

The Sussex Spaniel is a sturdily built, deliberate Stöberhund (flushing dog)—bred to work noisily through dense undergrowth to flush out game. He is calmer than other spaniels, but has a distinct mind of his own and a nose that leads the way.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Sussex Spaniel fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
38–41 cm
Weight
16–22 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Sussex Spaniel, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Sussex Spaniel — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Sussex Spaniel is not a frantic ball-junkie, but a cozy tank with a high-performance nose. When he finds an interesting scent in the bushes, he switches into his own unwavering work mode—often accompanied by a satisfied bark. You aren't getting a dog that blindly reads your every wish, but a character-filled forest worker who enjoys life at his own pace.
The Sussex Spaniel is a strong, stocky dog with a distinctive build that gives it a distinctive look. He belongs to FCI Group 8, the retrieving, searching and water dogs. Its head is broad and square in shape with drooping ears. The tail is carried straight or slightly upward and is of medium length. This breed does not differentiate between performance and show lines.
The Sussex Spaniel is a wonderful companion who conquers the hearts of dog lovers with his friendly nature and affection. He has a comfortable and relaxed temperament and is calm rather than hyperactive. However, he is not lazy and enjoys being out in nature and exploring his surroundings. He's a working dog through and through, and while he's not as energetic as some other spaniels, he still has a working mentality that makes him want to follow a trail or rummage through the undergrowth. His friendly nature makes him a great family dog. He is very people-oriented and enjoys spending time with his family. He is also playful and gets along well with children as long as they treat him respectfully. He is a breed that is rather affectionate and therefore may have difficulty staying alone. It's a good idea to slowly teach him that it's okay to be alone for short periods of time and to provide him with mental activity and chews when you're not home. As a hunting dog, the Sussex Spaniel has a distinctive prey and hunting behavior. It is important to keep him on a leash on walks when he is around wildlife and to teach him to respond reliably to recall signals. Another notable feature of the Sussex Spaniel is its voice. As already mentioned, he was originally bred to announce the game with his voice. This means he can be quite talkative at times. It's good to keep this in mind, especially if you live in an apartment or near neighbors who don't appreciate noise. His alert instincts are less strong than other breeds, but he will still bark if he notices anything unusual, making him an acceptable watchdog. It is important to note that although he is not particularly suspicious of strangers, he can be reserved at times. Early socialization is important to ensure he is a balanced and well-adjusted dog.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Noticeable drive — needs attention around small animals. | Moderate |
Fun Fact!
The Sussex Spaniel is known for making a unique 'Sussex sound', a barking noise that it makes when it has located prey. This sound is deeper and more melodic than the bark of most other spaniels.
Calm, affectionate, balanced, faithful, loyal - these are all words that describe the Sussex Spaniel, a slow but steady hunter and friendly domestic dog. His frowning facial expression is an attractive contradiction to his typically cheerful personality.
The Sussex Spaniel makes a good city dog as long as it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is a calm dog and can adapt well to apartment life if he is taken on regular walks. He generally gets along well with children, although supervision and correct behavior should always be taught to children when dealing with dogs. The Sussex Spaniel can also live with cats and other pets if he is used to them from an early age.
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Sussex Spaniels are intelligent, but sometimes a little stubborn. It is important to start training early and be consistent but loving. Since they are originally hunting dogs, it is advisable to offer them alternatives to control their hunting instinct and teach them how to use their energy in a way suitable for domestic life. Learning frustration tolerance and impulse control is particularly important for this breed. It is also advisable to ensure that the Sussex Spaniel is not over-employed. While they enjoy physical activity, it's important to find a balance and make sure they get enough rest too. When playing, especially with balls, care should be taken to ensure that it does not become an obsession. Sussex Spaniels can also participate in dog sports such as rally obedience, fetch or nose work, which are a great way to stimulate their mind and body and strengthen their bond with their owner.
A Sussex Spaniel's diet should be balanced and high quality. It is important that you provide him with the right food that contains all the necessary nutrients. Some Sussex Spaniels tend to be overweight, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the amount of food they eat and make sure he gets enough exercise. When it comes to grooming, the Sussex Spaniel has an undercoat and a medium-length, smooth coat that should be brushed regularly to avoid matting. During shedding, they shed more than usual, but generally their shedding is moderate. In Germany, the Sussex Spaniel copes well with the climate as it originally comes from a similar climate in Great Britain.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
In the Sussex Spaniel, there are several breed-typical health issues, particularly hip dysplasia (HD) as well as various eye conditions. Responsible breeders therefore thoroughly X-ray and ophthalmologically examine their breeding stock before mating. Before buying, ask to see proof of screening for hip dysplasia (HD) with a rating of HD A–C. In addition, you should insist on an ophthalmological eye examination confirming that the parent animals are free of eye conditions, ideally supplemented by results proving that the parents are free of distichiasis and retinal dysplasia.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
You should focus on maintaining a lean weight and providing joint-friendly exercise, limit jumping, and regularly clean his heavy, hanging ears to prevent infections.
Responsible breeders have breeding animals x-rayed for hip dysplasia (HD) and examined via ophthalmological eye tests to minimize eye problems, distichiasis, and retinal dysplasia.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Sussex Spaniel costs around ~€180 per month (€90 – €340, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,970 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€31,780.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€180 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,970
Across the dog's life
~€31,780
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
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Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe history of the Sussex Spaniel dates back to the 19th century. It comes from the county of Sussex in England and was originally used as a working dog for hunting small game, particularly pheasants and hares. The breed was valued for its ability to work in thick undergrowth and announce game with its voice. In the late 1800s, Sussex Spaniels became increasingly popular at dog shows, and in 1884 the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club. In the United States, the Sussex Spaniel was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1910. Although the Sussex Spaniel is now primarily kept as a family dog, it is still used as a working hunting dog in some parts of the world.
The Sussex Spaniel was bred as a hunting dog for hunting in thick undergrowth to flush out game.
Sussex, England
1800
Owner and breeder reports show that the Sussex Spaniel is basically a tough, long-lived dog, but its massive, low-to-the-ground build needs attention. Because of the heavy bone and long body, owners and clubs advise choosing exercise that is easy on the joints and back during puppyhood and adolescence, and strictly avoiding excess weight, to help prevent problems such as hip dysplasia.
Grooming also takes some routine in daily life. The medium-length, dense coat reliably collects burrs, twigs and dirt when the dog noses through brush and needs regular brushing. Owners also point to care for the heavy, hanging ears, since the warm, damp environment under the ear flaps is prone to infection, so they need regular checking and cleaning after outings in nature.
Sources:zooplus.decocker-von-roohan.de
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Sussex Spaniel is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Sussex Spaniel is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Sussex Spaniel grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Sussex Spaniel can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Sussex Spaniel comes in these colors: Liver.
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