| The Sussex Spaniel has a unique | | | | in Great Britain which is the country of his |
| characteristic not seen in other spaniels, in | | | | origin and it is in rough terrain that the |
| that he gives "voice" or "bays" when he is on | | | | Sussex excels as a hunting Spaniel.The Sussex |
| a particular game scent in a manner similar | | | | is a particularly beautiful dog because of |
| to that of the hounds. Perhaps it is because | | | | its distinctive reddish golden coat , often |
| there is a lot of hound blood in his | | | | called "golden liver" because the liver color |
| background, as can be surmised from the | | | | is tinged with a gold. This is the only |
| thickness of his skin, the leathery ears and | | | | acceptable color of the Sussex Spaniel. The |
| prominent flews, all of which are | | | | coat is flat and lies close to the body, with |
| characteristics of the hounds. The bell-like | | | | a little wave. It is a dense double coat and |
| tones of his baying when he is on game are | | | | because it lies close to the body with only a |
| unique for the different game and often his | | | | small amount of feathering except on the |
| master can tell which game he is hunting from | | | | chest there is considerable resistance to |
| the sound the dog makes.The Sussex Spaniel is | | | | burrs and snags. He is only 13-15 inches at |
| low to the ground with a compact massive body | | | | the shoulder but the weight is 40-45 pounds. |
| in comparison to his height. He works an | | | | His body is long in back and quite muscular, |
| area quite thoroughly and is methodical and | | | | with a deep round girth to the chest which |
| close ranging in his technique. Often | | | | allows for plenty of endurance for the dog. |
| considered too slow for many hunters, he is | | | | The legs, both front and back, are set wide |
| still one of the top gun dogs where terrain | | | | but he is not bow-legged. The tail is always |
| is rough because of his thoroughness when | | | | docked, the ears are long and set low and |
| quartering an area. Like most Spaniels, he | | | | there is considerable flew on the muzzle.This |
| will "flush" the game birds up and is also | | | | breed is affectionate and people oriented by |
| known to be a competent retriever.The short | | | | nature, preferring human companions to canine |
| but powerful little Spaniel is not | | | | friendships. He is a quiet and peaceable dog |
| necessarily popular in the show ring, however | | | | in the home, tolerant of children and never |
| in the United States he is seen more in the | | | | aggressive. Not necessarily a watch dog, he |
| show ring than on the hunt. He is a great | | | | is more prone to bark or bay when he is on |
| companion dog and has an affectionate and | | | | the hunt that he is in the home. He does |
| winning personality, so he is also seen more | | | | well in the country or in urban areas, but of |
| as a pet dog and a therapy dog. The terrain | | | | course because of his hunting instincts he |
| in the United States is not nearly as rough | | | | must be kept in a fenced area or supervised |
| as some of the hunting ground which is found | | | | and on a leash when outside. |