Fun Sussex Spaniel Facts For Kids

The Sussex spaniel is one of the rarest spaniels in the world. They are also the rarest native dog breed in England.

They get their name from their place of origin, Sussex County, England, where they were first bred in the 18th Century. These dogs are of short stature, their height is about 13-15 inches at the shoulder. They have a medium-length body and soft, medium-length, wavy fur.

The color of their fur is a rich golden color. They also have long ears and a long, fluffy tail.

They were bred to group and hunt birds and training them is pretty easy. They need training mostly to behave well with strangers because they can be a little wary of new people.

Grooming them is also fairly easy, though they need to be brushed about two or three times a week. They weigh about 35-45 pounds and need to exercise daily for 20-30 minutes. This amount of exercise is essential for them otherwise they might become obese.

If they are trained well, they are also pretty good with children and other pets. Their energy level is not very high but the general health of this breed is good.

If you like this article, check out the chow lab mix and the Welsh springer spaniel.

Sussex Spaniel Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Sussex spaniel?

The Sussex spaniel is a type of domesticated dog.

What class of animal does a Sussex spaniel belong to?

The Sussex spaniel belongs to the Mammalia class of the Animalia kingdom.

How many Sussex Spaniels are there in the world?

There are not many Sussex Spaniels in the world. In the 1800s they were found in abundance, but their numbers dropped after the Second World War.

In 2011, there were only 52 Sussex Spaniels registered with the UK Kennel Club, though in 2012, the number increased to 74.

They were almost extinct back then, but thanks to a group of breeders, they were saved from extinction. Now, there are more of them, but they are still one of the rarer spaniel breeds and that is why their puppies are sold for a high price.

Where does a Sussex spaniel live?

Sussex Spaniels are a type of domesticated dog breed and they live in households. They make for good pets and are friendly with humans and other pets alike.

What is a Sussex spaniel's habitat?

The Sussex spaniel was bred in Sussex, England. They were mostly bred for hunting and sport.

Their job was to make the birds fly up in the air from the ground so the hunters could shoot them down. These dogs do not need specific weather as they can tolerate both hot and cold climates. These dogs will need a lot of toys to play with as they are very playful and inquisitive.

They also need 20-30 minutes of walking and interesting games daily to keep them fit, so having a place to walk around and play helps. They can be a bit slow, but they do love playing.

Who do Sussex Spaniels live with?

Being a type of domesticated dog, Sussex spaniels most commonly life with humans that keep them. However, since they have a very friendly temperament, they are also comfortable with children and other pets.

How long does a Sussex spaniel live?

The average lifespan of a Sussex spaniel is about 11-15 years.

How do they reproduce?

Like most other animals, the Sussex spaniel reproduces via mating. After mating, the female Sussex spaniel becomes pregnant. The gestation period for these dogs is about nine weeks.

After birth, the puppies are pretty weak and need to be taken care of for at least two weeks. The female Sussex spaniel gives birth to between five and six puppies at once. The puppies also grow up quite slowly and might need two or three years to reach complete maturity.

What is their conservation status?

The exact conservation status of the breed is unknown. However, they are amongst the disappearing breeds of dogs. In 2011, there were only 52 Sussex Spaniels registered with the Kennel Club.

But thanks to a few breeders, the numbers started growing up and they have been saved from extinction. Their rarity makes them a very expensive dog breed. A Sussex Spaniel puppy may cost you around $1500-$2000.

Sussex Spaniel Fun Facts

What do Sussex Spaniels look like?

The Sussex spaniel is one of the rarest spaniel breeds and is an extremely cute dog. They have a few unique features which set them apart from all other dogs. Their appearance is different from a lot of Spaniels.

They are a medium-length breed that has short stature. Their body is long. Their height is about 13 to 15 inches at the withers.

They have short but stout legs and weigh about 35 to 45 pounds. They have a stocky build and a slightly rectangular shape. They have medium-length hair that can be slightly wavy. Their body is covered with a very unique golden liver-colored hair.

Their ears are lobe-shaped and long, which is typical of Spaniels. Their ears are also covered in soft fur, as is their soft tail. They wag their tail a lot.

Their undercoat is weatherproof and their outer coat is often soft, silky, and wavy. Their rich color makes them very unique. Another feature of the breed is their big, hazel eyes that are very beautiful.

How cute are they?

The Sussex spaniel is a very cute breed of dog. These dogs have a long body but their height is pretty short. Their soft, rich golden liver fur and big hazel eyes make them very cute.

How do they communicate?

The Sussex spaniel may seem like a breed of happy-go-lucky dogs, but it is also true that they were mostly bred in England to help hunters with hunting birds and other small animals. These dogs are a very vocal breed.

They are more vocal than most other types of Spaniels that we get to see. They used to bark to alert the hunters when prey was close, which made them bark very loudly.

They also have a lot of expressions, though they mostly communicate through barking and making noises. Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are good with people.

They might be a little anxious around new people and pets, but with the proper training, they can be one of the most laid-back and sweetest pets ever. The Sussex spaniel's temperament is sweet and vocal.

How big is a Sussex spaniel?

The Sussex spaniel is a medium-length breed of dog. They are short and are about 13-15 in (33-38 cm) tall at the shoulders. They have short legs and their short stature made them able to run through bushes and low branches in the wild when they were used for hunting.

How fast can a Sussex spaniel run?

The exact speed of this breed is unknown, however, Sussex spaniels are good runners who were used for herding prey. They are still very good hunters and love exercising outside. They have a curious nature and love to explore places.

They love walks and runs. They also love to play games like fetch which encourages their playful and intelligent personality. They are a moderately active breed that needs regular exercise.

How much does a Sussex spaniel weigh?

The average weight of an adult Sussex spaniel is about 35-45 lbs (16-20 kg). They are prone to obesity and can gain weight easily. If you own a Sussex spaniel or are planning on getting one, you have to put them on a strict diet and exercise them regularly. This prevents them from gaining too much weight.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Like all other dogs, the male Sussex spaniel is called a dog and the female Sussex spaniel is called a bitch.  

What would you call a baby Sussex spaniel?

Like all other dog babies, a young Sussex spaniel is called a puppy.

What do they eat?

Sussex Spaniels thrive on good dog food. They do need good quality food to bring out the best in them.

If you have a Sussex spaniel it is best to consult a vet before you decide on their diet. You have to remember that these dogs gain weight pretty easily and thus need a healthy and strict diet.

Table scraps and other human food are not recommended as they can disrupt their metabolism and digestive system. Feed your Sussex spaniel twice a day and give them a few treats throughout the day and that should be enough to keep your dog healthy.

Are they dangerous?

No, Sussex Spaniels are not dangerous at all. The breed is one of the sweetest and most accommodating dog breeds.

They can be loud but they are not violent. They have a very sweet temperament and are very playful as well. Even though they are hunting and sports dogs, they are very gentle and get along with children and people very well.

They may be wary of other pets but a little bit of training will make them warm up to any other pets you might have. They are amazing pets and will never hurt a soul.

Would they make a good pet?

Sussex spaniels make for excellent pets. Even though they shed a little, grooming them is fairly easy.

They are also very intelligent and easy to train. They might be a little lazy, but they are still playful.

Your Sussex spaniel will need a lot of toys to keep it busy. They are inquisitive dogs that learn fast.

Their energy level is not too high so there is no need to exercise them too much, but they still need 20-30 minutes of exercise daily to keep them in good shape. The Sussex spaniel also does not need too much food, a balanced, good-quality meal twice a day is enough for them.

They are not high-maintenance dogs and live pretty minimal lives.

They are generally a healthy breed, but they might have some health problems. One of these problems is hip dysplasia which affects about 42% of all the dogs of this breed, though it isn't life-threatening and your dog can be nursed back to health.

They are also prone to a few heart and back problems but they are also rarely life-threatening. They are a little slow because of their short hind legs and lazy demeanor, but once they see birds, they are pretty lively.

This is because of their hunting instincts. All in all, they are good dogs to have around your family.

Are they slobbery?

No. Even though they might look lazy and slobbery, the Sussex spaniel does not drool a lot and is not generally slobbery.

Did you know...

The Sussex spaniel gets its name from where it was first bred in Sussex, England in the 18th century.

They are the rarest spaniel breed and the rarest native dog of England.

Which spaniel is the calmest?

The calmest spaniel is probably the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. They are a very gentle and agreeable breed.

What is the difference between a Sussex spaniel and a cocker spaniel?

The cocker spaniel is mostly divided into two breeds- the English cocker spaniel and the American cocker spaniel. They are also more varied in color than the Sussex spaniel.

They are taller and a little larger in general than the Sussex spaniel. Both of these dogs belong to the spaniel family but they are very different in appearance. Their temperaments are not the same as cocker spaniels are more alert and athletic, but both breeds are sweet and well-behaved and make for great pets.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including the Cuban solenodon and the mountain zebra.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our Sussex spaniel coloring pages.