The Clumber Spaniel, with its gentle nature and strong hunting instincts, is a breed well-suited for a variety of dog sports. While they may not be as widely recognized in the field as some other Spaniel breeds, Clumbers have a long history of exceling in hunting and performance events. Their sturdy build, keen nose, and eager-to-please attitude make them a joy to train and watch in action. From the rugged terrain of a hunt test to the precision of an obedience ring, Clumber Spaniels are capable of showcasing their unique talents and endearing themselves to spectators. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a newcomer to dog sports, the Clumber Spaniel's intelligence, athleticism, and affectionate nature make them an excellent breed to consider.
Barn Hunt
The name of the game conjures up images of quaint, red-painted barns that dot the countryside but alas, there are no barns in barn hunt (usually). Barn Hunt, and similar games, is an activity tailor made for Clumbers – keen noses traveling on four feet.
In traditional Barn Hunt, bales of hay or straw are stacked as if they are stored in the hay loft of a barn. ‘Fluff’ (loose hay/straw) is strewn about, cleverly concealing ventilated tubes that have been carefully hidden by the judge. Depending on the class level, some tubes are totally empty, some contain litter from the rat cages, and some contain actual live rats! (who are very well treated by the way and ‘trained’ for the game). The dog’s job, once released from the ‘start box’, is to find the rats and indicate same to the handler who will call loudly ‘RAT!!’ which is then confirmed by the judge. The number of rats and time allotted varies with the class level – Novice having one rat, one litter, and one empty tube and 2 minutes while Master has an unspecified number of rats (one to five!) and 4 ½ minutes. Tunnels become increasingly complex as well with Master tunnels having multiple turns (in darkness!) and greater length. Titles are determined by qualifying legs – three for every title except Master which requires 5. Rules and explanations at Barn Hunt Association’s website.
A similar game is found in Happy Ratters which uses everyday items such as boxes, paper, baskets, kids’ toys, tents – in short anything ‘clean’ you might find at an urban dump. HR rules offer many more opportunities to be successful, while titles are based on a point system instead of qualifying legs. This is a growing organization so perhaps YOU will be the person to bring Happy Ratters to your neck o’ the woods!
Barn hunt folks are exceedingly kind and helpful, embracing newcomers readily. If you decide to attend a trial, definitely offer to help out – you’ll get a front row seat to the action, learn a lot, and the host club will be grateful for your help. It’s the best way to learn the game. If you’re seeking a fun activity that makes good use of that stellar Clumber nose….Barn Hunt might just be the ticket! Questions, or need help finding a barn hunt activity? Just ask! clumber1@hughes.net
Obedience Competition
AKC Obedience had it’s beginning in 1933 when Helen Whitehouse Walker decided to show the intelligence of her poodles and the first AKC Obedience Trial was held in 1936. The first year there were 18 trials with approximately 200 total entries, the sport has continued to grow in numbers and available titles earned. The intelligence of dogs and their working relationship with their people is still the bases for obedience competition and the foundation for all other venues.
Obedience training demonstrates the usefulness of dogs as companions and establishes a working relationship with humankind. Obedience trials recognize this partnership in the ability to follow specific commands and routines. Novice exercises demonstrate basic canine skills in heeling on and off leash, willingness for a stranger to approach, coming when called and the ability to stay in a sit or down for a designated time with the handlers a distance away. Accuracy, precision, working as a team and willingness are important in competition. After qualifying in three different trials AKC awards a Companion Dog Title (CD). More important than the title is the dog’s ability to behave a home and in public.
In the next level of competition, the dogs are required to work all exercises off leash which include heeling, the ability to drop on command when called from 30 feet away, retrieving, jumping and performing position chances on the handler’s command from a distance. Once the dog has qualified in three different trials AKC awards Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.
The third level of obedience competition requires the dog to work away from the handler and perform all exercises. This includes Signal exercise (heeling without voice command), Scent Discrimination, Directed Retrieve and Directed Jumping. Once the dog has successfully qualified in three trials AKC awards the Utility Dog (UD) title. After this the team can continue to earn the Utility Dog Excellent (UDX), Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) and numerous other titles.
As the sport has grown and evolved the number of classes offered by AKC has also grown and handlers have options on which class to enter depending on your dog’s ability to perform certain task.
Many of us have successfully competed in obedience competition with our Clumbers. Being a determined field dog there must be something in the training for the Clumber, positive and not harsh methods. Clumbers are a long, low dogs so the perfect sit does not always come naturally, it must be taught with patience and consistency always with a reward at the end
sometimes just for the effort. The Clumber is an intelligent thinking breed with a short attention span so practice needs to be kept short or they will create their own activity. Precision heeling, fronts, finishes and most important attention can be obtained with patient positive training. These four things are the basics of all the obedience exercises. Retrieving and carrying objects come naturally for most Clumbers but must be taught for obedience in a fun rewarded method. Obedience must be fun for the Clumber and the handler; the handler must be the most exciting and important thing to a Clumber to be successful in obedience.
Clumbers and jumping have long been discussed. Jumping is not suitable for every Clumber, since they are mostly built to cover ground and forge through dense brush. Many of us have had success in the obedience ring and in agility with a properly conditioned Clumber. In AKC obedience Clumbers are one of the breeds that jump three fourths shoulder height as opposed to shoulder height for many breeds. And there are the Preferred classes where the dog jumps half the required height which many feel more comfortable with. With proper weight and conditioning, being sensible and not jumping on hard surfaces and don’t overdue the jumping or the contacts and weaves in agility a Clumber can have a long career in the ring.
