Sussex Spaniel
FriendlyCalmSteady
England · 13–15 years
About the Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel is one of the rarest and oldest AKC breeds, developed in Sussex, England, in the 1800s. They are unique among spaniels for their low, long body, massive bone, and distinctive golden-liver coat with a natural sheen. Sussex Spaniels are the only sporting breed that routinely gives voice (barks) while working in the field — their melodious bark helps hunters track them through dense cover. They are calm, gentle, and sometimes comically serious dogs with a deliberate, rolling gait. Despite their rarity, they have dedicated fans who treasure their loyal, good-natured temperament.
Breed stats
- Height
- 13–15 in
- Weight
- 35–45 lbs
- Lifespan
- 13–15 years
- Group
- Sporting
- Coat
- Abundant, flat or wavy, golden-liver
- Origin
- England
Coat colors
- Golden Liver
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
30–45 min
per day recommended
Daily food
1.5–2 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Cardiac issues
- Otitis externa
- Hypothyroidism
Not every Sussex Spaniel will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Sussex Spaniels eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Sussex Spaniels are among the rarest AKC breeds — sometimes ranking dead last in annual registrations. Fewer than 100 puppies may be registered in a given year. The breed nearly went extinct after World War II when only five Sussex Spaniels survived. All modern Sussex Spaniels descend from those five dogs. Finding a puppy requires patience and connecting with the small community of dedicated breeders. Their rarity is paradoxical given their excellent temperament — they are gentle, friendly, and calm. Breed advocates actively work to increase the population while maintaining health and temperament.
- Sussex Spaniels are surprisingly good apartment dogs for a sporting breed. They are one of the calmest spaniels, with low energy levels and modest exercise needs — about 30 to 45 minutes of daily activity is sufficient. They are generally quiet indoors and content to relax on the couch between walks. Their moderate size (35-45 lbs) is apartment-manageable. The main concerns are their potential for barking and their long ears, which need regular cleaning. For people wanting a sporting breed's gentle temperament without the high energy demands, Sussex Spaniels are an excellent — if rare — choice.
- Sussex Spaniels are unique among sporting breeds in that they give tongue (bark) while working in the field. Most sporting dogs work silently, but Sussex Spaniels were developed to work in the dense, heavy undergrowth of the Sussex countryside where hunters could not see their dogs. The melodious, continuous barking allowed hunters to track the dog's location and direction through thick cover. This trait was deliberately bred into the breed and is considered a desirable characteristic rather than a fault. In modern pet life, this vocal tendency means Sussex owners should expect some barking.
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