Purina

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.