Clumber Spaniel

AKC Group: Sporting

Club: Clumber Spaniel Club of America, Inc.

Secretary : Kimberly Jordan Daboo
Address: 6585 Rosemoor St., Pittsburgh, PA , 15217
Website: www.clumbers.org
Email: secretary@clumbers.org
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The Clumber Spaniel is a long, low, substantial dog. His heavy brow, deep chest, straight forelegs, powerful hindquarters, massive bone and good feet all give him the power and endurance to move through dense underbrush in pursuit of game. His white coat enables him to be seen by the hunter as he works within gun range. His stature is dignified, his expression pensive, but at the same time he shows great enthusiasm for work and play.

Size:

The Clumber is rectangular in shape possessing massive bone structure and has the appearance of great power. The ideal height for dogs is 18 to 20 inches at the withers and for bitches is 17 to 19 inches at the withers. The ideal length to height is 11 to 9 measured from the withers to the base of the tail and from the floor to the withers. Dogs weigh between 70 and 85 pounds and bitches weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.

Coat:

The body coat is dense, straight and flat. It is of good weather resistant texture, which is soft to the touch, not harsh. Ears are slightly feathered with straight hair. Feathering on the legs and belly is moderate. The Clumber has a good neck frill and on no condition should his throat be shaved. Evidence of shaving is to be penalized. The hair on the feet should be trimmed neatly to show their natural outline and for utility in the field. The rear legs may be trimmed up to the point of the hock. Tail feathering may be tidied. Trimming of whiskers is optional.

History:

The Clumber is of such unique type in comparison to the other spaniels that his origin is particularly shrouded in doubt, however, there is much evidence to suggest that the breed may count Basset Hounds, early Alpine Spaniels, and various other breeds among its ancestors. It is believed that the Clumber was one of the first specialized breeds, originating in France possibly as early as the 18th century. Theory holds that at the time of the French Revolution, the Duc de Noailles of France moved his kennel of spaniels to England for sanctuary, housing them at the kennels of the Duke of Newcastle at Clumber Park (hence the name) in Nottinghamshire. The popularity of the breed was rigidly guarded by members of the English aristocracy in the district known as the "Dukeries."

Clumbers were first shown in England in 1859. The breed arrived in America relatively early, entering Canada in 1844 with a member of the British army, and the first Clumber registered with the American Kennel Club in the late nineteenth century before the AKC itself was founded (the AKC accepted a few records of pedigrees that were older than the actual club upon its founding in 1884). A standard for the breed was drawn up shortly thereafter in England, with considerable controversy erupting over the size and exposure of the "haw" or part of skin that covers the eye. Eventually, the AKC standard settled that "some haw may show," definitively ending the debate as it established the breed in the Sporting Group.

Fun Fact:

• The Clumber Spaniel is believed to have originated in France.
  
  
• Clumber Spaniels were first shown in England in 1859.
  
  
• The first Clumber Spaniel registered with the American Kennel Club was recorded in 1878.
  
  
• Believed to have developed from Basset Hound and early Alpine Spaniel crosses, breeds which have influenced the long, low body and heavy head of the Clumber.
  
  
• The Clumber is believed to be one of the earliest spaniels developed for special uses and is especially useful for his adaptability for use in heavy cover; he generally hunts mute and is able to come up very close to the game.
  
  
• The Clumber is a rather slow worker but works with a very distinctive "rolling" gait that is fully described in the standard; such movement allows the dog to "maintain a steady trot for a day of work in the fields without exhaustion."