Other names/Nicknames:
- None
Country/Date of origin:
- Great Britain
- 1700′s
Height:
- 13 to 16 inches
Weight:
- 35 to 45 pounds
Personality:
- Gentle and cheerful.
- Not as intelligent as some of the spaniels but willing to please and can be trained.
- Noisy.
- Can be unpredictable with other dogs.
- Slow moving due to its bulk and short legs.
History:
A member of the British Spaniel family, the Sussex is the breed that stands lowest to the ground. It is heavyset and slow, bred during a time when men still hunted on foot. Its name comes from the county of England where it was developed. Said to have a good nose, the Sussex may become more popular as game preserves and foot hunting become the hunting mode of necessity.
Body Type:
- A spaniel but massive, long, low and muscular.
- The low-set tail is always docked to between five and seven inches.
- The hanging ears are fairly large and lie close to the head. They are never altered.
- Heavily wrinkled face gives the breed a scowling look.
Coat:
- Abundant, flat, slightly waxy.
- Moderate in length, except for long feathering on ears, legs, tail, and chest.
- The only allowed color is rich golden liver.
- Moderate grooming required.
Health and Wellness:
- Very healthy.
- Ears should be checked routinely.
- Hip dysplasia.
What you should know:
- The only spaniel that gives tongue on the trail.
- It has a clear, bell-like voice and talks to the gunners repeatedly as it hunts.
- A very rare breed in England and in America. A puppy will be difficult to find in either country.
- Puppies are unusually fragile. The mortality rate, especially in females, is high.
- Called a self-colored dog, the Sussex has a coat, eyes, and nose that match.
