Discover the Charming World of Sussex Spaniels: An In-Depth Breed Guide

Compact Hunting Companion

Originating in Sussex County in southeast England, the Sussex Spaniel is a gentle, calm breed that saves its enthusiasm for activities it was bred for, mostly hunting. They are known to be excellent family dogs and most can be recognized for their thick coats of a unique "golden liver" color. They are considered "low" and stocky, making them the perfect compact size and stature for hunting in tight places and other energetic outdoor sporting activities.

Understanding the Breed

Sussex Spaniels have specific care needs and personality traits that should be researched to determine if this breed is the right fit for you. Whether you're interested in a dog for breeding, a hunting partner, or a family pet, this article will cover the wonderful Sussex Spaniel and what they have to offer as excellent companions.

History of the Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel has a compelling origin story, and a long, interesting history that was also precarious at times.

Origins and Development

The story of the Sussex Spaniel is complex, with several breeders and bloodlines overlapping, splitting and cross-breeding over many decades. But it may have started with a wealthy British landowner named Augustus Elliot Fuller, who was developing a line of working spaniels around 1795. These dogs were bred for hunting in dense cover and heavy soil.

While not exactly the Sussex Spaniels we're familiar with, it is assumed that Fuller's dogs had the long bodies, shorter legs, and dense waterproof coat of their modern counterparts.

It appears the first use of the term "Sussex Spaniel" was in 1803 in a publication called The Sportsman's Cabinet. By 1845, the name was in regular use, and the breed was entered into the Kennel Club stud books in the mid-to-late 1800s, usually as a grouping with Field Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels.

Saving a Dying Breed

Many breeders were responsible for continuing to develop the Sussex Spaniel breed over the years, including Moses Woolland and Campbell Newington. But the person most responsible for saving the Sussex Spaniel from almost certain extinction was Joy Freer.

Dog breeding efforts in general, and Sussex Spaniels in particular, were devastated when Britain entered World War II in 1939. Author Peggy Grayson, in her book The Sussex Spaniel, points out that the war meant "there were to be no rich country gentlemen with money, premises, interest and time to take over the breed," so it was up to ordinary "preservation breeders" like Joy Freer to sustain dogs like the Sussex Spaniel.

It is believed that all modern Sussex Spaniels are descended from the dogs saved by Joy Freer, who spent 60 years breeding and perfecting her lines.

Ancestral Breeds

It's theorized that Augustus Fuller crossed a variety of Spaniel breeds and Springers with hounds to create the Sussex Spaniel. The hound ancestry is found in the Sussex Spaniel’s long ears, loose skin, heavy build, and tendency to "vocalize" when tracking.

Recognition by Kennel Clubs

• The Sussex Spaniel was first recognized by the AKC in 1878.
• It was recognized by the The Fédération cynologique internationale (International Canine Federation) in 1954.
• They were one of the earliest breeds listed with The Kennel Club (UK).
• The Sussex is also listed with The Canadian Kennel Club, The American Kennel Club, and many other canine associations around the world.

Role in Hunting and Fieldwork

The Sussex Spaniel was specifically bred to be a hunting companion. Their low, rectangular bodies were designed to get into rough underbrush that bigger dogs aren't able to easily access.

Nature's Beeper

Sussex Spaniels are known to "give tongue" (vocalize) while working on a hunt, a crucial characteristic that makes it easier for a human handler to track the dog's location when it's not visible to the eye. The language can be considered a string of barks and babbling that is unique to this breed of spaniels. And it also means that hunting beepers or bells aren't necessary when in the field with the Sussex.

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Qualities

Here are some of the ways owners have described their hunting experiences with Sussex Spaniels:

• The dogs scan the area with a "deliberate pace, even energy level and overall persistence."
• They work as "a team member, staying close and thoroughly covering whatever terrain" is being hunted.
• They show "persistence in searching for game" and have "all-day-long stamina."
• One hunter described the Sussex Spaniel's tendency to "soft flush." A Springer Spaniel may create a "hard flush," jumping into a bird's hiding place and scaring them into flight. The "soft flush" of the Sussex involves the dog pausing and creating a more gentle retreat of the bird, allowing the gunner more time to prepare for a shot.

Finding Sussex Hunting Dogs

The hunting lines of Sussex are more difficult to breed than non-hunters, so locating quality gun dog puppies is a challenge, not to mention costly. One can also expect a wait of up to three to four years because of high demand for this excellent hunting breed.

That said, most Sussex Spaniel owners who invested the time and money into their hunting companion would probably say it was definitely a wise and worthwhile decision.

Physical Characteristics

While the Sussex Spaniel shares several characteristics with its fellow spaniels, particularly the Clumber Spaniel, it has its own unique set of characteristics.

Size and Weight

The average height of a Sussex Spaniel ranges from 13 to 16 inches and they generally weigh between 35 and 50 pounds. Its short, compact, stocky body was bred for maneuvering quickly and confidently in thick underbrush and other tight places when on a hunt.

Male vs. Female Differences

Males and females of the breed are similar in size, with the males generally being slightly larger. Their main differences occur in behavior—while all Sussex Spaniels are vocal with an inclination to bark at things, males tend to vocalize more than females. On the other hand, females take to house-training slightly slower than their male counterparts.

Coat and Color

A feature that sets the Sussex Spaniel apart is its "golden liver" colored coat, unique to the breed. Throughout the history of the breed, coats of black, golden liver and white, and black and tan have been reported, but "golden liver" is the normal, recognized coloring.

The coat is considered a thick, abundant, medium-length double coat, with an undercoat that is weather-resistant and an outer coat that can be considered silky and sometimes with a subtle wave, along with feathering on its chest, legs and around its ears.

Grooming Requirements

Grooming a Sussex Spaniel is straightforward: a normal bath followed by brushing and combing is recommended, along with nail trimming, teeth care, and other regular grooming protocols that are recommended for all breeds.

Sussex Spaniels will shed normally and it's recommended that they be brushed several times a week to control loose hair and prevent their thick fur from tangling.

Some Sussex dogs are known to grow hair on the bottom of their feet, which should be trimmed away regularly to prevent slipping. Shaving the Sussex is not recommended unless medically necessary, as the coat takes a significant time to regrow.

Sussex Spaniels are not considered hypoallergenic.

Long, Low Body

The Sussex was once described as "a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a torpedo"—an amusing characterization, but also fairly accurate. Because of their breeding as a hunting dog that could get into tight, low places, the Sussex has a short stature, but they are also stocky and strong, with great endurance. What they lack in height they make up for in heft, with a thick, massive body makeup consisting of a deep chest and heavy bone structure.

Other Distinctive Features

The head and its features are generally considered to be typical of spaniels, with its expressive hazel eyes, long, low-set ears, and a somber, forlorn facial expression that belies the Sussex Spaniel's cheerful, sometimes goofy nature.

Temperament and Personality Traits

"Merry, friendly, even-tempered" is the way the Sussex is described on the AKC website. This is a good description of this easygoing breed, but like all dogs, they have their own quirks that potential owners should know about.

General Disposition

Known for their steady, calm temperament—more so than other spaniels—Sussex Spaniels also have an affectionate, cheerful side, displaying a dry sense of humor, and sometimes they're even known to clown around.

The Sussex Spaniel can be standoffish when around strangers and sometimes even protective of its "pack," but once guests are trusted by the dog, the Sussex will flip the "polite" switch, and the more trained and well-socialized the dog is, he may even turn on the charm to the delight of new human friends.

Other Behaviors

The Sussex is a stoic indoor dog, but once outside and left to roam free, they will bound through fields and other open areas searching for creatures, whether they're on a hunt or not.

It's recommended that owners provide 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily to keep them fit and healthy. You will get no objection from the Sussex, as they love walks and hikes. Daily exercise is good for this dog's active mind, and also important to avoid the Sussex Spaniels becoming overweight.

It's been reported by some owners that Sussex Spaniels sometimes stretch their back legs out behind them, and then drag themselves forward. It seems unlikely that it's a disorder and is more likely a behavioral quirk or a way that the dog prefers to stretch. That said, any major concerns should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian.

Potential owners should be aware that Sussex Spaniels are the most vocal of the spaniels, tending to bark and howl. Also, house-training can sometimes take longer with the Sussex, and owners should have patience and understanding during the process.

Owners with busy lifestyles should also be aware that Sussex Spaniels, like many dog breeds, can become agitated if left alone for long periods, resulting in excessive barking and howling, and possible household havoc if not provided requisite attention and exercise.

Interaction with Family Members and Other Animals

Sussex Spaniels are well-known for being good with children, thanks to their calm and loyal demeanor. Obviously, older children (more than six years old) who have experience interacting with dogs are going to be a better fit. Also, when possible, it's helpful when puppies and children are raised together to create a more comfortable and compatible relationship.

This breed generally gets along with other animals. It's recommended that they be exposed to other dogs during their early development; otherwise, some Sussex Spaniels can try to be dominant or pushy with unfamiliar dogs, and sometimes even aggressive.

Because of their breeding, owners should be vigilant about monitoring their Sussex around other pets in the house. It's generally believed that they get along well with cats, but again, it's recommended that animals grow up together, which would likely inform their behavior with other pets later.

There's also the possibility of the Sussex Spaniel's "prey drive" kicking in when they're around pet birds, since they were bred to retrieve birds on hunts, so apply caution when these pets interact.

Health and Lifespan

Sussex Spaniels are generally regarded as healthy animals and have a relatively robust lifespan of 12 to 15 years. There are some conditions and other health issues that have been known to surface in the Sussex, sometimes more than other breeds.

So it's recommended that owners practice due diligence when researching their dog's breeding and also be aware of any care responsibilities that come along with any conditions that a Sussex Spaniel might experience.

Health Issues and Genetic Predispositions

Like all dog breeds, the Sussex Spaniel can sometimes be more likely to suffer from certain genetic conditions. Keep in mind that no dog is perfect and these ailments do not affect all Sussex Spaniels.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: a skeletal condition that results in improper development of joints. It can be seen as stiffness in the dog's elbows or hips, an awkward gait, or a dog having a hard time getting up. It is a common condition in many breeds, and can affect 42 percent of Sussex Spaniels