Sussex Spaniel Dog Names

Introduction

Calm, loving, and skilled, the Sussex Spaniel hails from Sussex, England. They were originally bred in the late eighteenth century by one Mr. Fuller of East Sussex, and he knew them to be gun dogs perfect for trekking the rough terrain and dense undergrowth of his homeland. Various Spaniels were crossed to achieve this breed, and in the end, the Sussex was such a champ. Flushing the bird was their game. Though larger working dogs became preferred after World War II, the Sussex breed survived, thanks to English breeder Joy Freer. The dogs are still rare today, however, and oddly, the Spaniels are more common in the U.S. than they are in their native Britain. By all accounts, we can all be grateful that these intelligent, warm beauties are still with us. They’re irresistible with their hazel eyes, soft liver-colored coat, hang-low wavy ears, and endearing pout. The Sussex ironically lifts us up, though they are only a little over a foot from the ground and bear a rather sad disposition. That massive build, superb nose for trails and game, and affectionate personality was certainly a winning combo from the very beginning.

Sussex Spaniel Dog Names in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Sussex Spaniel Dog

Bean

The 2018 Westminster Dog Show, held in Madison Square Garden, welcomed ten gorgeous, well-trained canines into the Circle of Champions. Every handler dreams of the day their prepared pooch lands in such a circle in this extremely competitive event. However, only the elite make it, and 2018 saw the charming, treat-loving, six-year-old “Bean” awarded for both his physique and flair. He’s a Sussex Spaniel, and he rocked the sporting group.

The sporting group traditionally takes a look at gun dogs that were bred to help in the hunt. For example, pointers and Setters point and mark game, Retrievers recover the kill from land or water, and Spaniels flush birds. The sporting category usually boasts high-energy and stable-tempered dogs. Sussex Bean displayed everything the judge was looking for at Westminster.

Bean enchanted the crowd with his obedience, performance, and panache. As if his quick, spunky gait and shimmering liver-colored coat did already have us eating out of his paws. The audience erupted when the Sussex Spaniel stopped and begged for a treat at the end of his routine. How cute! It was as if Bean unabashedly demanded payment: “Hey, who’s working for free around here? Not me!”

At the end of the day, how does one compete with such beauty and honesty? Perhaps we saw a little of ourselves and our own treat-loving nature in Bean that day. Perhaps the Spaniel’s admired restraint combined with his childlike begging captivated us because we too want to stop our daily routines from time to time. We love to be rewarded for a job well done. Whatever the reason, Bean is blue ribbon caliber in both sporting and our hearts.

His somber face and tail of unending wag were actually passed down from Sussex Spaniel greats. Literally, his relatives are the finest around. First, there’s Stump, the winningest Sussex of all time. This particular Spaniel saw 51 Bests in Show and broke records in 2009 when he became the oldest dog to ever win Westminster at the age of ten. Stump is grandfather, or “maternal grandsire,” to Bean. Then, there’s Stoney, another legend and paternal grandpa to the newest prize-winner of the breed. Stoney saw 17 Bests in Show and comes in as the overall second place of the Sussex Spaniels. It’s safe to say that winning is in Bean’s blood, and it’s a sure bet we’ll be seeing more of him in the future.

Sussex Spaniel Dog Name Considerations

How do we love thee, Sussex Spaniel? Let us count the ways! There is so much to cherish about this Spaniel, so we understand why selecting the perfect title is both a challenge and a must. Whether you cling to their rich history of hunting or highlight their notable solemn expression, you’re well on your way to a great match. You might first be drawn to aesthetic-focused names like “Brandy,” “Hazel,” “Husky,” or “Waverly.” That rich, healthy glow and stocky body can’t be avoided (and shouldn’t be). You may also decide to have some fun with their short stature. “Atom,” “Gidget,” or “Mini” could suit your pup well.

As mentioned, maybe a nod toward the past is what you’re looking for. “Rider,” “Gunner,” “Forest,” and “Juniper” pay homage to their original purpose as a bird dog that sped under and through thick underbrush. Additionally, connections to Sussex itself hold potential: check out tags like “Coast,” “Rose,” “Marilyn,” and “Shelley.” On the other hand, names that mean “serious or sincere” could be up your alley. That intense sad-face is a signature feature, and they wouldn’t be the same without it. “Ernest,” “Augustus,” “Neto,” or “Charlotte” might do the trick.

Male Sussex Spaniel Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Rider These dogs are low riders, able to hunt in undergrowth
0	Rooster They hunt ringneck roosters
0	Husky Because of their husky body type
0	Stump After the oldest Sussex to win “Best in Show” at Westminster
0	Waverly For their wavy ear hair
0	Fetch Because they were bred to be hunters and to fetch birds
0	Gunner The Sussex Spaniel is a gun dog
0	Beeper They alarm the hunter when prey is discovered and cornered
0	Fuller Last name of man who bred them
0	Freer After Joy Freer who saved the breed from extinction
0	Ernest Play on the word “earnest,” meaning sincere (their expression)
0	Saxon Modern-day Sussex was known as the Kingdom of Saxon
0	Kent Means “edge;” Sussex is at the edge of the English Channel
0	Arno Meaning earnest, sincere
0	Dobyn Responsible, serious, and serving
0	Augustus A serious name for a serious face
0	Basil Knightly, royal; Russian
0	Coast Sussex is located on the coast
0	Neto Intense, solemn, serious, sincere
0	Briar One who is like a shrub or a small tree
0	Cantrell A small bell; refers to the dog’s stature and alarming bark
0	Dimples Ironic name because the Sussex face is so solemn
0	Ripley For the ripples in their ear hair
0	Saddle Boast the color of a saddle; saddle implies work and hunting
0	Stanley Name meaning “stony meadow,” where dogs would hunt
0	Atom “The smallest part” for a small but powerful dog
0	Cappy Short for cappuccino, similar to the color of their coat
0	Rocky Because they hunt close to the ground
0	Forest Because the Sussex hunts near the forest floor
0	Chili For their rich brown hue

Female Sussex Spaniel Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Rose Refers to Rosehill Park in East Sussex where they were bred
0	Flow For their flowing ear hair
0	Autumn Refers to their liver-colored, autumn-like coat
0	Joy After Joy Freer who saved the breed from extinction
0	America Today, the breed is most popular in the U.S.
0	Sugar The coat is similar to the color of brown sugar
0	Hazel Refers to their hazel eyes
0	Rampion Sussex county flower
0	Brownie Reflects their liver-colored coat
0	Swallow Sussex flag bears these birds
0	Marilyn “Star of the sea”, English; refers to connection to Channel
0	Bea Short for Beatrice; “bringer of gladness”
0	Freddie Short for Frederica; “a peaceful ruler”
0	Charlotte A serious name for a serious face
0	Shelley Percy Bysshe Shelley was a famous Sussex poet
0	Goldie For their shimmering liver-colored coats
0	Juniper A small evergreen shrub bearing berries
0	Gidget “Small girl;” American name combining girl and midget
0	Mini For their short stature; ironic because of their hefty bodies
0	Spicy Bears the appearance of the allspice plant
0	Sorrel Red-brown like the sorrel plant
0	Truffle Refers to the color of their coat
0	Velvet For their velvety appearance
0	Brandy Like the liquor, the Spaniel possesses a golden brown hue
0	Ladybug For their red hair
0	Latte Soft milky coffee that bears a resemblance to their fur
0	Ruby For the coat’s red tint
0	Toffee Because of the hair's soft, caramel-like color
0	Cali Short for “caliente;” for their red color and warm personality
0	Merlot Like the deep red-brown wine