Let’s know about the Clumber Spaniel
| Height: | 17 – 19 inches |
| weight: | 50 – 70 pounds |
| Life span: | 10 – 12 years |
| colour’s: | white, pied |
| Suitable for: | Family and Experienced Owner |
| Mood: | affectionate, friendly, calm and loving |
The Clumber Spaniel is famous for its attractive appearance. Like other spaniels, it has long and straight hair. This is one of the oldest and stockiest of the spaniel breeds. Of the 25 breeds of spaniels, this breed is known as the “elite of spaniels” because of its respectable demeanor.
Clumber’s origin story begins during the French Revolution. The French Duke de Noelles sent all his spaniels to the Duke of Newcastle, England, to rescue his prized dogs. As a result, the breed became known as the Clumber Park Spaniel during this period, named after the Duke’s estate.
The Clumber Spaniel made its first appearance in North America in 1844, when it was imported to Canada by a British officer, Lieutenant Venables. From here the breed spread to other parts of the region.
The first Clumber Spaniel was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1878. It was one of the first nine breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Recognized as a sporting dog, this breed is ranked 122 out of 155 breeds by the AKC.
These breeds of dogs are rare among breeders; Hence, they have a long waiting list. They are large dogs with a typical medium height. Physically, they have large heads and short legs.
As a highly intelligent breed, they are very easy to train. Despite his great hunting skills, he is nicknamed the retired gentleman’s spaniel due to his calm personality.
Dogs are generally classified into various breed standards including the American Kennel Club, Clumber Spaniel Club, and United Kennel Club. Breeders use the Clumber Spaniel breed standard to maintain ideal appearance, characteristics and temperament.
Clumber Spaniel Puppies – Before You Buy
What is a Clumber Spaniel puppy worth?
These breeds are rare. Since they are not very popular, you can get a Clumber Spaniel puppy for $800 to $1,200. Despite being generally healthy, breeders must perform genetic testing to ensure that puppies are healthy.
Because Clumber Spaniels are also mostly bred for dog shows, they can be more expensive and cost over $1,200. So if you are going for a high quality pure breed, be prepared to pay more.
3 Little Known Facts About the Clumber Spaniel
1. Clumber Spaniels were initially bred for hunting.
Despite their calm nature, these breeds were initially intended for hunting birds and small animals. Because of this, they tend to have a high prey drive. However, they still showcase their skills, which has made them popular in dog shows.
2. They are known as the “retired gentleman’s spaniel”.
When you get a Clumber Spaniel as a pet, you will notice how calm and comfortable they are around the home. They will have high energy levels during exercise sessions which usually drop when they return home.
This calm demeanor and personality have earned this dog breed the nickname “the retired gentleman’s spaniel.” Therefore, if you need a low-key dog that is easy to handle, the Clumber Spaniel will do it.
3. Clumber Spaniels are known to be very intelligent.
If you need an intelligent dog that is easy to train, the Clumber Spaniel is an excellent choice. However, their abilities can also be used for other destructive behaviors. For example, they may open cabinets, doors, and refrigerators to access food when they are hungry.
Because of this, they can also access any areas of your home that you want to restrict. So, if you have this pet, you may need to install child locks on your cabinets.
The temperament and intelligence of the Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel dog breed is docile, sweet, smart and pleasant all around. They are dependable, playful, easygoing and very affectionate. Unfortunately, as they get older, they become less active.
As mild-tempered breeds, these dogs will lie around in the house and rest as long as they do their daily exercise. However, Clumber Spaniels are also very needy emotionally and need human contact most of the time.
When left alone for a long time, they start feeling neglected. As friendly puppies, they don’t mind meeting new people and making friends.
Although they are known for being sweet and gentle, they can also be determined and stubborn. Once they realize that their owner is passive, they will try to dominate and get their way.
If you don’t establish dominance and leadership early on, Clumber Spaniels can become pushy, especially juvenile males to become Clumber hooliganism. To avoid this they need a firm master who provides constant discipline.
Are these dogs good for families?
Clumber Spaniels make great family pets. Since they like to be the center of attention, they enjoy human company and are highly affectionate with family members.
Before getting this pet, make sure there is always someone at home who can spend time with the dog. Otherwise, if they feel abandoned, they quickly become destructive.
Their calmness and friendliness make them excellent dogs for families with children. They do not show any aggression towards children or any family member. Sometimes, your dog will choose a favorite member of the family and form a special bond with them.
If your children are still very young, you will need to watch your dog more carefully. Since they can reach the cabinets and counters in your home, they can also get into your child’s chair and take their food.
All of these habits can be avoided if you train and discipline your puppy early. Also, teach your kids how to handle dogs well, especially when they are still puppies.
Does this breed get along with other pets?
Clumber Spaniels will get on with other dogs if socialized early. Their calm disposition and friendliness extends to even the strangest dogs. However, with other pets, especially smaller ones, dogs are not the most friendly.
Since they were initially bred as hunting dogs, they have a high prey drive. Because of this, if you have pet birds, cats, or rodents for pets in your home, you should probably get another dog breed. Clumber Spaniels will treat these small animals as prey and will instinctively chase them.
Things to know when owning a Clumber Spaniel
Owning a Clumber Spaniel doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. But like any other dog breed, you need to know the food and dietary requirements, exercise needs, and grooming habits. By taking care of these needs, you will be able to better maintain your pet.
Food and Diet Requirements
Three cups of high quality dog food per day should be enough for your dog. The food you serve should contain all the essential minerals and nutrients that a Clumber Spaniel needs for healthy growth and development. You also need to avoid too many treats and fatty table food.
These dogs have a healthy appetite, especially when they are young. Therefore, you need to consider the food budget before choosing this breed as a pet for your household.
Puppies need more food and can eat about four to six cups of dog food per day. However, as they get older, the hunger level decreases; So, be careful not to overfeed your pet.
Feeding an adult Clumber Spaniel will depend on age, size, metabolism and activity level. Just like humans, not all dogs need the same amount of food. You can consult with your vet to give you an accurate food estimate to feed your dog to avoid overfeeding.
exercise
Because of their low energy, most people assume that Clumber Spaniels do not require much exercise. However, this shouldn’t deter you from setting aside an hour a day to make sure your pet gets the exercise they need.
Also, they are highly prone to joint issues and obesity. Therefore, you need to keep them active to keep them healthy.
Because of joint issues, exercise sessions should take place on soft surfaces such as grass to protect your puppy. Also, when you take them to the dog park for a walk or run, make sure they are on a leash. Their high prey drive will prompt them to locate and chase smaller animals.
Training
Like every other dog breed, the Clumber Spaniel requires early socialization. They need to be exposed to different people, sights, sounds and experiences as puppies. This early socialization helps the dog to adapt to different situations with ease.
As highly intelligent dogs, they pick up on training, habits and commands very quickly. They are obedient and easy to train because they also love to please their owners.
However, they can also become overbearing if the bosses do not take the lead. A passive owner gives the puppy room to be mischievous and hard to manage. Therefore, constant training is needed to show who the leader is.
beauty
Clumber Spaniels have a soft, medium length coat that is thick and straight. If you have a show dog, they are easy to groom because they need to remain natural, without any shaving or trimming, other than cleaning the legs, hind legs, and tail. However, since their fur coats are predominantly white, these dog breeds require a bit more maintenance than other breeds.
These breeds also have long hair which is challenging to manage. You will need to brush the coat two to three times a week to keep the skin healthy and reduce shedding.
Clumbers are average to heavy shedders; Therefore, there will be days when your house will be filled with fur. Brushing reduces shedding, but you’ll still need to vacuum the house afterward.
There can be a lot of dirt in the white coat. Therefore, you can clean your pet with water and dog shampoo every six to eight weeks. Also, wash your pet thoroughly to avoid itchy skin.
Clumber Spaniels are known to drool. With this nasty habit, you will need to constantly wipe your dog’s jaw a few times daily. The same extends to the floor of your house.
In addition to the fur coat, you need to clean your dog’s ears and wipe the area around the eyes to avoid infection. Also, brush your puppy’s teeth at least once a week to avoid gum problems and keep nails short.
As you groom your pet, it is always best to check for sores, rashes or signs of infection on the fur coat. In addition, you may check for swelling, redness, tenderness of the skin around the ears, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet. Having weekly exams will help you detect potential health problems early.
health and conditions
This dog breed is prone to certain medical conditions that affect how it lives. Let’s take a look at some common medical issues.short terms
- entropion
- eccentricity
- ear infections
- dental problems
critical conditions
- hip dysplasia
- hypothyroidism
short terms
Clumber Spaniels are also prone to certain medical problems which can be easily managed if detected early.
- entropion
This defect appears around the eye when your puppy is about six months old. This causes the eyelid to roll inward, which irritates the eyeball. Entropion can affect one or both eyes. Your dog will constantly rub his eyes while he is in this medical condition.
You will have to wait until your puppy is fully developed so that the condition can be corrected surgically. However, it may even clear up on its own in some situations, after two to three years, when your Clumber Spaniel’s head develops.
- eccentricity
Clumber Spaniels also develop this eye condition defect that causes the lower eyelid to droop or droop out. When this happens, the eye is exposed and at extreme risk of infection and irritation.
In severe cases, your puppy may have conjunctivitis. When the condition gets worse, this defect can be treated with surgery.
- ear infections
Like most dog breeds, Clumber Spaniels are prone to ear infections because their floppy ears trap moisture. This moist environment gives room for the growth of bacteria that can lead to further infection.
To keep your puppy’s ears healthy, check them frequently for any signs of infection. Symptoms include tender ears, redness, or foul odor.
Your dog may also repeatedly scratch or paw at the ear or shake its head out of discomfort. Once you notice an infection, go to the vet for treatment.
- dental problems
Clumber Spaniels require a balanced diet. In addition, you should brush their teeth once a week to keep their teeth and gums healthy. If you skip these routines, your dog will develop dental problems that will make it difficult to eat or chew food.
critical conditions
Clumber Spaniels are known to have some serious conditions that can be fatal if left untreated. Here are some of them.
- hip dysplasia
This medical condition occurs when the thigh bone does not fit snugly over the hip joint.
When this happens, your dog may show pain in one or both hind legs. However, some dogs do not show any symptoms. Arthritis can also develop as the dog grows.
Because the condition is inherited, dog breeds should not be prone to hip dysplasia. Before buying a puppy, ask your breeder for documentation that the parents had tests for the condition.
On the other hand, environmental factors can also trigger the issue, such as your puppy gaining weight within a short period of time or injury from jumping or falling. Also, because this breed is small, their hips look different from those of other dogs.
Clumbers are highly prone to this condition; So to keep the joints healthy, you must keep them healthy. Also, ask them to exercise on soft surfaces to avoid injuries. If they have this problem, your vet may recommend some supplements.
- hypothyroidism
This medical condition is a result of the lack of thyroid hormone in the body. When your dog has this problem, symptoms include lack of energy, mental lethargy or obesity.
Their fur coats can also become brittle and fall off as the skin darkens. If your dog has this condition, the vet may prescribe a daily thyroid replacement pill.
male vs female
There are some differences between male and female Clumber Spaniels. Males will be larger and heavier than females.
They are about three inches long and 15 pounds heavy. Both sexes are friendly and calm in terms of personality, making excellent pet choices for your household.
However, male Clumber Spaniels have more energy due to their natural hunting instinct and can display a higher prey drive.
summary
Clumber Spaniel dog breeds are calm, affectionate, and sociable. They make great family pets when they get along with children and other dogs. However, if you have smaller pets such as cats and birds, they are not a good choice due to their high prey drive.
These breeds of dogs are extremely needy and require human cooperation at all times. So if you get one for your home, make sure there is always someone at home. If they don’t get the attention they need, they start working.
If you are a first-time dog owner, this breed is well-suited. It’s easy to train as long as you keep training them consistently.
You will only need grooming as they are average to high shedders and tend to drool a lot. Otherwise, Clumber Spaniels make a great companions for your family.