Judging the Sussex Spaniel

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, January 2014 issue.

Judging the Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel is still a rare breed in the US, having originated in Sussex County, England, but its numbers have increased dramatically in this country since the 1990s. It was first registered with the AKC in 1884. Virtually extinct after World War II, the breed now can trace its ancestry to six Sussex Spaniels that survived in England. There were no registered Sussex in the U.S. at that time, nor anywhere else for which we have a registration record. They were bred extensively in the 1700s and 1800s in England as “an old gentlemen’s hunting dog” because they were not considered to be particularly fast and tended to stay closer to the hunters than other breeds. They were bred specifically to hunt in deep underbrush such as the hedgerows in England, and they are excellent with upland game birds such as the pheasant.

They are flushers and retrievers. Hunters in the US did not like the fact they “give tongue” (bark) when they are hunting. They are short-legged and rectangular, with large bone and a very muscular build, standing between 13″ and 15″ at the withers and weighing in the range of 35 to 45 pounds. Heights over or under the above are not penalized so long as the proportions are good. There are no disqualifications in the standard except the normal AKC required disqualifications. They are generally friendly and outgoing but tend to be slightly reserved with strangers. In being judged, they prefer gentleness over heavy-handedness.

This breed should be shown on a ramp or on the ground, never on a table. When judging the Sussex, it is important to stand back about fifteen feet from your entries and look for the overall correct balance and proportion. We have a mnemonic device in judging the Sussex called the “Six L’s.” These are LONG, LOW, LEVEL, LARGE BONE, LIVER COLOR, LIVELY TAIL. They must be obviously longer than tall (rectangular), with a level topline from withers to tail. Sussex are heavy-boned, but it must fit the overall size and build of the dog. The liver color is a slightly reddish medium brown. Blond or golden highlights may or may not

Be present depending on the age of the dog. These highlights are usually found on the ears and feathering of the legs. The lively tail means a wagging tail, especially when moving. The tail is normally docked in the U.S. and is never carried above the level of the back. Since our American standard calls for a docked tail, I personally will treat a natural tail as a minor fault. In examining the Sussex, approach from the front quarter. Examine the head for correctness as outlined by the standard, eyes, ear set, broadness of skull to length and muzzle, and bite. Concerning bite, scissors is preferred but anything else—overshot, undershot, or even—is acceptable and a minor fault. Bite is the absolutely last thing you should consider in making a choice of placement. A scissors bite is preferred but most of the Sussex you see will be even or undershot.

Occasionally you will see overshot, but very seldom in my experience. Some of us in breeding Sussex believe that they were actually bred for undershot, as they tend to scoop up the bird rather than going over it to pick it up. Undershot would be an advantage in this instance. Next, you will feel for depth of chest, shoulder angulation, and the forelegs for heaviness of bone. The forelegs can be straight or slightly bowed with legs set well under the dog. The pasterns are short and heavily boned, and the feet large and round with short hair between the toes. The topline should be straight, and the hindquarters are full and well-rounded. The hind legs should be short from hock to ground and heavily boned, parallel to each other, and set wide apart to approximately the same width as the front. Hocks should not turn in or out, and the rear feet are like the front.

The coat should be abundant, flat, or slightly waved, not curly. No trimming is acceptable except for the feet to shape the foot feather and remove hair between the pads of the feet. Feather on the feet must cover the toenails. In checking for gait, you must check both side gait and down and back. The gait can be slightly rolling but not clumsy. They should move in a straight line and are best shown on a loose lead. Please have some tolerance for lack of a loose lead, especially for puppies. Also, watch for pacing, as this is a very comfortable gait for most Sussex, but not correct movement. Basically, in judging the Sussex, the most important features of the breed are color and general appearance, meaning balance or proportion. Secondary features are head, ears, topline, back ribs, legs, and feet. The lesser important features are eyes, nose, neck, chest, shoulders, tail, and coat.

Faults are also in three categories. Major faults are incorrect color, white on any part of the body except a small patch on the chest, and a curled coat. Serious faults are narrow head, weak muzzle, presence of a top knot, and a general appearance that is sour and crouching. Minor faults are light eyes, white on chest, lightness of bone, shortness of body (remember rectangular), a body that is flat-sided, and a bite other than scissors (remember minor and not to be considered unless you have two specimens that are equal in every other way, then the bite can be the tie-breaker). Sussex are generally fun-loving, gregarious, and have a friendly disposition. Although the numbers are increasing, please understand that all Sussex are important and deserve a good look.

The breed numbers about 700 to 800 today in the U.S., with about 10% of those being shown in conformation events. Sussex have joined the ranks of Best in Show, Group winners, and group placements. Many Sussex are now shown and excelling in Obedience, Rally, Agility, and other events. They excel in Hunt Trials with a number of Master Hunters now on record and in tracking. Please do not ignore the breed because of lack of numbers. Today, the Sussex is found in virtually every dog sport and excelling in them. They may have been bred to be the “old gentlemen’s hunting dog,” but in reality, they can be amazingly fast and they love being active. They are not a breed for the faint of heart.