Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel is a spaniel, a gundog which is used for flushing prey. They search for game birds, which in turn panic when found and appear for the waiting hunter. Once the prey has been shot they will retrieve the birds on command. Their specialty is working in thick, heavy undergrowth and unlike other spaniels will give tongue when prey is located.
Sussex Spaniel Standards
- AKC (Sporting)
- FCI (Group 8)
- KC (Gundog)
- UKC (Gun Dog)
- 15-16"
- 40-50 lbs
- long, low spaniel
- long, hanging ears covered in hair
- tail is docked where legal
- coat is flat or slightly waved with feathering
- rich, gold liver
History of the Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel was developed in the late 18th and early 19th century by A.E. Fuller in Sussex, England. He wanted a slower, tougher spaniel that was more adapt to the dense cover of his local hunting grounds. Several spaniel crosses were used to create the breed, including the English Springer Spaniel, and possibly a some hound blood was added at some point in the line. This hound addition would account for the breed’s lower stature. The breed became scarce at the death of Fuller, and dipped even lower during WWII. The breed was saved from extinction by Joy Freer, who it is said kept several dogs alive on scraps during the war. Although saved, they breed has never gained popularity and their numbers have remained low. Today the Sussex Spaniel is listed on The Kennel Club (KC) list of vulnerable native breeds, with only 68 registrations in 2010.
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