Williana
Clumber Spaniel Club
Breed Information
Description of the Clumber Spaniel
The History of the Clumber Spaniel
Dear Prospective Clumber Buyer:
A Guideline of Questions That Can Be Asked of a Breeder
DESCRIPTION OF THE CLUMBER SPANIEL
Once a Clumber owner, always a Clumber owner. Few breeds return the same amount of loyalty a Clumber gives an affectionate master. His jingle bell personality and perceptive intelligence make him a much loved member of the family.
The Clumber thrives on attention. Most Clumbers love to fetch so they are not really difficult to exercise or keep amused. They also like to carry things in their mouths, often picking something off the floor to greet you with. Many Clumbers will wag their whole back ends while bending their long bodies so that the head almost touches the rear - all the while dancing a little jig. It is quite unique and captivating.
He is an excellent dog with children. Ball playing and children just naturally go together. He is usually very protective of the children in the family and especially likes babies. Clumber females are usually devoted mothers to their own puppies.
The Clumber Spaniel does not respond to harsh or insincere treatment. He simply refuses to budge, causing some people to think he is dumb. On the contrary, he is intelligent enough to let you know he will not tolerate abuse. He needs a kind, but firm hand.
Some Clumbers run to meet everyone who comes into the house, but many are aloof with strangers, not shy, but reserved and dignified. They are good watch dogs when danger is present, but generally do not bark at everything.
Much information in the all-breed books depicts the Clumber as a slow moving dog. C. Bede Maxwell, in her book, "The Truth About Sporting Dogs", devotes much of her chapter on Clumbers to denouncing this notion. Certainly Clumbers are in no way slow, lazy, or awkward!
The Clumber's personality can be summed up in this quote from "That's a Good Dog" by Brian Ghent published in London in 1953. "A Clumber Spaniel puppy looks like a happy little bear and a full grown Clumber is a great bustling creature that reminds me of an Irish washerwoman with the same tenderness of heart and loyalty of spirit. Mr. Ghent concludes, "The chief charm of a Clumber is that he looks and goes about his job as though nature had intended him for it, a solid and sturdy worker who simply loves a day in the fields. He will carry things around as soon as he is old enough for his pudgy little legs to stagger him about and goes on doing it until the evening of his days, duck, fur, feather, anything that comes."
People continue to be intrigued with this "big-little" dog with the aristocratic air.
Reprinted with permission from The Clumber Spaniel Club of America
THE HISTORY OF THE CLUMBER SPANIEL
Of all the modern breeds of land spaniels, there is none possessing such complete individuality or showing such a distinct type as the Clumber. While the Sussex, Cocker, and Field Spaniels have so many points of resemblance that the most superficial observer cannot help coming to the conclusion that they have, at no very remote date, all evolved from one common parent stock, the Clumber is as distinct from the other spaniels as is possible for a dog of a somewhat similar build and proportions to be.
Though his distinctive appearance and trueness to type are undeniable evidence of the antiquity of the breed in a pure form, its authentic origin is apparently hopeless to trace, and must remain shrouded in mystery. The aristocratic and high-bred air of the Clumber Spaniel, surpassed by that of no other breed of dog and only equaled perhaps by that of the Bloodhound, proves sufficiently his ancient and noble descent from a strain long established and carefully kept pure from any outside taint of plebeian blood for many generations. Yet the parent stock from which he has sprung seems to have utterly vanished as completely as if it had never existed, and the historian of the breed can go no further back than the last half of the 18th century.
The most accepted theory of the origin of the Clumber is that in about 1768 some spaniels were presented by the Duc de Noailles, who presumably brought them from his estate in France, to the Second Duke of Newcastle. The Duke evidently held these spaniels in high esteem and established a kennel of them at his estate at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, and from this place the name of the breed is derived. Whether these dogs were the private strain of the Duc du Noailles is impossible to say, but it seems probable in view of the subsequent history of the Clumber. As all of the known specimens of the present dog have apparently derived their descent from those few dogs which came into the possession of the Lord of Clumber, and there is no independent and coexistent strain of them to be found in France or elsewhere on the continent, it almost looks as if the Duc du Noailles had given his whole kennel to his friend in England.
Another likely theory is that the Clumber is essentially a British breed, made in England. Some historians feel that the Clumber resulted in a cross between the Alpine Spaniel and the Basset, or perhaps the Saint Bernard. Still another theory is the belief that the Clumber was bred from the old Blenheim Spaniel, which was a very different dog from the present Blenheim. Mr. James Farrow, the well known Clumber expert, is also of this opinion, and in his book, The Clumber Spaniel, published in 1912, made the following observation: We are able to avail ourselves of the help of several French spaniel experts, no trace of their origin could be discovered in that country (meaning France) where, indeed the Clumber seems to be generally looked upon as a purely English breed. The British Museum's carefully written paper by "Farrett" on the breed says, How the Clumber came into being I have failed to discover. At any rate, the way in which the characteristics of the breed have been preserved for over two centuries is very remarkable and points to their having been bred with the very greatest care, and thoroughly established for many generations.
In the hall at Clumber Park hangs a picture painted in 1788 by Francis Wheatly entitled, "The Return from Shooting", in which are portrayed the Duke of Newcastle seated on his shooting pony and four Clumber Spaniels. The spaniels in this picture vary little from the present day type which proves to a very great extent the purity of blood and persistency of type of our present day Clumber Spaniels.
For many years the breed was confined to the kennels of a few nobleman residing in the neighborhood of Clumber. It was not until the mid-nineteenth century that Clumbers got into outside hands. The popularity of the Clumbers around the beginning of the twentieth century was due in a very large measure to the excellent record of the breed at field trials. During World War I breeding operations were virtually halted, as with most breeds, and as a result numbers declined to a very low level. It was up to the breeders of that period to rebuild the breed from existing stock which remained.
In 1925 the late King George V reestablished the Sandringham Clumbers which were of inestimable value to the breed. The Royal Kennel produced a wonderful team of working dogs of excellent type and quality which also distinguished themselves in the show ring. The King rated his working dogs very highly and they were used as a team for beating in the vast rhododendrons which abound on the Sandringham Estate.
Again with World War II came a virtual cessation of breeding. After the war many of the most prominent kennels in England came into existence; prefixes such as Snowholme, Cuerden, Mason, Anchorfield and a little later Fatpastures, Oldholbans, Alansmere, Sefton and Raycroft. Firm evidence indicates that the Clumber was brought to this continent as early as 1844 by a Lt. Venables of a British regiment, who was stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and who introduced them to his fellow officers. Clumbers flourished in the Ottawa district of Canada. The Clumber Spaniel is one of the oldest breeds in America, and even though it was one of the first ten breeds recognized by the AKC when the organization was formed in 1884, the Clumber has only started to come into its own during the past decade.
The early America history of the Clumber was somewhat erratic. Their appearance at shows was sporadic until 1903 when two new exhibitors to the breed created a revival of interest, but competition was still somewhat scattered. From 1876 to 1931, nineteen Clumbers attained the title of champion. 1935 to 1942 saw 26 more finish with the Squirrel Run kennel name on most of them. In the next 25 years, only four Clumbers got a Ch. in front of their name, but 1968 began a great revival of interest in the Clumber Spaniel at dogs shows. By 1995 there are over 1,500 Clumbers registered with the AKC and well over 500 of them have either a Championship title before their name or Obedience, Tracking, and Hunting titles after their name. Clumbers are no longer the laughing stock of the Sporting Group. True, they are the clowns of the group with their temperament and antics. Much of this upsurge in popularity is due to the attitude of the judges. They are seeing sounder, showier, cleaner, and better groomed dogs that are able to compete with the other dogs in the group. The nicknames, Clumsy, Clunker, and Cucumber Spaniel no longer fit this breed.
Reprinted with permission of the Clumber Spaniel Club of America
THE CLUMBER SPANIEL STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Clumber is a long, low, heavy 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 AND SUBSTANCE:
Males are about 19 to 20 inches at the withers, bitches are about 17 inches
at the withers. Males weigh between 70 and 85 pounds, bitches between 55 and
70 pounds. The Clumber possesses massive bone, and is rectangular in shape.
Length to height is approximately 11 to 9 measured from the withers to the base
of the tail and from the floor to the withers.
HEAD:
The head is massive. The eyes are dark amber in color, large, soft in expression,
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. Prominent or round shaped eyes are to
be penalized. Excessive tearing, evidence of entropion or ectropion are to be
penalized. Ears are broad on top, set low and attached to the skull about eye
level. They are triangular in shape with a rounded lower edge. They are slightly
feathered with straight hair, and the ear leather is thick. The top skull is
flat with a pronounced occiput. A light furrow runs between the eyes and up
through the center of the skull. Marked stop, heavy brow. 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.
NECK, TOPLINE AND 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 and fits into well
laid back shoulders. The back is straight, firm, long and level. The chest is
both deep and wide. The brisket is deep. The ribs are well sprung. The loin
is only slightly arched. The tail should be docked in keeping with the overall
proportion of the adult dog. The tail is set on just below the line of the back
and is normally carried parallel to the ground.
FOREQUARTERS:
The Clumber shoulder is well laid back. The humerous or upper arm is of sufficient
length to place the elbow under the highest point of the shoulder. The forelegs
are short, straight, heavy in bone with elbows held close to the body. Pasterns
are strong and only slightly sloped. The feet are large, compact and have thick
pads which act as shock absorbers. Dewclaws may be removed. The hair may be
trimmed for neatness and utility in the field.
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 feet
on the rear legs are neither as large, or as round as on the forelegs, but are
compact, have thick pads, and are of substantial size.
COAT:
The body coat is dense, straight, flat and is of good weather resistant texture;
it 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. The feet may be trimmed
to show the natural outline, as well as the rear legs up to the point of hock.
Tail feathering may be tidied. Trimming of whiskers is optional. No other trimming
or shaving is to be condoned.
COLOR AND MARKINGS:
The Clumber is primarily a white dog with lemon or orange markings. Markings
around one eye, both eyes or whiteface are of equal value. Freckles on the muzzle
and forelegs are common. The fewer markings on the body the better, although
a spot near the root of the tail is common.
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 correct
proportion reaches forward with the rear leg toward the center line 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 fields without exhaustion.
TEMPERAMENT:
The Clumber is a loyal and affectionate dog, sometimes reserved with strangers,
but never hostile or timid.
CLUMBER
SPANIEL HUNTING STYLE
(Approved - April 30, 1996)
The AKC Hunt Test regulations state that "judges must know the hunting characteristics of the breeds they are judging.." (Pg. 23, paragraph-5) and that "various Spaniels perform differently.. Some breeds may not cover as much ground as rapidly as others but they must find, flush and retrieve birds and do so in a pleasing and efficient manner." (Pg. 24, paragraph-2.) We believe this will be a valuable document for judges, hunters and future Clumber owners. This description of the hunting characteristics of the Clumber Spaniel is the consensus of opinion of CSCA club members who hunt wild birds over their dogs. It is a composite of the natural, inherited characteristics of the breed which we find desirable and want to preserve. Since training and experience can modify these traits, it is not a detailed description of every Clumber. However, when we start with these inherited characteristics, we find the resulting style pleasing and efficient for the type of hunting we do.
The Clumber style is best understood by examining the historical purpose for which the breed was developed. Clumbers were first recognized as a distinct English breed in the mid 1700's. The gene pool was controlled by the "nobility" for the next 100 years. During this period of time, the Clumber was selectively bred for use in hedgerows and gorse. This was a very tough, woody stemmed cover. It was similar to the hardwood thickets, briars and swamps that are traditional grouse cover in America today. Sporting dogs developed specifically for this type of cover have a unique hunting style. (among the pointing breeds, "grouse dog" describes a specific style of hunting). A dog that hunts fast and hard in this hardwood type of cover will soon cripple himself. So, Clumbers were developed to hunt at a trot or a pace. It is a gait in which one front foot and the opposite rear foot move simultaneously. This is very different from the gait of a wheat field dog which normally drives off both hind feet simultaneously in a bounding or running gait.
This woody type of cover had a canopy of leaves which held in scent and slowed the wind current. This required a dog which was much more of a tracker than one which was developed to catch the body scent rising out of the grass and being carried by the wind. Since this type of cover was so difficult to penetrate, the Clumber was developed to use his nose more than his feet. Even today, he does not tend to cover every square inch of ground with his feet in hopes of startling birds he does not scent. If there is no scent, he will calmly discard an area and move on to new cover. This gives the Clumber a very lackadaisical appearance when covering ground which is devoid of bird scent.
Since the original cover was so difficult to penetrate, it required a dog with tremendous drive and determination to fight thru the brush when birds were scented. A fast hard flush was physically impossible, so the Clumber had to be very persistent on the trail until the bird was forced to the edge of the cover. Today's Clumber should "come alive" when he hits bird scent, should show strong determination to explore the faintest scent and should be very persistent as he " works it out". Jim Spencer described it as a "painstakingly thorough" search at the slightest indication of scent. This persistence also makes them somewhat more difficult to call off an old fall or an old nest. The more experienced dogs will quickly recognize the difference, but junior level dogs should be given lee-way in this area. If they are not, we will lose this drive, determination, and persistence which are a characteristic of the breed. We will lose it in favor of the type of biddability which is very impressive in a field trail situation, but does nothing to actually produce birds in a hunting situation!
Shot-guns and ammunition from that period were not as powerful as today. They had even more cripples than modern hunters. Thus, a Clumber approaches every bird as if it is a cripple that he is very intent on catching. He slows down when approaching the bird, stalking it like cat, often crouching the last few steps before pouncing on the bird. He will attempt to bat down a flushing bird with his feet and pin it to the ground. If he is successful, this can result in a dead bird with no marks on it. You will never see a Clumber stick his nose under a bird and boot it into the air.
The Hunt Test standard uses the adjective "enthusiasm" repeatedly to describe spaniels. Enthusiasm and speed are not synonymous. The dictionary defines enthusiasm as "intense or eager interest; zeal; fervor". None of these definitions has the connotation of speed, rather they describe an attitude with which a job is done. Nothing portrays a good Clumber's attitude towards birds better than the word "intense"! We are aware of no records which indicate that water work was required of the breed, but most Clumbers swim well. Their entry is very deliberate and their speed is moderate, but they should get the job done. The Clumber coat is very heavy with an undercoat which protects them from cold water. Modern hunters have used the breed as duck dogs and report that they regularly break ice. This is clearly a quality we want in today's Clumber.
To summarize; Clumbers are slow moving spaniels who normally hunt at a trot, which they can maintain all day. They may be rather casual on barren fields, but should "come alive" when they hit bird scent. They should demonstrate excellent noses as they investigate the faintest scent thoroughly. Once on scent, they should be persistent as they "work it out" and show intense desire to catch the bird before it flushes. Their water retrieving should be adequate for close decoy hunting. Their water entry is deliberate and their swimming speed moderate.
Reprinted with permission from Darrell Reeves, Hunting Chairman CSCA and The Clumber Spaniel Club of America.
Dear Prospective Clumber Buyer:
Thank you for your recent inquiry about Clumbers and Clumber breeders. The Williana Clumber Spaniel Club (WCSC) knows that if you haven't yet talked with a Clumber breeder getting the right information can be difficult. There is very little to read about them and what is available is not always accurate. We also realize that if you have never talked with a breeder before it can be a rather intimidating experience, especially when you don't know what kind of questions you should ask. The WCSC wants to assist you in finding the Clumber Spaniel that suits you. With this in mind we have developed a guide to what you should consider before talking with a breeder. We have included some questions you can ask and the possible responses you may receive. These questions and their responses may help you gather the information you need to make a decision about (1) whether a Clumber is the right breed for you and (2) if it is, who is the right breeder for you to work with.
Before you make that first call we'd like you to take a few minutes to consider what your obligations are along with those questions that you want answered by the breeders you talk to.
Not only is having a new puppy a lot of fun but it's also a lot of work. So is buying a puppy.
A puppy is not just another purchase. It's a long-term commitment and a major emotional investment. As with most purchases, your happiness with what you end up with will be determined, in large part, by how well you determine what you want and need from a dog and how carefully you do your homework and investigate your options.
It's important to remember that you wouldn't hire a helper without doing extensive interviews so don't get a lifelong canine companion without thoroughly researching its background.
Smart shopping requires learning the subject matter, asking the right questions and having good people sense. Along with knowing what questions to ask, you should keep the following points in mind while looking for a Clumber.
1. Know your priorities. Do you want a conformation dog with breeding potential, a hunting or obedience competitor, a dog that can excel in all three, or a family companion that will never see a dog show? Which kind of dog better fits your lifestyle and training methods: one that is extremely active or one that's more laid-back?
Realistically assessing what you want and sharing your priorities and concerns with the breeders you talk to as you learn about the breed will help you find the right puppy. In a litter of Clumbers attitudes can range from very active to laid-back. Any one of them can be one owner's dream and another's nightmare. Conscientious breeders try to place the right puppy with the right buyer, so an open, honest dialogue is the first step toward a successful match.
2. If you do extensive research, you will talk to many breeders. In talking with these breeders you will get many different opinions. Each breeder has his/her own way of doing things and many agree to disagree. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. You may ask about other breeders and their dogs but both the breeder and you must exercise tact. Don't ask anyone to fault another breeder's dogs. Instead, ask if they can recommend another breeder or litter if they don't have puppies at that time. Note what they say….. and what they don't say. Most importantly LISTEN CAREFULLY.
At first you may have a splitting headache from information overload and be immobilized by the paralysis or analysis. Relax. It probably means you found many good choices. Go ahead, make yourself and a lucky Clumber puppy happy.
In the long run, you've made many contacts in the Clumber world and perhaps made a few friends along the way. More importantly, you've gained the information you need to make the right decision.
A GUIDELINE OF QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE ASKED OF A BREEDER
NOTE: The responses which follow each question are not to be construed as "carved in stone" responses. They are to be used only as a guideline as to what you might expect when asking a particular question. Generally there is no right or wrong answer. Remember each breeder you talk to will have different experiences and opinions. The most important thing is that you find a breeder with whom you feel comfortable. The interaction of breeder and buyer is most important. It should be a relationship for the lifetime of the dog (and even beyond)
1. WHY DO YOU BREED CLUMBERS?
There are a variety of different answers that you might receive when this question is asked, but above all, breeders should love the Clumber and be dedicated to the future of the breed and its well being.
2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD CLUMBERS? HOW MANY CLUMBERS DO
YOU PRESENTLY OWN?
A breeder should have owned Clumbers for a minimum of 3 years. They should also have experience with at least 2 dogs, preferably of different ages and sexes. Someone who has only one dog and hopes to have a litter in the future doesn't really qualify as a breeder.
3. ARE YOU CURRENTLY ACTIVE WITH YOUR CLUMBERS?
Breeders should be currently active in breeding, showing, hunting, obedience, tracking, CGC training, therapy work, etc. It is important to keep in mind that some breeders may only be involved in some of these activities while others will be involved in all of them. The level of a breeders activities is based on what interests them most individually. It you are interested in a particular activity and a breeder is not familiar with it, he/she should be willing to direct you to someone in the WCSC who can give you more information.
4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BREEDING? HOW MANY LITTERS HAVE
YOU HAD? WHY DID YOU BREED THESE TWO DOGS? WHAT ARE THE AGES OF THE PARENTS?
The AKC considers a breeder to be the person who owns and breeds a litter of puppies. We feel that a Clumber breeder should have had a least 2 litters of Clumber puppies. Due to the fact that Clumbers can have a hard time conceiving and can also have problems in whelping, it is not uncommon for there to be a time span of a couple of years between litters. It is also very common for a breeder to be new to Clumbers but to have had experience with another breed. As Clumbers are different than most other breeds it is important that if the person you are talking to is new at having Clumber puppies that they be relying on the knowledge and expertise of a more experienced Clumber breeder. It is also very common for a first time breeder to be helped and guided by the breeder they bought their bitch from.
A breeder always strive to improve the breed. They may talk about improving certain conformation of one dog with another or may say this is a repeat breeding, and they really liked the dogs out of a previous breeding. Most good breeders keep one or two pups but occasionally sell the entire litter if they did not achieve their purpose. A breeder doesn't breed for financial gain. A bitch should be no younger than 18 months when being bred for the first time with 2 years of age or older being preferable. A dog should not be used at stud before 15 months of age.
5. CAN I SEE THE PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER RELATIVES
IN PERSON OR IN PHOTOGRAPHS? CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE DOGS IN THIS PUPPY'S
PEDIGREE?
Breeders know the puppies' ancestry and should have documentation. They should be willing to show you photographs of their dogs and any related dogs. They can usually tell you stories about the parents, grandparents, cousins and other relatives. They also can usually discern personality and confirmation type at a very early age and advise you on the puppy to pick.
6. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BREED?
Breeders should have extensive knowledge of the breed. They should be able to tell you where the breed originated, what it was originally bred for, etc.
7. WHAT IS THE TEMPERAMENT OF A CLUMBER?
This is probably the most important question you ask and answer you receive.
Temperament should be just as important, if not more important, than conformation.
It doesn't matter how pretty a dog is --- if it is aggressive with your family
and friends when they approach, the home situation will not be good. Breeders
should be straightforward with their answers to this question. Clumbers are
very loving, funny, loyal, unaggressive, and not very protective, yet they can
sometimes be reserved with strangers. It is important that a breeder lets you
know that a Clumber puppy as well as any other puppy needs socialization to
be well adjusted. It is critical that you take the time to socialize your Clumber
with many people, dogs and new experiences. The Clumber is a very social breed
and will not thrive if relegated to the status of yard dog.
8. WHAT ARE THE GOOD AND BAD POINTS OF OWNING A CLUMBER?
The information you receive from this question should be a major part of your decision making process. Breeders should be straightforward with the information that Clumbers have some unpleasant features about them. Among these are their shedding, drooling, submissive urination as puppies, bullheadedness, selective hearing, to name only a few. Keep in mind that what drives one breeder crazy may not necessarily bother another breeder.
They should also be very honest about why they love their Clumbers. This is a very personal thing and you will get many different answers.
9. ARE CLUMBERS GOOD WITH CHILDREN?
The consensus among breeders is that Clumbers are excellent with children. Don't be surprised if you encounter a breeder who has little or no personal experience with his/her Clumbers and children.
10. DO CLUMBERS MAKE GOOD HOUSE DOGS?
You will probably find that most breeders keep their dogs in a combination of house and kennel. Clumbers make wonderful full-time house dogs. It is generally felt that they do not make good full-time kennel dogs. You should be told that Clumbers are people dogs and require a lot of human companionship in order to keep them happy and healthy.
11. DO CLUMBERS TEND TO BE DESTRUCTIVE IN THE HOUSE?
Answers to this question can vary greatly. Some will say YES while others may not have much experience with this. Much depends on the particular dog, training, etc. but breeders should be honest about their experiences whether good or bad. Clumber puppies should never be left unattended loose in the house.
12. ARE CLUMBERS DIGGERS?
Again, answers to this question will vary greatly depending on the breeders experiences.
13. IS YOUR BREEDING STOCK X-RAYED FOR HIPS AT 2 YEARS
OF AGE?
You will find that some breeders x-ray and some may not. The decision to x-ray is strictly a personal preference. Whether a breeder does or does not x-ray does not signify the difference between a good or bad breeder. It is important for you to understand that due to the structure of a Clumber's hips they are for the most part classified as a clinically dysplastic breed. However, unlike other breeds that have hip dysplasia, the soundness of a Clumber is generally not affected. In either case breeders should be willing to explain the reasons for their decision to x-ray or not. If a breeder does x-ray, it is suggested that the results be available for disclosure if a buyer requests it.
14. DO YOU HAVE YOUR BREEDING STOCK'S EYES CHECKED FOR
HEREDITARY PROBLEMS?
This again is strictly a breeders personal preference. As there are a number of problems that have not yet been determined to be strictly hereditary, a breeder may or may not choose to have their dog's eyes checked. Breeders again should be willing to explain the reasons for their decision. If a breeder does have eyes checked, it is suggested that results of those examinations be available if a buyer requests it.
15. ARE THERE HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT CLUMBERS EXPERIENCE?
Clumbers may experience a wide range of problems that can occur in many other breeds. Some of these are: chronic ear infections, impacted anal glands, hip dysplasia, herniating of disks in the back and/or neck, entropion or ectropion eyelids, dry eye, a tendency to eat foreign objects requiring surgery to remove the object, auto-immune deficiency, thyroid problems, heat intolerance, seizures and susceptibility to over anesthetizing.
16. IF INTERESTED IN A PUPPY FOR BREEDING, WHAT
TYPE OF BREEDING AND/OR WHELPING PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR?
Many different problems can occur. Breeders should be willing to explain what types of problems they have experienced along with others that you could possibly encounter.
17. WHAT KIND OF GROOMING IS INVOLVED IN THE MAINTENANCE
OF A CLUMBER?
You may hear different opinions when it comes to the grooming that is involved in maintaining a Clumber's coat. Some may find it a considerable amount of work while others don't. A Clumber requires combing at least once a week to keep its coat mat free. Ears need to be cleaned, and nails should be cut once a week also. Feet and tails need to be trimmed approximately once a month. Don't be surprised if some breeders say that once their dogs are finished with dog shows they cut all the furnishings off. You'd be surprised just how cute they look, how much easier they are to maintain, and they seem to like it, especially in the summer when it's hot.
18. IN WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT DO YOU RAISE YOUR PUPPIES?
Each breeder will have his/her own particular way of raising their puppies, but no matter what, Clumber puppies should receive more attention and socialization than most other breeds. Breeders should be willing to explain the reasons they raise their puppies the way they do.
19. AT WHAT AGE DO YOU RELEASE YOUR PUPPIES TO NEW HOMES?
WHY AT THIS PARTICULAR AGE?
It is suggested that Clumber puppies be released to new homes no earlier than 10 weeks of age (at this time eye checks can be done). Breeders should explain the reasons for releasing their pups at a specific age.
20. ARE THERE ANY GROWTH PROBLEMS IN CLUMBER PUPPIES?
Yes, there can be. Some of these problems can be pano (eosinophilic panosteitis), knuckling over, slipping patellas, etc. Like most things with Clumbers, each breeder will have different experiences. Breeders should not only tell you about their experiences, but also what you as an owner might experience with your Clumber.
21. DO YOU HAVE A CONTRACT? CAN I GET A COPY?
Never buy a puppy without a contract. A contract is a bill of sale between you and the breeder. It will specify guarantees and expectations of you as an owner. A copy should be sent to you upon request for your review.
22. WHAT TYPE OF PAPERWORK ACCOMPANIES A CLUMBER TO ITS
NEW HOME?
Breeders should furnish a new Clumber owner with some, if not all, of the following paperwork: AKC papers (either blue slip registering the dog for the first time, or the regular registration certificate transferring ownership of the dog to you the new owner), Bill of Sale (with all conditions of sale clearly defined), Inoculation and De-worming Record, feeding instructions, 3 or 4 generation pedigree, health guarantee (either as part of the Bill of Sale, or as a separate document (in either event all conditions should be clearly defined), and copies of eye examination results (if done).
It is important to remember that every breeder will have different conditions of the sale and also different health guarantees. You should understand these conditions fully prior to purchase. It is also important to know about a breeder's availability to you regarding "follow-up" questions and information as your pup matures. We feel that your dog's breeder, be it a puppy or an adult, should be available to help you for the lifetime of your dog.
23. WHAT IS YOUR POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO A BUYER THAT
CAN NO LONGER KEEP A DOG THAT HAS BEEN PURCHASED FROM YOU?
The majority of breeders will be more than willing to use their resources and/or the resources of the WCSC in order to place a dog in a new home if it becomes necessary. However, policies will differ from breeder to breeder. A breeder's policy should be explained to you completely and should be made a part of the Bill of Sale or Purchase Contract that you are given.
24. CAN YOU PROVIDE REFERENCES?
Breeders should be willing to provide references from previous buyers and other breeders familiar with their practices.