Sussex Spaniel Dog Breed

A member of the Sporting group, the Sussex Spaniel was developed in late 19th-century England to flush birds for hunters. As such, these dogs are good hunting companions--but they make great family pets too, and are best with owners who can make sure they get some daily exercise.

A few Sussex Spaniel dog facts: they're "low and long" in build, averaging only 14 inches in height but 40 pounds in weight; they have medium-length, slightly wavy, double-layered coats with longer feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail; and unlike other spaniel breeds, they tend to bark a lot.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning this gentle but sporty breed:

Sussex Spaniel dogs 101: this breed is pretty sedate compared to most hunting dogs. They're almost like Basset Hounds in both build and character, and are low-energy, almost lazy, in their activity levels.

That's most of the time. Put them in a field full of birds, and the Sussex will come alive. While they're not the most athletic of breeds, their intelligence and natural hunting instincts are highly developed; they'll bark like crazy while they flush the birds for the hunters--and though they're not too fast, they have plenty of endurance, and will be enthusiastic on the hunt for hours on end.

At home, the Sussex will be a friendly, fun-loving, even goofy companion. These dogs also have a peculiar habit common to some breeds: kippering, or stretching their back legs behind them and dragging themselves forward with their front legs. The habit, while odd, doesn't signify anything--it's just something dogs do!

The Sussex Spaniel may also need some coaxing to fulfill its daily exercise needs. They're comparatively listless when not hunting, and will be healthiest when their owners get them up and moving on a daily basis.

Intelligent, friendly, sensitive, laid-back, and often stubborn, the Sussex Spaniel temperament is one of affection and calmness (unless the dog is on a hunt, that is). This breed is normally gentle and good-natured with family and most other pets; they can, however, be defensive around dogs they don't know. Sussex Spaniels don't like being left alone, either, and will bark and turn destructive if they're by themselves for long periods. These factors mean these dogs will need plenty of training and socialization starting at an early age.

And unfortunately, training the Sussex can prove difficult. Though very smart, the breed's stubbornness means teaching the dog tasks, tricks, and commands may take some repetition. Positive training methods--along with plenty of patience and praise--will be best.

Neither does the Sussex have very good watchdog skills. The dog is sure to bark at unknown sights and sounds--the problem is, it'll probably bark at familiar ones too (like the TV, for example). And these dogs are pretty lethargic, so they can't be counted on to investigate potential threats or provide protection from them.

The Sussex Spaniel is pretty healthy overall, but can suffer from some health issues including various heart problems, along with a few joint and structural ailments like Intervertebral Disk Disease (IDD) and hip dysplasia. As with all dogs, owners should ask their breeders if the dogs have had health screenings, or have a veterinarian do it.

Life expectancy for the Sussex Spaniel is 11-14 years.