Clumber Spaniel
克倫伯獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Clumber Spaniel is the largest and heaviest of the flushing spaniels — a long, low, massive-headed bird dog from the Dukes of Newcastle's Clumber Park, kept by British kings and built to push through thick cover at a walking pace. Mellow, dignified and amusing at home, it is sweet-natured but thinks before it obeys, can be relentless on scent, barks only when it has something to say, and comes with shedding, drooling and heavy ears and facial folds that need routine cleaning. The Royal Kennel Club lists it as a vulnerable native breed.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–51cm |
| Weight | 25–39kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Back and disc problems are commonly reported in the breed. Ask your vet about protecting the spine (weight control, avoiding jumping from heights) and seek help fast for sudden pain or weakness.
Cherry eye / eyelid problems
Eyelid and tear-film problems (cherry eye, entropion, dry eye) are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if the eyes look red, sore or weepy.
Panosteitis (growing pains)
Panosteitis (shifting lameness in growing dogs) is reported in the breed. Ask your vet if a young dog is intermittently lame.
Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)
The Royal Kennel Club reports a high prevalence of exercise-induced collapse in the Clumber Spaniel and added the DNA test to the breed's Good Practice guidelines from December 2025, asking breeders to reduce it gradually so genetic diversity is not lost. Ask your breeder about the parents' EIC status, and your vet if your dog wobbles or collapses after intense exercise.
Immune-mediated conditions
The AKC says immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia has been encountered in some Clumbers and that the breed should avoid sulfa drugs — mention this to your vet before any medication is given, and ask promptly about pale gums, weakness or unexplained illness.
Behaviour
Steady and thorough — but needs a reason
The AKC describes the Clumber as steady, reliable, thorough and tenacious, which can make it a challenge to train because it stops to think things through before deciding to do them; keep sessions interesting, expect most to require a reason to do as they are told, and never use a heavy-handed approach. Smart and eager to please, it responds well to training that respects this.
Not as sleepy as he looks
The CKC calls it a loyal, affectionate dog that may be reserved but is never hostile or timid, with a dignified, thoughtful expression yet real enthusiasm for work or play; it is not as sleepy as it looks and should be safely fenced when on its own. The AKC adds that Clumbers love swimming and fetching, are sturdy playmates for children, and being a bit wary of strangers yet quiet, make indifferent watchdogs.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Clumber Spaniel
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Spaniel Clumber (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Spaniel Clumber
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Clumber Spaniel (standard no. 109, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page says no reputable Clumber breeder can promise a puppy free of hip dysplasia or other hereditary problems, but that buyers improve the odds by asking about health issues and buying only from a breeder who screens and tracks their bloodlines; because the Clumber population is small, long-time breeders have often seen far more of the breed's issues than a vet practice ever will, and the club publishes a "Dear Vet" letter explaining them for owners to hand to their veterinarian.”
— Clumber Spaniel Club of America — General Health via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Clumber Spaniel — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Spaniel Clumber — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Spaniel Clumber — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Clumber Spaniel — FCI standard no. 109 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]General Health — Clumber Spaniel Club of America — Clumber Spaniel Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.