Clumber Spaniel

Gun Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

There are several theories regarding the origin of the Clumber Spaniel. One states that it was developed in France by the French Duc de Noailles. Threatened by revolution, he transferred his dogs to the Duke of Newcastle, his close friend in England. The Duke's estate, Clumber Park, undoubtedly was the source of the breed’s name. Some believe that crosses with the heavy Alpine Spaniel and Basset Hound helped produce this breed. Due to his heavy build, he is slower at his work of upland hunting than his lighter-boned spaniel cousins.

The Clumber Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1980.

General Appearance

General appearance is one of great power; a long, low, heavy-looking dog with a large, massive head. They are deliberate and sedate in movement, with a characteristic rolling, but never clumsy, gait. The coat is silky and straight, extremely dense, and white with lemon or orange colored markings.

The sum of their characteristics indicates a dog that has the power and endurance to move through heavy underbrush in the pursuit of game.

Characteristics

The Clumber Spaniel has massive bone and a rectangular shape. The proportions of length, measured from the withers to the set on of the tail, to height, measured from the withers to the ground, are eleven to nine.

Their expression is pensive, and their stature is dignified, accompanied by great enthusiasm for work and play. In temperament, they are a loyal and affectionate breed. They may be reserved with strangers, but are never hostile or timid.

Head and Skull

The head is massive.

SKULL

The flat topskull has a pronounced occiput. A slight furrow runs between the eyes, up through the center of the skull. The stop is marked. Brows are heavy.

MUZZLE

The broad, deep muzzle is conducive to retrieving. Flews on the upper jaw are strongly developed, overlapping the lower jaw; giving a square outline when viewed from the side.

TEETH

A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES

The large eyes are set deep in either a diamond-shaped rim or a rim with a "V" on the bottom and a curve on the top. Some haw may show. They are dark amber in color.

Serious Faults: Prominent eyes. Round-shaped eyes. Excessive tearing. Entropian. Ectropian.

NOSE

The nose is large and square. Acceptable colors are shades of brown, to include beige, rose and cherry.

EARS

The ears are triangular in shape, broad at the top, with a rounded lower edge. They are set low and attached to the skull at about eye level. The ear leather is thick.

Neck

The long, muscular neck fits into well-laid-back shoulders. Some slackness, or dewlap, is not to be faulted.

Forequarters

The shoulders are well laid back.

FORELEGS

The upper arm is of sufficient length so that the elbow is placed directly in a line with the withers. The short, straight forelegs have heavy bone. The elbows are held close. The strong pasterns are slightly sloped. Dewclaws may be removed from the forelegs.

Body

The straight, firm back is long and level. There is a slight arch over the loin. The chest is wide and the brisket deep; with well-sprung ribs.

Hindquarters

HIND LEGS

The thighs are heavily muscled. When viewed from the rear, they appear round and broad. The stifle is moderately angulated. The rear pasterns are short and perpendicular to the ground.

Serious Fault: Lack of rear angulation.

Feet

The large, compact forefeet have thick pads. The hind feet are not as large as the forefeet but are of substantial size; and are compact, with thick pads.

Tail

The docked tail is set on just below the topline, and is carried parallel to the ground. Tail may be docked or natural, with no preference.

Coat

The ears are slightly feathered with straight hair. The neck frill is good and is never to be shaved. The weather-resistant body coat is dense, straight and flat.

Trimming of the whiskers is up to the discretion of the owner. The rear pasterns may be trimmed. The hair on the feet may be trimmed to facilitate ease and efficiency of fieldwork, and to show the natural outline. No other trimming is acceptable.

Color

The primary body color is white, accompanied by lemon or orange markings. Equal consideration is given to markings around one or both eyes or to a white face. The fewer the markings on the body, the better. A spot near the set-on of the tail is common and acceptable. Freckles (ticking) on the muzzle and forelegs are acceptable.

Height & Weight

Height is measured at the withers. Ranges include: Males, 18 to 20 inches; Bitches, 17 to 19 inches.

Weight ranges include: Males, between 70 and 85 pounds; Bitches, 55 and 70 pounds.

Gait

Their characteristic gait is easy and free, accompanied by good reach in the front and a strong drive from the rear. The hocks drive in a straight line. The proper Clumber “roll”, resulting from short legs and a wide body, occurs when the dog converges toward a centerline, rotating the hips downward while maintaining a level and straight back. This is a comfortable, efficient gait that can be maintained for a day of work in the fields.

Faults: Crossing over. Elbowing out. Rocking or twisting of the hocks.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.

The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an international registry, the United Kennel Club is aware that the practices of cropping and docking have been forbidden in some countries. In light of these developments, the United Kennel Club feels that no dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be penalized for a full tail or natural ears.