Sussex Spaniel vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison

Sussex Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Russian Setter is originated from Russia. Sussex Spaniel may grow 30 cm / 11 inches shorter than Russian Setter. Sussex Spaniel may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Russian Setter. Both Sussex Spaniel and Russian Setter has almost same life span. Both Sussex Spaniel and Russian Setter has same litter size. Both Sussex Spaniel and Russian Setter requires Moderate maintenance.

History

sussex spaniel - historyThe Sussex Spaniel comes from Sussex in southern England. The whole purpose of his development was for him to rush between reeds, causing birds to fly up and for their owners to then shoot them so that they could retrieve them.

His history dates back to the 19th century when breeding for the dog started. The first breed standard was also written during this time.

It was about in 1969 that some of these Sussex Spaniels were imported to the United States where they were referred to as a sporting breed. Today they are still a rare breed.

People often think it is ridiculous that a Setter dog comes from Russia. It is believed that the Russians did have some kind of Griffon and the word Pointer is also often translated as Setter.

It is believed that the Russian Setter is one of the ancestors of the Wire-haired Pointing Griffon and that it possibly shared an ancestry with the German wire-haired and broken-haired pointers.

References to Russian Setters were fairly common in the 19th century, but there is such contradictory information that it is hard to get good information on the dogs. The Russian Setter is believed to have existed before the Russian Revolution resembling the English Setter. Dog experts tell us the dog no longer exists.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Setter dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Russia
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
5 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
The Sussex
None
Colors Available:
Golden liver
Grey, reddish-brown with some black and white
Coat:
Quite long, thick, silky
Short or long, smooth or wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

sussex spaniel puppy - descriptionWith his low, long body and short legs, this beautiful golden liver color spaniel has long, silky ears and a long, feathery tail.

He is a moderate shedder. He is quite a distinctive looking dog with his silky coat and sombre expression. You’d descibe him as medium sized dog, standing at between 33 – 38cm in height and weighing 16 -20kg.

Temperament:

The Sussex Spaniel is more slow and sedate than the Cocker Spaniel but he still makes an excellent pet and companion.

He is strong and robust. He is clever too, but slightly stubborn, while also being clownish and entertaining. They’re the kind of dogs who bond strongly with their family and aren’t that enthusiastic with strangers.

They take a while to warm towards people they don’t know. He is steady, reliable and determined and makes a good watchdog. Because he is gentle and even tempered he makes an ideal pet for children and he is able to get on well with other dogs too.

It’s good to have them trained and socialized as they become even more amicable around other people and dogs they don’t know.

In terms of appearance, it was John Henry Walsh who said that the Russian Setter was a dog hidden by its long, woolly matted coat.It seems to have been a medium sized dog with an elegant appearance. It seems the dog came in two varieties - the curly coated liver coated dogs and the fawn colored dogs which are straight coated.

Because there is very little information on these dogs, we assume they were between 57 – 68cm in height and between 27 and 32kg in weight. The coat was no doubt in colours such as grey, reddish-brown with some black and white and shortish and wiry. The ears were floppy,and the face no doubt had some longer hair around the muzzle.

Temperament:

Nobody seems to know exactly what the temperament of this dog was, but when you look at some of his ancestors you can assume that he was strong-willed, confident and a skilled hunter.

He would have required a lot of exercise too. He was lively and energetic. Because he had Pointer in him you can be sure that he would have been intelligent so that he could be trained and socialized.

He would have been keen to learn with an owner who was firm and consistent in his treatment of him. He is a dog most happiest when he can spend time with his human family, a most loyal and devoted family friend, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the home.

Characteristics

The Sussex Spaniel makes the perfect pet for families where there are children.

sussex spaniel dog - characteristicsHe is a low drooling dog and he adapts easily to life with his human family, preferably in the countryside.

He isn’t the most intelligent breed, but most people love him just like that because he’s eager to please and just wants to be your trusted, loyal pet and companion.

It appears, according to records that the Russian Setter has come and gone. However he would have been a calm, gentle pet with running ad hunting keeping him happy. He would therefore have required a lot of exercise.

We can assume that according to the few records that there are, that this was an affable, pleasing dog breed which made a great family pet.

Health Problems

sussex spaniel puppies - health problemsYour Sussex, like any other dog, is going to be prone to some diseases and conditions. If you are going for a puppy, always look for a reputable dog breeder, as this at least gives your dog a better chance of a healthy life.

Some health conditions that can affect your Sussex Spaniel include -

Pulmonic Stenosis: 

This is a congenital heart disease where blood doesn't flow properly and where the right side of the heart works harder and actually enlarges.

If the obstruction is severe, it can cause arrhythmia or congestive heart failure.

If the stenosis is mild, you may not even notice any conditions, but if it's severe, your pet may have difficulty with breathing, his stomach may be distended, and with strenuous exercise he could even collapse.

Intervertebral Disc Disease:

This is when a disc in the spine ruptures and pushes upward into the spinal cord. It can be an injury or an inherited condition.It is painful and will include anti-inflammatory medications and possibly surgery.

The Russian Setter had an average lifespan of 10 – 14 which is a fairly good innings for a dog. Nonetheless you would have had to be aware of some common dog problem. These dogs were prone to major health issues such as both hip and elbow dysplasia, deafness, epilepsy and hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid glands produce hormones that affect the function of many parts of the body. Dogs with this illness have a low production of thyroid hormones.

This disease is mainly caused by inflammation or shrinkage of the thyroid gland. The most common signs of low thyroid in dogs is thinning of the fur, the coat is dull, there is weight gain and excess shedding. The dog doesn’t tolerate cold well either. These dogs also often have ear infections.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

sussex spaniel dogs - caringBecause of the long, silky hair, brushing your Sussex twice a week will be necessary to prevent matting from dirt adhering to the fur.

The insides of those long floppy ears can be a breeding spot for bacteria as they don’t easily dry. When you brush him, check inside the ears to make sure they aren't red which could be a sign of ear infection.

Remember, if you don’t like to do all the grooming chores there are, a grooming parlour will do the chores for you. They cut your dog’s hair, check inside his ears, clean his teeth and trim his nails.

Diet:

Every dog needs excellent food to be healthy. Many people feed their pets the wrong kinds of foods and then wonder why they have to fork up so much on vets fees.

If you feed your Sussex Spaniel one of the commercial manufactured foods, make sure its one of the good ones packed with vitamins and minerals. Tasty home-made food added to his kibble a couple of times a week can do him the world of good if its kept simple – no spicey, exotic foods that can upset the stomach.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all chopped up and mixed into the dry kibble once or twice a week will ensure a healthy, happy pet.

To avoid skin allergies and a dull coat, try and add in some raw meat occasionally. Always make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

These dogs have been accustomed to a life of running in open spaces and they’re going to want lots of exercise. They love ball games and they love a walk in the countryside with lots of new scents to follow.

It’s why this dog isn’t suited to life in a small city property. He needs space and the outdoors to use up his energy.

Whatever kind of coat the Russian Setter ad it would have required a brushing twice a week to keep it in top form.

The medium length floppy ears would have to be checked inside for ear infection.

His owners would have checked inside the mouth for any signs of rotten or bad teeth.

His nails would have required trimming.

Diet:

Dogs need the best food there is to stay healthy. The Russian Terrier, if it were still around today, would have had the best commercially manufactured food there was.

You want to provide dogs with some good homemade food too. Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency to avoid upsetting the stomach. Some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach would be perfect for him. Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble once or twice a week. Raw meat should also be added in when possible to promote good skin health.

Make sure your pet is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sussex Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  2. Sussex Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. Sussex Spaniel vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Sussex Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Sussex Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  6. Sussex Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  7. Sussex Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  8. Sussex Spaniel vs Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever - Breed Comparison
  9. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Sussex Spaniel vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Sussex Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Sussex Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  13. Sussex Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  14. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  15. Sussex Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Sussex Spaniel vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  17. Sussex Spaniel vs Slovakian Hound - Breed Comparison
  18. Sussex Spaniel vs Small Munsterlander - Breed Comparison
  19. Sussex Spaniel vs Kooikerhondje - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  21. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  27. Schnauzer vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  28. Schnoodle vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  29. Santal Hound vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  30. Sanshu vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  31. Sapsali vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  32. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Russian Setter - Breed Comparison
  33. Russian Setter vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  34. Russian Setter vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  35. Russian Setter vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Russian Setter vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  37. Russian Setter vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  38. Russian Setter vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  39. Russian Setter vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Russian Setter vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  41. Russian Setter vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Russian Setter vs Dalmatian - Breed Comparison
  43. Russian Setter vs Golden Doodle - Breed Comparison
  44. Russian Setter vs Pomsky - Breed Comparison
  45. Russian Setter vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. Russian Setter vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. Russian Setter vs Other - Breed Comparison
  48. Russian Setter vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  49. Russian Setter vs Olde English Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  50. Russian Setter vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds