At a glance the quick version
FCI gives about 23 kg; Wikipedia gives 20-23 kg (45-50 lb).
The Royal Kennel Club lists over 10 years.
Coat and looks how to spot one
abundant, flat coat with weatherproof undercoat and moderate feathering
A long, low and solidly built spaniel with a massive frame for its height. Its plentiful flat coat has no curl, carries a thick undercoat for bad weather, and grows soft, wavy hair on the ears and light feathering on the legs.312
Personality what they are like
Easy-going, kind and cheerful, often with a comic streak, even though its face tends to look serious. In the field it is a slow but thorough hunter, and at home it is a mellow, devoted companion.413
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day for this working gundog.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs grooming more than once a week; pay attention to the feathering and the long, silky ears.23
Home where they are happiest
Suits a home with access to countryside walks; bred for working through dense undergrowth.2
Company who they like around
A people-focused family dog that likes company and is known for being good with children.14
The story where it all began
Mr A. E. Fuller of Rosehill Park near Hastings shaped the breed in Sussex from the late 1700s as a sturdy spaniel for pushing through thick cover. After his death numbers fell, and the breed came close to disappearing again around the Second World War, when breeder Joy Freer kept it going; all modern Sussex Spaniels trace back to her dogs.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is the only spaniel that gives tongue, barking or baying while it works so the hunter can follow it.2
- 2
Its golden liver coat colour is unique to the breed.1
- 3
A Sussex Spaniel called Stump won Best in Show at Westminster in 2009 at the age of 10, the oldest dog to take the title.1
- 4
It moves with a distinctive rolling gait that sets it apart from other spaniels.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 127, Group 8, Section 2 (Flushing dogs); standard dated 13 Oct 20103
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog group, listed as 'Spaniel (Sussex)'; Vulnerable Native Breed. Wikipedia notes Kennel Club recognition in 18722
- AKC
- Recognised; Wikipedia notes it was among the first ten breeds in the AKC stud book (1884)4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sussex Spaniel. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Sussex Spaniel en.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition dates, weight, temperament, fun facts
- The Royal Kennel Club: Spaniel (Sussex) royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, history, vulnerable breed status
- FCI breed standard No. 127: Sussex Spaniel fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colour, gait, temperament
- AKC: Sussex Spaniel akc.orgused for recognition, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.