Breed History
The Sussex Spaniel holds the proud distinction of being one of the first ten breeds admitted to the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1884, and the dubious distinction of being one of the rarest AKC breeds in the United States today....
The dog originated in Sussex County, England late in the 18th century where it was popular as a slow-moving and methodical working dog with a good nose, capable of bird flushing as well as retrieving. This popularity was short lived, however, and by the early 20th century tastes had clearly moved toward swift and agile sporting dogs, especially in America. Though the breeds future was fairly secure in its native England, numbers had dropped so low in the Untied States by 1954 that crosses with the Clumber Spaniel were necessary to ensure its continuation. The Sussex Spaniel still struggles to amass much of a following today.