Gundog American Cocker Spaniel Bracco Italiano Brittany Chesapeake Bay Retriever Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel (English) Curly Coated Retriever English Pointer English Setter English Springer Spaniel Field Spaniel Flat Coated Retriever German Short Haired Pointer German Wire Haired Pointer Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Hungarian Vizsla Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Water Spaniel Italian Spinone Kooikerhondje Labrador Retriever Large Munsterlander Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sussex Spaniel Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Clumber Spaniel (to the right is Ch Topvalley Charlie of Belcrum) is very different from the rest of the spaniels and probably does not share any common ancestry.  He is believed to have come to the UK in the 18th century when the Duke of Newcastle was presented with some dogs by the Duc de Noailles, and he subsequently developed the breed at the family seat, Clumber Park, in Nottingham.  There is a painting by Francis Wheatley RA dated 1788 of the second Duke of Newcastle with his head gamekeeper and three lemon and white dogs who are recognisably Clumber Spaniels.  The colour is always a base colour of white with lemon (for preference) or orange markings.

They are not a quick breed, though tenacious, and their early function was to beat the shoot; a line of Clumber Spaniels would move forward flushing out the game for the huntsmen.  The Breed Standard does not specify a height, though it indicates an ideal weight for dogs of 80lbs. In the middle of the last century the Clumber fell out of favour and was only kept going by a small band of dedicated breeders; however he has had something of a resurgence over the past 30 years and dogs of high quality are regularly competing at the highest level in the showring. An illustrious breeder of Clumbers was King Edward VII, under the family affix Sandringham.

Unfortunately he does have some potential health problems, and this should be discussed with breeders before acquiring a puppy.  Today's Clumber Spaniel is definitely dual purpose, the same type of dog capable of excelling at both Field and Bench.  The club website, below, is unusually helpful. However, for his size he is a remarkably long-lived dog; Ch Topvalley Charlie of Belcrum, a working gundog and Full Champion lived to 17½ years.

The Clumber Spaniel is not a dog for everyone; he is large, close to the ground and so picks up a lot of debris, which he will later discard liberally in the house. A dog of his size obviously needs space and exercise, and his heavy bone means that careful rearing is essential if he is to fulfill his potential as an adult.  He is a dignified and very intelligent dog; for the right family he is a marvellous addition, but certainly a breed where all the drawbacks should be considered before committing yourself.

To read the Kennel Club Breed Standard for the Clumber Spaniel click here. 

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Clumber Spaniel Puppies

3 Clumber Spaniel puppies remaining from a litter of 8.  2 boys and 1 girl.  Born 30 October 2009.  KC registered, 5 generation pedigree, vaccinated and vet checked.  Microchipped and 4 weeks free insurance.  

Contact Denise Beeson on 01379 586492  (Harleston, Norfolk) or email

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Clumber Spaniel Breeders

Eilandon
Maursett
Tweedsmuir

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Selected Books

The time to make sure that this is the right breed for you is before you bring him home; if you and your Clumber are to be happy together there is plenty of research to be done.  Even if you do not intend to work him, having an appreciation of Gundog Training will help you understand why he behaves as he does. 

In addition to learning what kind of behaviour is specific to Gundogs, understanding your dog, and what his motivations are on a more general level can save a lot of confusion and misunderstandings for both you and him. Many mistakes can be avoided, and quick solutions reached if you have the basics of puppy training to guide you through all the early settling in difficulties.  It helps, too, to have some idea of basic healthcare so you can make informed judgements about whether a visit to the vet is necessary or if there is a simple remedy.  For example, many cases of upset tummies are best cured by 24 hour starvation.  The books we have chosen will be able to guide you as to whether your dog can be treated at home, or a visit to the surgery is necessary.

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Clumber Spaniel Breed Clubs

CLUMBER SPANIEL CLUB     Mrs Page 01489 589734

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Clumber Spaniel Rescue and Rehoming

Contact the Clumber Spaniel Breed Club. They should be able to give you information about hounds requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own hound, please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for your dog.

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If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions.  If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.