bigbird Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I've always wanted a Clumber Spaniel but I imagine them to be slow and ponderous - do any of you have one? If so am I fostering a misconception? Would love to find out what they're really like working wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 A very good friend had one after many Springers and Cockers. It was more heavily built that the others, but quite spritely. That said, it was extremely hard to train, unlike the others. He went back to Cockers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted December 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 That's interesting. Hard to train - how so if you don't mind my asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I am sure there is a member on here who has working Clumbers , cannot remember who off the top of my head , hopefully they will come along. I think the issue is there is such a small pool of true working clumbers getting a good trainable one can be problematic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I've got several and they are great, but they are nothing like cockers and springers - They are slower and much more methodical. They tend to use their nose and their brain more than their eyes and you kind of negotiate with them rather than order them. The gene pool is small and there is loads of infighting with breeders over the pros and cons of inbreeding, but there are various show strains that are being bred now with studs/bitches from the US and Scandinavia. I wouldn't be without mine - They are fantastic pets, enthusiastic workers and fiercely loyal. Only downside to them is they shed like crazy in the Summer and you get white fur everywhere. If you're on Facebook, there are bundles of clumber sites with some pretty good information on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted December 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I was on fb but came off it Frank Geraghty breeds them, I believe and they're by all accounts good 'uns. Are 'show' and 'working' strains very different in Clumbers? Please forgive my ignorance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I've got several and they are great, but they are nothing like cockers and springers - They are slower and much more methodical. They tend to use their nose and their brain more than their eyes and you kind of negotiate with them rather than order them. The gene pool is small and there is loads of infighting with breeders over the pros and cons of inbreeding, but there are various show strains that are being bred now with studs/bitches from the US and Scandinavia. I wouldn't be without mine - They are fantastic pets, enthusiastic workers and fiercely loyal. Only downside to them is they shed like crazy in the Summer and you get white fur everywhere. If you're on Facebook, there are bundles of clumber sites with some pretty good information on them. It was in the back of my mind it was you that had them , but was not 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Hi big bird Had the good fortune to shoot over a few at field trials Always fancied one spent a whole day in there company and it was very interesting and informative day I found some of them to be very good hunters a few were good retrievers and all the breeders were very enthusiastic about there dogs and the breed As with all minority breeds you realy have to do your homework and research Best of luck with your choice 😗 All the best Of Not saying it swayed me and I know people love them 😊 But you've seen my choice 😙😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) There is a breeder close to me , but I am pretty sure they are show dogs.. http://www.tweedsmuir.org.uk/about_us.htm Edited December 1, 2014 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Frank's very well known and he also breeds cockers so he will be able to tell you the real differences (.http://www.macgiriaghtworkingspaniels.co.uk/) His clumber Bobo has won loads of stuff and has excellent hip/eye scores The people at Abbyford (http://www.abbyford.co.uk/) are very helpful on the whole inbreeding/COI argument. I've got a 4 year old bitch out of the Sedgehurst line (http://www.sedgehurstclumbers.co.uk/) and 2 of her pups as well as a dog from Jim Winter at Winterholt Gundogs in Ashford. Best one i have though is Rosie who is a clumber x chocolate lab (complete error on the breeders part) who was advertised at a knockdown bargain price and has turned out to be an outstanding little dog - Rapid, obedient, will face any cover you like and bash through it and is the soppiest thing in the world as a pet. If you want to see them up close and personal, there is always a large contingent at the CLA and other gamefairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 There is a breeder close to me , but I am pretty sure they are show dogs.. http://www.tweedsmuir.org.uk/about_us.htm Yup - They don't look overly fit for purpose (Mind you, neither do i really!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codeye Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 We had a clumber when I was younger he was huge for a spaniel but would go anywhere , I remember him on the boxing day shoots following all the springers and flushing what they had missed in his very methodical way getting something off him was a bit of a chore but as mentioned they are so loyal we hardly see any round here anymore which seems strange as clumber park is only a couple of miles from us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 They are definitely slower and more methodical in hunting than cockers and springers and always seem to have their nose to the ground. They seem to be a bit stubborn in training and retrieving has to be really worked on when younger rather than the hunting. They tend to run hot when working and do need regular re hydrating during the day, mine often just lays in puddles eye to cool down. They are characters . Your best bet is to contact Debbie or John Zurich at sedgehurst clumber spaniels or James Darley who I believe helped set up the Working Clumber Spaniel Society. Both will no doubt be pleased to let you take a look at them working. The WCSS run regular training days,trials,tests& shoot days do you should be able to take a look at them working. Ensure there parents are hip scored as they can suffer from high hip scores and this is something the WCSS are trying to get down. i wouldnt be without by clumber bitch, she came from Alan Gywnn (windmillwood affix). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Excellent advice from archi - all names s/he's cited consequential in reviving the Clumber as a working gundog in their native land (instead of what are disparagingly known elsewhere as "snow pigs," and not because of their noses truffling about, either). Should be able to land a pup of real promise through the working Clumber society, but you might also want to consider their "ground-pounding" cousin, the Sussex. They run hot too when the weather gets up their nose, but they also will work up a storm in the cold and if given the opportunity (and consistent training) can be the retrieving gundog of a lifetime. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) Yup - They don't look overly fit for purpose (Mind you, neither do i really!!) Lol , no as I said they breed for showing , though I believe some of their pups have been taken on for working homes , must be hard work though. Strange how some of the gundog breeds look so unfit for purpose yet win gundog class at shows , the Lab that won crufts the other year being a good example ! I think the thing is with clumbers , if you want one its just because you want one , not because it will particulary do anything any better than the more poular breeds. Edited December 1, 2014 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted December 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) Thank you very much all for your input. Fenboy, don't get me started on the subject of that lab!! I think as I suspected (for now, anyway) they mightn't float my boat but who knows... Edited December 1, 2014 by bigbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Well I have a clumber bitch her sire is tinglestone connor (ag1) she is eight now and was trained by a gamekeeper, she has an outstanding nose as she proved last weekend in Ruthin with both springers and cockers missing running over a pricked woodcock, she does not miss a bird. I find you must keep on top of them but saying that I will be getting a pup to replace her as they are fantastic dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 One or 2 clumbers have run in AV trials and I believe won so they aren't just plodders. Take a look at them working at you might be surprised as they can and do move when game is about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 One or 2 clumbers have run in AV trials and I believe won so they aren't just plodders. Take a look at them working at you might be surprised as they can and do move when game is about. I may be wrong but as I recall these AV stakes were for minority breeds and I seem to remember reading there were awards but no first places awarded? As I say I may be wrong there though but assuming I'm not, whilst undoubtedly credible and a great achievement it's misleading to suggest a Clumber won in a typical AV novice spaniel stake with springers and cockers aspiring to win into Open. I've no first hand experience of the breed and, of course, each to their own but from experienced dog men I have heard they are relatively slow hunters, very methodical, and very stubborn train. Lovely dogs though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 WGD, What you say is spot on, they are stubborn and not for everyone as you must impose your will upon them all of the time, if you can manage that you will then have one hell of a dog on your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berettacocker Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 Springers, Cockers, Labs are all realistically the best breeds to use, but all the less popular/ rarer breeds will do the job, but not as good as the former. Seen and shot over hundreds of the popular breeds and saw many brilliant dogs and some bad ones ( badly trained ). But never saw any clumber, HPR ( all ) flat coated / golden Retrievers that excited me. Not slagging these breeds off, as many are exceptional game finders, and we need to keep these breeds going, but there really is nothing like the first 3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 Springers, Cockers, Labs are all realistically the best breeds to use, but all the less popular/ rarer breeds will do the job, but not as good as the former. Seen and shot over hundreds of the popular breeds and saw many brilliant dogs and some bad ones ( badly trained ). But never saw any clumber, HPR ( all ) flat coated / golden Retrievers that excited me. Not slagging these breeds off, as many are exceptional game finders, and we need to keep these breeds going, but there really is nothing like the first 3! The op is about the clumber spaniel not other breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berettacocker Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 The op is about the clumber spaniel not other breeds. I did name Clumbers in my post with other breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted December 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 All posts are helpful guys don't worry I have plenty of springers and cockers, love them, they're fast and exciting, I just wondered how the Clumber measured up against them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 All posts are helpful guys don't worry I have plenty of springers and cockers, love them, they're fast and exciting, I just wondered how the Clumber measured up against them. Probably about twice as wide, but very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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