Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber Spaniel comes from Clumber Park in England, where it worked as the hunting dog of the gentry in the late 18th century, prized for a slow, thorough style rather than speed or noise. It's the largest of all spaniel breeds, males can weigh up to 34 kilograms, with a low, heavy build compared to its longer-legged relatives. The coat is dense, silky, and straight, well suited to damp weather and thick cover. It works quietly, rarely barking on the hunt, which made it valued by hunters who wanted a low-disturbance dog in the field. Drooling runs above what's typical even for a spaniel. Temperament is calm, and noticeably more laid-back than most other spaniels. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Clumber Spaniel: how old in human years?

43–51 cmHeight
25–34 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Welsh Springer Spaniel

FCI group: Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs
FCI section: Section 2: Flushing Dogs
FCI: 109
Country of origin: United Kingdom / France

Energy level

2/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 48–51 cm

Females 43–46 cm

Weight

Males 29–34 kg

Females 25–29.5 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

dense, silky, straight, weatherproof coat (medium-length)

Temperament & Family Life

Clumber Spaniel's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Clumber Spaniel's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 2/5
Exercise need 2/5
Apartment friendly 3/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 4/5

Guarding & Alertness

Clumber Spaniel's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Clumber Spaniel's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 4/5
Drooling 4/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Clumber Spaniel

On a walk, he is in no hurry. A Clumber ambles along at his own pace, nose to the ground, rolling slightly, like a small bear with important business in the hedgerow. This is a flushing spaniel with British and French roots, bred to work steadily and methodically, so the nose and the hunting instinct are strong, while the energy and exercise needs are far more modest than in most of his relatives.

With family and children he is gentle and patient, he generally gets along with other dogs, and he holds back a little with strangers at first. He is no guard dog and doesn't bark much. He can learn, and does, but on his own schedule: short sessions, a treat and a sense of humour beat sternness every time.

A typical day: an unhurried morning walk with plenty of sniffing, a long nap, an evening outing and some leaning against your legs. Flat life can work if there aren't too many stairs and a calm walk is on the menu every day; with that nose and prey drive, though, keep off-lead time to safe, enclosed spaces.

Grooming and coat

A Clumber's dense, silky, straight coat shrugs off rain and nettles, but it leaves a trail at home: the shedding is generous, so the brush should come out several times a week. Work carefully through the feathering on the legs and belly, where burrs collect and hair tangles, and part the coat as you go to see the skin, because a red or flaky patch hides easily under all that hair.

The heavy drop ears and looser lids need their own attention: lift the ears once a week to look and sniff, and wipe the corners of the eyes gently with a soft damp cloth. Keep a towel handy for the face, too. Clumbers drool a fair amount, especially after a drink, and will happily share it with your trousers.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A Clumber Spaniel lives around ten to twelve years, and its heavy, low-slung, long-bodied build has a say in its health. The ears, skin, eyes, joints and back deserve a watchful eye, and a swollen belly is a sign never to wait on. Regular vet visits and a careful look every day carry you a long way.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Ear infections

This is inflammation of the ear canal, where bacteria or yeast take hold. You might notice head shaking, scratching at an ear, or an unpleasant smell coming from it. A Clumber's ears are heavy and hang low, so little air gets underneath; lifting them for a weekly look is a good habit.
Elbow and hip dysplasia

This is a developmental problem in which the parts of the hip or elbow joint don't fit together as they should, so the joint wears over time. Your dog may be stiff getting up after a nap, limp, or seem reluctant on the stairs. A Clumber is big and solidly built, so if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Intervertebral disc disease

The discs between the vertebrae act as cushions; when one breaks down or bulges, it presses on the spinal cord and causes pain. You might see a hunched back, reluctance to move, a yelp when touched, or wobbly back legs. With a Clumber's long body on relatively short legs, signs like these should go to the vet without delay.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)

The stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself, which is life-threatening. The dog is restless, tries to vomit but brings nothing up, and the belly swells and turns hard. A Clumber is a big, deep-chested dog, so if you suspect bloat, it needs a vet immediately, not in an hour.
Entropion

Here the edge of the eyelid rolls inward, so the lashes rub against the surface of the eye. You may notice squinting, a watery eye or redness. A Clumber's face is heavy, with looser skin around the eyes, so look at them up close now and then and show any change to your vet.
Allergies (food, skin and environmental)

An allergy is the immune system overreacting to something in the environment or in food. It can show up as itching: paw licking, scratching, rubbing the face along the carpet, reddened skin. Red skin is easy to miss under a Clumber's thick white coat, so part the hair when you brush and have a look, and talk any itch through with your vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (34 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 370 g of dry food a day, from €20,42 a month For a neutered, normally active 29,4 kg dog. Calculate for your dog