Clumber Spaniel Care

The Clumber Spaniel is a fairly rare, medium- to large-sized breed that is affectionate, good-natured, and easy-going. These dogs, which are the largest of all spaniel breeds, aren't the most energetic dogs--but they can be quite athletic if they wan't to be (which in reality, they usually don't). Overall Clumber Spaniel care and maintenance needs are moderate overall, and consist mostly of grooming and hair cleanup (this breed's a shedder) and, because of the Clumber's high tendency for obesity, close diet monitoring.

Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for your Clumber: puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more are all covered here. For answers to your questions about owning this laid-back spaniel breed, read on!

Though considered low-energy--an idea reinforced by their slow, lumbering gait--these dogs can actually be quite active, so Clumber Spaniel exercise requirements are more extensive than people might think (though still only moderate). With their history as bird hunters, these dogs have surprising running skills and endurance, so they'll need activities like walks, jogs, and fetch that give them opportunities to stretch their legs; this type of exercise will also help them keep off excess pounds (Clumbers are extremely prone to obesity).

The typical adult Clumber, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need about 45 minutes of proper exercise per day, which you can accomplish with a couple of walks or jogs and a period of play. You can start exercising your Clumber puppy at three months old by taking it on short (5- to 7-minute) walks, then you can increase the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

Some precautions to observe when exercising your Clumber Spaniel: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running on hard surfaces, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. (This breed is especially prone to suffering hip dysplasia--and the condition often develops when the dog is a puppy, so owners are strongly advised not to overexert their young Clumbers.) And regardless of age, all Clumbers will need to be leashed when in public. These dogs have very high prey drives, and will instinctively chase small animals--birds, squirrels, and cats, to name a few--if given the chance; a leash will help you control your Clumber if it spies an interesting-looking critter. Even when exercising in your own yard, the area will need to be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off after potential prey.

Safeguards aside, it's important to exercise your Clumber every day. These dogs, while affectionate and easygoing, will become very destructive and disobedient if they're bored or restless--so consistent exercise will be good for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch: Clumbers love this activity, and will chase a ball or stick for hours
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor, rainy-day activity; use a rope or old towel
• Hunting: Puts these dogs in their natural element
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, Clumbers enjoy the company of other dogs
• Canine Sports: Clumbers can excel in field and agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

If your Clumber spends a lot of time indoors, it's good to give the dog access to several balls and chew-toys that will allow it to burn excess energy. (These dogs are frequent "chewers"--so better a toy than your favorite pair of slippers!) It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs need a good bit of care. Clumber Spaniel shedding is fairly heavy year-round; drooling is a pretty common issue as well.

Clumbers have soft, thick, medium-length coats that shed a good bit all year long. Daily brushing will be necessary to reduce the amount of shed hairs (and to keep the coats from matting and tangling); hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be required fairly often for owners of this breed.

And a Clumber will drool in anticipation of food, after drinking water, and when especially excited or nervous. Owners are advised to keep old rags in rooms where to dog spends its time to clean up excess slobber--and if the drool is especially heavy, owners can tie a bandanna or towel around the dog's neck to keep its chest and neck from getting dirty and stinky from the drool.

If one thing is certain about this breed, it's that it loves to eat! Owners will need to closely monitor both what they feed their Clumbers--and even more important, how much the dogs consume. This means that the most sensible Clumber Spaniel food choice is the premium dry kind. This high-quality kibble, while more expensive and difficult to obtain, contains balanced portions of animal proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--all of which your Clumber will need to maintain its health in the long term. Cheap, generic dog food is not recommended for this breed, because it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that don't provide enough nutrients, are harder for the dog to digest, and may even shorten its lifespan if eaten on a daily basis.

Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild are three recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium dry food.

The typical adult Clumber, depending on its age, size, and activity level, will need about three cups of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. Clumber puppies, again depending on age, need a bit less: about 2¼ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months of age.

For more info on feeding a Clumber Spaniel from puppyhood through maturity, see this chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.

It's especially important for Clumber Spaniel owners to try and stick to the above-listed portions if at all possible. These dogs will happily eat all the food you give them--and they'll likely beg for more! But dogs of this breed are especially prone to obesity, and an overfed, under-exercised, fat Clumber Spaniel will have major joint problems, not to mention breathing and digestive issues and even a shortened lifespan. You can help control your Clumber's weight by establishing consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time, thereby allowing it to eat anytime it wants. It's better to put your Clumber's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up a few minutes after the dog begins eating.

If you're worried your Clumber is overweight, give the dog this simple test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time. Reduce the dog's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk, jog, or play period to its daily exercise schedule.