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 - 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
GCHB CH Maverick
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
GCHB CH Maverick
Multiple Group winner, 10X NOHS Best in Show winner, #2 (Breed pts) Sussex Spaniel in , RAE, CD, CGC, RATO, TKA titles
GCH CH Frank
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
GCHB CH Maverick
Three D First and Foremost - the #4 (Breed pts) Sussex Spaniel , proven producer of 12 champion offspring!
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
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
MBISSX4 GCH Bruce
Hellfires Cusp of Aries. Littermate of Bruce - Multiple Sporting Group placer. Finished entirely over specials. Knox has the BEST temperament.
MBISSx4 GCHB Marv
Health Screened Sussex
Health Screened Sussex
Hellfire Mizz Marvel - Multiple Best in Specialty Show winner, NBOSS, Top 5 Westminster Invitee - mom to many champions. (Maverick X Faith)
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 Margery
GCH CH Margery
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
GCH CH Margery
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.
GCH CH GG
GCH CH Margery
GCH CH Gwynnie
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 Tippy
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 Gwynnie
GCH CH Tippy
Multiple Sporting Group placing Hellfires There and Back finished as she began, with 5 point majors and Best of Breed wins over Specials. Smoosh got her name after being squashed like a pancake after birth - and somehow I brought her back!
GCH CH Olive
Faith - Our Foundation
GCH CH Olive
Hellfires Marvelous Sunshine. Baby Olive - another singleton and the very last of Marv's daughters. Despite her spice and sass, Olive finished both her Championship and Grand Championship fast.
CH Twosday
Faith - Our Foundation
GCH CH Olive
Hellfire on Twosday. Singleton born on 2/22/2022 - what else could I name her? She finished entirely over Specials with 5 point majors. She's lovely. I will be bringing her back out to play in 2026.
Faith - Our Foundation
Faith - Our Foundation
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!