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AKC: Clumber Spaniel breed overview

Sporting group · England

Clumber Spaniel

Also called Clumber

A heavy, low-slung spaniel with a rolling walk, a gentle soul and no interest in rushing anything.

The Clumber Spaniel is the largest and most relaxed of the spaniels, a heavy-boned gun dog from England bred to work steadily through thick cover. Calm, affectionate and easygoing at home, it suits owners who want a spaniel without constant activity. Drool, shedding and a talent for gaining weight come with the package.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

25 to 39 kg

55 to 86 lb

Height

43 to 51 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

10 to 12 yrs

Activity estimate

30 to 60 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

24 months

approximate model input

Life with a Clumber Spaniel

Walk behind a Clumber and you will see the famous roll: a slow, swaying gait that seems to lack all urgency. That is exactly how the breed was meant to work. In the 18th and 19th centuries, English gamekeepers used Clumbers to push quietly through dense undergrowth, flushing birds close to hunters on foot rather than racing across open fields.

The name comes from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, home of the Dukes of Newcastle. A popular story says the French Duc de Noailles sent his spaniels there for safekeeping before the Revolution, though historians still argue about it. What is certain is that the breed won royal fans, with Prince Albert and later King Edward VII keeping them at Sandringham.

Today most Clumbers are family companions, and their temperament is the reason. They are calm, affectionate and easygoing, often described as dignified or plain lazy indoors. They like to stay close to their people, usually get on with other pets and greet strangers with polite interest rather than wild excitement. Expect a dog that enjoys a good walk, then a long nap with loud snoring.

What stands out

Training

Clumbers are intelligent and willing, but they can be slow and stubborn. They respond best to calm, patient training built on food rewards, with short sessions that keep them interested and plenty of repetition. House training often takes longer than with other spaniels, so stay consistent.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

families wanting a calm, gentle dog
owners who prefer moderate exercise
homes with older children
people at home much of the day

Think twice if

drools and snores
sheds steadily all year
gains weight easily
can be slow to house-train
eye and back problems

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Clumber Spaniel eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	29 kg	1210 kcal	325 g (3.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	29 kg	1380 kcal	375 g (3.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	36 kg	1630 kcal	440 g (4.5 cups)
Male, very active	36 kg	2040 kcal	550 g (5.5 cups)

Full Clumber Spaniel feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Clumber Spaniel

FeedingClumbers love food and pile on weight easily. 5 cups, split into two meals.Read more Puppy growthClumber puppies grow slowly and steadily, reaching adult height around 12 to 18 months and maturing fully at about 2 to 3 years. A 12-week-old puppy often weighs 8 to 11 kg (18 to 24 lb), and the heavy bone is obvious from early on.Read more ExerciseTwo unhurried walks totaling 45 to 60 minutes, with plenty of time to sniff, suit most adults. Clumbers enjoy tracking, gentle retrieving and scent games, and many enjoy a swim.Read more GroomingBrush two or three times a week with a slicker brush and a comb to lift loose hair and keep the feathering free of tangles. Clumbers shed steadily all year, with heavier spells in spring and autumn.Read more HealthThe breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, eyelid problems such as entropion and ectropion, intervertebral disc disease, ear infections and obesity. PDP1 deficiency, an inherited metabolic disorder that causes severe exercise intolerance, also occurs.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Named after Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, the estate of the Dukes of Newcastle
2One of the heaviest spaniels, with males up to 39 kg (85 lb) on a height of only about 50 cm (20 in)
3Prince Albert and later King Edward VII kept Clumbers for shooting at Sandringham
4The slow, rolling gait is a feature of the breed, not a fault
5A DNA test exists for PDP1 deficiency, an inherited metabolic disorder found in the breed

Clumber Spaniel questions

Why do Clumber Spaniels drool so much?

Their loose lips and heavy jowls let saliva escape, especially when they are excited, hungry or warm. Drool is normal in the breed and manageable with towels and regular cleaning of the lip folds. A sudden increase in drooling, trouble swallowing or pawing at the mouth can signal a problem, though, and should be checked by a vet.

Are Clumber Spaniels good with children?

Generally yes. Clumbers are gentle, calm and tolerant, and many clearly enjoy children's company. Their weight can knock over toddlers during excited greetings, so supervise play. Teach children to respect the dog's space, particularly when it is eating or sleeping, and never leave young children alone with any dog.

Are Clumber Spaniels rare?

Yes. Clumbers are among the less common spaniels, and the breed has appeared on the UK Kennel Club's lists of vulnerable or at-watch native breeds, with only a few hundred puppies registered in a typical year. Expect waiting lists and careful research to find a responsible breeder.

Can Clumber Spaniels still work as gun dogs?

Yes. While most live as companions, some are still used for rough shooting, where their methodical style suits dense cover. Working tests and field trials are held for the breed. A working Clumber quarters slowly and carefully, flushes birds close to the handler and retrieves with a soft mouth.

Do Clumber Spaniels snore?

Often, and loudly. Their heavy heads and loose facial skin contribute to the noise. Snoring on its own is common in the breed and not usually a worry. If you notice labored breathing during the day, gasping in sleep or reduced stamina on walks, though, ask your vet to check your dog over.

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