A new research project has been launched to help safeguard the future of the Sussex Spaniel, one of Britain’s most vulnerable native dog breeds, after just 15 puppies were registered in 2025.
The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) and the Roslin Institute are joining forces with the Sussex Spaniel Association and the wider breed community to investigate genetic diversity within the breed.
Researchers plan to analyse DNA from approximately 125 to 150 Sussex Spaniels, representing as much of the accessible living RKC-registered population as possible.
The genetic information will then be combined with the Royal Kennel Club’s extensive pedigree records to help researchers build a clearer picture of genetic diversity within the population.
Just 15 Sussex Spaniel puppies registered in 2025
The Sussex Spaniel is currently classed by the Royal Kennel Club as a Vulnerable Native Breed, a classification given to native breeds recording fewer than 300 puppy registrations each year.
For the Sussex Spaniel, registrations are considerably below that threshold.
Just 15 Sussex Spaniel puppies were registered in 2025, falling from 24 in 2024.
The new research aims to develop an evidence-based strategy for managing the population and preserving as much genetic diversity as possible for future generations.
Charlotte McNamara, Chief Canine Wellbeing & Engagement Officer at the Royal Kennel Club, said:
“We are very pleased to collaborate with the Roslin Institute and the Sussex Spaniel Association on this important project, which aims to help us better understand and protect the genetic diversity of the Sussex Spaniel for generations to come.”
She added that generations of RKC pedigree records provide researchers with information about how individual dogs are related, while advances in genetic technology now provide an opportunity to combine that historical information with DNA analysis.
Could the research help other dog breeds?
The project could have implications beyond the Sussex Spaniel.
Researchers will use it as a proof of concept for combining population-wide DNA information with pedigree data.
If successful, the methodology could potentially contribute to future approaches for managing genetic diversity in other pedigree breeds.
The project has secured £18,000 through the Roslin Institute Pump-Priming Scheme, combining the RKC’s expertise in canine population genetics with the Roslin Institute’s work in animal genetics and genomics.
Dr Pau Navarro, Project Lead Scientist at the Roslin Institute, said:
“We are pleased to be working with the Royal Kennel Club, with support from breeders and owners, to understand the genetic diversity of this pedigree breed. This will help develop an evidence-based approach to manage a population of healthy dogs.”
He added that insights gained through the project could also prove valuable when supporting rare breeds across other animal species.
Sussex Spaniel owners invited to take part
The success of the project will depend heavily on participation from the Sussex Spaniel community.
Owners across the UK are being encouraged to contribute their dogs’ DNA, with on-site sampling taking place at the Sussex Spaniel Championship Show in Coventry on 26 September.
Owners attending the show will also have an opportunity to meet and speak with scientists involved in the research.
For those unable to attend, a postal participation option is planned, with further information due to be communicated to Sussex Spaniel owners at a later date.
McNamara encouraged the breed community to get involved, saying:
“We strongly encourage the Sussex Spaniel community to take part in this project.”
Protecting a historic British breed
The Sussex Spaniel is a native British gundog with a long history, but its small population creates challenges when it comes to maintaining genetic diversity while breeding healthy future generations.
For the Sussex Spaniel Association, bringing together modern genetic science, pedigree information and the knowledge of the breed community represents an important opportunity.
Ann Moon, Chair of the Sussex Spaniel Association, said:
“The project is fantastic news for the preservation of this historic breed.”
She described the collaboration between the Association, breed community, Roslin Institute and RKC as “a critical step in tackling the genetic and breeding challenges facing the UK’s rarest native gundog.”
The research could ultimately provide both practical information for those working to protect the Sussex Spaniel and a model for how genetic diversity might be managed in other vulnerable pedigree populations.
Find out more
The Royal Kennel Club has published further information about the research and how the Sussex Spaniel community can become involved.
Read the Royal Kennel Club announcement
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Sussex Spaniel considered a vulnerable breed?
The Royal Kennel Club classifies a British or Irish native breed as vulnerable when it records fewer than 300 puppy registrations in a year. The Sussex Spaniel recorded only 15 registrations in 2025.
How many Sussex Spaniels will take part in the research?
Researchers aim to collect DNA from approximately 125 to 150 Sussex Spaniels, covering as much of the accessible living RKC-registered population as possible.
What will researchers do with the dogs’ DNA?
The genetic information will be analysed alongside the Royal Kennel Club’s pedigree records. Researchers hope this combination will provide a more detailed understanding of genetic diversity across the living Sussex Spaniel population.
Why is genetic diversity important in dog breeding?
Maintaining genetic diversity helps breeders avoid unnecessarily narrowing a breed’s gene pool. In very small populations, careful management of breeding decisions can be particularly important for maintaining a viable population while considering health and genetic diversity.
How can Sussex Spaniel owners take part?
DNA sampling will take place at the Sussex Spaniel Championship Show in Coventry on 26 September. A postal option is also planned for owners who cannot attend, with details to be announced later.
Is the research only about Sussex Spaniels?
The Sussex Spaniel is the focus of this project, but researchers are also testing whether combining population-wide DNA information with pedigree records could provide a useful approach for managing genetic diversity in other pedigree dog breeds.
Who is funding the research?
The project has received £18,000 from the Roslin Institute Pump-Priming Scheme.
Who is involved in the project?
The project brings together the Royal Kennel Club, the Roslin Institute and the Sussex Spaniel Association, with participation from Sussex Spaniel breeders and owners across the UK.
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