Sussex Spaniel vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Sussex Spaniel vs Australian Bulldog - Breed ComparisonSussex Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Australian Bulldog is originated from Australia. Sussex Spaniel may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Australian Bulldog. Sussex Spaniel may weigh 15 kg / 33 pounds lesser than Australian Bulldog. Sussex Spaniel may live 3 years more than Australian Bulldog. Both Sussex Spaniel and Australian Bulldog has same litter size. Both Sussex Spaniel and Australian Bulldog 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.

australian bulldog - historyThe Australian Bulldog was bred from several breeds: The Bullmastiff, English bulldog, the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Boxer. You will notice that his appearance is quite similar to the English bulldog, but this breed has a less-squished muzzle, fewer wrinkles and longer legs. They have great strength with a good thickness of the bone. They are solid and compact breed with good muscle tone.

The head structure of an Aussie Bulldog is one of its main attributes. It is very strong, square shaped with depth and width of muzzle less than a general bulldog. They have some wrinkle across the nose. Eyes are wide apart, large and clean. The jaw is wide and square, with strong teeth.

The name Australian Bulldog was given by Noel and Tina Green, the founders of the breed. They introduced Australian Bulldog to the public in 1998.

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.

australian bulldog puppy - descriptionAustralian bulldogs can be very good companions considering their natural loyalty. They just love to interact with humans and they are rarely aggressive.

They can be taught to be excellent watchdogs. The perfect place to raise this breed would be a house with a yard. The Australian Bulldog is usually dominant toward other dogs in its territory but, with proper training and early socialization, you can teach them to get along with other dogs and pets.

No matter if you are an active single, or you plan to bring an Australian bulldog puppy into the big family, as long as you are caring and loving toward him, he will be an amazing pet.

The Australian Bulldog is not recommended for apartment life. But, you can teach him to live in the smaller space if you tend to respect his daily need for activity. This breed is an indoor dog, and should not be left outside all day in a kennel. The best advice is to raise them in temperate climates since they can’t bear the extreme heat or extreme cold.

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.

Around children

australian bulldog dog - characteristicsAustralian Bulldog is a breed that will protect their family. They are great during the playtime with children as well. If you don’t have children, make sure you socialize your dog with children while he is still young.

Special talents

They are extremely intelligent. You can teach you Australian Bulldog almost everything in a very short time.

Adaptability

early socialization is a must with the Australian Bulldog.

Learning ability

you should start to train your Australian Bulldog as soon as possible. Positive reinforcement-based training methods are the ones you need to master in order to raise a good Australian Bulldog. They will be trained easily if there is a firm, consistent hand in training and they need leadership role from their owners. They can be taught very easy to be obedient and they love playing games like Frisbee, catch, water activities (but they swim very rarely because of their big and heavy chests), exploring the nature.

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.

australian bulldog puppies - health problemsAustralian Bulldog has better health than the English bulldog and its health continues to improve with each generation.

Breathing problems

The pushed-in face causes harder breathing. Be aware that they can’t use the air to cool itself off as quickly as necessary. During the extreme heat, Australian Bulldogs can develop heat stroke and die from it.

Skin problems

Take special care of the wrinkles on their nose. They will require everyday care since wrinkles need to be cleaned and kept dry to prevent the skin infection. Bath the dog only when it is necessary because of too much bathing with soap damages the natural oils in its skin.

Obesity

The Australian Bulldog, on average, is fed two times a day. They have the high risk of obesity, so there is no real need for more than two meals. Make sure to choose a premium quality food and to feed the dog according to the instructions. Also, they need lots of fresh water since they will be super active pet.

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.

australian bulldog dogs - caringFeeding the puppy and adult: high-quality dog food for active dogs is a must. Do not overfeed them. If you are not sure about the amount of food your dog really needs, please consult a vet.

Grooming

The Australian Bulldog needs minimal grooming. They should be brushed at least once a week using a firm bristled brush. They shed a moderate amount on a regular basis so there will be loose hair to deal with. Make sure to clip the nails when necessary. They will need a tooth brushing two times a week and checking and wiping its ears once a week.

Points for Good Health: every day long walks, plenty of exercises, special skin care and regular vet check-ups.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
44 - 49 cm
17 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
28 - 35 kg
61 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
9 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
The Sussex
Aussie bulldog, Australian Boss dog
Colors Available:
Golden liver
in the shades of brindle like red, fawn, pied, apricot, mahogany, orange, silver
Coat:
Quite long, thick, silky
short, fine coat with a smooth texture
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, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

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

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds