Sussex Spaniel: A Complete and Reliable Handbook (Rare Breed)

Rating:
Summary: A "must have" book for all potential Sussex owners
Review: purchased Mr. Lewis' book after our family decided to look for a puppy. I read his book cover to cover, many times before I was able to get our first of 3 Sussex. It is a thorough and informative book about this little known spaniel breed. His coverage of the history of the breed is facinating. I have not found as complete source of Sussex information anywhere else. My sister has purchased the book several yrs. ago and has also just purchased her first Sussex Spaniel. I highly recommend reading it prior to looking for a dog.

Rating:
Summary: A "must have" book for all potential Sussex owners
Review: This book is the bible for Sussex Spaniel owners. It's also the only book on Sussex in print in the U.S. If you are seriously considering purchasing a Sussex you ought to buy and read this book before contacting a breeder. It will help you evaluate if you are willing to go through the process of buying and raising this rare breed and give you the basis to ask intelligent questions. Lewis' book is chock full of wonderful full-colour photographs that show Sussex at all ages of the two body types. These are beguiling dogs and the pictures will steal your heart. Lewis provides a through history of the breed both in England and the U.S. Like the Bible, Lewis spends a large number of pages on the "begats." This is very useful information for a novice breeder but a snooze for pet owners. Lewis also provides useful, general information for new puppy owners. He suggests specific toys that Sussex universally enjoy. My only criticism is the section on health. Lewis glosses over the real health concerns of Sussex owners. Sussex are a healthy breed with few problems but there are serious problems which occasionally occur. It would have been nice if the book provided information about how to recognize the early symptoms of these health problems. One final fun fact: One of the photos in the book identifies the dog as a Sussex but it's a Field Spaniel! After reading the book you should have no problem spotting the mistake.

Rating:
Summary: Sussex Spaniel by John Robert Lewis, Jr.
Review: This book is the bible for Sussex Spaniel owners. It's also the only book on Sussex in print in the U.S. If you are seriously considering purchasing a Sussex you ought to buy and read this book before contacting a breeder. It will help you evaluate if you are willing to go through the process of buying and raising this rare breed and give you the basis to ask intelligent questions. Lewis' book is chock full of wonderful full-colour photographs that show Sussex at all ages of the two body types. These are beguiling dogs and the pictures will steal your heart. Lewis provides a through history of the breed both in England and the U.S. Like the Bible, Lewis spends a large number of pages on the "begats." This is very useful information for a novice breeder but a snooze for pet owners. Lewis also provides useful, general information for new puppy owners. He suggests specific toys that Sussex universally enjoy. My only criticism is the section on health. Lewis glosses over the real health concerns of Sussex owners. Sussex are a healthy breed with few problems but there are serious problems which occasionally occur. It would have been nice if the book provided information about how to recognize the early symptoms of these health problems. One final fun fact: One of the photos in the book identifies the dog as a Sussex but it's a Field Spaniel! After reading the book you should have no problem spotting the mistake.