The Sussex Spaniel is a very old hunting breed… in fact, it is one of the first breeds ever recognized by the AKC! That said, their popularity is quite low as not many people know about this wonderful breed. To those who own one, however, they would not want any other type of dog.
They are generally easygoing dogs, although some tend to become overprotective of their owners, especially if the owner lets the dog get away with whatever they want. Obedience training from puppyhood helps to curb this problem. Sussex Spaniels are not generally recommended for families with small children, however older kids are fine.
As evidenced by their jowl-y faces, this is a breed that drools, certainly a trait that someone thinking about getting a Sussex should know about. The breed is also known for being picky eaters. One day, they love their food and the next day, they suddenly seem to hate it. Other bad habits can include general destructiveness, particularly from bored dogs. Once again, training can help with this problem, as well as providing adequate mental stimulation in the form of hunting, obedience, agility, therapy, rally and/or tracking.
There are many traits which make the Sussex a great dog to own. They are loyal, faithful dogs who love to stay by their owner’s side whenever possible. They are fairly inactive when compared to other spaniels and don’t require as much exercise as most other hunting dogs. They are great traveling companions in the car, as long as care is taken to not let them overheat. And finally, many Sussex make grumbling and grunting noises, which can be endearing!
When it comes to obedience training, it is important to note that these dogs can be strong-willed and stubborn. Do not give in just because they “tell you” that they don’t feel like training that day. Changing up the order of commands and adding fun games to the training can help convince some individuals that obedience is fun.
“Sussex spaniel t43” by Pleple2000