Spaniel Large size 25-39 kg

Clumber Spaniel

A heavy, mellow gundog that is calmer than most spaniels - affectionate and good with families, but a drooler that gains weight easily.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
25-39 kg, 43-51 cm
Low
Activity
Low-key for a spaniel
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles normal days
Moderate
Trainability
Willing but leisurely learner
Moderate
Coat care
Dense coat, regular brushing
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle and good with kids
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with pets
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, Chronic ear infections

The Clumber Spaniel typically weighs 25-39 kg, stands 43-51 cm, and lives 10-12 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want spaniel sweetness at a walking pace, not a field-trial sprint,
shed hair, drool and a bit of snoring do not bother you,
you can keep a food-obsessed dog lean with measured meals,
you are fine with a waitlist - this is a low-numbers breed.

Do not consider this breed if…

drool on the couch or hair on your clothes is a dealbreaker,
you want a jogging or agility partner - this build is not for it,
you will not keep up with weekly ear cleaning; infections follow fast,
you need a cheap, easy-to-find puppy soon.

A typical day with a Clumber Spaniel

  1. 7:30 · Morning
    Unhurried walk with a lot of sniffing
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Deep sleep, audible snoring
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Potty break, checks the kitchen floor for crumbs
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Gentle play or a short training session
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second walk, then leans on somebody
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Out cold; a Clumber takes sleep seriously

Temperament and training

Calmness Very high
Affection High
Food motivation Very high
Energy Low
Stubbornness Moderate
Vocality Low
Common owner mistakes
Free-feeding a breed that gains weight on air - obesity wrecks its joints · Neglecting the long ears; weekly cleaning prevents chronic infections · Assuming low energy means no exercise - daily walks keep the weight off

Family and environment

Kids Good
Patient and gentle; sheer bulk can topple toddlers.
Dogs Good
Easygoing and rarely quarrelsome.
Cats Good
Usually peaceful, especially raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Calm enough, but it is a heavy, shedding, drooling flatmate.
House with a yard Suitable
Comfortable setup for a slow-moving gundog.
City Manages
Unbothered by bustle; keep walks on soft surfaces.
Countryside Ideal
Slow, thorough field work is what it was bred for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Chronic ear infections Long ears trap moisture
Eyelid problems (entropion/ectropion) May need corrective surgery
Obesity Prone to weight gain

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Slow, rare, low-slung spaniel cousin
Sussex Spaniel
A low, heavy-set spaniel that is mellow and affectionate but slow-maturing - a calm companion that still needs grooming and modest daily exercise.
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The energetic version of the spaniel package
English Springer Spaniel
An eager, trainable gundog and family dog that thrives on activity but can grow anxious if left alone or under-exercised.
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Same mellow, heavy, food-driven profile
Basset Hound
A gentle, low-slung scenthound that is wonderful with kids but stubborn on the trail and prone to ear, back, and weight issues.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Clumber Spaniel cost?
Reputable US breeders typically charge $1,500-$3,000, and because only a small number of litters are born each year, waitlists are normal. Over a 10-12 year life, food and routine care for a 25-39 kg dog usually add $15,000-$25,000 or more, and ear care, eye surgery or joint problems can add thousands on top.
Do Clumber Spaniels really drool that much?
Yes, by spaniel standards they are champion droolers, thanks to loose lips and jowls. Add heavy year-round shedding of white hair and the occasional snore and you have a breed that is wonderful company but hard on pristine furniture. Buy a good vacuum before the puppy.
How much exercise does a Clumber Spaniel need?
A couple of moderate daily walks plus some play covers it - this is the slowest, heaviest spaniel, bred to push through cover at a walk. The catch is that low energy plus high food drive equals fast weight gain, so the exercise is less about tiring the dog and more about keeping it lean.
Are Clumber Spaniels good family dogs?
Very. They are gentle, tolerant and genuinely fond of their people, without the bounce of a Springer. The realistic caveats are bulk around small children, drool and hair as a lifestyle, and a shorter lifespan than smaller spaniels - typical for a dog this heavy.