The Clumber Spaniel

The Clumber was developed for use as a “beater” to flush wild game, Clumber’s are able to leave no cover unexplored as they push their way into the thickest cover and drive the game out from within for the guns.

Tradition has it that the first Clumber Spaniel type of dog arrived at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire from the kennels of the French aristocrat, the Duc de Noailles, at around the time of the French revolution (years 1789-1815).

However no trace of their origin can be found in France and for the present day at least the Clumber is accepted as a purely English product. It has been suggested that the Duke of Newcastle, finding that the Spaniels that had been presented to him were too fast, reduced their pace by crossing them with a heavier breed. What the cross or crosses were will never be known, but the Clumber's general type, his massive frame, powerful limbs, white coat with lemon markings, and his solemn and majestic aspect and demeanour suggest the St. Bernard. There is also a theory that they owe their origin to a cross of Baron Cuvier's Alpine Spaniel, a dog indirectly related to the St. Bernard.

It is without doubt that the Clumber we know today was developed by the gamekeepers to his Grace. The Mansell family served and supplied gamekeepers to the Duke and his descendants for at least five generations and for this time (1760s to 1850s) of one hundred and ten years essentially had control of the white spaniel and its breeding.

From Clumber Park specimens found their way to most of the other great houses in the neighbourhood, notably to Althorp Park, Welbeck Abbey, Birdsall House, Thoresby Hall, and Osberton Hall. culminating with King Edward VII. He enjoyed using his Clumbers at Sandringham where he bred many working and show champions, the best remembered of these being Sandringham Sparkle.

It is from Osberton Hall kennels owned by owned by Mr. Foljambe, that most of the progenitors of the Clumbers which have earned notoriety derived their origin.

Nearly all the most famous show winners of early days were descended from Mr. Foljambe's dogs, and his Beau may perhaps be considered one of the most important "pillars of the stud," as he was the sire of Nabob, a great prize-winner, and considered one of the best of his day, who belonged at various times during his career to such famous showmen as Messrs. Phineas Bullock, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Rawdon Lee, and Mr. G. Oliver.

The Clumber Spaniel was recognised officially in 1879.