Hellfire Sussex Spaniels
Sussex Spaniels are a rare breed best characterized by their beautiful golden liver color, and rather massive, long, low and level, body frame. Although, adopted into the AKC as one of the first nine breeds, they are now classified as vulnerable for extinction, and their very existence is entirely dependent on the small, passionate group of preservation breeders, working to keep them in our future.
My background is with field dogs and hunting spaniels, and I met my first Sussex at a hunt test in 1998. I was instantly smitten and vowed to own one someday.
I hit the ground running with my first show Sussex, Maverick, winning 10 Owner Handler Best in Shows, multiple sporting group placements and consistent national breed and all-breed rankings. Since 2013, As an owner-handler, I've finished 14 Grand Champions (GCH) and have earned Top 5 Westminster invitations for Maverick, Frank, Marv and Bruce. Eighteen (18) AKC Show Champions have been Hellfire bred - three are Specialty winners. Four consecutive generations of my Sussex are Grand Champions.
I enjoy training and competing to the highest levels in AKC Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Hunt Test, Tracking, and Barn Hunt events all over the US. My little brown dogs love learning new things, and with patience and persistence, Sussex can make wonderful and rewarding versatile companion dogs.
Our Sussex are immaculately maintained and are full time house dogs. Hellfire only breeds champion titled adults that have passed heart, hearing, eyes and DNA health screenings. We only breed for personal use and keep all show quality puppies. Occasionally we offer a retired adult to a quiet, child free home.
A list of my other show champions can be found here.
Noteworthy Champions
MBISS NBOS GCHB Marv
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
Hellfire Mizz Marvel - Multiple Best in Specialty Show winner x4, National Specialty Best Opposite, Top 5 Westminster Invitee - outstanding producer and mom to many champions.
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
Hellfires Dancing in the Dark -a Best in Specialty winner from the Bred By Class, Multiple Best in Specialty X4, Multiple Reserve Best in Show X3 winner.
BISS GCHS Knox
MBISS MRBIS GCH Bruce
GCHB MBOSS CH Smoosh
Hellfires Cusp of Aries. Littermate of Bruce - Multiple Sporting Group placer. This momma's boy has been shown on a very limited basis and was handled to every point by me.
GCHB MBOSS CH Smoosh
GCHB MBOSS CH Smoosh
GCHB MBOSS CH Smoosh
This gorgeous Marv daughter is a multiple Sporting Group placer and MBOSS winner. Smoosh got her name after being squashed like a pancake after birth - and somehow I brought her back!
GCHB CH Maverick
GCHB MBOSS CH Smoosh
GCHB CH Maverick
Multiple Group winner, 10X NOHS Best in Show winner, #2 (Breed pts) Sussex Spaniel in , Westminster Top 5 invitee, RAE, CD, CGC, RATO, TKA titles, sire of three Specialty winners, Marv, Knox and Bruce.
GCH CH Frank
GCHB MBOSS CH Smoosh
GCHB CH Maverick
Three D First and Foremost - the #4 (Breed pts) Sussex Spaniel , proven producer of 12 champion offspring!
GCH CH Margery
Health Screened Sussex
GCH CH Margery
Hellfire Has Faith in Me, aka Large Marge, is a Faith X Maverick daughter. She now resides in Indiana with a very special family that runs a wildlife rehab and sanctuary on hundreds of acres.
GCH CH Twinky
Health Screened Sussex
GCH CH Margery
Hellfires Twinkle of Faith is littermate to GCH Margery and CH Poppy - from the second Maverick X Faith litter. Everyone loves Twinky, she is gentle, quiet and sweet.
Health Screened Sussex
Health Screened Sussex
Health Screened Sussex
Our breeding dogs are joint/eyes/BAER hearing, heart and DNA health screened. We only use specialists. Our OFA results are public.
GCH CH GG
GCH CH Gwynnie
Health Screened Sussex
The dorky Hellfires Serendipity is Marvelous, has never had a bad day in her life. She is very upbeat and happy, especially houndy and I adore her. She continues to show as a veteran.
GCH CH Gwynnie
GCH CH Gwynnie
GCH CH Gwynnie
Hellfires Marvelous Serendipity is a litter sister to GG and mom to Knox and BISS Bruce. Gwynnie is short legged and stout with a perfect topline and gorgeous front, She is never naughty, and is always nice, I wish all my Sussex were Gwynnies.
GCH CH Tippy
GCH CH Gwynnie
GCH CH Gwynnie
Hellfires Rogue One is my dad's house pet and couch potato. In May she had never seen a show lead in her life, by June she was a Champion, by October a Grand! Sooo much drama with this dog, but she will always be one of my most rewarding show dogs.
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
I got Danish import Daarbjerg Frej late May '26 and finished him to Champion in September with Winners Dog/Best of Winners x2 at the 2026 PNW Sussex shows! He is maturing nicely.
BOSS GCH CH Twosday
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
Hellfire on Twosday. Singleton born on 2/22/2022 - what else could I name her? She finished entirely over Specials with 5 point majors. For a big girl, she is an outstanding mover.
GCH CH Olive
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
Faith - Our Foundation
Hellfires Marvelous Sunshine. Baby Olive - another singleton and the very last of Marv's daughters. Olive finished her CH and GCH entirely over specials.
Faith - Our Foundation
Our Newest Champion! Aksel
Faith - Our Foundation
Orions You Gotta Have Faith was our foundation matriarch - she left behind a legacy of long, luxurious ears and gentle, sweet temperaments - I miss her!