HISTORY

      Spaniels are among the oldest varieties of dogs on record dating back to the 1300's. The word " spaniel" comes from the Latin word   "Hispania" meaning   Spain.While the Sussex, Cocker and Field Spaniel have so many points of resemblance, the Clumber has nothing in common with them. It is reasonable to assume that the Clumber Spaniel resulted from early Alpine Spaniel with Basset Hound and Saint Bernard crosses. The Clumber got the long and massive body, powerful rear, heavy head and the white coat from these crossbreeds.

      Unfortunately very little is known of its past. Many thinks it is a clear English breed. Others believe that it has originated in France. They say that during the French Revolution the Duc de Noailles sought sanctuary for his kennel of spaniels in England.

The second Duke of Newcastle kept them in his estate at Clumber Park, in Nottinghamshire. In the hall at Clumber Park hangs a picture painted in 1788 by Francis Wheatley. " The return from shooting" shows the Duke of Newcastle with four Clumbers. The spaniels in this picture vary little from the present day type of Clumber.

For many years the breed was confined to the kennels of a few noblemen residing in the neighbourhood of Clumber Park. It was not until the midnineteenth century that Clumbers got out of the hands of the English aristocracy.

During the Wolrd War I  resulted in a very low number of stock for most breeds. It was up to breeders of that period to rebuild the breed from existing stock which remained.

The Clumber was the favourite hunting dog of the British royalty and aristocracy. Edward VII and George V especially loved the breed for its remarkable hunting abilities. Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria started to breed clumbers. He passed his love of the breed on to his son, Edward VII. Edward gave his royal kennel prefix of Sandringham after purchasing Sandringham House in 1861. Queen Victoria liked Clumbers for their nice appearance and good temperament. Edward's, George V continued the work at Sandringham Kennel which was inestimable value to the breed. The Royal Kennel produces a wonderful team of working dogs of excellent type and quality which were also good in the show ring. The King rated hos working dogs very highly as they were the only dogs beating the vast rhododendrons around Sandringham Estate. Unfortunately George's son, Edward VIII did not share his father's love of these dogs. Upon hearing of his father's death, he ordered the Clumbers at Sandingham to be killed. It is not clear  what happened to the dogs - if they were killed, sold or smuggled out by the keepers.

Again Wolrd War II came a virtual cessation of breeding. After the war many of the most prominent kennels in England came to existence.

Its lemon-ticked white coat and easygoing manner would seem to mark the breed for greater popularity that it has enjoyed. The interest to the breed has increased significantly in recent years.