Sussex Spaniel: temperament, size, care and health

About the Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel is a short-legged, long-bodied spaniel with a massive head, heavy brow and a rolling gait. Its coat is its most distinctive feature: a rich golden liver, a color found in no other breed, which gives a glowing look in sunlight. The ears are thick and lobe-shaped, the eyes are hazel, and the expression can look serious or even sad.

It was developed to hunt in the thick hedgerows and woods of southern England, where it worked slowly and methodically, giving tongue when it found game. This habit of barking on scent was useful to a hunter who could not see the dog in dense cover. Today the Sussex is one of the rarest sporting spaniels, kept mainly as a gentle companion.

Temperament and family life

A Sussex is cheerful, steady and affectionate with its household. It is calm indoors, often content to lie near the family, and it generally does well with children and other pets. It can be reserved with strangers and will bark to announce them. The bark is deep and carries.

The breed is known for its stubborn streak and for a tendency to be vocal, so it is better suited to detached homes or tolerant neighbors than to thin-walled apartments. Some Sussex Spaniels also have a contrary sense of humor, and a few have moody days. They are slow to mature and may stay puppyish for years.

Exercise and training

A Sussex needs moderate exercise, such as daily walks and play in a yard. Its short legs and heavy body are not made for running long distances, and the dog is prone to weight gain, so regular activity matters. Avoid jumping from heights and strenuous exercise during puppyhood while the joints develop.

Training takes patience. The Sussex is intelligent but slow to respond and can be willful, and it may simply lie down and refuse. Reward-based methods, short sessions and a sense of humor work best. Housetraining may take longer than average. Many Sussex enjoy tracking and scent games, which use their natural tendencies, and they can compete in hunt tests at a stately pace.

Grooming and shedding

The Sussex's coat is abundant and needs regular care. Brush and comb two or three times a week, and take extra care with the feathering on the ears, legs, chest and belly, where tangles and mats form. Shedding is moderate, and a golden-liver hair shows up on light surfaces.

The ears are heavy and hang close to the head, so clean and dry them weekly to prevent infection. Trim the hair between the pads and on the back of the legs. Wipe the face and lips, as drool and food collect there. Bathe about once a month. Nails need regular trimming.

Health

The Sussex Spaniel is a small breed with a limited gene pool. Hip dysplasia and heart disease, including pulmonic stenosis, are reported. Back problems such as intervertebral disc disease can affect long-bodied, short-legged dogs, so weight control is essential. Ear infections, hypothyroidism and some eye and skin conditions are also seen. Responsible breeders screen hips, hearts, thyroid and eyes. What is written here is general; for a specific dog, ask a veterinarian.

History

The breed is generally traced to Sussex, a county in southern England, in the late 1700s, where a local landowner is said to have bred spaniels for hunting in heavy cover. The dogs were prized for their ability to give tongue. The breed nearly disappeared in the 1940s and was rebuilt from the dogs kept by a few dedicated breeders. The American Kennel Club admitted the Sussex Spaniel to its stud book in 1884, and it has stayed rare.

Is the Sussex Spaniel right for you?

A Sussex suits a calm household that wants a steady, loving spaniel and can accept some barking, drool and slow training. It is a good companion for retirees and for those who enjoy leisurely walks.

It is not for people who want a running partner, who live next to noise-sensitive neighbors or who dislike grooming a feathered coat. The Clumber Spaniel is larger and quieter. The Field Spaniel is more athletic, and the Cocker Spaniel is smaller and more eager to please.