Sussex Spaniel
蘇塞克斯獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Sussex Spaniel is one of the rarest of the land spaniels — a long, low, heavy-boned golden-liver gundog bred in Sussex to push slowly through heavy clay and dense cover, and the only spaniel that "gives tongue" as it works. Behind a permanently frowning expression is a placid, cheerful, affectionate and loyal housedog with a mind of its own and a long memory for rough handling; it is a talker, with a repertoire from sharp bark to melodious howl. Slow to mature, it should not be exercised hard before a year old, but adults love swimming and long walks.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 33–41cm |
| Weight | 16–20kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDP1) deficiency
An inherited metabolic condition reported in the breed that can cause anything from exercise intolerance to sudden death; a DNA test identifies carriers, and the parent club lists it as one of only two screenings it recommends. Ask your breeder about the parents' PDP1 status.
Behaviour
Placid, stubborn, never forgets rough handling
The AKC describes the Sussex as placid, affectionate, even-tempered and loyal, a slow-but-steady hunter and congenial housedog whose frown belies a cheerful nature. It can be stubborn, has a long memory and will never forget nor forgive rough handling, so owners should convey clearly what they want and give lots of praise. Slow-growing, it should have no strenuous exercise before a year old and no jumping or agility before 18 months.
The spaniel that talks
The CKC notes the Sussex's un-spaniel-like habit of giving tongue when it scents game — possibly from hound blood — and says it remains a talker to this day with a full repertoire from sharp bark to melodious howl. Despite its intensely serious expression it is a cheerful, friendly dog with a mind of its own that can be quite tractable, and like most sporting dogs it thrives on outdoor activity.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Sussex Spaniel
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Spaniel Sussex (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Spaniel Sussex
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Sussex Spaniel (standard no. 127, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health document notes how few Sussex there are (34 puppies born in the US and 37 registered in the UK in 2018) and says the breed is basically healthy once a puppy passes the fragile first two weeks; the only screenings it currently recommends are the PDP1 DNA test and a heart check by auscultation at about eight weeks, with an echocardiogram if anything is heard. Buyers should ask the breeder about the screening done and any health issues seen over the years, and every puppy should come with a veterinary health certificate.”
— Sussex Spaniel Club of America — Breed Health via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Sussex Spaniel — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Spaniel Sussex — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Spaniel Sussex — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Sussex Spaniel — FCI standard no. 127 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Breed Health — Sussex Spaniel Club of America — Sussex Spaniel Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.