About the breed
A vulnerable native breed
The Kennel Club describes vulnerable native breeds as being dog breeds of British and Irish origin that are considered to be vulnerable due to their declining registration numbers. These breeds, like the Sussex Spaniel, are at risk of disappearing simply because people don’t know they exist or because they aren’t considered ‘fashionable’. The table below shows the KC registration numbers of Sussex over the past few years. (The numbers include registered imports.)
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Registrations | 56 | 34 | 52 | 44 | 30 | 44 | 27 | 22 |
Taken from ‘The Dog Breed That Nearly Went Extinct (Animal Documentary)‘. Content distributed by ITV Studios and was first broadcast on 16 Jan 1994. Our World on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3xnPuGL
Breed standard
The breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. The Kennel Club breed standard can be found here: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/spaniel-sussex/
An earlier, descriptive, breed standard from 2009 can be found here: https://www.sussexspaniels.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kennel-Club-Breed-Standard-for-The-Sussex-Spaniel-2009.pdf
At home
The breed is loyal and it is rarely boring living with a Sussex! They have a real sense of humour and are full of character. If you give a Sussex an inch, it will endeavour to take a mile! You will never want to be without a Sussex Spaniel once you have become addicted.
Distinctive and unique
Sussex Spaniels are highly prized for their distinctive colour. It is a ‘Golden Liver’ with golden tips to the hairs which make the breed simply gleam in the sunlight. They have solid bodies and an active tail. They can move with a rolling gait. Their heads are broad with a frowning brow, but a soft wonderful expression and beautiful eyes.
Physical characteristics of a Sussex Spaniel
From the Kennel Club breed standard
So you want a Sussex Spaniel?
Read our comprehensive booklet all about living with a Sussex Spaniel – the pro’s, the con’s and lots more.
