The Clumber Spaniel is a dignified, heavy-boned English gun dog, known for its mellow, gentle nature and devoted companionship.
How the Clumber Spaniel coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
Critical: A Clumber Spaniel should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
Caution: A Clumber Spaniel coat mats easily.
Fine or long hair tangles at the base of the coat, out of sight, where the mats tighten and pull on the skin. Brushing has to reach right down to the roots in sections, not just skim the surface.
A few of the Clumber Spaniel profiles members have added to United Pet Club.
The Clumber Spaniel is a medium-sized, heavy-boned English gundog of calm and affectionate temperament, with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
The Clumber Spaniel is a long, low, heavy-boned spaniel developed in England as a gundog. It is the largest of the spaniel breeds in build, though it stands lower to the ground than the field and springer types. The breed is renowned for a steady, unhurried manner, both in the field and at home.
Clumbers were bred to work close to the gun, pushing through dense cover at a slow, deliberate pace. That working style shapes the modern dog, which is inclined to be methodical rather than fast and is content with a moderate degree of activity.
At home the Clumber is quiet and devoted to its people. It forms strong attachments to its household and is generally gentle with children and other animals. The breed sheds and drools, and the heavy coat requires routine attention.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Size | Medium (heavy-boned, low to the ground) |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
| Group/role | Gundog group, gundog (flushing spaniel) |
| Good with | Children, other dogs and household pets when socialised |
The Clumber Spaniel suits owners who seek a calm, affectionate companion and who can accept regular grooming, moulting and a degree of drool. It is well suited to households that provide steady daily walks rather than high-intensity exercise. Those who want a quiet indoor companion and have time for coat care and weight management will find the breed a fine match.
The Clumber Spaniel takes its name from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, England, and was developed as a gundog on English aristocratic estates during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The breed is named after Clumber Park, the Nottinghamshire estate of the Dukes of Newcastle. Its precise origins are not fully documented, yet the breed took shape in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries on large country estates that kept dogs for the shooting of game.
A common account credits the Duke of Newcastle's gamekeeper, William Mansell, with developing and refining the breed at Clumber Park. The dogs were used to flush game from heavy cover and to work close to the gun in a slow, quiet style suited to driven shoots and rough ground.
The Clumber was among the breeds associated with the founding of organised dog showing in Britain. It was recognised by The Kennel Club in England in the 19th century, and the breed was exhibited at early conformation shows. It was also among the first breeds registered when formal records were established in North America.
The Clumber has remained an uncommon breed. Its numbers stayed low throughout the 20th century, and it is still regarded as rare compared with the more popular spaniels. Dedicated breed clubs in England and other countries maintain the standard and support breeding programmes today.
The Clumber Spaniel is a long, low, heavily built dog with a large head, a predominantly white coat marked with lemon or orange, and a deliberate, rolling gait.
The Clumber Spaniel has a substantial, rectangular outline. The body is long and the legs are short and thick, giving the dog a low centre of gravity. The head is large and heavy, with a broad muzzle, a pronounced brow and loose facial skin. The eyes are deep set and the ears are large and triangular, set low and hanging close to the head.
The overall impression is one of strength and weight rather than speed. The breed moves with a steady, rolling stride that reflects its long body and short legs.
| Trait | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | Roughly 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm) at the shoulder |
| Weight | About 55 to 85 pounds (25 to 39 kg), dogs heavier than bitches |
| Coat | Dense, straight, flat coat with feathering on the legs, chest and ears |
| Colours | Predominantly white with lemon or orange markings |
| Eyes | Deep set, amber to dark, with some visible haw |
The coat is chiefly white, which made the dog easy to see while working in cover. Markings are confined to lemon (pale tan) or orange and usually appear on the head and around the base of the tail, with freckling sometimes present on the muzzle and legs. The coat is weather resistant and requires regular brushing to manage moulting and to prevent matting in the feathered areas.
The Clumber Spaniel is affectionate, gentle and calm, devoted to its family, reserved with strangers and generally easy-going with other pets.
The Clumber Spaniel is a quiet, good-natured dog that bonds closely with its household. It is affectionate and likes to remain near its people, often following members of the family about the home. The breed is calm indoors and is not given to excessive activity or restlessness.
With strangers the Clumber is inclined to be reserved rather than nervous or aggressive. It often warms up slowly and may simply observe newcomers before approaching. The breed is not a strong watchdog and does not bark a great deal.
Clumbers are usually gentle with children and tolerant of other dogs and household pets, particularly when reared with them. Their easy-going nature makes them well suited to a settled home. They can be stubborn at times and respond best to patient, consistent handling. Because they are so attached to their people, they do not fare well when left alone for long periods.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 2 |
| Trainability | 3 |
| Vocalness | 2 |
| Moulting | 4 |
The Clumber Spaniel requires regular brushing, moderate daily exercise and weight management, and is best kept as an indoor companion close to its family.
The Clumber Spaniel is an indoor dog that wishes to be with its family. It adapts to houses and flats provided it receives daily walks, but it ought not to be left alone for long stretches. The breed prefers cooler conditions and requires shade and water in warm weather. Its short legs and long body mean that stairs and slippery floors should be managed to reduce strain on the back and joints.
Feed the Clumber Spaniel a complete, balanced dog food in measured meals, watch portions closely because the breed gains weight easily, and avoid foods toxic to dogs.
The Clumber Spaniel does well on a complete and balanced commercial dog food appropriate to its age and activity level. Because the breed is prone to weight gain, portions should be measured and meals kept to a schedule rather than left down for free feeding. Daily amounts depend on the dog's weight, age and how active it is, so the figures below are general guidance. Fresh water should always be available.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals per day |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2 to 6 months) | Per food label for growth, divided across meals | 3 to 4 |
| Adolescent (6 to 12 months) | About 2 to 3 cups, adjusted to growth | 2 to 3 |
| Adult | About 2 to 3 cups, according to weight and activity | 2 |
| Senior | Adjusted slightly lower to prevent weight gain | 2 |
Keep treats to no more than about 10 per cent of daily calories and subtract them from meal portions to avoid overfeeding. A balanced complete diet usually meets a healthy dog's needs without additional supplements. Joint supplements or specific additions should be used only on the advice of a veterinary surgeon, particularly given the breed's heavy build and joint sensitivity.
The Clumber Spaniel typically lives 10 to 12 years and is prone to hip and joint problems, eye and ear conditions and weight gain, so preventive care and a lean body weight matter.
The Clumber Spaniel generally lives 10 to 12 years. The breed's long body and heavy bone make it more prone to joint and back problems than lighter dogs, and its build also makes weight control important. Responsible breeders screen for inherited conditions, and buyers should ask to see health testing on the parents.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | Stiffness, limping, reluctance to rise or climb stairs | Joint malformation; managed with weight control and veterinary care |
| Elbow dysplasia | Foreleg lameness, especially after exercise | Screened by breeders through joint evaluation |
| Ear infections | Head shaking, odour, scratching at the ears | The long, low ears trap moisture; regular cleaning helps |
| Eye problems | Redness, discharge, cloudiness, rubbing at the eyes | Includes entropion and ectropion linked to loose lids |
| Obesity | Excess weight, low stamina, difficulty feeling the ribs | Adds strain to the back and joints; manage diet and exercise |
The Clumber Spaniel is intelligent but can be stubborn, so it trains best with patient, consistent, reward-based methods and early socialisation.
The Clumber Spaniel is a thinking dog that learns well but can be independent and slow to comply when it sees no reason to. It does not respond to harsh handling. Short, consistent sessions with clear rewards work better than repetition or pressure. The breed's strong food motivation can be used to keep training sessions productive, taking care not to overfeed.
Clumber Spaniels reach sexual maturity at around 12 months, carry litters for about 63 days, and produce litters averaging roughly three to seven puppies.
Bitches typically reach sexual maturity between about 6 and 12 months of age, but responsible breeders wait until the bitch is physically mature and has passed health screening before breeding, often around two years. Mating is timed to the bitch's season. Gestation lasts about 63 days from conception.
Litter size varies, averaging roughly three to seven puppies. Puppies are born without sight or hearing and depend entirely on the dam in the early weeks. Weaning usually begins at around three to four weeks, and puppies remain with the dam and littermates until at least eight weeks to support healthy social development. Because the breed is uncommon, planned litters from health-tested parents may involve waiting lists.
Breeding should be left to experienced, responsible breeders who screen for hip, elbow and eye conditions and who follow the breed standard.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sexual maturity | About 6 to 12 months |
| Recommended first breeding | Around 2 years, after health testing |
| Gestation | About 63 days |
| Average litter size | Roughly 3 to 7 puppies |
| Weaning age | About 3 to 4 weeks, begins gradually |
| Leave for new home | 8 weeks or later |
Your Clumber Spaniel's details on a record that satisfies UK microchip law: free with United Pet Club, for life, with nothing to renew.
Microchipping has been compulsory for dogs in England, Scotland and Wales since 2016, and the rules are strict about keeping the details behind the chip current. A free United Pet Club profile holds your Clumber Spaniel's record for the whole of its life, with your phone number and address sitting where a scan can reach them. Registering your dog is done in minutes and costs nothing, now or later.
The implant happens at the vet surgery; the record is your half of the bargain, and the 2016 regulations expect it kept up to date. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: any brand a British vet implants is accepted, amendments after moving house cost nothing, and the record stays searchable through the lookups rescue centres and wardens turn to first. Create your free account and square it away this evening.
Set up a free United Pet Club account, add your Clumber Spaniel's details and a photo, and save. The profile stays live for the whole of the dog's life at no charge, and the chip number can be added the moment you have it.
Key the fifteen digit number into your free United Pet Club account with your current address and phone number. The lifetime plan accepts any brand a British vet implants, and amendments after a house move are free.
Yes. Dogs in England, Scotland and Wales have had to be chipped since 2016, with the keeper's details kept current. The law covers the chip; keeping the record pointing at a live phone number is what United Pet Club handles, free.
Nothing at all. The United Pet Club lifetime plan covers the profile, the microchip record and every amendment without a fee, so there is no renewal to remember.
Common questions about the Clumber Spaniel cover its size, temperament, grooming needs, lifespan, suitability for families, and how easy it is to find.
The Clumber is a medium-sized but heavy-boned breed. Most stand about 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 55 to 85 pounds, with dogs larger than bitches. The long body and short legs make the dog heavier than it looks for its height.
Yes. The breed is affectionate, gentle and calm, and it is generally good with children and other pets when socialised. It bonds closely with its family and prefers company, so it suits households where someone is at home for much of the day.
They are not difficult, but they do require routine grooming. Expect to brush the coat several times a week, clean the long ears regularly, manage moulting and wipe drool. Keeping the dog lean is important because the breed gains weight easily.
The typical lifespan is 10 to 12 years. Regular veterinary care, a healthy weight and attention to the breed's joint and ear health support a full life.
Yes to both. The dense coat moults all year round, more heavily at times, and the breed drools, especially around meals. Owners who want a low-moulting, dry-mouthed dog may find this breed challenging.
Moderate exercise suits the breed. One or two walks a day with time to sniff and explore is usually sufficient. The Clumber is calmer than most spaniels and is prone to overheating, so hard exercise in hot weather should be avoided.
No. The Clumber is an uncommon breed, and litters from health-tested parents are limited. Buyers often join a waiting list through a breed club or a registered breeder rather than finding puppies readily available.
