American Kennel Club (AKC) Sporting Group
Clumber Spaniel Breed Standard

Recognized 1884 - App: 1/8/01- Eff: 3/28/01

History

Some doubt exists about the origin of the Clumber Spaniel, but most believe the breed originated in 18th-century France with ancestors such as the Basset Hound and early Alpine Spaniel. The Clumber was prized for his ability to hunt in heavy cover and his quiet style, which allowed him to come up very close to the game. The breed received its modern name when a large French kennel moved Duke of Newcastle's Clumber Park at the start of the French Revolution in an effort to save its dogs.

General Appearance
The Clumber Spaniel is a long, low, substantial dog. His heavy brow, deep chest, straight forelegs, powerful hindquarters, massive bone and good feet all give him the power and endurance to move through dense underbrush in pursuit of game. His white coat enables him to be seen by the hunter as he works within gun range. His stature is dignified, his expression pensive, but at the same time he shows great enthusiasm for work and play.

Size, Proportion, Substance
The Clumber is rectangular in shape possessing massive bone structure and has the appearance of great power. The ideal height for dogs is 18 to 20 inches at the withers and for bitches is 17 to 19 inches at the withers. The ideal length to height is 11 to 9 measured from the withers to the base of the tail and from the floor to the withers. Dogs weigh between 70 and 85 pounds and bitches weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.

Head
The head is massive with a marked stop and heavy brow. The top skull is flat with a pronounced occiput. A slight furrow runs between the eyes and up through the center of the skull. The muzzle is broad and deep to facilitate retrieving many species of game. The nose is large, square and colored shades of brown, which include beige, rose and cherry. The flews of the upper jaw are strongly developed and overlap the lower jaw to give a square look when viewed from the side. A scissors bite is preferred. The eyes are dark amber in color, large, soft in expression, and deep set 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 but excessive haw is undesirable. Prominent or round shaped eyes are to be penalized. Excessive tearing or evidence of entropion or ectropion is to be penalized. Ears are broad on top with thick ear leather. The ears are triangular in shape with a rounded lower edge, set low and attached to the skull at approximately eye level.

Neck, Topline, Body
The Clumber should have a long neck with some slackness of throat or presence of dewlap not to be faulted. The neck is strong and muscular, fitting into a well laid back shoulder. The back is straight, firm, long and level. The brisket is deep and the ribs well sprung. The chest is deep and wide. The loin arches slightly. The tail is well feathered and set on just below the line of back; its trimming minimal, serving to tidy the feathering to allow for a natural appearance and outline. The tail is normally carried level with the topline or slightly elevated, never down between the rear legs. The tail may be docked or left natural, both being of equal value. If docked, the tail's length should be in keeping with the overall proportion of the adult dog. If natural, the tailbone should extend to the point of hock, but should not extend to the ground.

Forequarters
The Clumber shoulder is well laid back. The upper arm is of sufficient length to place the elbow under the highest point of the shoulder. The forelegs are short, straight and heavy in bone, with elbows held close to the body. Pasterns are strong and only slightly sloped. The front feet are large, compact and have thick pads that act as shock absorbers. Removal of dewclaws is optional.

Hindquarters
The thighs are heavily muscled and, when viewed from behind, the rear is round and broad. The stifle shows good functional angulation, and hock to heel is short and perpendicular to the ground. Lack of angulation is objectionable. The rear feet are not as large or as round as on the front feet but compact, with thick pads and are of substantial size.

Coat
The body coat is dense, straight and flat. It is of good weather resistant texture, which is soft to the touch, not harsh. Ears are slightly feathered with straight hair. Feathering on the legs and belly is moderate. The Clumber has a good neck frill and on no condition should his throat be shaved. Evidence of shaving is to be penalized. The hair on the feet should be trimmed neatly to show their natural outline and for utility in the field. The rear legs may be trimmed up to the point of the hock. Tail feathering may be tidied. Trimming of whiskers is optional.

Color and Markings
The Clumber is primarily a white dog with lemon color or orange color markings. Markings are frequently seen on one or both ears and the face. Facial markings include color around one or both eyes, freckling on the muzzle and a spot on top of the head. A head with lemon/orange markings and an all-white head are of equal value. Freckles on the legs and/or a spot near the root of the tail are also frequently seen and acceptable. The body should have as few markings as possible.

Gait
The Clumber moves easily and freely with good reach in front and strong drive from behind, neither crossing over nor elbowing out. The hocks drive in a straight line without rocking or twisting. Because of his wide body and short legs he tends to roll slightly. The proper Clumber roll occurs when the dog, with the correct proportion, reaches forward with the rear leg toward the centerline of travel and rotates the hip downward while the back remains level and straight. The gait is comfortable and can be maintained at a steady trot for a day of work in the field without exhaustion.

Temperament
The Clumber Spaniel is a gentle, loyal and affectionate dog. He possesses an intrinsic desire to please. An intelligent and independent thinker, he displays determination and a strong sense of purpose while at work. A dog of dignity, the Clumber Spaniel may sometimes seem aloof with people unknown to him, but in time he will display his playful and loving nature. The Clumber Spaniel should never be hostile or aggressive; neither is acceptable and should not be condoned.

United Kennel Club (UKC) Terrier Group
Clumber Spaniel Breed Standard

Recognized 1980 - Revised 1/1/2007

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.

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 backline, and is carried parallel to the ground.

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 and 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 - Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.