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 6 Owner Handler Best in Shows, multiple sporting group placements and consistent national rankings. Since 2013, As an owner-handler, I've finished 13 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 - two are multiple specialty (MBISS) 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.
Noteworthy Champions
Faith
GCHB CH Maverick
GCHB CH Maverick
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!
GCHB CH Maverick
GCHB CH Maverick
GCHB CH Maverick
Multiple Group winner, 10X NOHS Best in Show winner, #2 Sussex Spaniel in 2017, RAE, CD, CGC, RATO, TKA titles
GCH CH Frank
GCHB CH Maverick
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
Three D First and Foremost - the #4 Sussex Spaniel 2017, Top 5 Westminster invitee, proven producer of champion offspring!
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
Health Screened Sussex
MBISSX4 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.
GCHB CH Knox
Health Screened Sussex
Health Screened Sussex
Hellfires Cusp of Aries. Littermate of Bruce - Multiple Sporting Group placer. Finished entirely over specials. Knox is like his dad and has an outgoing and very gentle temperament.
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.
MBISS NBOSS GCHB Marv
MBISS NBOSS GCHB Marv
MBISS NBOSS GCHB Marv
Hellfire MIzz Marvel - Multiple Best in Specialty Show winner, NBOSS, Top 5 Westminster Invitee - mom to many champions. (Maverick X Faith)
GCH CH Margery
MBISS NBOSS GCHB Marv
MBISS NBOSS GCHB Marv
GCH CH Hellfire Has Faith in Me, aka Large Marge, is a Faith X Maverick daughter. She is obsessed with cheese.
GCH CH Twinky
MBISS NBOSS GCHB Marv
GCH CH Twinky
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.
GCH CH GG
GCH CH Gwynnie
GCH CH Twinky
The dorky and fabulous GG, GCH CH Hellfires Serendipity is Marvelous, has never had a bad day in her life. She is very upbeat and happy, especially houndy and I'm not afraid to admit that she is my very favorite Sussex. I adore her.
GCH CH Gwynnie
GCH CH Gwynnie
GCH CH Gwynnie
Hellfires Marvelous Serendipity aka Gwynnie 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.
GCH CH Smoosh
GCH CH Smoosh
GCH CH Smoosh
Hellfires There and Back finished as she began, with 5 point majors and Best of Breed wins over Specials. The gorgeous Smoosh got her name after being squashed like a pancake after birth - somehow I brought her back!
CH Twosday
GCH CH Smoosh
GCH CH Smoosh
Hellfire on Twosday was born 2/22/2022 what else could I name her? This girl hit the ground running, got a 5 point major win for her first show ever, and finished fast with two Best of Breed wins over specials!
CH Olive
GCH CH Smoosh
CH Olive
Baby Olive - another singleton and the very last of Marv's daughters. The Marv girls are consistent - great toplines and fronts, lovely temperaments and perfect bites. Olive finished her Championship fast, with major wins over Specials!