Clumber Spaniel

No, "clumber" is not a verb to describe our style, like "Why is your dog clumbering after those pheasants?" Rather, the Duke of Newcastle's Clumber Park castle (near Nottingham, England) was where a concerned French Duke of Noailles sent a pair of white sporting dogs (with some Basset Hound and Alpine Spaniel in their genes) for safety as the French Revolution heated up. So England became our adopted home, and our breed was further developed into the largest (55 to 70 pounds, up to 20 inches at the shoulder) of the spaniels. Though not exactly lightning streaks, our slow-rolling gait gets the job done when there's game to clumber after.

• Affectionate, devoted family friend
• Easygoing
• Even-tempered, good-natured
• Hardy hunter
• Loves kids and vice versa
• Playful pal

• Independent thinker
• Intelligent and ready to learn
• Never aggressive
• Socialization and training should start early
• Training must be firm and patient

Please take advantage of a funny Clumber trait you'll notice early on -- we're always picking up things and carrying them around in our mouths. A long-forgotten toy, the slippers you should wear on drafty nights -- all manner of things will pass through the (admittedly drooling, slobbering) mouth of a Clumber Spaniel. Why not put that aptitude to work, and give me exercise at the same time? I'll play fetch endlessly (make sure I learn the "Drop it" command). Then there's competitive Flyball, wherein I'm faster than you (or the other dogs) might think. The same goes for Agility -- good exercise, great fun, and I might come home with a prize. In my mouth, of course.

Possible hip dysplasia and eye conditions (including entropion), but otherwise a generally healthy breed.