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Clumber Spaniel – Everything You Need To Know

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.

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 Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Affectionate, lovable, and easy-goingCan have a stubborn streak
Great family dogRequires lots of activity and mental stimulation
Good for an outdoorsy lifestyleProne to separation anxiety

Clumber Spaniel Basic Information

  • Name: Clumber Spaniel
  • Origin: England
  • Group: Gundog, Sporting
  • Size: Large
  • Height: 18 – 20 inches (male); 17 – 19 (female)
  • Weight: 70 – 85 pounds (male); 55 – 70 (female)
  • Coat: Medium, long coat
  • Color: White coat with lemon and orange markings
  • Energy: High
  • Activities: Walking, hiking, playing fetch, agility, companion dogs, conformation, obedience, herding.
  • Barking Level: Occasional
  • Shedding Level: Occasional
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Litter Size: 1 – 8 puppies
  • Another Name: Clumber
  • Original Pastime: Flushing small birds
  • Life Span: 10 – 12 years

History of Clumber Spaniel

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 levelHigh
Family-friendlyHigh
Kid-friendlyMedium
Dog-friendlyMedium
Stranger-friendlyMedium

Adaptability Overview

Good for apartment livingHigh
Good for new ownersHigh
Sensitivity levelMedium to high
Tolerates being aloneLow to medium
Cold toleranceHigh
Heat toleranceLow 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:

Here are a few dog interactive toys and products that you can use while training:

Dog Extendable Teaser Wand
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Tug Dog Toy
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Dog Puzzle Toys
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Chewy-Dog-Treats
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Health Bars
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Trainability Overview

Easy to trainMedium to high
IntelligenceMedium
Prey driveHigh
Mouthiness tendenciesHigh
Barking and Howling tendenciesLow to medium 
Wanderlust tendenciesMedium to high 

Clumber Spaniel Exercise Needs

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:

  • Teaching new tricks 
  • Walking 
  • Fetching 
  • Playing with puzzle toys 
  • Frisbee 
  • Flyball 
  • Agility training 
  • Hiking 
  • Dog park 

Here are a few puzzles and dog toys to keep your pet engaged:

Pet Outdoor Games
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Classic Ball Launcher
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Dog Disc Toy
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Dog Treat Ball
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Exercise Needs Overview

Energy levelMedium
Exercise needsLow to medium
IntensityLow
PlayfulnessHigh

Clumber Spaniel Grooming

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’s grooming requirements are as follows:

Here are a few products and equipment to meet your Clumber Spaniel’s grooming needs:

Itch Relief Shampoo
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Wipes for Dogs
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Dog Toothpaste
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Tartar Control Kit
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Ear Cleanser
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Dog Eye Wipes
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Nail Clippers & Trimmers
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Pet Grooming Kit
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Grooming Overview

Easy to groomLow to medium
Drooling tendenciesHigh
Amount of sheddingHigh

Clumber Spaniel Health

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 HealthLow to medium
Weight gain tendenciesHigh
SizeMedium

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.

Causes:  

  • Wrong exercises  
  • Excessive weight gain  
  • Injuries  

Symptoms:  

  • Reluctance to rise, jump, run, or climb  
  • Enlarging shoulders  
  • Pain  
  • Stiffness  
  • Reduced activity and movements  
  • Reducing thigh muscle mass  
  • Grating in the joint during movement  
  • Lameness in the hind limbs  

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.

Here are a few best dog foods for large breeds that you can consider:

IAMS Adult Dry Food
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Purina Adult Dog Dry food
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Joint Health Dog Food
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Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
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Clumber Spaniel Living condition

  • 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.

Clumber Spaniel Rescue Groups

CLUMBER SPANIEL CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.

Clumber Spaniel Recognition

  • The American Kennel Club (AKC)
  • The United Kennel Club (UKC)
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Adding a Clumber Spaniel to Your Family

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.

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