Clumber Spaniel
Height43–51 cm (17–20 in)
Weight25–39 kg (55–86 lbs)
TypeSporting
Life Expectancy10–12 yrs
OriginEngland
The heaviest of all spaniels, with a low-slung, dignified build and a gentle disposition. Clumber Spaniels are loyal, easy-going sporting dogs that work methodically in the field and relax happily at home.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
3/5
Playfulness
3/5
Energy Level
2/5
Social
Good with Kids
4/5
Good with Dogs
4/5
Good with Strangers
3/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
3/5
Exercise Needs
2/5
Watchdog Ability
2/5
Barking Level
2/5
Care
Shedding
4/5
Grooming Needs
3/5
Health Robustness
3/5
Where Are Clumber Spaniels From?
The Clumber Spaniel is the heavyweight of the spaniel world, and it was built that way on purpose. Developed on the Clumber Park estate of the Duke of Newcastle in 18th-century England, this breed was designed to push slowly through dense undergrowth, flushing game birds at a pace comfortable for hunters who preferred walking to running. British aristocracy kept the breed exclusive for decades — King Edward VII and his son George V both bred Clumber Spaniels at Sandringham.
What Is It Like Living With a Clumber Spaniel?
Clumber Spaniels have a calm, dignified presence that sets them apart from the bouncing energy of most sporting breeds. They’re affectionate without being demanding, loyal without being clingy, and thoughtful in a way that can look like stubbornness during training. A Clumber Spaniel will consider your command, decide whether it makes sense, and then respond at their own pace. They’re not slow learners — they’re deliberate thinkers. With children, they’re patient and gentle. With other dogs, they’re generally easy-going as long as the other dog doesn’t push too hard.
How Much Exercise Does a Clumber Spaniel Need?
Exercise needs are surprisingly modest for a sporting breed: 30–45 minutes of daily walking suits most Clumber Spaniels fine. They’ll happily do more on a weekend hike, but they won’t bounce off the walls if a day is quiet. The coat sheds heavily and continuously — white hair on everything is part of the Clumber Spaniel experience. Brush two to three times weekly and keep the feathering trimmed to reduce debris collection. The ears need regular cleaning to prevent infections.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Clumber Spaniel?
Health concerns include hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease related to their long backs, entropion (eyelids rolling inward), and hypothyroidism. They’re prone to weight gain, so portion control matters. Clumber Spaniels are excellent for families, seniors, and anyone wanting a gentle sporting companion without the hyperactivity common to other spaniels. They’re not ideal for joggers, neatness perfectionists, or people who want a quick-responding obedience dog. The detail that surprises most people: at 25–39 kilograms, a Clumber Spaniel can outweigh many Labrador Retrievers despite being classified as a medium-sized breed.
Our Honest Take on the Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber is a slow, dignified, drooly anomaly in the spaniel family — wonderful in the right home, miserable in the wrong one. They're not retrievers in spaniel clothing; they're their own thing, and they're heavy.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Expecting Springer-level energy. Clumbers are deliberate and need moderate exercise (45 minutes/day), but pushing them like a working Cocker leads to joint injuries.
- 2Free-feeding. The breed is food-obsessed and prone to obesity; an overweight Clumber is a Clumber with hip dysplasia by age 5.
- 3Ignoring the drool and shed. They drool heavily and shed year-round — owners surprised by either return them within the first year at high rates.
- 4Skipping PDP1 testing. Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency is breed-specific and DNA-testable for under $75; never buy from a breeder who hasn't done it.
Who Should Think Twice
Avoid Clumbers if you have a pristine home (drool will end up on the ceiling — physics is mysterious), want an athletic running partner, have stairs the dog can't navigate slowly, or expect quick obedience. Also skip if you're sound-sensitive: Clumbers snore. Loudly. The breed is also genuinely rare in the US (under 200 puppies registered most years), so expect to travel and wait 12–24 months for a well-bred pup.
Real Costs in 2026
Clumber Spaniel puppies from health-tested breeders (hips, eyes, PDP1): $2,500–$4,000 in 2026, with a tight breeder network and long waitlists. Annual costs including large-breed food ($65–$80/month), grooming every 8–10 weeks ($75–$100), and routine vet care total $2,400–$3,400. Pet insurance at $55–$75/month is recommended given hip dysplasia rates and ear infection frequency in the breed.
Living With a Clumber Spaniel: Year by Year
Clumber puppyhood is dignified and slow — these heavy-built spaniels (60-85 pounds) are deliberate from week 8, and most owners are surprised by how little classic 'spaniel bounce' they show. They are calm, food-focused, and emotionally even-keeled. Adolescence (8-24 months) is mild compared to working spaniels; expect occasional stubbornness but minimal manic phases. Prime adulthood (2-8) is what English country house owners loved: a heavy, devoted, room-temperature dog that lies on the carpet, watches the household, and explodes into focus when birds appear. The surprise that catches owners is the food obsession — Clumbers will counter-surf, garbage-dive, and steal full sandwiches with calm, deliberate professionalism that feels almost insulting. Senior years are short for the size; median lifespan is 10-12 years, with hip dysplasia, entropion, and ear infections being the most common chronic issues. Many Clumbers slow dramatically by age 8.
The Training Reality
Clumbers are intelligent and food-motivated but slow to react — Coren ranks them in the lower-middle tier, and the practical experience is that they think before complying. Housetrained by month 5-6, slower than retrievers. Marker training works very well; the breed loves food, but high-value rewards must be paired with calm energy or the dog disengages. The realistic ceiling is solid pet obedience plus hunt-test work, therapy work, and tracking; agility is not realistic for the breed's heavy build. The training pitfall is the food obsession itself — without strict portion control during training, you create a 90-pound dog that breathes only through its mouth from obesity. The breakthrough most owners need is using the daily kibble ration as training rewards rather than adding treats. Skip harsh handling; Clumbers shut down for hours and many become avoidant of the offending handler. Plan for 12-18 months of consistent training, with patience for the breed's measured response style.
A Day in the Life
Morning is a 30-45 minute walk at moderate pace; Clumbers do not jog, run, or hike at speed, and pushing distance produces joint injuries and exhaustion. Daytime they lie in soft spots near their person, snore loudly, and follow into rooms with deliberate slow movement. The dense white double coat sheds heavily year-round; weekly brushing is mandatory and the white hair appears on every dark surface. The drool is industrial — long ropes that hit the ceiling on a head-shake — and the ears require weekly cleaning to prevent yeast infections. Most Clumbers sleep 14-16 hours, among the highest of any working spaniel. Evening is another 30-minute walk plus calm time. The quirk owners only discover after living with one: Clumbers carry. They pick up shoes, socks, sticks, and household objects and walk around with them in their mouths, often presenting them as gifts. They also snore at industrial volume — 60+ decibels, audible through walls.
How Clumber Spaniels Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Sussex Spaniel (the rarest English spaniel), Clumbers are slightly larger and lighter-colored; Sussexes are golden-liver and even rarer. Compared to a Cocker Spaniel, Clumbers are 2-3x the size, dramatically calmer, and have lower exercise needs; Cockers are bouncier and more vocal. Compared to a Field Spaniel, Clumbers are heavier-built and slower; Field Spaniels are more athletic and agile. Compared to a Springer Spaniel, Clumbers are dramatically less athletic and need 1/3 the exercise; Springers are tireless field workers. If you want the calm spaniel temperament with better health and longer lifespans, a well-bred Sussex Spaniel is the closest match but waitlists run 18-36 months in the US.
Great For
- Families with children
- Low-activity households
- Multi-pet households
Think Twice If
- You dislike cleaning up fur
Are Clumber Spaniels Prone to Health Issues?
Clumber Spaniels are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, entropion, hypothyroidism. Regular vet visits and a healthy diet help prevent common issues.
Health Robustness
3/5
How Much Does a Clumber Spaniel Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,500–$3,000
Monthly Food
$55
Annual Vet
$500
Annual Grooming
$150
Est. First Year
~$3,560
Est. Annual
~$1,310
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Clumber Spaniel cost?
A Clumber Spaniel puppy typically costs $1,500–$3,000. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $3,560, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,310.
How long do Clumber Spaniels live?
Clumber Spaniels have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, entropion, hypothyroidism.
Are Clumber Spaniels good with kids?
Clumber Spaniels score 4/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Clumber Spaniels shed a lot?
Clumber Spaniels have a shedding level of 4/5. They are heavy shedders and require regular brushing to manage loose fur.
Are Clumber Spaniels good for apartments?
Clumber Spaniels score 3/5 for apartment friendliness. They can live in apartments with sufficient daily exercise and mental stimulation.