Clumber Spaniels are characterized as intelligent and playful dogs who usually have a sweet nature. As with other spaniel breeds, the Clumber Spaniel is used in hunting, which puts to use its keen sense of smell and retrieving abilities. Clumber Spaniels are commonly quite food motivated which facilitates learning and training as well as bonding with their families. Their reputation as a good family dog allows them to be around children; however, as with all dogs, extremely close supervision is needed to prevent accidental injury to the dog or its subsequently developing fear-based defensive aggression. Food rewards for giving up (relinquishing) items can help limit the Clumber Spaniel's tendency to retrieve or guard items not intended for play.
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Identifying Features:
Average Height: 16 - 18 in
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The Clumber Spaniel, the heaviest of all spaniels, is a French breed that was developed by the Duke of Noailles in the mid to late 1700's. The dog was bred so that it could hunt under dense cover and retrieve prey. During the French Revolution, the Duke of Noailles felt that his life, and the lives of his dogs, might have been in danger. Because of this, he sent his spaniels to live with the 2nd Duke of Newcastle in England in Clumber Park near Nottingham - and it was there that the breed was perfected.
Over time, the Clumber Spaniel became popular with the English Royalty and also with many aristocrats. The Clumber Spaniel came to the United States in the late 1800's and in 1972 the Clumber Spaniel Club of America was established. The breed received American Kennel Club recognition in 2001.
