Sussex Spaniel — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Sussex Spaniel — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The breed's country of origin is Great Britain.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* FCI places it in Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing dogs and Water dogs), Section 2 for flushing dogs, with working trial; its use is as a flushing dog.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Height is 13–15 inches (FCI ideal 38–41 cm) and weight 35–45 lb (FCI about 23 kg); the body is long and low, rectangular and massive.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is abundant, flat or slightly waved with no curl, plus a weather-resistant undercoat; legs, ears and tail are feathered and the neck has a marked frill.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The only accepted colour is rich golden liver; a coat that is too dark or puce counts as a major fault, white on the chest is only a minor fault, and white anywhere else is a major fault.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Despite a somber, serious expression the temperament is friendly, cheerful and tractable; FCI notes a kindly nature and a tendency to give tongue when working.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Faults are graded: major faults are wrong shade of liver, white off the chest or a curled coat; serious faults are a narrow head, weak muzzle, a topknot or a sour, crouching look; minor faults include light eyes, white on the chest, height deviation, light bone, a short or flatsided body, and a non-scissor bite.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The AKC standard states there are no disqualifications; FCI disqualifies aggressive or overly shy dogs and any dog showing clear physical or behavioural abnormality.