Breeder Referral

Susan King, Chairperson
44 Echo Lane, South Glastonbury, CT 06073-2500

Thank you for your inquiry about Clumber Spaniels. As an owner of this "rare breed," you will join a select group of "caretakers" who have the real responsibility to devote time and energy to ensure the safe, controlled growth of the Clumber Spaniel breed in line with the Clumber Spaniel Club of America’s strict Code of Ethics (read the CSCA Code of Ethics). Why do we refer to Clumber Spaniels as a "rare breed?" In 2007 there were 94 litters (for a total of 260 dogs) registered with the American Kennel Club. In comparison there were 114,113 Labrador Retrievers and 39,659 Golden Retrievers registered with AKC that same year!

Clumbers are very gentle, quiet dogs that love to be in the company of their owners. They should not be left outside alone day after day. They need and deserve the love, attention, and presence of their owners. Clumbers shed, and shedding happens all year. The largest of the spaniel breeds, their size is often underestimated. They are a medium to large size dog with males weighing 70 to 85 pounds and 18 to 20 inches at the withers, and females weighing 55 to 70 pounds and 17 to 19 inches at the withers.


Three year old male Clumber
Three year old female Clumber / Photo by Ira Nozik

The Clumber Spaniel Club of America (CSCA) National Specialty show would be a perfect place for you to meet Clumber Spaniel breeders,owners, handlers, and most importantly, the breed. It is highly unlikely that there will be litters of puppies at this annual event. While there will be Clumbers of all ages at the National Specialty, dogs cannot compete in AKC sponsored events until they are at least 6 months old. At the other end of the age spectrum, it is not unusual to see 12 year olds entered in the veteran classes. The CSCA National Specialty is held once each year in March, April or May; and the Specialty will be in a different region of the USA each year – Eastern, Midwest, or Western states. You can get detailed information on the next CSCA National Specialty Show here on the CSCA web site.

As the breeder referral representative, I try my best to provide general information, answer specific question, and help you locate CSCA members who are reputable breeders. I hope that you read all of the information on the CSCA web site and in the packet of information I can mail to you. This information will help you decide if a Clumber Spaniel is the breed you are looking for to love, provide for, and enjoy over its entire lifetime. Your Clumber should be considered a member of your family, and if not, then the Clumber Spaniel is not the breed for you.

I. Information available on the CSCA website
  A.   CSCA Illustrated Standard published in 2008
  B. CSCA Information Booklet published in 2009 containing color photos and articles on
  1. Clumber Spaniel History
  2. Description of the Clumber Spaniel
  3. Articles on Clumber participation in conformation, hunting, obedience, tracking, agility, and therapy work
  4. Article on Clumber Spaniel health
  5. Article on grooming a Clumber Spaniel with helpful photos
  C. CSCA Breeder Referral List - Contact information on each breeder will vary since each breeder decided what personal information he/she wanted on the website.
  D. List of CSCA breeders that have Clumbers to place.
II. Available by mail from Susan King, CSCA Breeder Referral, 44 Echo Lane, South Glastonbury, CT 06073
  A. For a $10.00 donation (check made payable to CSCA) I will send you a packet of information which includes:
  1. CSCA Illustrated Standard (printed copy) published in 2008
  2. CSCA Information Booklet (printed copy) published in 2009 containing color photos and articles on:
    • Clumber Spaniel History
    • Description of the Clumber Spaniel
    • Articles on Clumber participation in conformation, hunting, obedience, tracking, agility, and therapy work
    • Article on Clumber Spaniel health
    • Article on grooming a Clumber Spaniel with helpful photos
  3. The complete CSCA Breeder Referral List which contains breeders' names, addresses, phone numbers, and websites.
  4. List of CSCA breeders who have Clumbers to place.
  5. Addional information
    • How to pick a Clumber Spaniel breeder
    • Temperament Table taken from "The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora
    • Article on crate traning and shipping dogs by air, taken from Dogs USA Annual
  B. For a $2.00 donation you'll receive a printed copy of the complete CSCA Breeder Referral List and the list of CSCA breeders with Clumbers to place.

Once you receive the breeder list, I suggest you email breeders and arrange for a convenient time to call them. Finding a Clumber may or may not take a long time – like all things in life, timing is everything. You may or may not find a Clumber in your local area. It is very common for the dogs to be shipped to their new owners.

One frequently asked question is, "How much is a pet Clumber?" The cost a companion dog bred by a CSCA breeder can range from $1500 to $2500 plus shipping expenses. I'm sure you will find most pure bred dogs are equally as expensive or more. The initial cost of a dog is minimal when you consider the cost of food, grooming care, boarding fees when on vacation, and veterinary care over the dog’s life.

Recently, a number of "puppy mill" producers in the USA have found it profitable to produce and sell Clumbers. If you find a Clumber over the Internet, it is possible that your selection includes one from a puppy mill producer. Puppy mill producers are NOT concerned about the Clumber Spaniel breed; they are only concerned with producing a product that will make them money! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me about this issue.

I urge you to be certain that you receive a Clumber from a dedicated CSCA breeder. Look for the CSCA logo on a web site of CSCA member breeders. Reliable breeders are committed to breeding Clumbers that are capable of fulfilling their calling in a variety of disciplines:

Conformation ring at a CSCA National Specialty
 Hunting
 Tracking
Obedience
 Agility
 And of course, as a loving companion

Breeding takes a long-term commitment on part of the breeder—before, during and after the placement of the puppy. It involves the breeder knowing and understanding the breed in relation to the breed standard and then having a VISION of how the breed can be improved through specific mating. Breeding requires an understanding of genetics in general and the "lines" each parent brings to the mating in fulfillment of the vision in particular. It also means the breeder must continuously reassess breeding stock in an effort to "raise the bar" in terms of health, performance and temperament in succeeding generations.

Here are a few issues to consider when seeking a REPUTABLE Clumber breeder:

CSCA stresses and encourages a relationship between breeder and buyer for the life of the dog. It is important to check with the breeder concerning the sire and dam for health documentation.

Check list of health documentation that you should discuss with a breeder:

  1. CERF eye exam certificate: Eye exam ideally done annually. Request a copy of sire and dam.
  2. OFA x-ray evaluation of hips and elbows: Ideally, sire and dam OR at least one of them is OFA fair, good, or excellent on hips and ideally passing on elbows. At this time the OFA web site lists Clumbers at #8 of all the breeds for frequency of hip dysplasia. It is extremely important that Clumbers have the correct surface (not slick surfaces) and are taken for walks to develop their muscles. When exercised properly, fed quality food (follow breeders guidelines), and kept thin (can feel ribs & see a waist) even Clumbers with hip dysplasia can do fine. Occasionally there are severe cases where veterinary intervention is necessary.
  3. PDP1 tested: Genetic test for pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (PDH). The sire OR dam can be a carrier, but not both. There is a risk that some of the puppies will inherit PDH if both the sire and dam are carriers. Dogs that have PDH should not be bred. The breeder can provide documentation on the sire and dam status. This testing began in the fall of 2005.

    "Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare condition in Clumbers. It is actually a deficiency in the PDP1 enzyme, which regulates PDH. PDP1 deficiency in Clumbers leads to a profound exercise intolerance (affected dogs may present with the complaint that they can't make it through a daily walk of a few blocks). It is a simple recessive trait, and a DNA test is now available through the University of Missouri. Sample submission guidelines and forms are available at www.caninegeneticdiseases.net and further information about testing can be obtained from Liz Hanson at Carrier dogs should not be bred to other carriers, but may safely be bred to clear dogs."   Written by Roe Froman, DVM and CSCA member.
  4. Temperament -- This is subjective, and you have to rely on the breeder. Ideally both the sire and dam are friendly, loving and happy Clumbers. Neither should be aggressive.
  5. Vaccinations should be up to date.
  6. Health certificate should be provided for the Clumber puppy by the breeder’s vet when the puppy is placed.

Socialization and obedience classes are a must with Clumbers in order for your dog to be a confident and well-adjusted member of your family. Clumbers need human companionship and need to be included in family activities. Clumbers are usually good with children. Some Clumber are good with other pets in the owner’s home. Clumbers can be reserved around strangers or new situations. To prevent a Clumber from becoming excessively shy, however, it is necessary to socialize them to new people and places. Puppy kindergarten and obedience classes are fun experiences for you and the dog. You may find your Clumber so easy to live with that you think these classes are not necessary -- BUT they are! Providing good experiences in a dog friendly environment these classes build a Clumber’s confidence.

Clumbers were originally bred for hunting, and they were bred to work closely with the hunter. They are also great tracking dogs. Clumber owners find that having a fenced in yard is mandatory for peace of mind. Without the fenced yard a Clumber can pick up on a scent and wander off. A fenced yard also allows young and adult dogs a good surface to move around on and to develop good muscle which is so very important for this breed.

The AKC has breed videos. The Clumber Spaniel breed video may be helpful to you in making your decision if a Clumber Spaniel is the breed for you. You can purchase the AKC Clumber Spaniel Breed video (VVT114) for $27.95:
        AKC Order Desk
        5580 Centerview Drive
        Raleigh, NC 27606-3390
        Phone: (919) 233-9767 Monday through Friday 8:30 to 5:00 ET
        AKC Web address: www.akc.org -- videos are under AKC Resources

If you should need additional assistance, please e-mail me your questions and be sure to put "Clumber Spaniel" in the subject line.

Sincerely,
Susan King /CSCA Breeder Referral