Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber Spaniel breed dates back to the latter part of the sixteenth century during the French Revolution of 1789. Stories told that during the revolution, a French duke (Duc de Noailles) saved the breed by sending the dogs to the duke's Clumber Park Estate, where the breed acquired its name. Since then, the Clumber spaniel has been kept and bred by British Royalty, including Prince Albert, King Edward VII, and King George V. The breed is officially recognised by the Kennel Club UK.

In 1844, a British officer brought the breed to North America via Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it was later recognised as one of the first nine breeds the American Kennel Club registered in 1878. Today, the Clumber spaniel ranks 121st amongst the 155 dog breeds registered in the AKC.

The Clumber Spaniel is the largest amongst the spaniel breeds standing 43–51 centimetres at the withers and weighing 55–85 pounds. It resembles the Sussex spaniel when it comes to its shape. However, the Clumber is heavy-boned with a massive melting head. It has soulful eyes with a dopey expression, distinguished deep stop, square nose, and large vine-like ears.

This dog breed has a body that is rectangular in proportion (longer than its height). Since it has short legs, it tends to slightly roll whilst walking but with an easy-going pace. The Clumber Spaniel has a silky coat that lies flat to its body. The ears, legs, and chest are moderately feathered whilst sporting a frill around the neck. The Clumber’s coat comes in two colour types: a plain white body with either a lemon or orange markings.

The breed is an average shedder, but there are some days when it will shed heavily. To keep loose hair to a minimum, daily brushing is required. Bathing can be done when necessary, especially if the coat already holds a significant amount of dirt.

Whilst grooming, don't forget to check for sores or signs of infection such as redness and tenderness. Preventive measures must also be taken to ensure that a Clumber does not develop ear infections. Gently wipe the ear with moistened cotton ball using a vet-recommended solution. Also, take good care of its teeth by brushing it twice or thrice a week to remove tartar and prevent gum disease and bad breath.

Dog owners need to know the basic nutritional needs of a Clumber spaniel considering its characteristics. When in doubt, consult with a veterinarian.

The following is the typical calorie needs of an adult Clumber Spaniel per day:

• Senior and less active: up to 1,500 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1,690 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 1,880 calories daily

The cost to buy a Clumber spaniel depends on many factors such as breeder's reputation and location, the puppy's lineage, breed popularity, training, and socialisation efforts it received. Considering all these factors, a Clumber Spaniel may cost you anywhere from £600 to £900.

However, the annual cost must not be overlooked when caring for a Clumber Spaniel. When calculating your budget, make sure to account the price of food, which is about £40 to £60 monthly, and vaccines and other veterinary consultation bills, which will quickly add up to £1,000 a year. Don't forget to factor in pet insurance, which may set you back £26 a month for a basic cover or £62 a month for a lifetime policy.

Roughly, you will be shelling out around £90 to £140 a month for the upkeep of a Clumber Spaniel. However, this estimate largely depends on the type of pet insurance you avail, provided that the insurance covers sudden illnesses.