Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber takes his time; he is a calm and friendly companion. Being low to the ground, the Clumber makes good use of his excellent smelling ability on walks, and he retrieves happily from the water. He likes to be with people and loves children.

The Clumber has a royal history. On the eve of the French Revolution, a French duke, the Duc de Noailles, managed to get his beloved spaniels out of the country to sanctuary in England. There they were taken in by an English nobleman, the Duke of Newcastle. He had a vast estate, located in Sherwood Forest, called Clumber Park. This is how the dog got its name.

Though the sweet-natured Clumber would love to be a lap dog, he's a little too heavy. His shape is somewhat like that of a Basset Hound, but he is bigger and has a longer coat. The coat is mostly white, with lemon or orange spots and freckles, and needs brushing only once or twice a week--but it does shed. The eyes are dark amber in color, with a gentle, soft expression.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Heavy brow, deep chest, straight forelegs, and good feet show his power and endurance. Dignified, but having enthusiasm for work and play.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height--males, about 19 to 20 inches at the withers; females, about 17 to 19 inches. Weight--males 70 to 80 pounds; females, 55 to 70 pounds.

Fun Facts

Clumbers are one of the oldest spaniels. First developed in France, they are believed to be a mixture of Bassett Hound (the long, low body) and Alpine Spaniel (the heavy head). The Clumber Spaniel was one of the first 10 breeds recognized by the AKC; now he is one of the AKC's 10 rarest breeds.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.