Facts About the Clumber Spaniel

History and origin: The Clumber Spaniel is believed to have been derived from a mix of Bassett Hound and other spaniel breeds, originating in England in the earty 1800’s. The combination of the parent breeds has led to the development of a slow-moving, but powerful breed with excellent endurance and sense of smell, making it adept at pursuing game through dense brush.

Description: The Clumber weighs in between 55 to 85 pounds, and grows to be between 17 to 20 inches in height at the shoulder. A straight, soft, and thick shed-able coat is resistant to weather, and surrounds a strong-boned body that is low to the ground. The coat is odor-absorbing, and white with lemon markings. Regular brushing and clipping of the coat is required to keep it clean and free of tangles and matting. Clumbers have a docked tail.

About the breed: Clumber Spaniels are a very active breed, although not as fast or as energetic as other spaniel breeds, and tend to be bigger. Clumbers are gorgeous, reliable, and brave working dogs that excel at retrieving. They will love their family pack, but will be generally suspicious around strangers. Also, Clumbers might be irritated by the rough play of small children. As a puppy, you must establish who is the pack leader from the get-go. Clumbers, like a lot of spaniels, can become possessive about their toys and food.

Clumbers operate by their powerful noses and can be stubborn (as both of these characteristics are present in Bassett Hounds and were passed on), so unless you start training at an early age, if they lock on to a scent they will forget you’re there and follow the smell. Because of this trait, the recall command is difficult to teach to a Clumber. Also, you’ll need to be careful of weight management with these dogs. Due to it’s physical stature (long back and short legs), a pudgy Clumber will be prone to back, leg, wrist, and hip complications. Your Clumber’s ears shoud be cleansed at least once a week to avoid potential ear infections. Folding in of the eyelids, a condition known as “Entropion,” can occur in this breed and is only correctable with surgery. Also, be aware of tear duct infections, which are common to a Clumber.

Feeding: One and a half to two and a half cans of high-quality meaty dog food is the recommendation for a Clumber’s diet, (13.3oz cans), supplemented by an equal amount of dry food. Or, 5 cups of dietary-complete dry food.

Ideal home: Clumber Spaniels can live an apartment-style life if they are given enough exercise, but ideally a house with a fenced-in yard is the best option. Due to the possessive nature of the dog, the owner must be a strong leader and avoid spoiling the dog, so as not to encourage it towards aggressive possession. Children (especially small ones) should be taught not to engage in rough play with a Clumber, as it may not tolerate the behavior and could bite if aggravated. Senior citizens would be o.k. to own a Clumber Spaniel as long as they demonstrate the dominant leader attitude towards the dog, and understand that early socialization and training are vital.