Cluminger Spaniel

Spaniels classified as a type of gun dog, but they have been assisting hunters since long before the gun was invented. Initially, these dogs were bred to flush game out of the deep brush for bow hunters and in some cases, to retrieve birds from where they had fallen. The first Spaniels were divided into two groups based on where they worked; Water Spaniels and Land Spaniels. At some point in the 17th century, a distinction was made between types of Land Spaniels and they began to be classified as either Springer or Cocker Spaniel, based entirely on the size of the dog. Smaller Spaniels were employed to flush out both game and game-birds like woodcocks, giving them the name of Cocker Spaniel, and the larger were given the name Springer Spaniel for their ability to “spring” game animals for the hunt. It is believed that the Clumber Spaniel was developed towards the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, although records of the breeds used to create the Clumber Spaniel are non-existent. The most likely scenario is that they were developed for function rather than form by the gamekeepers that worked with the dogs at that time. The Clumber was named in honor Clumber Park, an estate of nearly four thousand acres that was owned by the Duke of Newcastle. The Clumber Spaniel dogs were exceedingly popular as hunting dogs and were often depicted in artwork from this era as well as being one of the first nine breeds of dog recognized by the American Kennel Club when it was formed in 1883.