THE CLUMBER SPANIEL

The Clumber Spaniel is the largest of the spaniels, and comes in predominantly white with either lemon or orange markings. The name of the breed is taken from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire where the breed was first developed. The breed has been used to hunt pheasant and partridge, in both small packs and alone. It is well-suited for work in upland hunting in dense cover, and although the Clumber is rather slow in the field compared to other spaniels, it is a quiet worker with a fine nose and good stamina. The broad muzzle of the breed allows it to retrieve a variety of game.

Clumber Spaniels are gentle and loyal, and can act aloof with strangers. They can be very content indoors or out, but mostly wherever their owner is, is where they seem most pleased. Clumber Spaniels do not have a frequency to bark and are more considered companions in the home rather than a watch dog. The Clumber Spaniel is an active dog in spite of its size and requires regular walks and an owner who can manage a heavy-weight dog. If Clumber Spaniels are left without shade, they can become uncomfortably hot and dehydrated.

The Clumber Spaniel is long and heavy-bodied, standing only 43 to 51 cm in height but weighing from 25 to 39 kg. It is similar in shape to the smaller Sussex Spaniel. The Clumber has a heavy bone structure, has a massive 'melting' head with a mournful and dopey expression, a square nose and muzzle, and large vine-leaf shaped ears. Freckles on the muzzle and front legs are common. Its coat is dense, weather-resistant, straight, and flat with feathering around the ears, belly and legs. Clumbers are predominantly white in colour with lemon, brown, or orange markings around the eyes, and at the base of the tail. They have an average lifespan of 10-12 years with a median around 10 years.

Clumber Spaniels require to be brushed and groomed frequently due to the shedding of their coat. Clumbers tend to drool and have a habit of snoring. Clumbers have minds of their own and as puppies are especially curious and playful. Clumber Spaniels have the tendency to be more reserved with other dogs, until they have warmed up to them. The breed has a trophy mentality and the dog has an incessant need to carry something most of the time. Because Clumber Spaniels are large boned and fast growing, they can suffer from temporary lameness from between six and twelve months of age, with this lameness subsiding when bone growth is complete.