Clumber Spaniel dog breed and its characteristics with photos

Spaniels are a large group of breeds that include dogs of completely different types.

It includes Cocker Spaniels, English and Welsh Springers, King Charles Spaniels, Tibetan Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Continental Toy Spaniels and others, including Clumber Spaniels.

Clumber spaniels are English dogs with French roots.

Representatives of this breed differ from other spaniels in appearance, but have the same high levels of working qualities.

Clumbers have a calm disposition and a balanced psyche; they are quite easy to care for, but before purchasing, you should take into account some of the breed’s shortcomings.

Origin story and what it looks like in the photo

Despite the fact that the UK is considered the official homeland of Clumber Spaniels, it is still an Anglo-French breed..

The first person to engage in the selection and breeding of these dogs was the French Duke de Noailles, who crossed Basset Hounds and Alpine Spaniels, which have not survived to this day, which were considered the closest relatives of St. Bernards.

In 1768, before the start of the French Revolution, de Noal managed to send all his dogs to England, Nottinghamshire, or rather to the Clumber Park estate, which belonged to the Duke of Newcastle, where his huntsman W. Munsell continued work on breeding Clumber spaniels.

Representatives of this breed conquered British aristocrats and took a place at court, becoming pets of crowned heads..

Thus, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, was a big fan of these dogs. His love for Clumber spaniels was inherited by his son, the future King Edward VII.

In 1860, these dogs were first presented at an exhibition, and in 1884 they took pride of place in the top ten breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The official standard of the International Canine Association No. 109 for Clumber Spaniels was published in 1954..

Description of the breed

Clumbers are the most massive spaniels among all existing varieties of these dogs; strength and power can be read in their appearance..

Representatives of this breed have a coarse, massive but well-balanced frame, well-developed muscles, strong limbs and a fairly large head.

These are not very fast, but hardy dogs; they have the patience and perseverance necessary for tracking down game.

Standard:

• skull wide on top;
• the occipital protuberance is clearly expressed, the stop is deep;
• muzzle is square, of moderate length;
• scissor bite;
• the eyes may be slightly covered with eyelids, the iris is olive or amber in color;
• the ears are large, shaped like a grape leaf, hanging forward;
• the neck is thick, of moderate length;
• the back is wide, straight, long;
• the lower back is muscular;
• the chest is deep, the sides are drooping;
• The tail is set low and may be docked or natural length.

The coat is thick, smooth and silky, with long decorating hair on the chest and limbs.

Appearance

As already mentioned, the Clumber spaniel is the heaviest in its family. His height at the withers is 51 cm, weight is 39 kg. The head is massive, usually has a characteristic sleepy-soft “muzzle expression”. The nose is square, the ears are somewhat shaped like grape leaves. There are specks on the front legs and muzzle. The coat lies close, straight on the ears, and longer and silkier on the legs and belly. The color is usually white with orange or lemon spots on the face, around the eyes, on the front legs, and at the base of the tail. The standard allows a pure white color, but it is extremely rare.

Character traits

The calm and even slightly sleepy appearance of Clumber Spaniels fully reflects their temperament - these dogs are completely uncharacteristic of the fussiness and restlessness of small spaniels.

At the same time, they also lack the melancholy mood of St. Bernards, successfully combining calmness and a lively, cheerful disposition. Representatives of this breed are intelligent, courageous, have unshakable determination and self-esteem.

Clumber Spaniels behave affectionately and friendly with their owner and all family members, but with strangers they are reserved and distant.

These dogs are not prone to aggressive behavior, but have a strong territorial instinct, so if someone tries to trespass on their property or risks threatening their owner, Clumber Spaniels will show incredible courage and protect their home and family.

Representatives of this breed are intelligent and show perseverance and diligence when training and raising them.

They are not very quick to remember and follow commands, but their desire to please their owner more than compensates for this.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

Clumber spaniels are responsible dogs that you can always rely on. Even during the hunt, they try to keep an eye on the owner and keep him in sight - it is important for representatives of this breed to contact him, no matter what the external factors. At the same time, they themselves do not need much control. It’s a pleasure to communicate with these dogs, they are obedient and you can see with the naked eye how hard they try to please their owner. Clumbers do not cause problems or trouble - they are calm and balanced, not prone to running away or fighting.

Care and maintenance

The Clumber Spaniel in the photo looks like a charming, good-natured dog, reminiscent of a well-fed lamb. In life, the dog is really prone to being overweight. This must be taken into account when shaping his diet and planning leisure time with him. You can keep a dog outside the city, just not in an enclosure, and in a city apartment.

The dog is not too interested in an active lifestyle, and therefore he will not need a lot of space. It is classified as a hunting dog, but can easily do without increased activity. But training will not be difficult - the dog is smart and flexible.

Wool will require painstaking care. However, even a beginner can handle it. It is enough to approach the issue systematically and comb your pet daily. The pet sheds a lot, so during these periods you will need a damp mitten. It is enough to wipe the dog with it once a day, removing excess guard hair.

You also need to pay close attention to your teeth. Sugar bones and special pastes for dogs will help prevent the formation of stones. The ears are one of the most vulnerable places of the breed. They need to be cleaned at least twice a week.

Advantages and disadvantages

When thinking about purchasing a Clumber Spaniel, you should familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages of representatives of this breed in order to make a balanced and thoughtful decision.

pros:

• friendly disposition;
• balanced psyche;
• lack of aggression;
• ability to get along with children;
• occasional barking;
• mind;
• devotion;
• sociability without turning into intrusiveness.

Minuses:

• tendency to overeating and obesity;
• lack of guard instinct;
• increased salivation.

Many consider the disadvantages of this breed to be their need for daily grooming and their tendency to snore while sleeping.

In spring and autumn, these dogs shed quite heavily..

Is he good with children and does he get along with other pets?

Clumber Spaniels are not prone to starting conflicts, fighting or other ways to demonstrate their superiority..

These dogs do not seek to prove anything to either people or other animals, which is why they find a common language with everyone and get along with other pets without problems.

NOTE!

Representatives of this breed also get along well with children - they patiently and steadfastly endure all the pranks of children and listen well to teenagers.

Animal character

The Clumber Spaniel captivates its owners with its kindness. This breed is considered very rare and intelligent. The dog is not aggressive and can live next to other animals.

They are considered imperturbable and aristocratic.

They are accustomed to a measured and calm life. However, if desired, they can run and play in the fresh air for a long time. It is difficult to imagine a situation in which a spaniel will lose his temper.

Clumber rarely reacts aggressively to strangers. Among the disadvantages, one can note a measured lifestyle. That is why the owner must provide the animal with the necessary level of physical activity. This will allow the dog to expend energy. The animal, although phlegmatic, plays happily. The spaniel is considered a family dog, as it can live next door to children and not offend them.

The Clumber Spaniel is a fairly calm dog. Loves to play with children and is loyal to strangers.

How to properly care

It is not difficult to care for these dogs, the main thing is to accustom them to all hygiene procedures from early childhood.

Wool and bathing

The coat should be combed with a massage brush and a furminator every 3-5 days, and during shedding - daily.

You should bathe your dog as needed, on average 1-2 times a month, using shampoo and conditioner for soft coats.

Ears

Clean the wax, dust and dirt that have accumulated in them weekly by wiping the inside of the ear with a cotton pad soaked in peroxide or a special lotion.

Eyes

Wipe daily with a soft cloth or lint-free cloth soaked in chamomile infusion or warm boiled water.

Teeth

Brush several times a week with a special toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs - this serves to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar.

Claws

In individuals who walk a lot often, they wear off on their own . If this does not happen, they need to be trimmed monthly with a guillotine nail clipper.

Too long claws interfere with the correct placement of the paws.

Education and training

Remember! You need to buy an active, playful and curious puppy.

The dog's memory and intelligence are excellent. She grasps everything instantly, from her nickname to complex tricks. Able to distinguish household members not only by smell, but also by leashes and timbre of voice.

The Clumber Spaniel chooses as its owner a self-confident and fearless person who knows how to bear responsibility for himself and others. Usually, it becomes a man. Physical strength is not a parameter of choice in this case.

When an animal clearly understands who its owner is, it becomes controllable. To prove leadership to him, it is necessary to teach obedience. Any time your dog does bad things, such as chewing shoes or urinating on the carpet, he should be scolded.

No, you can’t hit your pet, but you can let him sniff a spoiled object and throw him out of the room, shouting at him. This is a traditional way of reprimanding bad dog behavior in the house.

But education should not be based solely on the stick, because there is also a carrot. When working with your dog, for example, teaching commands, treat it with something tasty, for example, unsweetened cookies (sold in pet stores). By receiving a treat, an intelligent animal connects its obedience and the possibility of reward. Thus, he learns that obeying is good and pleasant.

However, the owner of such a breed should not count on an easy path in training it. The dog often shows stubbornness, but not because it has a proud disposition, but because of laziness. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the Clumber is one of the most sedentary hunters. He is the laziest among spaniels. That is why we recommend using “sweets” that will become a motivator for him.

No matter how the owner treats the dog, it always strives to please him. The desire to please a loved one is another powerful incentive to learn. But, if you are not trying to teach your spaniel the traditional “dog set” of commands, he is unlikely to be upset.

Advice! If you dream of your pet following complex commands, but you just can’t get him to train, we recommend seeking help from a dog trainer, a specialist in dog behavior. He will select an educational strategy based on the individual character traits of the animal.

What you should definitely never do when training a Clumber Spaniel is hit him or raise your voice at him. Aggression is not characteristic of beautiful aristocratic breeds, so its manifestation on the part of a person will be difficult for them to perceive. The anger of a loved one can upset an animal so much that it will forever lose trust in him. Let's look at a few rules for handling a dog at home:

1. If there is no extra space on the sofa, do not ask household members to move to make room for the dog. He must understand that he occupies the lowest position in this family. This is the only way it will become manageable.
2. Do not allow guests to treat him with table scraps.
3. Send your dog to the bed every time you are unhappy with his behavior.
4. Don't let her sleep with you if she has done something wrong.
5. Walk your pet several times a day, even if it doesn't want to go to the toilet.
6. Don't ignore his need to communicate with his own kind.

Life expectancy, health and major diseases

On average, Clumber Spaniels live 12-14 years.

Representatives of this breed have good health, but there are a number of pathologies that are hereditary or due to anatomical features:

• hypothyroidism;
• dermatological diseases;
• otitis and other ear infections;
• inversion and eversion of the eyelids;
• progressive retinal atrophy;
• cardiomyopathy;
• dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints;
• disease of the intervertebral discs of the cervical and thoracic region;
• hemolytic anemia;
• eosinophilic panostitis;
• dry eye syndrome;
• allergic reactions;
• arthritis.

Some individuals may experience kidney or liver failure. Such puppies are born swollen and, most often, dead.

Nutritional Features

The diet of Clumber Spaniels can be based on industrial feed or natural products . Both types of food have advantages and disadvantages and the choice depends only on the owner.

Representatives of this breed are not active and are prone to overeating, which often leads to excess weight. To avoid this, it is necessary to strictly control the amount of food your dog consumes and monitor its calorie content.

If we are talking about natural nutrition, then the pet must be given:

• lean meat;
• offal;
• porridge;
• fruits vegetables;
• chicken or quail eggs;
• low-fat fermented milk products.

It is forbidden to feed these dogs:

• fatty meat;
• legumes;
• potatoes;
• bones;
• river fish;
• sweets;
• bakery and pasta products;
• sausages, smoked meats, pickles, marinades;
• fried foods.

In the case of feeding industrial feed, you should purchase only high-quality products of at least premium class, which do not contain chemical additives and contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

IMPORTANT!

The most popular foods for this breed are Go, Probalance, Savarra, Royal Canin, Hills, Pro Plan, Acana.

Nutrition

The owner of this breed of dog should not forget about its tendency to obesity. Overeating is bad for her. If the dog has not finished what you gave him, you should not leave it unattended. Remove the bowl and offer it to him after a few hours.

One of the Clumber Spaniel's dishes should contain clean water. It should be changed daily. You should not scold an animal for drinking a lot. If you decide to give food, then determine one type of it, that is, dry or canned. Eating both products at the same time can cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea.

The second method is natural feeding. You can give your pet soups, boiled cereals, chicken and dairy products. All this is well and quickly absorbed by his stomach. But you should not give him too hot or cold foods. It is advisable that they be at room temperature.

Since the dog is inactive, it is recommended to fill his bowl a little at a time. During one meal he should eat no more than 350 grams of food. You should feed him no more than 3 times a day.

How to choose? Boy or girl?

You can buy Clumber Spaniel puppies only in specialized nurseries.

This is a rare breed of dog; only those individuals that have received high marks at exhibitions and diplomas in working tests can be allowed for breeding, which serves as a guarantee of their talent and maximum preservation of the necessary traits and qualities.

In addition, only professional breeders, who often conduct tests on their pets for genetic pathologies and x-rays that confirm the absence of dysplasia, can guarantee not only the purebred, but also the health of the puppies.

Before purchasing, you need to make sure that your future pet is healthy - it should have a smooth, shiny coat, clear eyes without streaks or redness, and clean skin without rashes.

Already at 2 months they stand confidently on their paws and move well, there should be no lameness or uncertainty in their movements.

There are no significant differences in the personalities of boys and girls, so you should choose the gender of the puppy based on the purpose of the purchase. So, for breeding you need to buy a female, and for participation in exhibitions - a male.

Price range

Clumber spaniels, despite their popularity, are quite rare dogs. Even in England their population is small, but in Russia it is even more difficult to acquire a purebred, purebred puppy.

The small number of individuals determines their rather high cost: depending on gender, age, class and other factors, prices for representatives of this breed vary on average from 25 to 70 thousand rubles..