I am doing some research on the sussex because i am intrested in geting one in the near future and i though this would be a good place to come and ask because i though there would be people here who would know.

  i would really like to know all of the health probs. that the sussex have before i get one. so if you can tell me any thing that would be the best of help

         thanks
  skout00

Topic should i get a sussex??????   

In some ways you are better off with a breed that is as rare as the Sussex, as only the most dedicted people bother with them, and in fact they need all the new enthusiasts they can to keep it going.  What health issues they have will be well known, and you can be sure that the breeders are doing their utmost to minimise/eradicate them.

I met a lovely sussex breeder when I went to the World show with my Elkhounds in 2002, and her male and my girls got on famously.  In fact one of my current litter is going to live with a male Sussex Spaniel.  They are the sort of personality that I like, have a mind of their own, and are not busy busy like some of the Spanile breeds but have this air of arrogant superiority :D

Get in tpouch with the breed clubs, phone some breeders and arrange to meet them and their dogs.  Hopefully there will be a club event show/social/working day some time soon.


In Response to skout00
i really want one but i'v heared that they are rare and i dont know a lot fo the health probs.
so now i'm not so shure.

skout00 

i also havea black lab is snoring bubfor him

sorry bout that word in the last post  it is ment to be

is it bad for him

As with people it could be nothing or a sign of come4thing, best see the Vet to be certain.

The breed  average for the hip score is 29 - not good
The eyes are tested for MRD
Other problems that have been noted in the Sussex are Cardiomyopathy, Cataract, Distichiasis, Entropion and Narrow palpebral fissure. As you will see most are associated with problems with the eyes but I am not sure which are prevalent in the UK so would suggest you ask the breed clubs about what problems you should be asking about.

OPf course some of these problems may be very rare, or again not, so the breed club can put things in perspective as to incidence.  If you look at most breeds there are quite a number of heatlth issues, some important and some ninor but thankfully most are seen infrequently, especially with good breeding and health screening practices.

The hipscores are not good, but the breed are aware of this and working to get the scores lowered by testing.