LIBRARY

SUSSEX SPANIELS - PAST AND PRESENT
By: Sandra Adams Alvadore, Oregon

(Published in Spaniels In The Field Summer 1990)

Sussex Spaniels have a long history as companions and hunters. They were originally bred to work game in thick cover. The few people in Sussex, England who bred them valued them for their companionship and natural hunting abilities.

Dog books from 1802 on depicted Sussex' distinctive qualities. Vero Shaw wrote in 1879 that their "value in covert shooting is gladly borne testimony to by those sportsmen who know the Sussex best". As hunters and companions they "will in great measure take their temper and disposition from the person with whom they are daily associated". Shaw also wrote of their temperaments as many do today - "the dog is inclined to be headstrong...though this can generally be got over by judicious handling". Despite that, Shaw also said "This variety can also be broken to retrieve with ease, and when he is so used his mouth is tender and he seldom injures the bird". Walter Hutchinson said in 1893 "They make excellent house-dogs...in the field a well-broken dog will hold its own against all comers". Over the decades Sussex have changed little.

Despite the positive qualities of the breed they have never been bred to any g r e a t extent. The few serious breeders there are have not found them to be easy whelpers of large litters. Pups born are jealously guarded. Quality dogs are not much easier to come by than they ever were. Their history bears this out.

There have been periods in Sussex history when the breed almost became extinct. Just prior to WWII there were only six breedable dogs alive. They were owned by Joy Freer of England.
Fortunately for the breed Mrs. Freer maintained a careful breeding program dedicated to sound, true-to-type hunting dogs. Breeders after Mrs. Freer continued to strive for these qualities. George and Mavis Lancaster, also of England, continued that program from the 1960's forward as hunters, trainers, breeders and exhibitors.

The tradition continues today. Charlesanna Dill of Virginia chose Sussex for those reasons. Since Charlesanna is environmentally conscientious she needed a breed that wouldn't waste game. Her dogs need to find, flush and retrieve in the dense cover and rocky soil of her native southern Appalachian mountains. She hunts grouse, turkey, raccoon and rabbit, neither needing nor wanting a fast-moving dog. Her bitch Cinnamon, at 11", is "too short" she says, but is a natural retriever, excellent in water and has an ideal coat which sheds water easily. Charlesanna's Nutmeg, at 13", is far more birdy and a better height for working, but is not a natural retriever. Charlesanna considers both easy to train, however, as they love to work. She agrees with Shaw about being headstrong, saying "they can be difficult, depending on what you want them to do, like not chasing cats". Charlesanna also likes to show in the AKC breed ring and has an ocassional litter. She plans to continue the tradition of quality hunting Sussex.

Frank Komatar of Utah is also an all-around Sussex enthusiast. Frank not only hunts his Sussex throughout the midwest, he trains in obedience (having one of the first Utility Dog titled Sussex) and has had an occasional litter.

Although the first Sussex Junior Hunter title was achieved by a professional handler/ trainer, most Sussex owners are just as enthusiastic but more casual. Craig Huegel of Florida found his showdogs to be methodical, low-key natural hunters. Others like myself just enjoy a day in the field watching and working with the dogs. That pleasure was shared by all the exhibitors at the recent National Matches where field activities were heavily attended.

Sussex Spaniels are one of the oldest and rarest hunting spaniels around and today's hunters can consider themselves to be following in the footsteps of history. They will find a serious, golden-liver dog willing to hunt through the heaviest cover, sturdy enough to hunt all day long and still charming enough to come back to hearth and home. Those lucky hunters will find they have a dog that looks and functions just like it always has - a true hunter and companion.