Origin
The story of how the Clumber Spaniel existed is still a matter of debate. However, many believed that this breed of the spaniel type was first developed in Great Britain and has been around since the 18th century. It is considered to be one of the oldest and the most sturdily built of all Spaniels.
It is said that these dogs were the descendants of the Alpine Spaniel and the Basset Hound. The name of the dog was derived from a place called Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
Several British Royals have owned a Clumber Spaniel such as Prince Albert, King Edward VII and King George V. Having a Clumber Spaniel was exclusive only among British royal families, thus the commoners were not allowed to have one until the 19th century. The Clumber Spaniel was well-known for its ability to hunt partridge and pheasant.
Currently, the Clumber Spaniel is regarded as a Vulnerable Native Breed by the UK Kennel Club. This means that this breed has less than 300 new registrations every year. They came to the US in the late 1800s. In 1884, this breed was then recognized by the AKC (one of the first 9 breeds recognized by the club).
Traits and Behavior
The Clumber Spaniel is a gundog that specializes in hunting in heavy cover. Because this breed was purposely developed as hunting dogs, their behavior conforms to its purpose, which is that they are trainable and easily obey the commands of their masters or trainers.
Despite an impressive show of traits and behavior, this breed is not for everyone. While they show good intelligence and loyalty, repetitive training and coaching tires them easily and can be a significant factor not to follow orders. It takes a long time for training to reap the desired results as these dogs mature only after three years.
They are gentle and faithful and can be wary of unfamiliar people. They can be sociable to humans and other dogs, as long as they were earlier trained to socialize. They have several habits which can be considered as major drawbacks. These include heavy shedding of its fur, loud snoring and excessive drooling.
Pet Care and Diseases
The Clumber Spaniel is a heavy shedder so regular combing or brushing is necessary. However, bathing may not be required since it produces natural oil protection that can easily leave off the dirt. They are reported to shed at least twice a year so owners must prepare to regularly clean their places for falling hair.
They are active dogs and, therefore, need regular exercise, whether running or taking long walks.
This breed is built of good stock and is generally healthy, provided that they are well-fed and maintained. However, just like any breed, they are also at risk for some health problems, such as:
- Entropion
- Cataracts
- Panosteitis (juvenile lameness)
- Hip dysplasia
- Dry eyes
- Skin and flea allergies
They are also prone to become overweight, so a dog owner must be very careful not overfeeding these dogs.
Appearance
Being the largest among all Spaniel breeds, the Clumber Spaniel ideally stands around 18-20 inches at the withers for males while 17-19 inches for females. When it comes to how heavy these dogs are, the males weigh approximately 70-85 pounds while females weigh lighter, approximately 55-70 pounds. It has a heavy bone structure, broad chest and square-shaped muzzle.
The coat covering its body is dense, straight, flat and soft to touch. Also, it’s weather-resistant. The abdomen, extremities, as well as around ears, are slightly feathered with fur.
Generally, the Clumber Spaniel is a white dog. However, spots/markings (colors: lemon, brown or orange) can be seen on its coat, especially around the eyes and at the root of the tail. The white coat helps this dog to be spotted easily by the hunter as he hunts within gun range.
General Information
The Clumber Spaniel has a lifespan of about 10-12 years. The average litter size is approximately 4-6 puppies. Other names: None.
Breed Club
Visit these dog club websites dedicated to Clumber Spaniels. Click this link: