Although the origin of the Clumber spaniel is uncertain, it’s probable that England is where this dignified breed originates from. During the 1700s, nobles eagerly sought out this spaniel as a hunting companion, particularly for bird flushing. It’s believed that the present-day breed was initially created by crossing now-extinct Alpine spaniels with Basset hounds and Saint Bernards, taking advantage of the Clumber’s hound-like characteristics, instinctive talent for flushing and retrieving game, and Saint Bernards’ reliable and dedicated demeanor. Given these traits, it’s understandable why this lineage could be feasible.
The Clumber spaniel breed was named after the Nottinghamshire-based Clumber Park. They were utilized as gun dogs by the Duke of Newcastle, and their advancement was largely thanks to gamekeeper William Mansel. These dogs were exclusively bred and owned by the British upper class.
There is some uncertainty surrounding the arrival of the Clumber spaniel in England. One widely circulated though unproven idea suggests that the breed originated in France and was sent to England for protection during the chaos of the French Revolution. However, there are some discrepancies regarding the accuracy of this claim, such as a painting from 1788 of the Duke of Newcastle hunting with dogs that appear strikingly similar to Clumber spaniels. This painting was created a full year before the start of the French Revolution.
Nevertheless, there is a unanimous consensus among breed historians that the Clumber spaniel was highly esteemed as a gun dog by the upper class in England, and only affluent landowners bred them. However, this changed in the mid-1800s when the breed was introduced in Canada. Subsequently, the Clumber spaniel became a vital component, albeit not a widespread one, of dog breeding in North America and was among the initial nine dog breeds eligible for AKC registration in 1878.
During World War I, breeding of the Clumber spaniel virtually came to a halt, resulting in a significant setback in the breed’s development. However, much like the dog’s pace in the field, the breed slowly but surely recovered from this setback. Although still relatively rare in North America, many breeders believe that these dogs are a well-kept secret, which resonates with their early history as cherished companions on English estates.
Clumber Spaniel Care
For the Clumber spaniel to flourish, significant time and dedication from its family is required, despite its adaptable and relaxed nature. It is crucial that owners comprehend and meet these dogs’ grooming, exercise, and social requirements to ensure their contentment and well-being.
Exercise
These dogs were specifically bred for outdoor activity, and thus derive pleasure from engaging both their physical and mental abilities. Ensure that your Clumber spaniel is given a minimum of 30-60 minutes of exercise daily, in the form of either a single long walk or two shorter ones, to ensure that it remains content even when indoors. They may not be particularly fast, but their aptitude for agility, obedience, and rallies makes for enthusiastic competition. This bird dog is a proficient retriever, and therefore will be in its element when it gets to participate in engaging games of fetch.
It should be kept in mind that Clumber spaniels possess a strong sense of confidence and assurance; however, they were initially bred to serve as hunting partners that work in groups. Therefore, leaving them outside unaccompanied for an entire day may not be ideal. If they are left alone for a prolonged period, Clumbers might develop anxiousness or engage in destructive behavior.
Grooming
Despite not being a breed that heavily sheds, Clumbers tend to shed their medium-length hair throughout the year and more so during winter and spring. To minimize shedding, brush your Clumber with a slicker brush multiple times a week. Moreover, dog owners should pay attention to their canine’s dental hygiene, nail trimming, and ear checking for any dirt or debris. To avoid infections, use a dog-friendly ear cleaner to cleanse the ears as necessary.
The Clumber has a reputation for excessive drooling due to their floppy flews which can lead to slobbery kisses. However, caring for a Clumber mainly involves managing their fur and occasional drool. This entails giving them frequent baths, moderate exercise, and showering them with affection to keep them in great shape and well-rounded as pets.
Training
The Clumber spaniel exhibits a high level of intelligence and is famously easy to train. These dogs demonstrate excellent obedience skills even with minimal input from their owners. Basic training can start when the puppies are as young as six weeks old; however, more complex training can go on throughout their lives. This breed has a willingness to acquire knowledge and reacts well to positive rewards-based training techniques that don’t impose any form of punishment.
As with any dog breed, provide proper socialization for your Clumber spaniel early in life to ensure that they’re friendly toward people, children, and other animals. When it comes to stranger danger, the Clumber spaniel isn’t overly shy about new faces, but it also isn’t quick to sound the alarm. In fact, Clumbers are a relatively quiet breed that isn’t known for barking often.
Common Health Problems
Although the Clumber spaniel has a lengthy ancestral lineage, it generally doesn’t suffer from major health issues. However, there are several typical conditions for which it is susceptible. Undertaking tests such as hip and elbow evaluations, an ophthalmology examination, and PDP1 testing can help alleviate some of these concerns as it enables identification of the rare genetic enzyme deficiency.
It is important to be aware that due to their natural bird retrieving instincts, Clumber spaniels have a tendency to carry items in their mouth. This behavior can be risky as the dog may accidentally swallow foreign objects that can result in health issues and the need for surgical intervention. It is recommended to train your Clumber to avoid chewing on household objects and to only provide them with safe toys for playing and chewing.
Typical health issues found in Clumber spaniels include the following:
- Elbow and Hip Dysplasia : Dysplasia is caused by a malformation in your dog’s joints as they grow, and this painful condition may require surgery in severe cases.
- Hypothyroidism : Also known as underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism prevents the body from producing healthy levels of important hormones.
- PDP1 Deficiency: This enzyme disorder is common in Clumber and Sussex spaniels, and it causes exercise-induced collapse.
- Entropion or Ectropion: This inherited condition causes an eyelid to become flipped out (ectropion) or rolled inwards (entropion).
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) : Also known as a herniated disc or slipped disc, IVDD affects your dog’s spine and can cause extreme pain or even paralysis.
BONUS: How to Choose the Best Dog Food
In a perfect scenario, dog food would be uniform in quality. However, numerous dog food products are available, each boasting of being the superior option. It can be daunting for dog owners to sift through these choices to find an ideal dog food that is not only nutritious and economical, but also appetizing for their pets. To alleviate the frustration, our experts have gathered useful recommendations to assist you in filtering your choices.
What Makes a Dog Food “Good”?
Dry kibble or canned wet food is the most common type of food that people give their dogs. Although these processed foods are not something that humans would typically like, they are packed with all the essential nutrients that dogs require to maintain good health. Professional experts in veterinary science strictly oversee top-quality commercial dog foods, after conducting extensive testing. Therefore, what exactly comprises these dog foods?
Contrary to cats, dogs are not exclusively carnivorous and can obtain essential nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to meat which forms the bulk of their diet. These non-meat foods are not mere additives, but are essential sources of crucial vitamins, minerals, and fiber. An ideal dog diet should consist of meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits, and incorporate premium-quality ingredients that are compatible with the digestive system of your dog.
Dog Food Nutrition
To ensure that your furry friend’s nutritional requirements are met, it is important to find the most suitable dog food. Even though most commercial dog food brands meet the minimum nutritional standards, it’s essential to keep in mind that not all dogs share the same nutritional needs.
Throughout their lives, dogs need various nutrients in varying amounts. Puppies have different dietary needs than adult dogs, so it’s recommended to give them puppy formula or “all life stages” food. The Merck Veterinary Manual offers guidance on the suggested nutritional needs and amounts by weight and age of dogs, in case you’re unsure about the difference. It’s important to note that large breed and puppy dogs need different dietary needs than small breed and puppy dogs.
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation
There is an abundance of misconceptions and inaccurate information regarding dog nutrition circulating online. Nonetheless, a straightforward approach to sift through it all is to verify your sources. Numerous individuals, although well-intentioned, assert inaccurate claims about dog nutrition without providing scientific validation. While conducting your research, it is crucial to verify whether the information is corroborated by a reliable authority, such as a veterinarian, canine nutrition specialist, or scientific investigation. Additionally, it is advisable to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism. If something appears to be too fantastic to be true, it very likely is.
There are various queries surrounding dog food including grain-inclusive or grain-free options, those without peas, and those containing animal byproducts. If your dog is suffering from a food allergy associated with grains, you can opt for grain-free food with the help of your vet. Although grains are usually a commendable source of nourishment for dogs, quality animal byproducts such as organ meats and entrails can provide even more nutrients compared to the muscle meat that humans consume. Byproducts shouldn’t include hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. If you have any concerns about your dog’s food, don’t hesitate to consult your vet.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
Deciphering a good dog food from a bad dog food can be done by reading the label, but it is not always so simple. The labels can be difficult to read due to small print and the awkwardness of handling large bags of dog food in the store. Moreover, it’s possible for them to be misleading despite the fact that the Merck Veterinary Manual explains. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that dog food labels contain eight crucial pieces of information, and in addition, certain states may have their own requirements for labeling.
- Product name
- Net weight of the product
- Name and address of the manufacturer
- Guaranteed analysis
- List of ingredients
- Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
- Statement of nutritional adequacy
- Feeding guidelines
Product Name
The name of the product alone can provide significant information about its contents. The term “beef” indicates that the product must contain a minimum of 70% beef. However, products labeled as “beef dinner,” “beef entrée,” or “beef platter” only need to contain a minimum of 10% beef. Products labeled as “with beef” require a minimum of 3% beef, while products with “beef flavor” imply that the product has a taste of beef, but with less than 3% actual beef content. The same applies to other labeled ingredients, such as “chicken.”
Ingredients
The quality and origin of ingredients in dog food cannot be determined solely from the ingredient list on the label. Furthermore, some manufacturers separate ingredients to create a more balanced distribution, such as listing types of corn separately. As a result, corn may appear lower on the ingredient list, despite being a main component of the food. Another complicated ingredient is meat, which often includes a high percentage of water weight in whole meats, resulting in a lower overall percentage after processing. In contrast, meat meal might not sound as appealing, but it includes more meat than whole meats since it does not have any water weight.
Although the quality of the ingredients might not be disclosed by the ingredient list, it does provide information regarding the content of the food, which is crucial particularly for dogs with dietary restrictions or sensitivities, and beneficial for pet owners who aim to include certain fiber, protein, and carbohydrate sources in their dogs’ diet.