Sussex Spaniel Club of America, Inc.

The Official AKC Parent Club of the Sussex Spaniel

Sussex in the Field

This following description of the hunting characteristics of the Sussex Spaniel was approved by the Sussex Spaniel Club of America to assist hunt test judges in understanding the Sussex Spaniel hunting style. 

 

Sussex Spaniels were developed with a unique hunting style designed to allow them to efficiently hunt in thick, difficult to penetrate undergrowth. Hunting in such undergrowth requires that a dog have drive and determination to fight through any obstruction once a bird is scented. Thus the Sussex was developed to work as a methodical, determined, thorough hunter, with a moderate pace, excellent endurance and an overall toughness.

 

A Sussex does not tend to cover every square inch of ground with his feet in hopes of locating birds he does not scent. Rather, he moves logically with head down in order to catch the faintest of scents. Once the bird’s scent is detected, Sussex often slow down when working a bird, pausing or hesitating briefly before performing and “English” style flush. Additionally, when a bird is located a Sussex may give tongue; in thick undergrowth this characteristic is considered quite useful, alerting the hunter to imminent flushes.

 
Sussex easily master the skills needed to retrieve from both land and water, delivering to hand. Their water entry is deliberate and their speed is moderate, but they retrieve capably from water. 

 

To summarize: Sussex hunt at a moderate pace, a quick-stepped trot. They should demonstrate excellent noses as they investigate the faintest scent thoroughly. Sussex should “come alive” when they hit bird scent, show strong determination to track the faintest scent and be very persistent as they “work it out.” Once the bird is scented Sussex move deliberately, performing an “English” style hesitation flush. Once down the bird will be located and retrieved either from land or water, and delivered gently to hand.

 

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Interested in Reading More?

 

Getting Started with Training, by Donald Krueger

Hunting with Sussex, by Frank Komatar

Sussex Spaniel: Returning Afield in the US, by Ann McGloon

 

Also, you may find these books helpful in training your Sussex:

 

HUP! Training Flushing Spaniels the American Way, James B. Spencer, Alpine Publications, 2002 (2nd Edition)

 

Retriever Training for Spaniels (working with soft-tempered, hard-headed, intelligent dogs), Pamela Owen Kadlec, Just Ducky Publishing, 2002

 

Training Retrievers and Spaniels to Hunt ’em Up!, Joe Arnette & George Hickox, Silver Quill Press, 2000

 

Urban Gun Dogs: Training Flushing Dogs for Home and Field, Tony Roettger and Chip Schleider, 2004

 

Spaniel Journal An great on-line journal dedicated to the flushing spaniels.