The Sussex Spaniel is a breed of dog developed in England. It very similer in appearance to the Field Spaniel and Clumber Spaniel. It is used as a Gundog, and in Dog Shows.
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.
Appearance: The Sussex Spaniel is a strong, massive dog. It has a wide body with short legs resulting in a slow, but powerful gait. Its wagging tail reveals its amicable spirit, which its somber expression attempts to hide. Its stand demands a well-balanced head which is broad and somewhat heavy. The eyes are hazel in color, fairly large, soft and languishing, but do not show the haw overmuch. The ears are thick, fairly large, and lobe-shaped and are set moderately low, slightly above the outside corner of the eye. The Sussex Spaniel has a flat and usually dark colored medium length coat that should be only slightly wavy, never curled. Hair on the hindquarters is long and feathered.
Size: Height:  15-16 inches (38-40 cm)
Weight: 40-44 pounds (18-20 kg)
Temperament: The Sussex Spaniel has a lower energy level than most spaniels, making it a slow and easygoing companion. Even with its calm demeanor, the Sussex is still quite cheerful and friendly, although it maintains a somber and serious expression. This breed loves everyone and they are sweet, gentle and devoted. These are very sociable dogs, which usually get along well with cats and are excellent with children. They love to receive attention from people and are very protective of their owner as needed. Somewhat of a lazy dog, they are protective of their home and will bark upon seeing a stranger. This breed should not be put in a home with unfamiliar smaller animals as they have a strong hunting instinct.
Health: Prone to ear infections; the ears should be cleaned regularly. Do not overfeed this breed, as it tends to gain weight easily. Some minor concerns are intervertebral disc syndrome, otitis exerna, heart murmur and enlarged heart.
Life expectancy: About 12-15 years.
Grooming: As an average shedder, the Sussex requires regular brushing several times weekly. Its coat should be trimmed every few months, and its ears and pads of its feet should be cleaned regularly. The teeth should be checked in a puppy when new teeth emerge to make sure they do not push existing teeth aside, resulting in crooked teeth.
Puppy price: ?300-500