Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. This is a slow-growing breed, and intact Sussex are almost never overweight, since they tend to eat only as much as they need.

A full-grown Sussex usually does well with the daily portion split into two meals, most often one in the morning and one in the evening. To set the amount, start with the feeding guidelines on the food packaging, which suggest a daily amount based on weight, then adjust for your dog's health, activity level, and body condition score. If you are unsure whether you are over- or underfeeding, ask your vet.

Keep clean, fresh water available at all times, and wash the food and water bowls regularly to prevent bacteria and mold. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Most dogs get all the nutrients they need from a complete and balanced diet. This breed may benefit from certain joint supplements, but give any supplement only on your vet's recommendation.

General grooming for the Sussex is bathing, brushing, and combing. Brush a few times a week to keep the coat free of loose hair and dirt, or daily to remove loose hair, reduce shedding, and distribute oils through the coat. A pin brush suits general use, while a slicker brush helps with heavier shedding or serious detangling. Bathing about every other week works well.

The feathering on the ears, legs, and toes is especially prone to matting, so comb those areas diligently and keep them free of debris. Trimming is light and mainly keeps the hair between the toes and around the feet in check, which also stops the dog from slipping; a professional groomer can help. Do not shave the coat down unless absolutely necessary, since it takes a long time to recover. After neutering, the coat can become fuzzy and more difficult to manage.

Trim the nails regularly, since nails that grow too long cause discomfort and trouble walking. Keep the ears clean and dry, since the folded ears can develop infection; if you notice odor or discharge, consult your vet right away and ask which ear-cleaning product to use.

Good dental hygiene matters for long-term health, so brush the teeth at home, ideally daily, and schedule professional cleanings. Also watch the eyes, since an especially droopy lower eyelid can signal ectropion, which can leave the eye dry and irritated.

True to its sporting background, the Sussex enjoys hunting, swimming, and retrieving, all good ways to meet daily exercise needs, along with field trials, agility, tracking, and obedience. Expect at least one long walk a day. These dogs are compact and not especially high-energy, but they still need daily activity and a yard to run and play in, so they are not well-suited to small apartments.

Because the breed grows slowly, hold off on strenuous exercise until at least a year old, and let puppies self-exercise through play; jumping and agility-type work should wait until at least 18 months. Adult Sussex love swimming and long walks.

Without enough physical and mental exercise, a Sussex may become restless or destructive through chewing and digging. Pair regular exercise with training and games to keep the mind active.

The even-tempered Sussex is not prone to fear or anxiety, though it can be a bit aloof toward strangers. The breed's initial reserve with strangers usually fades quickly. At home it isn't a big barker, but it is vocal while tracking, with intermittent barks or yips as it follows a bird or rabbit.

The Sussex is intelligent and learns quickly, but it can be stubborn, with a long memory for rough handling. Train with gentle, reward-based methods, using favorite treats, toys, and praise. Show the dog clearly what you want, and praise it when it gets things right. Bred to work in close cooperation with a human hunting partner, it looks for your cues, which makes it relatively easy to train and suitable for many first-time owners.

The Sussex has a well-balanced, laid-back, and loving temperament. Far from being a one-person dog, it shows loyalty and affection for the whole family, including younger members, and is sensitive and gentle toward children.

With other pets, the Sussex generally does fine with dogs but doesn't crave their company; given a choice, most would prefer to be the only pet in the house. Early socialization and obedience training set the dog up to meet new animals well. With smaller animals, keep the prey drive in mind, since cats, rabbits, or guinea pigs can look like a game of chase.