The Clumber Spaniel is the largest spaniel breed and was originally bred as a gun dog used for flushing game from heavy cover. Clumber Spaniels are easygoing, good-natured and tend to be quiet when at home. This breed loves to be part of a family and wants to be involved with everything that goes on. The Clumber Spaniel breed is a popular family dog with a reputation for being affectionate and amazing with children. Clumber Spaniels look unique with their long body, short legs and silky white and lemon/orange coats.
The largest of the spaniels, the Clumber Spaniel looks similar to a Sussex spaniel in shape. The Clumber Spaniel is heavy-boned with a large head, square muzzle and expressive eyes that are dark in colour. The Clumbers ears are large and vine shaped, they hang slightly forward and are covered in hair. This breed has short legs and a long body giving a rectangular proportion. Clumber Spaniels are strong, they are well-muscled and have a deep chest, powerful legs and large round paws. The tail of a Clumber Spaniel is well feathered, set low and carried level with the dog’s back.
The coat of the Clumber Spaniel is distinctive, it is white and lemon/ orange in colour, silky and straight. There is lots of feathering around the Clumber Spaniels chest and legs. Although large and heavy, the Clumber Spaniel moves effortlessly.
How big do Clumber Spaniels get?
Height - Males: 43 - 51cm. Females: 43 - 51cm.
Weight - Males: 29 - 34kg. Females: 25 - 30kg.
The Clumber Spaniel is a wonderful family dog that is intelligent and affectionate. The breed has a long working history but with medium energy levels, they can settle into family life without an issue. Clumber Spaniels are playful and they mature slowly so with this breed the puppy playfulness can be enjoyed for longer than usual. The Clumber Spaniel is a breed that is very easy to train as they love to please their owners. They have an independent side to their personality but Clumber Spaniels are sweet, friendly and make excellent family pets.
Are Clumber Spaniels intelligent? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels affectionate? Yes.
Do Clumber Spaniels have high or low energy levels? Medium energy levels.
Are Clumber Spaniels loyal? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels playful? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels aggressive? No.
Are Clumber Spaniels easy to train? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels good guard dogs? No.
Clumber Spaniels are excellent with children, their easy-going characters mean they are extremely tolerant and gentle around kids of all ages. These spaniels are also good around other pets and animals that they have grown up with. The Clumber Spaniel is social by nature and does not have a high prey drive so tends to behave around other animals. When around strangers, Clumber Spaniels tend to be wary and prefer to keep their distance.
Do Clumber Spaniels get along with other pets? They get along well with pets they have grown up around.
Do Clumber Spaniels get along with other dogs? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels good with kids? Yes (5/5).
Are Clumber Spaniels good with strangers? They tend to be wary and aloof with strangers.
Clumber Spaniels are large dogs that prefer a slow and steady pace. They are best suited to living in a house with a large secure garden in a quiet area or in the countryside. Clumbers do not do well in apartments as they need enough space to be able to express themselves. The Clumber Spaniel adores their family and bonds strongly with them, this means they do not like being away from their family for more than a couple of hours at a time. This strong bond is one of the reasons the Clumber Spaniel is a good choice for first-time owners, the breed is eager to please and is very people-orientated.
Are Clumber Spaniels good for first-time owners? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels hypoallergenic? No.
Are Clumber Spaniels prone to drooling? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels a good breed for apartment living? No, these are large dogs that need plenty of space.
Do Clumber Spaniels shed a lot? Yes.
Do Clumber Spaniels bark a lot? No.
Can Clumber Spaniels be left alone at home? They will only tolerate being alone for an hour or two.
Can Clumber Spaniels handle the heat? No, they can suffer from heat sensitivity.
Can Clumber Spaniels handle cold temperatures? Yes.
Are Clumber Spaniels sensitive to loud noises? Not particularly.
The Clumber Spaniel has an average life expectancy of 11 - 13 years. Clumber Spaniels are generally healthy but there are a few health issues owners should know about. First of all, Clumber Spaniels mature slowly so it is important not to over-exercise them as youngsters as they are still developing. Clumber Spaniels are predisposed to a few health issues including:
Eye problems - in particular, entropion and ectropion which mean the eyelid is turning inward or outward causing pain, inflammation and infection. Eye problems can be diagnosed and treated by a vet.
Intervertebral disc disease- This condition causes intervertebral discs to slip out of place. It can be a very painful condition that causes nerve problems. Veterinary treatment is required but the treatment route will depend on the severity of the condition.
Hip dysplasia - This abnormal development of the hip joint is common in medium-large dog breeds and causes pain, swelling and can lead to arthritis. Treatment is available and hip score schemes help to prevent puppies from being born with this condition.
Allergies- The Clumber Spaniel often have skin allergies that cause their skin to become red and itchy. It is important to find out what your dog is allergic to so you can find the best treatment for them. Common causes include fleabites, pollen and food.
Ear infections - Clumber Spaniels can suffer from ear infections that will require veterinary treatment. Common symptoms of an ear infection include ear scratching, head shaking and pain.
How long do Clumber Spaniels live? 11 - 13 years
Unlike most working dog breeds, Clumber Spaniels are not high-energy dogs and are happy with a leisurely 30-minute walk. This breed enjoys playing interactive games and benefits from having access to a secure garden where they can play during the day. It is important not to over-exercise a young Clumber Spaniel as they are still developing. Remember that Clumber Spaniels like to go at their own pace and may need a bit of encouragement to go on the walk in the first place. A Clumber Spaniel will enjoy walking off lead when it is safe to do so but it is best to put them on a lead if you are near any livestock or other animals. In addition to daily exercise, it is important to put time aside to train a Clumber Spaniel too.
How much exercise does a Clumber Spaniel dog need? Around 30 minutes per day
Do Clumber Spaniels like water play? Yes, particularly in warmer weather
The Clumber Spaniel is a big-boned dog breed that is prone to weight gain. They can suffer from problems with their bones and joints so it is important to feed them the right amount of food based on their age, weight and activity level. A Clumber Spaniel puppy needs between 235 - 460g of food per day depending on their individual needs. This is just a rough estimate, every dog is unique so it is important to have a personal dietary plan made.
Are Clumber Spaniels prone to weight gain? Yes.
How much should I feed a Clumber Spaniel puppy? Between 235 - 460g of high-quality dry food per day depending on age and build.
How much should I feed an adult Clumber Spaniel dog? Between 260 - 400g of high-quality dry food per day depending on age and build.
Grooming: The Clumber Spaniel has a high maintenance coat that sheds heavily throughout the year. Their coats shed more in Spring and Autumn when it is common for their white hair to get everywhere. One of the best ways to keep this under control is by brushing the Clumber Spaniel every day. As well as high shedding, the fur on a Clumber Spaniel’s legs and belly pick up mud easily so often need to be cleaned after walks. The hair on a Clumber Spaniel’s feet should be trimmed and their ears and teeth should be checked and cleaned regularly.
Emotional Care: A Clumber Spaniel thrives on being in a home environment surrounded by their family. The breed doesn’t like to spend much time on their own but they can tolerate 1-2 hours while their owners pop out. The Clumber Spaniel is a medium energy dog but their slow pace and laid back attitude mean you may have to encourage them on walks initially. It is important Clumber Spaniels get enough exercise each day as without the physical and mental stimulation of walks and interactive play sessions they can become depressed and bored.
History of the Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is one of the oldest spaniel breeds with an interesting history dating back over 250 years. Clumber Spaniels were given their name by the Duke of Newcastle, but the origins of the breed are unclear. Some believe the Duke brought the dogs over from France to breed them on his estate called Clumber Park. However, there is no evidence of the dogs being brought from France and many Clumber Spaniel enthusiasts believe it is a British breed.
The breed was then kept and developed by the Duke of Newcastle and his dogs were known for their hunting skills. There are paintings of the Duke posing with Clumber Spaniels that are believed to be ancestors of today’s Clumber Spaniels. The breed was also bred by King George V but the breed's numbers fell during the World Wars. Fortunately, the breed was kept going and is still rare today but is once again becoming a popular choice as a companion, family pet and show dog.
The Clumber Spaniel's origins are unknown.
The Duke of Newcastle developed the breed and named them after Clumber Park.
Clumber Spaniels are one of the oldest and largest spaniel breeds.
The breed appears in Francis Wheatley’s 1788 painting called “The Return From Shooting”.
If you are ready to bring a dog home, take a look at our buying guide for information on finding and buying a puppy. This includes information on questions to ask breeders and how to avoid scams. All breeders on Puppies have been vetted to ensure they are responsible. Take a look at the Clumber Spaniel puppy page to find available dogs in your local area.
How much does a Clumber Spaniel cost to buy? £1500 - £3000
How much does a Clumber Spaniel cost to feed? £50 per month
How much does insurance for a Clumber Spaniel cost? £40 per month
Another option is to adopt a Clumber Spaniel. We recommend speaking to your local rescue centre or getting in contact with the associations below:
Speak to the Clumber Spaniel Club about rescuing a Clumber Spaniel
