Origin
The Sussex Spaniel is one of the UK's vulnerable native breeds with only very few pedigree puppies being registered with The Kennel Club every year. They are quite heavily built dogs that boast a profuse golden/liver coat. Although not as popular as other spaniel breeds, they are highly rated as working gundogs in the field. They have a very unique look with wider heads than other spaniels which paired to their wrinkled brow adds to their overall charming appearance. The Sussex is known to be a kind natured dog and one that makes a great family pet being just as happy in a home environment as there are working in the field.
Sussex Spaniels are one of the oldest native breeds in the UK having been around since the early 1800's. One of the breed's main enthusiasts was a landowner by the name of Mr. Fuller who kept Sussex Spaniels and others at his kennels on his large estate. He bred Sussex Spaniels over a time span of 50 years as working dogs with great success. However, their numbers dropped by the end of World War II with only 5 dogs thought to remain during that time.
Thanks to the efforts and hard work of breed enthusiasts including one particular lady by the name of Mrs. Freer, the Sussex Spaniel was saved from extinction and the Sussex Spaniel Association was later formed in 1924. Slowly through careful and selective breeding, Sussex Spaniel numbers started to rise over the ensuing decades. However, even today, their numbers remain quite low with only around 60 to 100 pedigree puppies being bred and registered with The Kennel Club every year. As such, these charming spaniels have been placed on the UK's native vulnerable breed list and were only recognised as a unique breed in the own right by The Kennel Club in 2004.
