Clumber Spaniel Club of America

Breeder Referral

Thank you for your inquiry about Clumber Spaniels. As a potential owner of this rare and often endangered breed, you will be joining a select group of “caretakers” who have a real responsibility to devote time and energy to the safe, controlled growth of the Clumber Spaniel. Many breeds have been severely damaged by unscrupulous and uncontrolled growth caused by media popularity. The Clumber Spaniel Club of America [CSCA] intends to prevent that sad occurrence as best we can in the Clumber Spaniel.

As the breeder referral representative, I try my best to help provide general information, answer specific questions, and help people locate CSCA members that are reputable Clumber Spaniel breeders. There is a great deal of information on the CSCA web site. I hope that you read all of the information. It is important for you to have all the information that you need to decide if a Clumber Spaniel is the breed for you.

For a nominal $2.00 donation / send a check payable to CSCA to Susan King, 44 Echo Lane, South Glastonbury, CT 06073.
I will send you a the names of CSCA breeders that have Clumbers to place --This information is not on the CSCA web site. I will also send you the complete CSCA Breeder Referral List has the names, addresses, phone numbers, and web sites of breeders.

For a nominal $7.00 donation (send a check payable to CSCA) to Susan King, 44 Echo Lane, South Glastonbury, CT 06073 The packet of information includes:
The names of CSCA breeders that have Clumbers to place --This information is not on the CSCA web site.
The complete CSCA Breeder Referral List has the names, addresses, phone numbers, and web sites of breeders
A letter covering frequently asked topics
Booklet containing color photos and articles on:
· Clumber Spaniel History
· Description of the Clumber Spaniel
· Clumbers in the Field by Darrell Reeves
· CSCA Breed Standard effective March 28, 2001
How to pick a Clumber Spaniel Breeder
CSCA membership application
Temperament Table taken from "The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora
Dear Veterinarian letter written by Roe Froman, DVM
Crate training article taken from Dogs USA Annual 1994
Article on shipping dogs by air

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.

There are NOT many Clumber litters or puppies available. For example, in 2006 there were 91 litters in the USA with a total of 269 dogs registered. In comparison: There were 42,962 Golden Retrievers registered with AKC in 2006. There were 123,760 Labrador Retrievers registered with AKC in 2006.

CSCA stresses and encourages a relationship between breeder and buyer for the life of the dog. It is importance to check with the breeder concerning the sire and dam for health issues documentation. Hopefully the breeding will produce health, happy, friendly Clumbers – additional information can be found under Health Topics on this web site.
Check list of health documentation that you can discuss with breeders:
1. CERF -- eye exam certificate -- eye exam ideally done annual -- ask for 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 are OFA fair, good, or excellent on hips and ideally passing on elbows one or both sire and dam. The breeder can provide documentation on the sire and dam status. 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 the muscles. For the most part when this is done, Clumbers will do fine even if the hip x-rays show hip dysplasia. Occasionally there are severe cases that veterinary intervention is necessary.
3. PDP1 tested -- genetic test for pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency --- The sire OR dam can be a carrier, but not both. There is a risk that some of the puppies would inherit PDP1 if both the sire and dam are carriers. Dogs that have PDP1 should not be bred. The breeder can provide documentation on the sire and dam status. This is very new testing as of 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.netand further information about testing can be obtained from Liz Hansen at HansenL@missouri.edu. 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 a 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.

If you should need additional assistance I would prefer that you e-mail me your questions, and it is important to have in the subject line of your e-mail “Clumber Spaniel”. Since I do have a lot of spam mail, I delete much of my e-mail without even opening them.

Sincerely,
Susan King
CSCA Breeder Referral
44 Echo Lane
South Glastonbury, CT 06073-2500

findabreeder@clumbers.org

The CSCA is the official
AKC Parent Club for the Clumber Spaniel.

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