Field Spaniel vs Sussex Spaniel

A Field Spaniel
Photo: Peter
A Sussex Spaniel
Photo: Pleple2000

Side by side

Field Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Adult weight
18–25 kg (40–55 lb)1
16–23 kg (35–51 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 43.2–48.3 cm; females 40.6–45.7 cm3
Males 38–41 cm; females 38–41 cm4
Lifespan
Median 13.1 years5
Median 13.5 years5
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes6
Group
Retrievers & water dogs1
Retrievers & water dogs4
Coat
Long coat1
Coat with feathering4
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Daily brushing
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
Class
Companion
Companion

Which suits you

Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Field Spaniel sheds through the year, the Sussex Spaniel moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Field Spaniel needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Sussex Spaniel needs brushing a few times a week.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Field Spaniel: quiet; Sussex Spaniel: very vocal) and on intelligence (Field Spaniel: learns readily, likes games; Sussex Spaniel: easy-going, simple routines).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 22 kg (47 lb) for the Field Spaniel and 19 kg (43 lb) for the Sussex Spaniel.
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Field Spaniel
Retrievers & water dogs · Medium

The Field Spaniel is affectionate, docile and sensitive, and does not respond well to harsh handling.

Sussex Spaniel
Retrievers & water dogs · Medium

In temperament the Sussex is even-tempered, friendly and calm, deliberate rather than quick, and more vocal than most spaniels.

The Field Spaniel page →The Sussex Spaniel page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Field Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Activity
Differs
Needs lots of exercise
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Field Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Field Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 20 kg.
Field Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
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More comparisons

Compare the Field Spaniel with
English Cocker Spaniel vs Field SpanielClumber Spaniel vs Sussex SpanielEnglish Springer Spaniel vs Field SpanielAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·