The Clumber spaniel is a calm, steady companion with short legs, a sturdy body, and floppy ears and jowls. Clumbers are a rare breed, but anyone who finds one will enjoy an excellent family pet and reliable hunter.

With sufficient exercise, attention, and grooming, these dogs can live in an apartment or thrive in an active, outdoor environment. They're versatile—built to barrel through the underbrush and overcome tricky terrain—yet even-keeled.

But they're not for everyone. Clumbers are prone to several costly health issues, and they'll shed and drool plenty—and that's if you can even find one to buy or adopt. Learn more about the Clumber spaniel:

Characteristics of the Clumber Spaniel

Above all, the über-friendly Clumber spaniel wants to spend time with you and other members of their family, two- or four-legged. That includes kids, who they get along with splendidly. (Just keep an eye on them during playtime because the large, dense Clumber could knock over smaller children.)

Clumbers are almost always happy to play and spend time with their people, but they're hardly the most active breed. They might be among the most affectionate, though. Prepare from some messy kisses from their floppy, drool-prone jowls.

History of the Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber spaniel dates back to at least the 1700s, perhaps sharing ancestry with the Basset hound and the now-extinct Alpine spaniel. The name Clumber comes from Clumber Park, the 3,800-acre estate in Nottinghamshire, England, belonging to the Duke of Newcastle.

The breed's true origins remain murky, but nobles in that area hunted with a spaniel that looks very similar to today's Clumber Spaniel. They were bred to flush birds from low-lying areas so hunters could shoot them, though some dogs probably retrieved the downed birds as well. Clumbers can still serve as hunting dogs to this day.

Clumbers arrived in North America in the mid-1800s, and they were one of the American Kennel Club's charter breeds in 1884. Today, these dogs are still a relatively rare sight in North America. Many breeders agree that they’re a well-kept secret, which isn’t so different from the breed’s early history as treasured companions on English estates. 

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Clumber Spaniel Care

The Clumber spaniel is an adaptable and easygoing companion, but they need considerable time and effort from their family to thrive. To keep these dogs happy and healthy, owners need to understand and fulfill their grooming, exercise, and social needs.

Exercise

Bred to be in the field, these dogs enjoy putting their minds and bodies to work, but they don't need a ton of exercise.

Provide your Clumber spaniel with at least an hour of exercise per day. One long walk or two shorter walks should keep your spaniel content to lounge indoors. While they’re not likely to be speedsters, they can enjoy competing in agility, obedience, and rally competitions. They’re also avid retrievers, so a solid game of fetch will put this bird dog in their element.

While Clumber spaniels are confident and self-assured, they were bred to be hunting companions who work in a pack. As such, they’re not well-suited to be left alone all day. In fact, if Clumbers are left alone for excessively long periods, they can become anxious or destructive.

Grooming

Clumber spaniels will shed all year long (with heavier fallout during the winter and spring). Brush your Clumber with a slicker brush several times a week to keep shedding to a minimum. It's also important for owners to brush their dog's teeth, trim their nails, and check their ears for dirt and debris. Clean the ears with a dog-safe ear cleaner as needed to prevent infections.

This breed is known for drooling. Clumber kisses come with plenty of slobber thanks to the breed’s flappy flews (the canine equivalent of upper lips). So you should decide whether you can cope with a little drool and hair if you want to bring home a Clumber.

Training

The Clumber spaniel is known for their intelligent and easily trainable nature—but some will show a stubborn streak. When it comes to basic obedience, these dogs excel without too much extra effort from their owners. Simple lessons can begin when puppies are as young as 6 weeks old, but more advanced training can continue through your dog's life. This breed is eager to learn and responds well to positive reinforcement methods.

As with any dog breed, provide proper socialization for your Clumber spaniel early in life to ensure they’re friendly toward people, children, and other animals. When it comes to stranger danger, the Clumber spaniel isn’t overly shy about new faces, but they also aren't quick to sound the alarm. In fact, Clumbers are a relatively quiet breed that isn’t known for barking often.

Common Health Problems

The Clumber spaniel isn’t overly plagued by health problems, but they are susceptible to a few common conditions. Some of these concerns can be mitigated with testing, like hip and elbow evaluations, an ophthalmology exam, and PDP1 testing for a rare genetic enzyme deficiency.

The following are common health problems encountered in Clumber spaniels:

• Elbow and Hip Dysplasia: Dysplasia is caused by a malformation in your dog's joints as they grow, and this painful condition may require surgery in severe cases.
• Hypothyroidism: Also known as underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism prevents the body from producing healthy levels of important hormones. It can appear as weight gain or lethargy.
• PDP1 Deficiency: This enzyme disorder is common in Clumber and Sussex spaniels, and it causes exercise-induced collapse.
• Entropion: This inherited condition causes an eyelid to become flipped out (ectropion) or rolled inwards (entropion).
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): Also known as a herniated disc or slipped disc, IVDD affects your dog's spine and can cause extreme pain or even paralysis.
• Eosinophilic Panosteitis: This condition causes lameness without any sign of injury in growing Clumber puppies. Usually it resolves itself when a puppy stops growing.
• Obesity: This is a food-motivated breed, and you don't want them putting on too many pounds. With the breed's long, low stance, weight gain can cause excessive strain on the back and lead to problems like IVDD or joint strain. 

Ever the bird dog, Clumber spaniels have an affinity for carrying things in their mouths. This can easily lead to the dog ingesting a foreign object that causes health complications and may even require surgery. Teach your Clumber not to chew on household objects and only provide safe toys for your pet to play with or chew on.

Diet and Nutrition

Ask any Clumber spaniel owner, and they’ll likely tell you that these dogs are opportunistic eaters. These spaniels take advantage of food left unattended on counters or tables, and despite their somewhat short stature, they're surprisingly skilled at overcoming vertical challenges to steal a snack.

Feed your Clumber spaniel in moderation with high-quality dog food. Treats can be an effective training incentive—but don’t overfeed these dogs.

Ask your veterinarian to help you determine a healthy meal plan based on your specific dog's age, weight, and activity level.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber spaniel is a rare breed—in registrations, it ranks No. 139 of the AKC’s 200 breeds and as of 2017, there were fewer than 200 puppies registered annually—but there is a devoted community of Clumber spaniel breeders in North America. Buying a puppy, however, is going to cost you—likely around $1,500 or more. (Prices can vary based on pedigree and availability.)

While it's not common to find these dogs in shelters, your local shelter can likely introduce you to similar spaniels available for adoption. The Clumber spaniel community is also committed to caring for its own, and rescue groups house and re-home these gentle dogs. It’s worth investigating breed-specific rescues to save a Clumber in need.

Here's where to start your search:

• Clumber Spaniel Club of America
• Clumber Spaniel Club of America Rescue
• AKC Clumber Spaniel Breeders

Clumber Spaniel Overview

If you're still torn, here's a Clumber spaniel pros and cons list to help you decide whether to bring one home.

Pros:

• Can live happily in almost any home
• Generally calm yet affectionate
• Easy to train
• Kid friendly
• Doesn't need a ton of exercise
• Quiet

Cons:

• Drools and sheds frequently
• Tendency to ingest foreign objects
• Prone to certain health problems
• Food obsessed
• Rare

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you’re considering the Clumber spaniel, you’ll likely benefit from further research on this dignified but delightful breed. Owners of Clumbers, along with breeders and rescues, can provide insight into day-to-day life with these dogs.

These similar breeds can also make wonderful additions to your family:

• Saint Bernard
• English Cocker Spaniel
• Welsh Springer Spaniel

There's a whole world of different dog breeds out there. With a little research, you can find your perfect match!