Sussex Spaniel facts for kids
A Sussex Spaniel with an undocked tail
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| Common nicknames | Sussex | ||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | England | ||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||
The Sussex Spaniel is a special type of dog that comes from Sussex in southern England. These dogs are short and strong, like other spaniels. They look a bit like the Clumber Spaniel, but they have their own unique color.
Sussex Spaniels are usually calm and move slowly. But they can also be playful and full of energy! They love being around people and are great with kids. These dogs can live for about 11 to 12 years.
This breed was first written about in 1795. It almost disappeared during World War II. Today, Sussex Spaniels are more popular in the United Kingdom and the United States. They are recognized by all the main dog clubs. In 2009, a Sussex Spaniel named Stump won a big dog show called the Westminster Kennel Club show in the USA.
Contents
What Does a Sussex Spaniel Look Like?
The Sussex Spaniel is a short, strong spaniel. It looks a bit like a Clumber Spaniel, but its fur is a different color. A Sussex Spaniel is usually about 15 to 16 inches (38 to 41 cm) tall at the shoulder. They weigh about 45 to 50 pounds (20 to 23 kg).
One special thing about them is their beautiful golden liver-colored fur. This color is unique to the breed. Their coat is thick and can be a little wavy. They have longer fur, called feathering, on their chest, legs, and ears. This coat helps protect them from bad weather. Their eyes are hazel, and their long, soft ears hang down, which is typical for spaniels.
Sussex Spaniel Personality
Sussex Spaniels are usually calm and move at a slow pace. They can be quite funny and playful, but they also know how to control their energy. They love to be with people and are very good with children. They can also be protective of their family.
Because they are so friendly, Sussex Spaniels make great therapy dogs. Most of them are family pets. But they are also good at helping hunters. They have a great sense of smell and can find game. They are the only spaniel breed that howls when they find a scent! They can be a bit stubborn, so training them needs patience.
Sussex Spaniel Health
Sussex Spaniels are generally healthy dogs. They usually live for 11 to 12 years. Like many dog breeds, they can sometimes have hip dysplasia. This is when the hip joint doesn't form perfectly. But because these dogs are compact, it often doesn't cause big problems for them.
Another common issue for spaniels is ear infections, called otitis externa. Their long, floppy ears can trap moisture, which makes infections more likely. These infections can be caused by dirt, germs, or tiny bugs. Treating them is usually simple with ear cleaning liquids or special medicine from a vet.
Sometimes, female Sussex Spaniels have trouble giving birth. They may need a special surgery called a C-section to deliver their puppies safely. This breed can be difficult to breed.
Heart Conditions
Some Sussex Spaniels can have heart problems. One common issue is called pulmonary valve stenosis. This means a part of the heart, the pulmonary valve, isn't formed correctly. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood. Over time, this can cause the heart muscle to get too thick and lead to heart problems.
Another condition that can happen is called patent ductus arteriosus. This is when a small blood vessel that is open before birth doesn't close afterward. This vessel can let blood bypass the lungs, which can cause problems.
A rare heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot can also affect them. This is actually a combination of several heart problems. It can make puppies grow slowly and get tired easily. The effects depend on how serious the condition is.
Spinal Disc Problems
Sussex Spaniels can also have a condition called spinal disc herniation. This is when a cushion-like disc in their back bulges or breaks. It can press on the spinal cord, which is like the body's main nerve cable.
When the spinal cord is pressed, dogs can feel pain in their back or neck. In more serious cases, they might have trouble moving their legs or even become paralyzed. They might also lose control of their bladder or bowels.
For mild cases, dogs need to rest a lot in a crate for several weeks. They might also get pain medicine. For more serious cases, surgery can sometimes help.
History of the Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel is a very old breed from the county of Sussex in England. They were bred to be gun dogs. This means they helped hunters in tough areas with thick bushes. They were special because they could "give tongue," which means they would bark to tell the hunter when they found an animal. Most other spaniels didn't do this.
The Sussex Spaniel is older than many other spaniel breeds. It was one of the first breeds recognized by the UK Kennel Club when it started in 1872. It was also one of the first ten breeds accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1884.
During World War II, it was hard to breed dogs, and the Sussex Spaniel almost disappeared. But a brave English breeder named Joy Freer saved them. All modern Sussex Spaniels today come from the dogs she saved. In 1947, there were only ten Sussex Spaniels registered in England!
In 2004, the breed was listed as a "vulnerable native breed" in the UK. This means that fewer than 300 puppies were registered each year. In 2008, only 56 Sussex Spaniel puppies were registered.
In 2009, a Sussex Spaniel named "Stump" won the "Best in Show" award at the 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Stump was 10 years old, making him the oldest dog ever to win this big award!
Today, the breed is most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is recognized by many dog clubs around the world.
Images for kids
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A Sussex Spaniel with an undocked tail
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Sussex Spaniel
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A drawing of two Sussex Spaniels from 1859
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Sussex Spaniel circa 1915
See also
In Spanish: Sussex spaniel para niños
