Clumber Spaniel

Sporting Group Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 17-20"
Weight 55-85 lbs
Lifespan 10-12 years
Price $1,000-$2,500

About the Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber Spaniel is a gundog built along completely different lines from its energetic cousins: heavy-boned, low to the ground, and inclined to conduct life at a walking pace. Indoors it is famously mellow, content to occupy a sofa and follow one chosen person from room to room. Its exercise needs are real but modest, since a couple of decent walks and some sniffing work suffice for most, though a Clumber given nothing to do will thicken quickly. In the field the same animal turns methodical and determined, pushing through dense cover with its nose down and remarkable persistence. Training is straightforward but slow-motion; they are willing and soft-natured, easily discouraged by sharpness, and they think before responding, which reads as stubbornness to anyone expecting instant compliance. Grooming takes more effort than the plain white coat implies, involving regular brushing, attention to feathering, and routine cleaning of ears, eyes, and the loose lips that trap food and moisture. Drooling and shedding are both facts of life here. They are quiet dogs, rarely barky, and generally tolerant of hours by themselves. Affection comes across as calm and constant rather than boisterous, which makes them good company for older or less active households provided nobody minds hair on dark clothing. The best homes value a low-key companion and will police the food bowl, because this breed carries weight easily and every extra pound sits directly on short, heavy legs.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Easy to Train Highly Intelligent
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 17-20"
Weight 55-85 lbs
Coat Type Double
Coat Length Medium
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

Moderate (30-60 min/day)

30 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Regular - 2-3x/week

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Moderate mental stimulation needed

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $1,000-$2,500
Annual Cost $1,400/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Clumber Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • First-Time Owners
  • Seniors

Guides for your Clumber Spaniel

The story behind the Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber takes its name from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, England, seat of the Dukes of Newcastle, where the breed was maintained from the later eighteenth century onward. Tradition attributes its arrival to French aristocratic kennels, though that story is not documented well enough to state as fact. What is clear is that heavy, low-slung spaniels were bred on English estates as steady walking-pace gundogs for shooting parties working thick cover. Royal patronage during the nineteenth century raised the breed's profile, and it appeared among early entries in British and American kennel club records in the 1870s and 1880s. Estate shooting declined and numbers fell with it, while both world wars reduced the population further. Today the Clumber is uncommon, kept mainly as a companion and show dog with a small working contingent.

Originally bred for: Dense-cover gundog, Walking-pace flushing spaniel, Estate shooting dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Clumber Spaniel

A heavy, low-set spaniel that gains weight almost as a hobby, so measured portions and disciplined treat use protect joints and back. Growing puppies benefit from a large-breed formula, and a bowl set at a comfortable height suits a dog with such a broad, deep muzzle.

Watch for: No breed-defining ingredient intolerance is established, though ear problems are frequent in heavily eared spaniels and are sometimes blamed on food when moisture and conformation are the real drivers. Weight control matters more than ingredient avoidance; a veterinarian should assess persistent symptoms.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Clumber Spaniel

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Clumber Spaniel with Other Breeds

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