The Clumber Spaniel: Lazy Look And Funny Soul
The clumber spaniel breed is little expanded, but this imposing size dog has such a kind and good-natured character that it is capable of making everyone who knows it fall in love.
History
Although it should be noted that there are no records of the existence of this breed before the 19th century, it is believed that its appearance took place in France, after the French Revolution.
Apparently, the Duke of Noailles would have given his spaniels to the Duke of Newcastle to prevent them from being sacrificed. Thus, in the gardens of Clumber – in Nottinghamshire – the first clumber spaniels would have been born, although another theory says that they have their origin in the mixture of English hunting breeds, such as the basset hound.
As we can see, its origins are still unclear to this day, but it does seem certain that the clumber spaniel appeared during the 19th century in England.
Physical characteristics
The Clumber Spaniel is a medium-sized dog, although it has a robust build. Thus, adult males weigh between 30 and 34 kilograms, while females between 25 and 30 kilos. Both measure between 40 and 50 centimeters to the withers.
It should also be noted that it is a dog of balanced proportions, whose general appearance gives off strength and seriousness. They are active dogs that have a strong body, prepared to work in the field for long hours.
The head of the clumber spaniel is square, that is, it is the same length as it is high; the muzzle is wide, the lips are slightly drooping and the ears are triangular and drooping slightly forward. The latter are covered with hair a little longer than the rest of the body.
It also has a deep chest that can reach the knees of the front legs, which are strong, straight and strong-boned. For its part, its tail must be carried low, although it was previously customary to amputate its tail, but luckily this practice is currently prohibited.
As for its fur, it stands out that it has a lot of quantity, it is semi-long and silky to the touch. On the legs, ears and tail, the hair should be a little longer than on the rest of the body; and it is completely white in color, which may include small yellowish or orange spots.
Behavior
This dog, while heavy and languid in appearance, actually has a lot of energy. Although he can spend the day lying down with a sleepy face, he has a clown’s heart that surfaces whenever games and activities are proposed to him.
It is a very suitable dog for a house, as it has a family character and is affectionate with people. It should be noted that he is patient and persevering, so his training must be based on respect and play : firm orders and punishments will not work with this colossus .
Also, we have to keep in mind that it is not a guard dog, because it will approach dogs and strangers in a friendly way. And it is that he has a sweet and confident character, although that does not mean that he is less faithful to his owners or less attached to his family.
On the other hand, they are said to be stubborn, which adds to their persevering character. The biggest difficulty that Cumbler Spaniel owners face is that if they are not interested, they do not follow orders.
In this sense, if a dog of this size stands up during the walk and does not want to walk, it cannot be forced to move forward. However, the owners also claim that with rewards, especially food, it’s easy to convince him to obey.
Clumber spaniel care
Due to the irresponsible breeding of this breed, Clumber Spaniels present several recurring health problems that need prevention and attention from their human families.
Like almost all large breed dogs, they are prone to hip dysplasia. Problems derived from dysplasia (from pain to hind leg paralysis) should be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian. It should be noted that basing your diet on a feed enriched with chondroprotectors is a common preventive measure.
This breed of dog also has a tendency to have eyelid problems, both entropion and ectropion. Like hip dysplasia, its treatment or prevention should be monitored by a veterinarian.
The list of possible problems does not end here, since hypothyroidism is common. If your clumber spaniel is lethargic, tires out too quickly and has a tendency to gain weight, it is best to do a vet check and rule out that they are symptoms of a thyroid problem.
Finally, like all dogs with a lot of hair and, especially with long hair, it requires frequent brushing. It is not recommended to cut your hair, but you will need a straightening at the beginning of each shedding season to help you get rid of dead hair, which will help regulate body temperature and prevent skin problems.
The clumber spaniel is an imposing looking dog, but good-natured, endearing to his family and friendly with his friends. Inside every sleepy clumber spaniel is a loving and playful soul.
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Image source: hujanen53, audrey_sel and Lara604
