Canis lupus familiaris
Clumber Spaniel
Featured photoclumber-spaniel.jpgThe Clumber Spaniel is the largest and heaviest of the spaniels recognised by the AKC, with a long, low, heavily built body and a predominantly white coat with lemon or orange markings. It was developed in England, most likely at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire — seat of the Duke of Newcastle — during the late 18th century, and enjoyed royal patronage from King Edward VII and King George V. The AKC admitted the breed in 1884 as one of its first ten recognised breeds. The standard describes a male standing 43–51 cm and weighing 29–39 kg.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Sporting
- Origin country
- England
- Origin period
- Late 18th century
- Coat type
- Medium
- Coat colors
- White with Lemon Markings, White with Orange Markings
- Average lifespan
- 10-12 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1884 · FCI 1954 · UKC 1940 · Group 8 — Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs (Section 2: Flushing Dogs)
Origin
The Clumber Spaniel takes its name from Clumber Park, the Nottinghamshire estate of the second Duke of Newcastle. Tradition holds that the Duc de Noailles brought spaniel stock from France to England in the 1770s, entrusting it to the Duke. French spaniel and possibly Basset Hound blood contributed to the breed's low, long, heavy build — suited to flushing pheasant and woodcock from dense undergrowth at a deliberate pace. Paintings by Francis Wheatley from the 1780s document dogs closely resembling the modern breed at Clumber Park.
Recognition
The AKC recognised the Clumber Spaniel in 1884, making it one of the first ten breeds admitted to the AKC stud book. The Kennel Club (UK) has recognised the breed since its foundation in 1873. The FCI standard (FCI No. 109) places the Clumber in Group 8, Section 2 (Flushing Dogs). The breed enjoyed royal patronage: King Edward VII kept Clumbers at Sandringham, and King George V was an active supporter of the breed in the early 20th century.
Standard
The AKC standard describes a massive, heavily built dog, long and low in body, with a large, square head and a thoughtful expression. The coat is dense, flat, and weather-resistant, predominantly white with lemon or orange markings concentrated on the head and ears; heavy ticking in the body coat is acceptable. Males stand 43–51 cm and weigh 29–39 kg; females 41–46 cm and 20–29 kg. The characteristic rolling, swinging gait is bred for endurance in heavy cover rather than speed.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
What AKC group is the Clumber Spaniel in?
The AKC places the Clumber Spaniel in the Sporting Group. The Sporting Group includes all AKC-recognised spaniels, which are historically categorised as flushing dogs that spring game from cover for waiting hunters. The Clumber was one of the founding members of the AKC Sporting Group when the organisation was established in 1884.
Why is the Clumber Spaniel predominantly white?
The white base coat with lemon or orange markings is a historic breed trait, believed to have been selectively fixed so hunters could easily distinguish the dog against dark cover and avoid accidentally shooting it during a flush. The Kennel Club and AKC standards both specify that white should predominate, with markings mainly on the head and ears.
When was the Clumber Spaniel first recognised by the AKC?
The AKC recognised the Clumber Spaniel in 1884, placing it among the very first cohort of breeds admitted to the AKC studbook. This makes the Clumber one of the oldest AKC-registered breeds. The Kennel Club (UK) has recognised the breed since at least 1873.
