Clumber spaniel

[youngie22]

Any one ever hunt w/ a clumber? They are very interesting. I love springers and have been doing some studying on breeds. Do you guys have any info or stories to share?

[springerspeed]

I have never hunted over one but, have seen them at hunt tests. They are very methodical hunters, not very fast and flashy. At least the ones that I saw at the hunt test were this way. They were neat to watch hunt though. They are bigger then a springer.

[youngie22]

the slow methodical is what may have got my attention in the first place. Do you think they good work a field well w/ a springer? I am guessing a little here but, would the speeds of the dog fight eachother. its not like the springers run out ahead at all, but usually their in high gear. I would think they may compliment each other well. Hey nice lookin' pup in the avatar!!

[LABS4ME]

IN my limited scope of knowledge of the Clumber and from what Ihave seen form the 2 times that I witnessed one working... they are better suited to hunt by themselves. They are relentless when on a track, but take their time when on it. They will almost without exception find what it is they are tracking... a wily rooster, a cripple, a rabbit, it does not matter. When on the track they lock down and lilgently pursue it.

ANother dog quartering hard and hunting air scent may cross their track and completley throw them off. Plus if they are slowly working out a scent trail and another dog runs hard out in front and flushes the bird, it may end up discouraging them in the future from stubbornly staying on and working out a tough trailing job.

The spaniel guys will be better able to answer this question, but my guess is the Clumber is a specialist that deserves to hunt with his own style unimpeded.

Good Luck!

Ken

[FCspringer]

They are slower than you think it is like watching paint dry, I have seen some run and trained with some and it takes for ever to make a retrieve several minutes for even short ones, It's comedy. They 1/4 verry slow and offten do not see the flush and fall. they are called the gentelmans dog mainly because they suit a older fella prety good that can shoot a bird and walk to the general area the game fell and let them clumber around awhile and look for the game. They are gentel but can get over weight easy.Don't expect a powerhouse hunter and don't expect much at all in the field, Just haveing fun and going for walks with a gun and if you get some birds consider it a bonus for the day.But temperments will never be an issue with one.

[JConrad]

We have had a few in for training/tune ups and I agree they are very very slow in the field. I would not hunt a Clumber with another dog other than another Clumber. Field bred springers will run circles around a Clumber.

I personally could not hunt behind one basically because it would take a very long time to cover a field. Also, they have very long coats and I can only imagine what it would be like if they got into some serious burrs. Would be a nightmare trying to get them out of their very thick coat.

Also, if you drop a bird 40 yards out or more the dog will more than likely not mark the bird. With a crippled running pheasant I doubt if most Clumbers would find the bird. Their eyes are not very wide open and I honestly don't think they can see very far.

Now you know!