Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel takes its name from the English county where it was developed in the early nineteenth century to hunt thick brambles and hedgerows too dense for taller dogs. Short, sturdy legs and a low-slung build let it push through cover a leggier spaniel simply cannot enter, giving it a distinctive rolling gait. The coat colour is the breed's signature: a rich golden liver that catches the light. Unusually for a spaniel, it was bred to bay while trailing game, alerting the hunter by voice rather than working silently. Today it ranks among the rarest gundog breeds in the world, having teetered close to extinction more than once. Temperament is steady and even-tempered, without the jumpiness some spaniels show. The long, abundant coat mats easily and needs consistent grooming. Life expectancy runs 11 to 13 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Sussex Spaniel: how old in human years?

38–41 cmHeight
18–20.5 kgWeight
11–13 yrsLife expectancy

Wetterhoun (Frisian Water Dog)

FCI group: Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs
FCI section: Section 2: Flushing Dogs
FCI: 127
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

2/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 38–41 cm

Females 38–41 cm

Weight

Males 18–20.5 kg

Females 18–20.5 kg

Life expectancy

11–13 yrs

Coat

abundant, flat or slightly waved, weatherproof coat (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Sussex Spaniel's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Sussex Spaniel's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 2/5
Exercise need 2/5
Apartment friendly 3/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 3/5

Guarding & Alertness

Sussex Spaniel's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Sussex Spaniel's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Sussex Spaniel

A Sussex Spaniel walks as if nobody could possibly hurry him, and nobody can. His gait rolls, his body is long and low, and his face is so serious he always seems to be thinking something over. The breed was made in England to work dense cover slowly but stubbornly, giving voice as it goes. At home he is a calm, warm, undramatic dog who likes to follow you from room to room.

He needs exercise, but not marathons: a couple of decent walks and a few sniffing games will satisfy him for the day. He learns well enough when taught gently and with treats, since harshness just makes him shut down. Be ready for a talker: barking and loud running commentary are part of his character.

With his family he is affectionate, patient with children and usually easy with other dogs. He eyes strangers cautiously at first but does not hold a grudge. A flat suits him as long as he gets his walks and is not left alone all day. A typical Sussex day is an unhurried morning walk, a long nap at your feet and an evening loop of the park in which he finds every interesting smell there is.

Grooming and coat

The Sussex Spaniel wears an abundant, flat or slightly wavy coat in a rich golden liver, with longer feathering on the ears, legs and belly. It is beautiful, and it collects everything along the way: leaves, burrs, mud. Brush it through two or three times a week, especially behind the ears and in the armpits where it tangles first, and now and then trim the hair between the pads so mud and snow don't ball up there.

The long, heavy ears get almost no air, so check them every week and show your vet any smell or redness. Once a week run your fingers through to the skin, feeling for scabs or scratches. Look at his eyes for redness or discharge, and wipe the drooping lids with a damp cloth.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Sussex Spaniel is a sturdy, unhurried dog, and his health list includes an inherited metabolic condition worth knowing about in advance. That does not mean your dog will be unwell, only that it pays to know what to watch for. Before you bring a puppy home, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency

This is an inherited metabolic disorder in which the muscles struggle to turn food into energy. You might notice a dog who tires suddenly after modest effort, starts to wobble or even collapses. In a Sussex, who moves at his own unhurried pace anyway, that tiredness is easy to miss, but a sudden collapse means he needs a vet immediately; ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Heart disease

Heart disease covers a range of problems that leave the heart pumping less well. You might notice a cough, faster breathing at rest, or a dog who tires sooner on walks. Because the Sussex is naturally calm, changes can be harder to spot, so your vet should listen to his heart at regular check-ups.
Elbow and hip dysplasia

The hip or elbow joint forms badly, so it wears and becomes painful over time. You might see limping, stiffness getting up, or a reluctance to jump into the car. The Sussex is low, long and solidly built, so his joints carry real weight; ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (21 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 270 g of dry food a day, from €14,89 a month For a neutered, normally active 19,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog