Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber Spaniel is a long, low, heavy-boned spaniel developed in England as a gun dog. It is the largest of the spaniel breeds by build, though it stands lower to the ground than the field and springer types. The breed is known 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 tends to be methodical rather than fast and is content with a moderate level of activity.

At home the Clumber is quiet and people-focused. 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 needs routine care.

Who the breed suits

The Clumber Spaniel suits owners who want a calm, affectionate companion and can accept regular grooming, shedding, and some drool. It fits households that offer steady daily walks rather than high-intensity exercise. People who want a quiet indoor companion and have time for coat care and weight management will find the breed a good match.

The breed is named after Clumber Park, the Nottinghamshire estate of the Dukes of Newcastle. The exact origins are not fully documented, but the breed took shape in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries among large country estates that kept dogs for shooting 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 organized dog showing in Britain. It was recognized by The Kennel Club in England in the 19th century, and the breed was exhibited at early conformation shows. It was also one of the first breeds registered when formal records were established in North America.

The Clumber has remained an uncommon breed. Its numbers stayed low through the 20th century, and it is still considered rare compared with the more popular spaniels. Dedicated breed clubs in England and other countries maintain the standard and support breeding programs today.

The Clumber Spaniel is a medium-sized but heavy dog with a long, low, rectangular body, short thick legs and a large head with a pronounced brow. The ears are large and hang low. The eyes are deep set and amber. The coat is dense, silky and mostly white, with lemon or orange markings. The gait is a steady, rolling stride.

Size and weight by club

Three clubs give heights: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). They agree exactly. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and The Kennel Club (KC UK) give weights only, and they ask for lighter dogs than the other clubs. Compare the clubs side by side.

AKC, UKC and CKC agree on both height and weight. FCI and KC UK top out at 34 kg for males, where the other three allow up to 85 lb. The AKC and CKC describe the body as long and low, with a length to height ratio of about 11 to 9.

Head, body and tail

Every club asks for a pronounced stop and a scissors bite. CKC also accepts a level bite, but not as the preferred one. FCI and KC UK ask for a square muzzle and large drop ears. AKC, UKC and CKC set the ears low and the eyes deep. The AKC and UKC fault round and prominent eyes. A visible haw is accepted but not preferred in all five clubs.

The neck is long and thick, the chest deep, the bone heavy and the topline level. The tail is set low and carried level. AKC and CKC accept a raised tail but do not prefer it. All five clubs accept tail docking and do not prefer it, and AKC and UKC treat dewclaw removal the same way. The UKC faults a straight, post-legged rear.

Coat, colors and markings

The coat is medium length, silky and dense. It sheds heavily, mats easily and should not be shaved.

White with lemon or orange is standard in every club that rules on color. Ticking is accepted but not preferred by all five clubs, and spots by AKC, UKC and CKC. Patches are accepted but not preferred by AKC, FCI and KC UK, and spectacles by UKC and CKC. A liver nose is standard in AKC and UKC. Amber eyes are standard, and light brown eyes are a fault for FCI, KC UK and the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA). See the colors of dogs for how the clubs compare across breeds.

What the show standards penalize

The main faults in the clubs listed are round or prominent eyes in the AKC and UKC, light brown eyes in FCI, KC UK and KUSA, and a straight rear in the UKC. No listed club gives a disqualification. These are show-ring judgements, not health verdicts.

Clubs set their own figures for the Clumber Spaniel. These come from each club's published standard: AKC, CKC, FCI, KC, UKC.

Size

• Height at the withers, male: AKC 45.7-50.8 cm; CKC 45.8-50.8 cm; UKC 45.7-50.8 cm
• Height at the withers, female: AKC 43.2-48.3 cm; CKC 43.2-48.2 cm; UKC 43.2-48.3 cm
• Weight, male: AKC 31.8-38.6 kg; CKC 31.8-38.5 kg; FCI 29.5-34 kg; KC 29.5-34 kg; UKC 31.8-38.6 kg
• Weight, female: AKC 24.9-31.8 kg; CKC 25-31.8 kg; FCI 25-29.5 kg; KC 25-29.5 kg; UKC 24.9-31.8 kg
• Height to length: AKC 0.8; CKC 0.8

Build and forms

At least one club accepts each of these:

• Stop: Pronounced
• Muzzle shape: Square
• Bite: Scissors bite, Level bite
• Dentition: Full dentition
• Eye set: Deep-set
• Eye size: Large
• Haw (third eyelid): Visible
• Ear carriage: Drop (pendant)
• Ear set: Low
• Ear size: Large

Forms the clubs penalize

A fault or a disqualification is a judgment under a show standard. It can affect placings and, at some clubs, registration.

• Fault: Eye shape: Round (AKC, UKC); Eye set: Prominent (AKC, UKC); Rear angulation: Straight (post-legged) (UKC)

Cropping, docking and other procedures

• Tail docking: Alternate (AKC, CKC, FCI, KC, UKC)
• Dewclaw removal: Alternate (AKC, UKC)

This is each club's stance in the show ring, not the law. The law on these procedures differs by country.

Markings

Each club's ruling on the breed's named marks:

• Patch: Alternate (AKC, FCI, KC)
• Ticking: Alternate (AKC, CKC, FCI, KC, UKC)
• Spots: Alternate (AKC, CKC, UKC)
• Spectacles: Alternate (CKC, UKC)

See every point side by side: compare the clubs.

Rulings come from each club's published breed standard, and clubs revise their standards. Before a show or a registration, check the current text with the club.

On the Clumber Spaniel, every club we track agrees on White, Orange, Lemon. Clubs compared: AKC, FCI, KC, KUSA, UKC.

Patterns listed as standard for the Clumber Spaniel: Solid, Bicolor.

Beyond the main color

Standards rule on more than the main color. These are listed as standard:

• Eyes: Amber
• Nose: Liver

Rulings come from each club's published breed standard, and clubs revise their standards. Before a show or a registration, check the current text with the club.

The Clumber Spaniel is a quiet, good-natured dog that bonds closely with its household. It is affectionate and likes to stay near its people, often following family members around the home. The breed is calm indoors and is not prone to excessive activity or restlessness.

With strangers the Clumber tends to be reserved rather than nervous or aggressive. It often warms up slowly and may simply watch 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, especially when raised with them. Their easygoing 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 do well when left alone for long periods.

Grooming

• Brush the coat two or three times a week to remove loose hair and prevent mats in the feathering.
• Check and clean the long, low-set ears regularly to reduce the risk of ear infections.
• Wipe facial folds and around the mouth, as the breed tends to drool.
• Trim feathering on the legs and feet as needed and keep nails short.
• Bathe occasionally when the coat is dirty; the white coat shows soiling readily.

Exercise

• Provide a moderate walk once or twice a day; the breed has lower energy than most spaniels.
• Allow time for sniffing and exploring, which suits the dog's working instincts.
• Avoid hard exercise in young puppies to protect developing joints.
• Limit strenuous activity in hot weather, since the heavy build makes the breed prone to overheating.

Environment

The Clumber Spaniel is an indoor dog that wants to be with its family. It adapts to houses and apartments as long as it gets daily walks, but it should not be left alone for long stretches. The breed prefers cooler conditions and needs shade and water in warm weather. Its short legs and long body mean stairs and slick floors should be managed to reduce strain on the back and joints.

Most of what a Clumber Spaniel needs from grooming follows from its coat.

• Coat layers: Double coat
• Coat texture: Silky
• Coat length: Medium
• Shedding: Heavy shedding

What this coat asks of you

• A double coat has a soft undercoat beneath longer guard hairs. Brush right down to the undercoat, because that is the layer that packs down and traps loose hair.
• A silky coat tangles where it rubs, so comb it through in layers instead of brushing over the top.
• Medium-length hair starts to tangle wherever it rubs, so pay attention to those spots.
• Heavy shedding means loose hair most of the year. Frequent brushing helps, and so does a plan for the furniture.

What to tell a groomer

Mention these when you book. The coat notes on this page explain each one.

• Do not shave
• Mats easily

A groomer who knows the breed can adapt all of this to the individual animal. Sore skin, mats pressed against the skin or a sudden change in the coat are worth showing to a vet.

The Clumber Spaniel does well on a complete and balanced commercial dog food appropriate for 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 out 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.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories and subtract them from meal portions to avoid overfeeding. A balanced complete diet usually meets a healthy dog's needs without extra supplements. Joint supplements or specific additions should be used only on the advice of a veterinarian, particularly given the breed's heavy build and joint sensitivity.

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.

Preventive care

• Keep up with annual veterinary exams and recommended vaccinations.
• Maintain a lean body weight to protect the back and joints.
• Clean and check the ears regularly to prevent infections.
• Brush teeth and schedule dental care to limit gum disease.
• Stay current on parasite prevention for fleas, ticks, and worms.

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, with care taken not to overfeed.

Basics

1. Start socialization early, introducing the puppy to people, other dogs, and new places in a calm, positive way.
2. Teach core cues such as sit, stay, come, and walking on a loose lead.
3. Keep sessions short, five to ten minutes, and end on a success.
4. Reward correct behavior immediately with a small treat or praise.
5. Practice the same cues in different settings so the dog generalizes them.
6. Be patient with the breed's stubborn streak and stay consistent across the household.

Female Clumber Spaniels typically reach sexual maturity between about 6 and 12 months of age, but responsible breeders wait until the female is physically mature and has passed health screening before breeding, often around two years. Mating is timed to the female's heat cycle. Gestation lasts about 63 days from conception.

Litter size varies, with an average of roughly three to seven puppies. Puppies are born without sight or hearing and depend fully on the mother in the early weeks. Weaning usually begins around three to four weeks, and puppies stay with the mother 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.

How to register a Clumber Spaniel in the United States

A Clumber Spaniel can hold a free lifetime profile in the United Pet Club registry whether or not it carries a chip. The profile pairs your contact details with your dog's photo, birth date, and markings, so whoever finds it knows exactly who to call. Registering your dog takes a few minutes, and nothing about it expires or renews.

The microchip needs its own registration. A vet implants the chip, but the number stays anonymous until you file it, and an anonymous chip cannot point anyone at you. Register the microchip with United Pet Club on the free lifetime plan: every brand a US vet implants qualifies, updates cost nothing after a move, and the record shows up in the AAHA universal lookup American shelters check first. Create your free account and finish both steps in one sitting.