Clumber Spaniel

Clumber spaniels are affectionate dogs with a sweet temperament. These dogs have strong, stocky bodies that sit low to the ground. They are the largest spaniels, with soft, long coats of mostly white or lemon with orange markings. Although they were bred for hunting, these canines make great companions. In fact, they do well with kids and are loyal members of a family.

Evolution

The origin of this dog goes back to England in the 1700s. The Duke of Newcastle wanted a smart, reliable dog he could take along on hunting trips in the woods. So, he crossed a Basset hound with an Alpine spaniel. The result was a Clumber spaniel, named after the Duke’s estate, Clumber Park. The dogs gained popularity among aristocrats for their superb hunting skills and gentle disposition. These spaniels belong to the sporting group and are sometimes called bird dogs or gun dogs.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Clumber Spaniel

Size and Weight

These spaniels are large dogs with medium-length, dense coats. A male grows to be 19 inches tall at the withers, whereas a female reaches 18 inches tall. In terms of weight, a male weighs up to 85 pounds while a female weighs up to 70 pounds. Starting out, eight-week-old puppies weigh around 8 pounds. Finally, these dogs are fully grown at 3 years old.

Common Health Issues

Most dog breeds have their own set of health issues, and the Clumber spaniel is no exception. One of the health issues common to this dog is hypothyroidism. This is when the thyroid gland doesn’t make an adequate amount of hormones. A dull, thin coat can be a sign of this condition. Another common health issue is otitis externa. This condition causes inflammation in the middle ear that doesn’t go away on its own. Pain and itching are symptoms of this issue.

Entropion is another common condition of these spaniels. This is when the eyelid of a dog folds inward. Someone looking at a group of spaniel puppies can sometimes see this condition beginning to develop. Sometimes surgery is necessary to address this issue.

Temperament & Behavior

These spaniels have a sweet personality that makes them a pleasure to have around the house. Their gentle, calm behavior makes them ideal for families with small children.

Intelligence is one of this dog’s most notable traits and makes them easy to train. However, it can be distracted by scents of nearby wildlife. After all, these dogs are built close to the ground. So, it’s recommended to train these dogs for short periods of time using lots of verbal praise.

This bird dog needs a moderate amount of exercise each day. Taking it for a walk in the woods or a field would be a delight for a canine with a nose that can detect every scent in the area.

How to Take Care of Clumber Spaniels

One of the best ways to prepare for a new puppy or adult dog is to learn as much about the breed as possible. Factoring in its health issues, diet, exercise, and grooming needs can help an owner provide first-rate care for this pet.

The Best Dog Food

Clumber spaniel puppies and adult dogs have different types of diets. Their nutritional needs change over time, and feeding them the proper nutrients can help to head off certain health issues.

Puppy food:

A proper diet for Clumber spaniel puppies must include protein. Protein contains amino acids that contribute to the healthy growth of muscles and tissue. Also, protein provides the nutrients needed to grow a healthy coat. Fat in a puppy’s diet provides them with the energy they need to run around and explore their environment.

Furthermore, fat in a puppy’s diet supports brain and vision development. Vitamin E delivers antioxidants to support a puppy’s developing immune system. A strong immune system can prevent some of the common health issues faced by Clumber spaniels. Omega-3 fatty acids can decrease inflammation in a puppy’s ears and may help in the fight against Otitis externa.

Adult dog food:

Adult Clumber spaniels need fat in their diet to maintain their energy level. Of course, adults are less active than puppies, so they need a smaller amount of fat in their food. Protein in a Clumber spaniel’s diet continues to strengthen muscle and tissue. Vitamin A supports eye health in these dogs. Zinc and phosphorus support an adult dog’s immune system, which can help in the battle against ear infections.

Both puppies and adult dogs should drink at least one bowl of water per day. Water helps with digestion and eliminates toxins from the body.

Maintenance and Grooming

How much does a Clumber spaniel shed? These dogs shed a large amount of hair. However, brushing it twice per week can remove loose and dead hair from its coat. Brushing a Clumber spaniel outdoors is ideal.

It’s best to brush a dog starting at its head, then move in the natural direction of its coat toward its tail. A large slicker brush is an effective grooming tool for getting rid of loose and dead hair from its dense coat. A soft-bristle brush can be used on this dog’s face.

Another part of the grooming routine should be cleaning the dog’s ears. Remove the debris in the dog’s ears with a gentle cleaning solution specially made for a dog’s ears. A soft cloth should be used on this sensitive skin. Cleaning a Clumber spaniel’s ears can help to prevent ear infections. An owner who’s unsure about how to clean the ears of this bird dog should look to a veterinarian for guidance.

Hypothyroidism is a Clumber spaniel trait that can cause dry, flaky skin. Owners should be aware of that as they go about their grooming routine.

Training

The Clumber spaniel is easy to train due to its intelligence. Owners must keep in mind that these dogs can be distracted fairly easily by any scents traveling through the air. Short obedience training sessions are the best way to go.

Exercise

This dog needs a moderate amount of exercise to stay healthy. An exercise period of 30 to 40 minutes daily is recommended. The combination of a Clumber spaniel’s stocky body and short legs makes it prone to taking on excess weight. Giving this dog exercise every day can help prevent unnecessary weight gain.

Walking in the woods, visiting a dog park, playing fetch, or throwing a ball around in the backyard are all fun activities for this dog. Keep in mind that it has short legs, so it won’t be able to take huge strides like a larger canine.

A Clumber spaniel is one of the many breeds of dogs that can live in an apartment. Of course, an owner should make sure the dog gets at least 30 minutes of exercise outdoors each day to keep it in good condition.

Puppies

One thing to keep in mind when raising Clumber spaniel puppies is to monitor their eye health. Entropion can start to form even during puppyhood. The sooner a veterinarian checks the puppy’s eyes, the quicker an owner can find out what can be done.

Children and Clumber Spaniels

These spaniels are known to be good with kids of all ages. They are even-tempered with an affectionate nature. Of course, small children should always be taught how to treat any puppy or dog with respect and kindness.

Dogs Similar to Clumber Spaniels

Breeds similar to the Clumber spaniel include the American Cocker spaniel, the English Cocker spaniel, and the American Water spaniel.

• American Cocker spaniel: The American Cocker spaniel is another gun dog like the Clumber spaniel. It shares the Clumber’s sweet, energetic temperament. However, an American Cocker spaniel is a much smaller dog.
• English Cocker spaniel: An English Cocker spaniel shares a lot of qualities with the Clumber spaniel, including its reputation as a gun dog and ease of training. But English Cocker spaniels don’t grow as large as Clumbers.
• American Water Spaniel: These dogs are intelligent and suitable for families with kids. But they can be more difficult to train due to a stubborn streak that a Clumber spaniel doesn’t seem to share.