Sussex Spaniel vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison

Sussex Spaniel vs Kerry Beagle - Breed ComparisonSussex Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Kerry Beagle is originated from Ireland. Sussex Spaniel may grow 23 cm / 9 inches shorter than Kerry Beagle. Sussex Spaniel may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Kerry Beagle. Both Sussex Spaniel and Kerry Beagle has almost same life span. Both Sussex Spaniel and Kerry Beagle has almost same litter size. Sussex Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance. But Kerry Beagle requires Low 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.

kerry beagle - historyThe Kerry Beagle is an ancient dog breed, thought to go back as far as the 16th century and looked upon as one of the oldest of all the Irish dog breeds. The dog was introduced to Ireland by the Celts.

It is believed to have descended from the Old Southern Hound or Celtic Hounds.The Kerry Beagle was taken by Irish immigrants to America and is a foundation breed in the development of the  Coonhound for hunting and scenting.

The Kerry Beagle isn't recognized by the AKC but has been recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1991. It is still rare outside of Ireland and it hasn't been recognized by major kennel clubs.

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.

kerry beagle puppy - descriptionThe Kerry Beagle is a medium sized dog with a solid physique. He stands at about 56 – 61cm and weighs between 22 and 27kg. He has a broad head with drop ears. His eyes are large and deep set and are a yellow to brownish color, giving the dog an intelligent expression.

His coat is short and the most common color for this dog is black and tan, but you can also find tan and white or some blue mottling as well. He is a lean, muscled dog with a deep chest and legs which are slim and long, providing the dog with the ability to pick up speed on a hunt. The tail of the dog is long and slightly curved and carried level.

Temperament:

As a packhound this dog is a serious hunter. He may look aggressive as he goes after his prey but he is actually a calm, well-balanced, friendly dog who forms a strong, loving relationship with his human family.

He is also gentle and playful with children in the home and also gets on well with other dogs too. He is intelligent and will readily respond to training and socialization. It's a dog that just loves being outside, especially when there is something to do, such as playing ball games or going on a long walk.

He is alert and inquisitive and makes an excellent watchdog. A home with a good sized garden will be ideal for the Kerry Beagle, though it can be kept in small gardens in the city too, just so long as he is given the opportunity for daily exercise.

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.

kerry beagle dog - characteristicsThe Kerry Beagle may well be quite an aggressive dog when showing off his hunting skills, but when it comes to being around his human family, he softens up and becomes a gentle, loving friend.

He is an affectionate playmate for children and also gets on well with other dogs you may have in the home.

Your Kerry Beagle is alert, intelligent and active, and when you have one of them as a 4-legged family member, you'll discover what a wonderful, devoted companion he can be.

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.

kerry beagle puppies - health problemsIf your Kerry Beagle is ill or injured you need to get him to the vet for a full assessment. As a puppy he will also need certain vaccinations to protect him from some life-threatening illnesses as well as getting de-wormed.

Dental Health:

Bad smelling breath is a symptom that your pet's teeth need checking. If you're not sure how to maintain his teeth, make sure your Kerry Beagle has professional dental cleaning to ensure his gums and teeth are kept in a healthy state. Your vet will give you advise on how to watch for periodontal disease.

Fleas and Ticks:

In hot weather particularly, check your dog over for fleas and ticks and remove them.

Heartworm:

Heartworm is a fatal disease which which can affect your dog. Speak to your vet about treatments as living in a hot, wet area opens you pet up to bites from infected mosquitoes.

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.

Grooming:

kerry beagle dogs - caringBecause of the short coat of the Kerry Beagle, he is looked upon as a low maintenance dog. He doesn't shed very much, and simple grooming is required such as brushing the coat twice a week.

His nails will also need to be clipped, as left long, they can hook on things and rip your pet's flesh.

You will need to check his teeth and also check inside his ears. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone to infection in the ears and this can cause terrible pain for your pet.

Diet:

If you keep your Kerry Beagle as a hunting dog, you will know that active dogs like these have different dietary requirements to companion dogs.

All that activity requires top quality nutrition and a certain amount of calories. If you're buying dry kibble, make sure its the highest quality so that he doesn't require huge portions to satisfy him. Leading canine nutritionists recommend a hunting dog like this be fed a large meal once a day and preferably in the evening, after all the hunting action.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Ireland
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
22 - 27 kg
48 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
22 - 27 kg
48 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
1 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
The Sussex
None
Colors Available:
Golden liver
Black and tan, blue mottling, white and tan
Coat:
Quite long, thick, silky
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
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, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Pumi vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  9. Kintamani vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  10. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  11. Russo-European Laika vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Ryukyu Inu vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  13. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  14. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  15. Shiba Inu vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  16. Sulimov vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  17. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  18. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  19. Standard Schnauzer vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  20. Kerry Beagle vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Kerry Beagle vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  22. Kerry Beagle vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  23. Kerry Beagle vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  24. Kerry Beagle vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Kerry Beagle vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  26. Sussex Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  27. Sussex Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  28. Sussex Spaniel vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Sussex Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Sussex Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  31. Sussex Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  32. Sussex Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  33. Sussex Spaniel vs Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever - Breed Comparison
  34. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Sussex Spaniel vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Sussex Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Sussex Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  38. Sussex Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  39. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  40. Sussex Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Sussex Spaniel vs Shikoku - Breed Comparison
  42. Sussex Spaniel vs Slovakian Hound - Breed Comparison
  43. Sussex Spaniel vs Small Munsterlander - Breed Comparison
  44. Sussex Spaniel vs Kooikerhondje - Breed Comparison
  45. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  46. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Wetterhoun vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Sussex Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds