Few people know that in the spaniel breed group there are a wide variety of dog types. Usually we hear about American and English cockers, Irish water dogs and Russian spaniels. But in fact, the breed has more than 20 branches! Each of them has individual characteristics, which is what this article talks about. But before studying the types of spaniels in detail, let us name the main features of the genus that are inherent in all representatives of the group.
Description and features
The Clumber Spaniel dog is a versatile hunter. He is able to get a bird not only on his own, but also by collaborating with other animals. Suitable for both pack and solitary hunting. Officially, the birthplace of this unusual breed is England.
But some breeders argue that we should thank not only the British, but also the French for its appearance. It is believed that the dog's ancestor was a European aristocrat named Noaille. He experimented with crossing some spaniels with basset hounds. Their result was the birth of a sweet, friendly and very cute dog.
With the outbreak of the French Revolution, Noaille became concerned that his brainchild might be kidnapped, so he decided to transport it to one of the English estates called Clumber. Its owner was the famous hunter throughout Great Britain, the Duke of Newcastle. It was he who gave the breed the name as we know it today.
He himself had never been involved in dog breeding. However, the idea of spreading the dexterous and beautiful animal around the world came to the Duke’s mind. Just a few years after the dog was transported to England, its popularity quickly spread throughout the country.
Every second count or duke dreamed of hunting with him. What about aristocrats, this dog even lived in the royal palace! Her most famous admirer is Prince Albert, who married Queen Victoria. Their children also treated the spaniel with love, using him not only as a hunter, but, first of all, as a friend.
At the end of the 19th century, the breed was recognized by the American Canine Association, after which it quickly spread throughout the world. With the outbreak of World War II, the population of spaniels, like many other dogs, declined significantly.
New attempts by aristocrats to breed hunting dogs helped stabilize their numbers. In modern Great Britain, every 5 families contain this wonderful animal.
The breed has a special feature - an intelligent look. The Clumber Spaniel in the photo is depicted as proud, independent and self-satisfied. This impression is deceptive. The beast quickly becomes attached to people, learning tenderness and humility. Behind his stern gaze lies devotion and love.
Interesting ! Clumber differs from other spaniels in being less mobile. For him to start running around the house and jumping merrily, something very joyful must happen, for example, meeting his owner after a long separation. These dogs like peace.
Representatives of this breed rarely react violently to anything, as they prefer to remain cool. They do not rush around the house like Spitz dogs, do not scour the yard, sniffing out various tracks, like the Weimaraner, and do not rush at strangers behind the fence of the house, like the Alabai.
The peculiarity of the clumber is its tranquility. It seems that nothing in the world can disturb their peace. But there is a category of people that provokes him to emotions - alcoholics. Spaniels do not like drunken subjects whose consciousness is clouded. They bark at them and may even bite them.
The Clumber Spaniel is able to follow the scent of a hunt and bring back prey.
This animal does not need a long walk, like, for example, a shorthaired pointer or a German shepherd. It would prefer to stay at home and bask in the sun than to go with its owner to the city on business.
However, we should not forget about its hunting purpose. Nature has endowed each spaniel with an excellent sense of smell and an agile body. Therefore, at least once a year, it is recommended to go out into forest areas with your dog.
Clumber
The heaviest dog in the group: with a height of up to 51 cm, it can weigh 30-35 kg . An elite breed, ancient and beautiful. Judging by his appearance and ability to behave in public, it is clear that Clumberve is of blue blood. The dogs were bred in County Clumber, UK. Their main task is hunting partridges and pheasants.
Clumbers are stocky, with an elongated, rough body, short legs and a short neck. The breed is characterized by a single color: white with lemon spots around the eyes and on the body.
At first glance, these Spaniels cannot be called sports hunters: the animals are lazy, with a dragging gait and an eternally sleepy muzzle. But they have a well-developed sense of smell and vision, and their accuracy in movements and slowness allows them to sneak up on nests unnoticed.
These are kind, calm pets, much less active than their relatives, so they are suitable for older people and for keeping in an apartment. Dogs get along with children and pets, but do not like strangers, so they protect home and property well.
Breed standard
The Clumber Spaniel breed is a large breed. The growth of females is up to 48 cm in height, and males are up to 53 cm. A larger individual cannot be considered a purebred. The weight of an animal depends on its diet. Spaniels are prone to obesity, so it is important not to overfeed them.
The normal weight range is 30 to 40 kg. If the weight of a male dog is greater than this mark, the exhibition organizers do not have the right to select him for participation. The owner of such a dog will probably be asked to put him on a diet.
The dog has soft fur of varying lengths. It is shorter on the back, head and sternum than on the paws and abdomen. By the way, in some places the Clumber’s fur is curly. Its color is snow-white. But there are practically no monochromatic individuals. More often they are born with brownish-red spots on the ears and face. Less commonly, such spots are found on the back or stomach.
Dogs have an elongated body shape, strong limbs, a small head in harmony with an elongated neck. The nose is large and red. The cheeks, like all spaniels, droop, covering the jaw. The ears are large, triangular, thin.
A fold of skin hangs over the eye, so it seems that the animal is always squinting. But, in an excited state, she rises and opens a view of round black eyes. According to the standard, the iris can be light. The tail of dogs is short and fluffy. Often stands upright while tracking birds while hunting.
Interesting ! The position of a dog's tail can indicate its mood. For example, if it is lowered down, the dog is upset, and if it stands straight, it is concentrated.
Basic colors
- White . With this color, the coat should be pure white, without the slightest spots or specks.
- Black . The coat is black and there may be small white markings, for example on the chest or on the tips of the toes.
- Golden . Pale fawn shade with a pronounced yellowish sheen.
- Ginger . Bright and rich color, can be either fawn or reddish.
- Chocolate . Brown coat color with a characteristic reddish tint; this color is also often called liver or liver.
- Brown . Coat color can be any shade from milk chocolate to very dark, almost black.
- Beige . Resembling fawn, but cooler in color, with a grayish or coffee tint.
- Black and Tan . The main color of the coat is black, tan marks can be any shade of fawn or red.
- Brown and tan . On a brown background there is a tan of golden or red shades.
- Two-color . Depending on the amount of white, it can be piebald or spotted. With this color, there are colored markings of various sizes on a white background.
- Tricolor . This color, which is similar to a two-tone color, has tan in various shades of red or fawn.
- Roan . Dark and light hairs grow interspersed, resulting in the formation of a semblance of a patterned pattern. There are also often dark marks of varying sizes and shapes.
- Speckled . It differs from the roan in that the hairs do not form a chaotic pattern, but well-defined small speckled spots scattered over a white background.
Character
The dog rarely barks at people, as he treats them with love. She knows nothing about anger. Nature has not endowed the breed with aggression, suspicion and similar qualities. Even if the Clumber sleeps peacefully at your feet, rest assured, love overwhelms him. By the way, such dogs express this strong feeling through tactile contact, that is, pressing against the body.
How to understand that a dog loves you? Very simple. The animal will accompany the person she likes. But she will share a sleeping place with only one, her owner. Spaniels love to fall asleep in the arms of their owner. Even during sleep, the connection between man and animal is strengthened.
Clumbers also tend to be peaceful. If you watch them for at least half an hour, you will probably think that these animals are in harmony with the whole world. There is little in this life that can awaken a volcano of emotions in them. Even when hunting birds they behave like aristocrats. Proudly, slowly and arrogantly they approach their prey.
In contact with other pets of the owner, they are friendly and compromising. They never conflict or compete. The Clumber Spaniel understands that he is loved in the family, so he does not fight for “pearls.” In addition, he enjoys animal company as well as human company.
However, noisy parties are not at all among his interests. When cheerful people who radiate energy come into the house, the animal will go in search of a quiet corner. He likes living beings that are calm and not prone to aggression.
This is precisely why the dog tries to avoid noisy babies. But he treats older children friendly and with curiosity. A calm Clumber Spaniel will not play tag with them or encourage them to be active, but will happily fetch a ball or stick.
Clumber is the toughest of all spaniels.
Do not think that this dog, because of its passivity, is insensitive. The families in which she lives will confirm that sadness frightens and repels her. As soon as your beloved animal starts to cry, it will immediately come to comfort him. Usually, in such situations, it lowers its muzzle into the lap of the sad owner and tries to take over his pain. Isn't that nice?
You can call such a dog a phlegmatic person. It is perfect for a sedentary beginner who has never had a dog in the house before. Remember, if a spaniel is watching you, this does not mean that he needs something. The dog often fixates its gaze on its owner and thinks about its own things. This can be considered an indicator of her trust.
The animal's aristocratic manners do not allow it to show fear. If it feels awkward next to a stranger, it will prefer to move away rather than make contact, much less sniff him.
This dog is well suited for diligent people who are indifferent to active recreation. Of course, you can take him with you on an outing, but do not count on the manifestation of his joy in this case.
There is a trait in his character that many would consider negative - uncertainty, harmonizing with slowness. Before deciding to take a specific step, for example, meeting a guest, a Clumber will think several times. This may take a couple of minutes.
How to choose a puppy
The main rule for choosing a good puppy is that you need to purchase it from specialized nurseries or from trusted, reputable breeders. Buying a puppy from private hands is a blind purchase. Conscientious breeders sell puppies with their first vaccinations, with a veterinary passport, and with a puppy card. Such sellers give recommendations on feeding and raising the puppy, accompany the owner in the future, and help find partners for future breeding.
In each litter from parents with good pedigree, the owners divide the puppies into three categories. Pet class is suitable for use only as a pet; such puppies have a slight breed defect (disqualifying sign: inappropriate color, crease in tail, malocclusion, etc.). Pet puppies are excluded from further breeding; they are cheaper than others. The breed class meets all breed standards and is suitable for breeding and exhibition career.
The price is average. Show class is assigned to puppies with excellent exterior characteristics. These dogs have a career prospect at international exhibitions, they are capable of becoming excellent producers, therefore they are more expensive than others. You need to purchase a puppy in accordance with your goals and financial capabilities.
In conclusion, we can say that Continental Toy Spaniels are popular for several reasons: they are small in stature, look charming, have developed intelligence, are completely people-oriented, and have good health. Such dogs become full-fledged members of the family, delighting their owners.
Kinds
There are about 10 varieties of spaniels, and the Clumber is one of them. In addition to him, this group included:
- Field. Large dogs are brown. Their peculiarity is hanging long ears with wavy hair.
- English Springer. The best hunter in the group. A small but bright dog with strong legs. The coat is long, slightly curly.
- American cocker. The most striking representative, who is often shown at exhibitions. The Cocker's coat is delicate and very long, so it is cut and smoothed.
- English cocker. Loving, inquisitive and nimble dog. An excellent comrade and hunter.
- Irish merman. The animal's fur resembles a large fur coat that protects from the cold. The dog is an excellent swimmer, easily catching fish even from deep water.
- Sussex. An ideal dog for pair hunting. It can track prey in the thickets and notify its owner about it with a loud bark.
- English toy. Very similar to a reduced Clumber. A small but very nimble animal with white and brown fur.
- Welsh Springer. The friendliest spaniel, trusting his owner infinitely.
- Tibetan. It has a flattened muzzle and a long bushy tail. The dog's weight is up to 6 kg.
- Russian hunter. The dog is notable for the fact that in addition to hunting, it also performs guard duty.
Unrecognized branches
Finally, there are types of the spaniel breed that the international federation does not officially recognize. These include the Boykin Spaniel, St. James Spaniel, and Russian Hunting Spaniel.
These dogs are certainly good in their own way. For example, the Boykin is accustomed to hunting drakes from a boat, the Saint-Jussian dog can hunt both in the field and in the water, and every experienced hunter has heard about the qualities of the Russian spaniel. So the lack of official status is not a “black mark”: these dogs simply have not yet been assigned clear breed standards.
Maintenance and care
Since representatives of this breed are slow and inactive, keeping them exclusively in a house with a large plot of land is not necessary. You can make your animal happy even by living with him in a 2-room apartment. But, we must take care of organizing his leisure time.
Important ! The Clumber Spaniel must have comfortable furniture on which it will lie most of the day. It would also be a good idea to put a pillow under his head.
Since the animal is not at all prone to hyperactivity, preferring to lie on a soft lounger for a long time, it is recommended to take some time to create comfortable conditions for it. You should set up your dog’s “home” on the first day of his life with you. She needs to know where to sleep/eat/go to the toilet, etc.
In addition to a bed with a pillow, be sure to make sure that the dog is comfortable eating. Since spaniels grow quickly, we recommend purchasing bowls for them on a footstool, the height of which can be adjusted manually. If you notice that the animal is uncomfortable during the meal, change the position of the bowls by raising or lowering them.
Clumber coats require daily brushing.
It is also worth purchasing toys for him. The Clumber Spaniel puppy is quite active and inquisitive. He may be interested in bright and soft objects. For educational purposes, assign one or more to him.
The best way is to buy a soft multi-colored ball. Not only dogs, but also cats love to play with him. Therefore, if your house is full of animals, then, with this item, they will be able to occupy themselves. Representatives of the breed do not require a specific approach to care. Traditional things that the owner should systematically do to them:
- Wash your face.
- Brush your teeth.
- Comb the fur.
- Bathe.
- Give flea medication.
- Give medicine for worms.
Regarding the last two points. They are extremely important. Even if your dog has almost no contact with other dogs (potential carriers of parasites), be sure to give him medicine for preventive purposes.
Note! If your dog whines and constantly scratches his ear while tilting his head, he may have picked up a tick. There are a lot of folk remedies to combat them, but we recommend trusting your veterinarian.
General characteristics
Spaniel varieties are most often small or medium in size. The breed is recognized by its hanging ears and the good-natured look of its expressive eyes.
All types of spaniels have hair that is short on the head and front of the limbs, medium on the body and long on the fringes. It feels soft and silky to the touch.
The body is square, but in several varieties it is more elongated and squat. The chest is well developed. The stomach is tucked. The tail is usually docked, which is due to the purpose of the breed - during a hunt, the dog can injure itself because of the tail.
Several advantages are noted in the characteristics of the breed:
- Variety of species.
- Developed hunting skills.
- Amenable to training.
- Good health.
- Friendly and playful character.
At the same time, dogs require properly organized care and suitable nutrition. Caring for your ears requires a lot of time. They often get dirty and it is important to keep them clean. The coat needs to be brushed regularly. Dogs need long walks and active games. All spaniels are natural hunters. At home they are playful and affectionate. They become strongly attached to their owners. They avoid strangers, but do not show aggression.
Nutrition
The owner of this breed of dog should not forget about its tendency to obesity. Overeating is bad for her. If the dog has not finished what you gave him, you should not leave it unattended. Remove the bowl and offer it to him after a few hours.
One of the Clumber Spaniel's dishes should contain clean water. It should be changed daily. You should not scold an animal for drinking a lot. If you decide to give food, then determine one type of it, that is, dry or canned. Eating both products at the same time can cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea.
The second method is natural feeding. You can give your pet soups, boiled cereals, chicken and dairy products. All this is well and quickly absorbed by his stomach. But you should not give him too hot or cold foods. It is advisable that they be at room temperature.
Since the dog is inactive, it is recommended to fill his bowl a little at a time. During one meal he should eat no more than 350 grams of food. You should feed him no more than 3 times a day.
Sussex
They are direct descendants of Clumber Spaniels, so both breeds are similar in appearance, but the Sussexes differ in the way they work - they bark loudly when they find game. This goal was pursued by the creator, a farmer from Hastings. He needed a dog that could make his way through the dense thickets of Sussex and give his owner a voice.
Despite their unconventionality, the dogs are not popular either in England or in the world. There are currently only 56 Sussexes in the UK.
Animals are universal: they will help in hunting, and will serve in the police (like bloodhounds or border guards), and will lie on the sofa at home . These pets are phlegmatic, kind and calm, get along well with children, and do not burden their owners with activity. The average price is 32-55 thousand rubles.
Lifespan and reproduction
Large hunting dogs that are regularly supervised by their owner, eat well and do not get sick, live a long life, at least 14 years. The average lifespan of spaniels is 12-14 years. They are allowed to knit after reaching puberty, that is, starting from 2 years.
The male is the receiving party. His owner must give the owner of the bitch a warm welcome and introduce the animals. The male must smell the female's heat and show sexual interest in her. Since spaniels are peace-loving animals, they rarely show aggression towards each other at the time of mating.
Price
The Clumber Spaniel is a very rare breed. In Russia there are practically no private owners who raise these dogs on their own. Therefore, you can only buy them in a nursery. The average price of a Clumber Spaniel is $700. In the capital's dog clubs it can exceed $1,000. You can buy this wonderful four-legged friend in the following cities:
- Magnitogorsk
- Moscow.
- Kaliningrad.
- Ekaterinburg.
It is there that there are nurseries in which the issue of breeding puppies is well controlled.
Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the American Cocker Spaniel . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what an American Cocker Spaniel looks like.
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Education and training
Remember ! You need to buy an active, playful and curious puppy.
The dog's memory and intelligence are excellent. She grasps everything instantly, from her nickname to complex tricks. Able to distinguish household members not only by smell, but also by leashes and timbre of voice.
The Clumber Spaniel chooses as its owner a self-confident and fearless person who knows how to bear responsibility for himself and others. Usually, it becomes a man. Physical strength is not a parameter of choice in this case.
When an animal clearly understands who its owner is, it becomes controllable. To prove leadership to him, it is necessary to teach obedience. Any time your dog does bad things, such as chewing shoes or urinating on the carpet, he should be scolded.
No, you can’t hit your pet, but you can let him sniff a spoiled object and throw him out of the room, shouting at him. This is a traditional way of reprimanding bad dog behavior in the house.
But education should not be based solely on the stick, because there is also a carrot. When working with your dog, for example, teaching commands, treat it with something tasty, for example, unsweetened cookies (sold in pet stores). By receiving a treat, an intelligent animal connects its obedience and the possibility of reward. Thus, he learns that obeying is good and pleasant.
However, the owner of such a breed should not count on an easy path in training it. The dog often shows stubbornness, but not because it has a proud disposition, but because of laziness. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the Clumber is one of the most sedentary hunters. He is the laziest among spaniels. That is why we recommend using “sweets” that will become a motivator for him.
No matter how the owner treats the dog, it always strives to please him. The desire to please a loved one is another powerful incentive to learn. But, if you are not trying to teach your spaniel the traditional “dog set” of commands, he is unlikely to be upset.
Advice ! If you dream of your pet following complex commands, but you just can’t get him to train, we recommend seeking help from a dog trainer, a specialist in dog behavior. He will select an educational strategy based on the individual character traits of the animal.
What you should definitely never do when training a Clumber Spaniel is hit him or raise your voice at him. Aggression is not characteristic of beautiful aristocratic breeds, so its manifestation on the part of a person will be difficult for them to perceive. The anger of a loved one can upset an animal so much that it will forever lose trust in him. Let's look at a few rules for handling a dog at home:
- If there is no extra space on the sofa, do not ask household members to move to make room for the dog. He must understand that he occupies the lowest position in this family. This is the only way it will become manageable.
- Do not allow guests to treat him with table scraps.
- Send your dog to the bed every time you are unhappy with his behavior.
- Don't let her sleep with you if she has done something wrong.
- Walk your pet several times a day, even if it doesn't want to go to the toilet.
- Don't ignore his need to communicate with his own kind.
Papillon (Continental Toy Spaniel)
It is completely different from its brothers: small (up to 28 cm at the withers), with long hair and erect ears, for which it received its name. “Papillon” is translated from French as “butterfly”; the silhouette of the ears, together with long fringes, form the “wings” of a moth. The Papillon's closest relative is the Phalene ("waterfall"), this breed has drooping ears.
Dogs appeared in France, they immediately won the love of the French court and even King Henry III. Animals roamed freely around the palace, they were painted by famous artists, and society ladies could not appear at a reception without a basket with adorable puppies.
It may seem that due to such miniature sizes, Papillons are gentle, calm and good-natured. In fact, dogs have a complex character. Kids are among the ten smartest, but intellectual abilities are more a minus than a plus.
Their small size and cunning allow Papillons to manipulate their owners . Animals need proper upbringing and training, then they will become good pets, loyal friends, and agile performers. Average cost of a puppy: 40-80 thousand rubles.
