The most prominent member of the spaniel family, Clumber Spaniels, are calm, mellow, big-hearted, stoical, brilliant dogs with a determination that enhances their natural abilities. Clumbers are silent workers who take advantage of their incredible sense and are also steady and assured companions, exuding dignity and kindness. These well-balanced, heavy-boned breeds wear a deliberative expression. They are active dogs signifying great strength. Due to their short legs and long body, Clumbers have a rolling gait, moving forward straight at the front and back without effort.
Clumbers are best for experienced dog owners as they are large puppies; homes with ample space to move around in and backyards are ideal, and they may do nicely with older kids as they don’t always remember their size and may knock little ones over. In addition, Clumbers should be considered large, strong dogs despite their shorter legs. Heavier and much more notable than other Spaniel breeds, Clumber Spaniels are also steadier and less frantic in their general attitude to life.
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Clumber Spaniel Overview
Initially, Clumber Spaniels were created to find and retrieve game birds for hunters. Today, there is an effort to re-establish the Clumbers as an excellent gundog, and many compete in field trials. A mellow and dignified hunting companion of kings, the Clumber is the largest of the AKC flushing spaniels.
The amiable Clumber is a delightful best friend and a gentlemanly housemate for those who can handle some shedding and drool. They are powerful bird hounds of heavy bone, built long and low, with giant heads. Also, these breeds are sweet and easygoing at home, but these outdoorsy pets can be relentless on a scent. Clumber comes alive when she hits bird scent and is painstakingly exploring it until she finds her prey or decides to move on. Smart, calm, and eager-to-please Clumbers respond well to training. Though cautious around outsiders, Clumbers are friendly dogs who bark only when they have something to communicate, making them indifferent watchdogs.
Climbers require a moderate amount of care to maintain them happy and healthy. While they manage to be mellow, happy-go-lucky puppies who can adapt to many different surroundings, providing some exercise and a lot of mental and physical stimulation blended with ample quality time, lots of grooming, and regular training will enable these gentle canines to thrive. Clumbers weren’t bred to be water retrievers, but most of them can swim well, and their heavy coat shields them from cold water.
Clumber Spaniel is a breed with relatively vague and romanticized origins involving French nobility, English Dukes, and revolutions. However, there is little evidence to support such statements. Clumbers may have originated in France and were smuggled into England during the French Revolution. Or, these breeds may be the result of crossing Basset Hounds with Alpine Spaniels. However, one fact of their history is clear. The breed, designated for Clumber Park, the British estate where the Duke of Newcastle assisted in developing the big-boned Spaniel breed, dates back at least from the 1700s. King George V and King Edward VII had Clumber Spaniels, as did Queen Victoria in the 19th century. Breeding Clumbers was once limited to royal estates, and only the nobility kept these canines.
Clumber was one of the nine charter dogs recognized by the AKC when it was founded in 1884.
Clumber Spaniel Highlights
Clumbers are notorious counter-surfers. They are short, but their long bodies allow them to extend even the deepest of counter spaces.
Clumbers can be destructive, whether through play or boredom. Their strong jaws enable them to demolish many household items and destroy toys easily.
Clumbers are non-hypoallergenic and require daily grooming to keep their coats healthy and free of dead hair.
Clumbers are ideal for novice owners.
Clumber Spaniels do well in apartments if their exercise requirements are fulfilled.
Clumbers are rare breeds; finding a breeder with puppies may take time.
Clumber Spaniel Personality
Clumber Spaniels are large dogs with dark amber eyes, heavy-boned bodies, massive heads, and a medium-length white coat with orange and lemon markings that make them easy to recognize. Their personality is hard to pin down as they are intelligent, delicate, and playful but also very loyal, friendly, and protective. However, pet parents must be confident when dealing with them as these puppies are dominant. So, training should start early to discourage house-soiling, chewing, and other bad habits.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium
Dog-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
High
Sensitivity level
Medium to high
Tolerates being alone
Low to medium
Cold tolerance
High
Heat tolerance
Low to medium
Clumber Spaniel Physical Features
Head: A massive head with a marked stop, heavy brow, flat skull, broad muzzle, large, square-shaped nose, diamond-shaped or “V” shaped eyes, broad, triangular-shaped ears, and regular, complete scissors bites.
Neck, Topline, and Body: Long, strong, and muscular neck fitting into a well-laid-back shoulder. Their brisket is deep with well-sprung ribs, firm and straight back, and wide and deep chest.
Tail: Well-set, well-feathered tail, docked or left natural, carried level with the topline or elevated, never down between the rear legs.
Forequarters: Their shoulders are clean-cut and well-laid back, with short, straight, and heavy-in-bone forelegs with elbows held close to the body.
Feet: Compact, large, and well-feathered
Hindquarters: Heavily muscled thighs, broad and round rear, and the hock to heel is short and steep to the ground.
Coat: Slightly dense, straight, flat, and free from curl.
Color: White coat with lemon or orange color markings.
Gait: Free-moving, effortless, and elegant action, with good reach in front and driving rear action.
Clumber Spaniel Temperament
Clumbers are loyal, gentle, and affectionate dogs with an intrinsic desire to please. Smart and independent thinker, Clumber portrays determination and a strong sense of purpose at work. They are the most relaxed when they are at home with their humans. A hound of dignity, Clumber may sometimes seem unkind to people unfamiliar with him, but they will exhibit their playful and devoted nature in time. However, these breeds should never be aggressive or hostile.
Clumber Spaniel Training
Clumber’s active disposition and inquisitiveness make these breeds fun and easy to train. Also, they are well-known for having lovely, gentle, and affectionate behavior, making them ideal for kids. Training should be easy and short as long as positive reinforcement and consistency are the keys. They make an ideal companion for novice owners since they don’t need a substantial hand. As hunters, the Clumber excels at scent work, so engage them in training games to take advantage of their urge to follow their noses. Only let them off-leash with a secure fence.
Here are some of the training activities that you need to do with your Clumber:
Clumbers were bred to hunt and retrieve, so bring on fast-paced fetch games, but always supervise these scent hounds to take lots of breaks to sniff around the backyard and nap in the daylight. When they sniff around the backyard, Clumbers are happiest spending time with their families, so prioritize exercises that involve time together and play on their retrieving abilities like games of fetch or even dog sports like tracking or conformation.
You can meet your Clumber’s daily exercise essentials by:
Clumbers are a double-coated, non-hypoallergenic, high-shedder breed that sheds a moderate amount year-round, so you will forever find some hair on your clothes or around the house. Bathing once a month is usually sufficient for those who need to work regularly in the field.
Clumber Spaniels are generally healthy, although certain disorders are sometimes seen, including hypothyroidism and entropion or ectropion. Also, like other large breeds, growing too rapidly can generate Eosinophilic panosteitis in Clumber pups, something they usually outgrow. It’s always wise to be mindful of their health conditions. To maintain your Clumber’s health, take them for regular vet check-ups and keep them healthier with their vaccines.
Health Overview
General Health
Low to medium
Weight gain tendencies
High
Size
Medium
Allergies: Your Clumber can be predisposed to allergies which can appear in the following ways:
Food-based allergies: If they are allergic to certain food components, you can adopt an elimination diet that gradually removes the suspected ingredients to which your pet may be allergic.
Inhalant allergies: If your pet accidentally inhales airborne allergens like dust, pollen, and mildew and suffers from any signs, they are said to have inhalant allergies.
Contact allergies: When your pet’s immune system reacts adversely to certain topical components such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals, they suffer from contact allergies.
Panosteitis: A bone inflammation common in Clumber puppies with long legs due to rapid bone growth.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA): A condition in which a Clumber’s immune system strikes its blood cells. Symptoms include pale gums, fatigue, and occasionally jaundice. A swollen abdomen is also signifying since it signals an enlarged liver.
Eye Diseases: Clumber can be prone to these eye diseases:
Corneal damage
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Eyelid mass
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Cherry eye
Entropion
Hip dysplasia: A hereditary condition in which the thigh bone fails to fit into the hip joint. One or both legs of your dog may become lame or ache. X-ray is the best way to analyze the situation. It is not advisable to breed dogs with hip dysplasia.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): In between the vertebral column’s bones, IVD allows vertebral movements, which usually work like shock absorbers. They are formed with two layers, the inner soft jelly-like layer, and the external fibrous layer. This situation happens when the inner jelly-like layer forces the spinal cord, resulting in spinal cord compression; signs include paralysis, neck and backache, and loss of bladder sensation and bowel control.
Hypothyroidism: A dog’s metabolism is slowed due to insufficient thyroid hormone production. Symptoms are:
Lethargy
Gaining weight
Reluctance to work out
Hair Loss
Entropion: When the eyelid rolls inward, irritating the eyeball from eyelashes rubbing on the surface. In critical cases, entropion can cause a corneal ulcer. The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Ectropion: A condition in which the eyelid rolls outward, causing irritation, dryness, and damage to the eyeball and conjunctiva (the tissues surrounding the eye). The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Ear Infections: Several environmental and hereditary factors lead to ear infections in dogs. Some of these include:
Allergies
Autoimmune disorders
Wax buildup in the ear
Even excessive cleaning
Symptoms:
Excessive scratching or shaking of dog’s heads.
Odor
Dark discharge
Redness or swelling in the ear canal
Recommended Health Tests
Hip Evaluation
PDP1 Test
Elbow Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Clumber Spaniel Diet and Nutrition
Clumbers thrive on a complete and balanced diet approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials and formulated specifically for large breeds. Also, they are relatively easy to feed without needing supplements or special diets. However, kindly do not overfeed your Clumber, as she is prone to being overweight and obese.
Well suited to house or apartment life as long as they are given daily walks and regular play sessions.
Clumbers have a strong chase instinct, so they must be leash-walked and have a fenced backyard.
Clumbers exhibit chewing and digging attributes. So, invest in chewing toys to keep them occupied.
Did you know?
One nickname for the Clumber is the “retired gentleman’s spaniel” due to their easygoing and dignified disposition.
Clumber was prevalent in England by the mid-1800s to witness the eye of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. The puppies later found a residence at Sandringham House estate with Edward, Prince of Wales.
While not quite as popular as in Victorian times, Clumber still has celebrity buffs, with TV Chef James Martin having owned a Clumber named Fudge.
Clumbers are seen in artwork as early as 1788, where they seemed with the Duke of Newcastle and his hunting party in Francis Wheatley’s painting, “The Return from Shooting.”
The Clumber Spaniel dog was one of the first official breeds recognized by the AKC.
Things to Remember Before Adding a Clumber Spaniel
Getting a Clumber Spaniel puppy from a reputable breeder is best to prevent inevitable circumstances like health diseases and provide you with vaccination certificates. In addition, it is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure their health and happiness.
Cost of a Clumber Spaniel
A Clumber puppy’s cost ranges from $800 to $1,200, not including miscellaneous expenses.
