Sussex Spaniel

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

Sussex Spaniels are recommended to have 2 cups of high-quality dog food divided into two meals daily. They are also prone to obesity since they easily gain weight. To avoid this delimma, it's best to feed them at specific times of the day rather than leaving out food available anytime.
Carefully measuring their food is also advised. To check if your Sussex Spaniels are in shape, try pressing lightly on their rib area; if you don't feel their ribs with the light touch, it means you should lessen their daily intake. Also, avoid giving them too many treats.

Sussex Spaniels and their straight or slightly wavy golden liver coloured coat shed minimal to moderate and is advised to be brushed twice or thrice a week to keep their loose hairs under control and prevent tangles from forming.

As a rule, it is ideal to brush or comb your Sussex Spaniel every day. Their ears should be checked for any foreign bodies and kept clean regularly. Trimming or clipping their coat is not required, but you should trim the hairs on and around their feet to keep them looking tidy. But if your Sussex Spaniel is neutered, they sometimes look better if their coat is trimmed. Bathe them as needed, like if they smell already or there is visible dirt on them.

Bush your Sussex Spaniel's teeth at least two times a week to remove any tartar buildup and the accompanying bacterias. And regularly trim their nails once or twice a month, as needed. Begin accustoming your Sussex to being brushed and examined while they are still young. Make grooming a positive experience for them, praise and reward them for positive reinforcements; then it will be easier for them as they grow older.

Sussex Spaniel enjoys having an active lifestyle. Though they may seem lazy when they're inside the home, your Sussex Spaniel still needs plenty of activity. They need to have constant stimulation, or they easily become bored. Two to three short walks a day are required for them to stay healthy and happy. But they also much enjoy having to run around, play and romp in an open area, preferably fenced. Playing catch or fetch would also be fun for them, for they were bred to retrieve. They are country dogs at heart.

Sussex Spaniels are generally a healthy breed, but some conditions can be concerning. They include some heart problems, like cardiomyopathy and pulmonic stenosis, and an exercise intolerance syndrome called pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (PDH). Hip Dysplasia, deafness, and eye problems (like entropion and retinal dysplasia) have also been reported. Females can have difficulty whelping and often require Caesarean sections. Regular annual vet check-ups are recommended for a doctor to monitor their overall health.

Sussex Spaniels are always eager to be around people and can sometimes be pretty protective of their families. Because of their calm demeanour, they are excellent around children, especially if raised with them. They also make excellent candidates for therapy dog work. Most Sussex Spaniels are primarily family pets, but they are competent enough to aid a hunter, though quite stubborn to train. But they're best suited to families with children at least six years old and understand how to interact with dogs. Never leave small children with any dog alone together; supervision is a must.

Sussex Spaniels loves hunting and is sometimes more interested in this than anything else when they are outside, so training is highly recommended when they are still young. They are not as quick to learn as some breeds, so patience in training will be crucial. Despite it all, it will be well worth the effort since the result is a happy and loyal dog. They tend to have natural abilities to quarter in the field. Because of their excellent noses, they can retrieve, given proper training.

Using positive reinforcement techniques is highly recommended, so be ready with those treats and praise them when deserved. Punishments will only lead to indifference which makes training a lot more complicated. An early start with obedience training can help prevent or lessen their destructive behaviours.

Sussex Spaniels can be quite difficult with strange dogs, but if properly introduced to them at an early age, they should be fine. Sussex Spaniels generally gets along well with other pets in the household, including cats, although they can be too bossy. Socializing them as puppies is advised because they tend to be aggressive towards dogs they are unfamiliar with.