health appointment.
field spaniel Bad Breath
While dental disease alone is not that serious when it is found early, halitosis may be indicative of serious, chronic causes for concern. Intestinal or liver diseases also cause halitosis, whereas a pleasant, even fruity smell may usually be a sign of diabetes. If your field spaniel’s breath smells like urine or ammonia, kidney disease may be the cause. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your field spaniel has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in field spaniels
During the summer, it’s crucial for you to perform daily checks of your field spaniel for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are several new procedures of tick reduction. Speak with your veterinarian about her recommendations.
field spaniels With Heartworm Issues
Your field spaniel is at risk of heartworms if she is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transport the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infections can be potentially fatal. It’s extremely important to ensure your field spaniel has a blood test for heartworms annually in the spring. It is recommended that you give your field spaniel a once-a-month tablet during mosquito season to protect her from heartworms. Should you ever vacation in a warmer-than-usual region with your field spaniel in winter, she must be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder climates, vets advise preemptive worm medication be taken continually.
Medicines and Toxins
Do not ever give your field spaniel medication that has not been prescribed by her vet. One little ibuprofen tablet can cause stomach ulcers in field spaniels. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your field spaniel. Make sure you immediately call your dog’s vet when you have cause to think your field spaniel has consumed a poisonous substance. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hr. help.
field spaniel Sterilization Operations
Male field spaniels should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the extraction of the ovaries and uterus – by 6 months of age. Spaying before maturity greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a frequently fatal and common problem of more mature female field spaniels. Spaying also eradicates the possibility of an infected uterus, a very serious issue in older females that demands surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males eliminates the risk of prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
field spaniel Immunizations
- The combo vaccine (also known as the “five-in-1 shot”) ought to be given to your field spaniel at two, three, and four months old and then once each year. This innoculation immunizes your puppy from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Your field spaniel puppy’s innoculation regimen cannot be finished before 4 months old.
- If you have the rare field spaniel who has not been immunized and is older than 4 or five months, she must have a series of 2 vaccinations two or 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual innoculation.
- Your field spaniel pup’s innoculations should coincide with her socialization program. You can bring your field spaniel puppy to socialization classes as early as eight or 9 weeks of age, according to many vets. They should have already received their first innoculations by then.
Since regulations vary around the country, contact your neighborhood veterinarian to get information on rabies vaccination. For example, NYC codes state that pets older than three months be innoculated for rabies. After the first vaccination, you must get another shot the next year, and then every three years after that. There are many immunizations that are right for your field spaniel. Ask your field spaniel’s vet for his opinion. By the way, if your field spaniel gets sick because she is not vaccinated, do not administer the innoculation until the dog has made a full recovery.
Hookworms in field spaniels
field spaniels are often exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Microscopic eggs made by hookworms are passed in an infested dog’s feces. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry hookworms or roundworms. Getting an accurate, early detection is the key to effective treatment. This will make sure that the medicine is effective against the parasite your field spaniel has. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best define the culprit—and assign the appropriate medication.
field spaniel Care Tips: Additional Info
field spaniel Supply Checklist
- Excellent-quality dog food and snacks designed for field spaniels and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with warm sheet or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to field spaniels:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, chives and garlic
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit or stems
- Yeast dough
The scoop on poop
Keep your field spaniel on a leash whenever you are outdoors, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in spot. And please, when your field spaniel defecates on your neighbor’s yard, take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about field spaniels
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