Large
12 Years
39 Kg
Gun Dogs
Affectionate, Gentle, Loyal
The adorable Clumber Spaniel is a large gundog typically weighing 39 kg and one of the breeds developed in the United Kingdom. It is a balanced, well-boned dog with an overall appearance of a strong, firm, and capable working dog with a thoughtful, kindly expression. Its coat colour comes mainly in white with either orange or lemon markings, but there are also brown- or lemon-coloured coated dogs. It is the largest dog of the spaniel family with a body longer than it is tall, similar in shape to the smaller Sussex Spaniel. It was used historically to flush game from heavy cover. It has a large square head with heavy eyebrows, a deep stop and a square nose and muzzle. The eyes are dark in colour and the lower eyelid is somewhat loose, while the large vine leaf-shaped feathered ears hang slightly forward. The eyes, the muzzle, and the base of the tail of the Clumber Spaniel are speckled with coloured markings. It has large round feet that are well-covered in hair and a low set well-feathered tail which is carried level with the back. A typical height for the Clumber Spaniel is between 43 and 51 cm from withers.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Clumber Spaniel’s history is shrouded in uncertainty before the middle of the 1800s. However, one thing is for sure – the breed got its name from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, home of the Dukes of Newcastle. It is claimed that the breed originated in France because in 1770, Duc de Noailles of France presented dogs similar to the Clumber Spaniel to his friend, Henry Cavendish, the 2nd Duke of Newcastle. However, it is the Duke’s gamekeeper, William Mansell, who is credited with developing the breed in the UK. It is thought that the Clumber Spaniel is a mix of the now extinct Alpine Spaniel, the Basset Hound, and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Another theory that abounds is that the breed may have descended from the old type of Blenheim Spaniel and later mix with the King Charles Spaniel breed. The Clumber Spaniel was first shown in England in 1859. It is currently recognised by the Kennel Club as a “Vulnerable Native Breed” because puppy registrations usually fall between 160 and 220 yearly.
Affectionate, gentle, and loyal describes this breed best. It is a well-balanced dog, kind, and graceful. It is aloof with strangers more than any other Spaniels but it is typically not an aggressive breed. It is fairly inactive inside the house, often just seen curled up the couch sleeping. The Clumber Spaniel thrives on human companionship and may suffer from separation anxiety. It should not be left alone for long periods of time because it will become lonely and may channel its loneliness into destructive behaviour such as barking, chewing, and digging. This dog loves and lives for field work, although not as quick and agile as the other lighter spaniels, it will happily do its job perfectly even in the thickest of bushes, working with other Clumber Spaniels in a pack or as a solo beater. This breed absolutely loves the water.
Although it has an independent spirit, the Clumber Spaniel absolutely adores human companionship and loves to please his master. With that said, it is relatively easy to train in retrieving and learn new commands. It can be trained and it will excel not only in tracking and retrieving but also in obedience training and even agility. Clumber Spaniels have also gained awards of the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog scheme. As a gentle and docile breed, the Clumber Spaniel also makes a good therapy dog that can enrich the lives of those in hospitals and elderly homes. Like other breeds, training and socialisation should start early, particularly during the few months of puppyhood in order to raise a truly aristocratic, good natured and dignified house companion as this breed is known for.
The Clumber Spaniel sheds moderately throughout the year. Regular grooming is required to keep the coat healthy and the skin problem-free. If not regularly groomed, the featherings will tangle and will form mat which can lead to skin irritations. It is also recommended to keep the feet trimmed to prevent the formation of knots in between the toes which can affect the dog’s movement. Pay extra attention to the eyes and the ears. Inspect and clean when necessary to prevent the onset of eye or ear infections.
The Clumber Spaniel has an average lifespan of 10 years. This breed has a tendency to slobber and is very good at snoring. It is one of the slow maturing breeds and will take around two to three years before becoming an adult. As a large-boned and fast growing breed, puppies tend to suffer from temporary lameness between 6 and 12 months of age but typically subsides after the bones have fully developed. It is also prone to impacted anal sacs, a condition where the anal glands and their ducts become clogged or “impacted”, which can cause the dog to “scoot” or sit down on its hindquarters and drag its anal area across the floor. Treatment for impacted anal sacs is done by a veterinarian or a professional pet groomer. Another common health issue for the Clumber Spaniel is heat sensitivity, so it is wise not to leave the dog under the heat of the sun for long periods of time or it will become exhausted and dehydrated which can be fatal. This breed is also prone to eye diseases spinal disc herniation and canine hip dysplasia.
This large dog requires regular exercise to stay fit and healthy. Daily short walks or a game of fetch are good sources of physical stimulation, but too much running, twisting, and jumping could injure his long back. There are some Clumber Spaniels who are known to suffer from exercise-induced. Five to twenty minutes of gruelling exercise coupled with extreme excitement can cause weakness that leads to collapse. Like any other dog, exercise should be kept to a minimum, especially during the first few months as a puppy, gradually increasing the pace after the dog has reached past six months of age.
A Clumber Spaniel is sometimes a clown and a playful breed which makes it wonderful with kids. Children who play fetch with the dog will find it a wonderful playmate and a house companion. As a pack hunter, this breed goes along very well with other dogs, both within or outside the house. But like any other breed, it is important to properly socialise the puppy to prevent the onset of timidity at any point in his life.
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