Of all the spaniels out there, the Sussex Spaniel is the rarest breed. It dates back to England where it was used as a reliable game dog during those typical British hunts. When the American Kennel Club was started, the Sussex Spaniel was within the first 10 breeds to be accepted for registration. There are not very many in the United States, about 400 registered so far. Every year, only 70 new ones are registered.

Even so, the Sussex Spaniel is on a bit of a comeback. It was even more rare after World War II when it was suspected that only eight remained over all. This fine dog is well adapted to hunting, with a beautiful golden liver color unique to spaniels. It makes it blend in with the barks of trees at sunset and allows it to retrieve fowl that drops in the water. The dog has a very low body, which is suitable for going into thick brush to retrieve game.

Since these dogs are rare, it will be difficult to locate a breeder that has pups for sale. You may have better luck in Great Britain, from where they originate. You can expect to pay $300 to $500 GBP for a dog there. In the United States, they are even more expensive and difficult to procure. If you just want this dog for a family pet, you might consider a different type of spaniel. They will be easier to locate and less expensive.

One place you can start to look for a Sussex Spaniel is through the AKC's registered breeders lists. This will give you an idea if there is a breeder near you and it at least gives you a starting point. It doesn't mean the breeder will have a dog available, but you can at least get on a waiting list. How long that waiting list is depends on the demand in your area.

This will give you time to research the Sussex Spaniel more. You are making a significant investment in buying a Sussex Spaniel and should be sure that this is the right dog for you. Understand its needs for exercise and how much grooming you will be undertaking. Start to understand some of the typical health issues too, so that you can best care for the dog when it arrives.

If you do manage to luck out and get a Sussex Spaniel, they make excellent pets as long as they are kept exercised and not left alone for too long a period of time. They are happiest in the country where they have a wide area to romp and roam. They are not aggressive dogs and make great game dogs for people who like to hunt.