Clumber Spaniel
Breed Profile
The breed’s history before the middle of the 19th century is riddled with uncertainties. One theory is that it hails from France and that the Duc de Noailles at the time of the French Revolution gave his kennel of prized spaniels to the Duke of Newcastle at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. As the story goes, the now extinct Alpine Spaniel was bred with Basset Hounds, and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog also known as the Great Pyrenees. A second theory is that it descended from the old type of Blenheim Spaniel. Over centuries, the Clumber Spaniel has been used to hunt pheasant and partridge, in both small packs and alone.
Temperament
Their temperament is gentle, loyal and affectionate, but yet dignified and aloof with people in their surroundings. They can appear to be a calm breed and enjoy curling up on the couch, eating and sleeping.
Color & Coat
Coat: Its coat is dense, weather-resistant, straight, and flat with feathering around the ears, belly and legs.
Color: Clumbers are predominantly white in colour with lemon, brown, or orange markings around the eyes, and at the base of the tail.
Health
Because Clumber Spaniels are large boned and fast growing, they may suffer from temporary lameness from between six and twelve months of age, with this lameness subsiding once the bone growth comes to an end. Another common condition that the breed suffers from are impacted anal sacs and the dog may require them to be emptied by a veterinarian. The breed is known to be extremely sensitive to heat and if the Clumber Spaniels are left without shade, they can become uncomfortably hot and dehydrated.