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Clumber Spaniel
Distinctively colored, the
Clumber Spaniel is difficult to trace through history. He is a
friendly and affectionate dog who loves to be outdoors in the
country.
History:
The breed takes its name from
Clumber Park, the Duke of Newcastle's estate from the late
eighteenth century. It is likely that the breed has its
ancestry from the old Alpine Spaniel, possibly crossed with an
early form of Basset Hound or Bloodhound, thus giving the
Clumber Spaniel its heavy head and short legs. French
aristocrats are known to have presented the Duke of Newcastle
with Spaniels, and the breed then developed and spread to
surrounding estates and families. Its reputation as a shooting
dog spread with its popularity, peaking in the nineteenth
century before waning after the Second World War. The breed is
rarely seen outside of Great Britain and America.
Physical
characteristics:
The Clumber Spaniel is a
massive dog with a thoughtful expression. It is an active dog
which moves with a rolling gait. Height: 19 - 20 in (48 - 51
cm). Weight: 55 - 65 lb (25 - 29.5 kg) for dogs and 35 - 50 lb
(16 - 22.7 kg) for bitches. The head is large and square with
a prominent occiput, heavy eyebrows, and well-defined stop.
The muzzle is heavy, and the nose is square and flesh-colored.
The eyes are dark amber and slightly sunken, with some haw
showing. The ears are large and vine leaf-shaped, drooping
slightly forward, and well-covered with straight hair.
The coat is silky and
abundant, with straight fur, and the legs are well-feathered.
The coat color is the most striking feature of the Clumber
Spaniel: the plain white coat is marked with lemon or orange
freckling on the muzzle, and some head markings.
Behavior:
This big Spaniel has a
personality to match its size. It is a wonderfully sociable
dog that is eager to please its owner. Although not now as
popular as the better known Spaniels, this dog makes both a
good worker and an excellent companion. Its alert manner and
strong sense of territory make it an excellent watch-dog that
delights in alerting its owner. Wise owners will train this
Spaniel to bark at the things they consider important, to
reduce any later problems. This dog does not like to be left
alone for long periods of time. Rather, it benefits greatly
from the closeness of people and other dogs. This
beautiful-looking dog should still be treated assertively,
particularly as it is growing u
This dog is highly trainable
and thrives on the tasks its owner provides. It is an
intelligent dog that requires plenty of exercise. After
vigorous exercise, the feet should be checked, and any debris
removed from its coat. The ears should be checked regularly,
particularly during hot weather, as they have restricted air
flow around them. The Clumber Spaniel is a wonderful dog that
should be given more recognition
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