There are many great dog breeds out there. It can be difficult to find the right one for your family. In order to get it right, you’re going to need to do some research. There is a pretty good chance that you’ve heard about the Clumber Spaniel. This unique breed is going to make a great addition to many homes. Just remember that this type of dog might not be suitable for your unique needs. How can you be certain? Read the guide below to determine whether or not the dog’s temperament is right for your family.
audrey_sel [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
About The Breed
The Clumber Spaniel is a spaniel type of dog that was developed in the United Kingdom. It is actually the largest of the spaniel breeds. While most Clumber Spaniels are going to be white, some will have orange or lemon markings. The breed was originally developed in Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. This is how they got their name. The Clumber Spaniel is a type of gun dog. They’re great for hunting in heavy cover. The temperament of the Clumber Spaniel is great. They tend to be very gentle and loyal. Just remember that many Clumber Spaniels are not going to be friendly with strangers. It might take some time to introduce them to new people.
The breed’s history is uncertain before the middle of the 19th century. It is believed that the dogs might have been kept and bred by certain members of the Royal Family in Britain.
Appearance And Size
The size of a breed can really help you determine whether or not it is going to be right for you and your family. Again, the Clumber Spaniel tends to be the largest of the spaniels. They are very long and they’re heavy bodies. They can reach 17 to 20 inches in height. On average, the heaviest Clumber Spaniels will weigh as much as 85 pounds. While the Sussex Spaniel is smaller, both breeds tend to be very similar. Clumber Spaniels usually have a dopey expression. This is one of the things that makes them so popular among modern families.
Personality
Before bringing a Clumber Spaniel into your home, you need to make sure that you can do so safely. After all, some breeds are aggressive and they should be kept away from small children. The good news is that the Clumber Spaniel is pretty gentle. Once they’ve fallen in love with your family, they’re going to be affectionate and loyal. As mentioned above, this specific breed can be aloof with strangers. They’re usually not aggressive, but they will be standoffish. Therefore, it can take a little bit of patience to get this dog comfortable with new people.
Health Issues
By all means, the Clumber Spaniel is a generally healthy breed. Nevertheless, there are plenty of things that can go wrong. For instance, it is common for these dogs to experience temporary lameness from six to twelve months. Usually, this will subside when the growth of the bones has completed. These dogs are also very prone to impacted anal sacs. If this occurs, you’ll need to take your dog to the vet to get the problem fixed. Finally, it is vital to make sure that your Clumber Spaniel has plenty of shade. After all, these dogs are very sensitive to heat.
If they do not have shade, there is a big risk that they’re going to become uncomfortably hot. They may even get dehydrated. Other problems to worry are spinal disc herniation and entropion. Hip dysplasia is also common.
Requirements
A lot of people do not have a lot of time to walk and exercise. If you fit into this category, you’ll definitely want to choose a Clumber Spaniel. The English Springer Spaniel requires a lot of exercise. The Clumber Spaniel does not. The breed’s exercise needs are much lower. It is still a good idea to make sure that your Clumber Spaniel gets at least 20 minutes of exercise each day. Another thing to note is that Clumber Spaniels shed much more than other dogs. Therefore, you’ll need to perform more cleaning. You’ll also want to brush and comb your dog far more frequently. Otherwise, there is a good chance that their hair is going to get matted together.
