Clumber Spaniel
Also known as Clumber Spaniel, Clumber
The Clumber Spaniel is a calm, gentle sporting dog whose silky combination coat with profuse feathering needs regular brushing, carding, and professional grooming to stay clean, comfortable, and naturally neat.
Overview
The Clumber Spaniel is a low-set, heavy-boned sporting breed with a soft, silky combination coat and distinctive white base with limited red or tan markings. Most owners appreciate the breed's calm, gentle temperament, but the coat still needs regular brushing, carding, and either hand stripping or light clipper work to stay clean, shiny, and tangle-free. Professional grooming for this breed can follow a traditional hand-strip and card approach or a clipper trim for pets — consultation is essential because the two finishes look quite different. Because the breed is heavy and low-set, safe handling during bathing, drying, and trimming requires patience and secure support.
Characteristics & Traits
Breed Traits
Physical Traits
Drooling level
Shedding level
Coat grooming frequency
Social & Family
Playfulness level
Adaptability level
Openness to strangers
Watchdog protective nature
Good with other dogs
Good with young children
Affectionate with family
Personality
Energy level
Barking level
Trainability level
Mental stimulation needs
For Pet Parents
The Clumber Spaniel is a calm, gentle sporting dog whose silky combination coat with profuse feathering needs regular brushing, carding, and professional grooming to stay clean, comfortable, and naturally neat.
Grooming Commitment
Calm temperament does not mean low maintenance — profuse feathering needs consistent professional care.
The Clumber's calm temperament does not mean a low-maintenance coat. Regular brushing and professional grooming keep profuse feathering clean, comfortable, and mat-free.
- The Clumber Spaniel's profuse coat needs regular brushing and professional care despite the breed's calm nature.
- Hand stripping preserves the best coat texture, but clipper pet trims are a practical alternative.
- All pattern lines should look invisible — a skilled groom makes the finish appear natural.
- Professional grooming every 4–8 weeks supports comfort and coat health.
- Ear care is important given the breed's profuse ear feathering.
At-Home Basics
- Difficulty
- moderate_to_high
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Brushing
- 2–4 times per week
- Pro Grooming?
- Yes
- Pro Frequency
- Every 4–8 weeks
Caring for Your Clumber Spaniel at Home
Brushing feathering & ears
Brush in sections through feathering, undercarriage, and behind the ears.
Check belly and leg feathering
Check belly and leg feathering for hidden tangles.
Professional grooming schedule
Schedule professional grooming before matting becomes severe.
Nail trimming
Trim nails between appointments when needed.
Monitor ears
Monitor ears for odor or excessive moisture.
Ownership Profile
- First-time Owner
- Good with commitment
- Alone Time Tolerance
- Moderate
- Handling Sensitivity
- Moderate
- Apartment Friendly
- Yes
- City Friendly
- Yes
Best Suited For
- Owners who appreciate a calm sporting temperament
- Families committed to regular coat maintenance
- Homes that can provide moderate daily activity
- Owners comfortable with a rare breed's grooming needs
- Households seeking a gentle, people-oriented companion
May Not Suit
- Owners seeking a high-energy running partner
- Homes unable to manage regular brushing between appointments
- Owners who want minimal grooming maintenance
- Households expecting a small, lightweight spaniel
Mistakes to Avoid
- Brushing only the outer coat without removing compacted undercoat.
- Leaving visible clipper tracks on the body when a seamless finish is expected.
When to Call in a Professional
Leave full grooming — bathing, complete drying, deshedding, and any trimming — to a professional groomer every 4–8 weeks. It keeps the coat healthy and comfortable between visits.
History
The Clumber Spaniel is one of the oldest spaniel breeds, with development traced to England in the late 18th century. The breed was associated with the Duke of Newcastle's estate at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, where it was bred as a slow, methodical flushing dog for dense cover. Its heavy build, massive bone, and soft silky coat distinguish it from lighter, faster spaniel breeds. Modern grooming can preserve the traditional hand-stripped finish or use clipper work for pet maintenance, depending on owner preference.
Temperament
Calm, gentle, loyal, and methodical with a dignified sporting temperament.
Clumber Spaniel Coat
The Clumber Spaniel has a dense, soft, silky combination coat with undercoat and profuse feathering on the ears, chest, undercarriage, belly, legs, and tail.
The base color is white with limited red or tan markings. The jacket should lie smoothly over the head, throat, neck, shoulders, back, sides, and thighs.
The coat should look fresh, light, and shiny when properly groomed, with no loose hair, tangles, or visible clipper marks.
Pet dogs may receive clipper work on the body using blades such as #7F, #5F, #4F, or a #2 guard comb, followed by carding. Traditional presentation uses hand stripping and carding.
- Type
- Silky
- Family
- Combination coat
- Structure
- Double
- Density
- High
- Undercoat
- Yes
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Seasonal Change
- Yes
- Matting Risk
- Moderate
- Drying Difficulty
- Moderate to high
- Water Retention
- Moderate to high
- Growth Pattern
- Seasonal and continuous
- Breakage Risk
- Low to moderate
Common Problem Areas
Groomer's Guide
Technical reference for professional groomers — specifications and standard operating procedures intended for certified groomers.
Goal: Maintain a fresh, clean, shiny coat
Tools Required
- Slicker brush
- Pin brush
- Greyhound comb
- Rubber curry
- Pumice stone
- Carding tools
- Stripping knives
- Professional clippers
- Straight shears
- Curved shears
- Thinning shears
- Small detailing shears
- Dematting tools
- High-velocity dryer
- Nail clippers or grinder
- Ear cleaning solution
- Cotton balls
Pre-Bath Prep
- Trim or grind nails every four to six weeks.
- Clean ears with a mild ear-cleaning solution and document any odor, redness, or discharge.
- Use a rubber curry, shedding blade, pumice stone, or carding tool on dry coat to loosen dander and undercoat.
- Use a high-velocity dryer to lift dirt and loosen coat before the bath.
- Line brush in sections to locate tangles before bathing.
- Confirm whether the head, throat, and ears need thinning, stripping, or clipper work.
- Confirm whether whisker removal is requested.
Before Grooming
- Coat density and silky texture
- Undercoat compaction
- Matting in feathering and friction areas
- Whether hand strip or clipper trim is requested
- Ear condition and coat profusion
- Nail length and foot coat
- Skin condition
- Whether throat should be thinned or left natural
Consultation Notes
- Confirm whether the owner wants hand stripping, carding, or a clipper pet trim.
- Explain that clipper work should leave no visible clipper marks.
- Ask about home brushing routine and activity level.
- Check whether whisker removal is requested.
- Set expectations for service time given the breed's size and coat density.
Preparation Objectives
- Remove loose coat before bathing when possible
- Identify mats in profuse feathering
- Confirm trim method and style with the owner
- Protect skin and plan pattern work
Recommended Actions
- Trim or grind nails every four to six weeks.
- Clean ears with a mild ear-cleaning solution and document any odor, redness, or discharge.
- Use a rubber curry, shedding blade, pumice stone, or carding tool on dry coat to loosen dander and undercoat.
- Use a high-velocity dryer to lift dirt and loosen coat before the bath.
- Line brush in sections to locate tangles before bathing.
- Confirm whether the head, throat, and ears need thinning, stripping, or clipper work.
- Confirm whether whisker removal is requested.
Preparation Warnings
- Do not assume surface brushing has cleared the undercoat.
- Do not promise a long natural finish if matting is severe close to the skin.
- Refer persistent ear or skin concerns to a veterinarian.
Objectives
- Clean the coat thoroughly
- Remove odor and debris from profuse feathering
- Prepare the coat for complete drying and finishing
Process
- Follow combination coat bathing protocols.
- Fully saturate the dense coat to the skin.
- Use shampoo appropriate for skin and coat condition.
- Rinse thoroughly, especially in chest, belly, and leg feathering.
- Apply conditioner when the coat feels dry or tangled.
- Remove excess water without rubbing feathering into mats.
Product Guidance
- Choose products based on skin sensitivity and coat dryness, not coat color alone.
- Insufficient rinsing can leave residue that irritates skin under dense coat.
- Light conditioning can make combing feathering easier after drying.
Breed Specifics
- Profuse feathering holds moisture — complete drying is essential.
- A damp towel over the muzzle after bathing helps neaten the face when needed.
- Allow extra rinse time for dense undercarriage and belly coat.
Drying Objectives
- Dry the coat completely to the skin
- Remove loosened undercoat
- Separate feathering for finishing
- Prepare a smooth surface for carding, stripping, or clipper work
Drying Methods
- High-velocity drying in sections
- Line brushing during drying
- Comb check after the coat is fully dry
Drying — Breed Specifics
- Pay extra attention to ears, chest, undercarriage, belly, and leg feathering.
- Do not begin trimming until the coat is completely dry and cool to the skin.
- Check for density inconsistencies by hand after drying.
Drying Quality Standard
The coat should be fully dry, loose undercoat removed, and combable through all feathering before detail work begins.
Techniques
- Bath and brush
- Deshedding
- Carding
- Hand stripping
- Bulk thinning
- Clipper trim for pet maintenance
- Thinning shear finish
Common Trims
- Hand Strip and Card Finish
- Clipper Pet Trim
- Light Maintenance Trim
Clipper Areas
- Pet body pattern with #7F, #5F, #4F, or guard combs
- Head and muzzle neatening on heavier-coated dogs
- Sanitary trimming
- Pad trimming
- Inner ear cleaning when coat is profuse or odorous
Scissor Areas
- Ears
- Feet
- Hocks
- Tail flag
- Thigh bulk thinning
- Body blending
Scissoring — Primary Areas
- Ears
- Feet
- Hocks
- Tail flag
- Thigh bulk thinning
- Body blending
Scissoring — Finish Goals
- Neat natural outline
- No visible scissor or clipper lines
- Ears thinned to approximately half-inch length all over
- Compact natural feet
- Small flag on tail
- Invisible pattern transitions
Scissoring — Breed Specifics
- Thin the entire ear to approximately half-inch length with thinning shears for a natural look.
- Bulk thin the thigh area to accentuate muscle while leaving furnishings on the back of the thighs.
- Detail the underside of the tail with thinning shears to create a small flag.
- The front of the front leg should be short and smooth, separate from the chest area.
- Slide thinning shears up under the coat with the smooth blade against the skin to avoid pinching.
Clipper Work — Common Uses
- Pet body pattern with #7F, #5F, #4F, or guard combs
- Head and muzzle neatening on heavier-coated dogs
- Sanitary trimming
- Pad trimming
- Inner ear cleaning when coat is profuse or odorous
Clipper Safety Notes
- Longer blades are preferred over shorter ones — shorter body patterns are harder to blend into longer furnishings.
- Trim pads with a #10 blade regardless of other blade choices.
- Card the coat after clipping to retain some proper texture.
- When clipping inside the ear for sanitation, use a light touch with blades ranging from #10 to #40 on the upper section only.
- Never cut cross-grain with thinning shears — it creates holes that are difficult to correct.
Equipment
- #10 blade for pads
- #10, #15, or #7F blades for head or muzzle when needed
- #7F, #5F, #4F blades for body pattern
- #2, #1.5, and #1 guard combs
- Thinning shears for blending
Blade & Length Selection
- Owner preference for hand strip vs clipper trim
- Coat density and profusion
- Skin sensitivity
- Whether longer blades can achieve the desired pattern
- Need to blend pattern lines invisibly into furnishings
Common Pet Trim Styles
- Hand Strip and Card Finish — The traditional presentation using hand stripping, carding, and bulk thinning to maintain proper coat texture, color, and natural outline.
- Clipper Pet Trim — A clipper body pattern using #7F, #5F, #4F, or guard combs followed by carding, with thinned ears, neat feet, hocks, and a tail flag.
- Light Maintenance Trim — A bath, deshed, card, and light neatening that preserves maximum coat length while keeping the dog clean and tangle-free.
Style Selection Factors
- Owner preference for hand strip vs clipper
- Coat density and profusion
- Home brushing frequency
- Whether show or pet presentation is desired
- Matting history
Head
Keep the top of the head smooth and free of long strays Conform fine short hair to the shape of the skull Maintain a noble, natural expression Thin the throat lightly or leave natural for pets
Over-clipping and losing breed character Leaving long strays that disrupt the smooth head appearance Visible transitions between clipped and natural areas
Ears
Thin the entire ear to approximately half-inch length with thinning shears. Edge lightly to softly show the outline of the ear leather. Finger pluck or thin to establish natural coat length. Clip the upper inside section with a light touch when sanitation is needed. Check behind the ears for hidden matting.
Do not diagnose or treat suspected ear infection. Refer odor, discharge, redness, swelling, or pain to a veterinarian. Inner ear clipping should only address the upper section for sanitation.
Feet
Trim pads with a #10 blade using a light touch. Back-brush hair between the toes when needed. Neaten the foot outline with thinning or detailing shears. Trim nails short or grind for healthy foot structure.
Debris trapped between toes Over-trimming pads and causing irritation
Tail
Continue body coat work out onto the tail, leaving a small flag Detail the underside with thinning shears Keep the tail as an extension of the spine — short, neat, and clean
Sanitary Area
Remove only the coat needed for hygiene Blend naturally into surrounding feathering Maintain the undercarriage arch when appropriate
ears
highMaintenance
- -Thin the entire ear to approximately half-inch length with thinning shears.
- -Edge lightly to softly show the outline of the ear leather.
- -Finger pluck or thin to establish natural coat length.
- -Clip the upper inside section with a light touch when sanitation is needed.
- -Check behind the ears for hidden matting.
Styles
- -Ears thinned to half-inch length all over
- -Lightly edged with thinning shears
- -Inner ear clip when coat is profuse or odorous
Risks & Warnings
- -Do not diagnose or treat suspected ear infection.
- -Refer odor, discharge, redness, swelling, or pain to a veterinarian.
- -Inner ear clipping should only address the upper section for sanitation.
feet
highMaintenance
- -Trim pads with a #10 blade using a light touch.
- -Back-brush hair between the toes when needed.
- -Neaten the foot outline with thinning or detailing shears.
- -Trim nails short or grind for healthy foot structure.
Styles
- -Natural neat feet
- -Lightly beveled feet with thinning shears or #4F in reverse
Risks & Warnings
- -Debris trapped between toes
- -Over-trimming pads and causing irritation
head
highGoals
- -Keep the top of the head smooth and free of long strays
- -Conform fine short hair to the shape of the skull
- -Maintain a noble, natural expression
- -Thin the throat lightly or leave natural for pets
Styles
- -Natural smooth head with finger plucking
- -Carding and thinning for light-coated dogs
- -Clipper neatening with #7F to #4F for heavier-coated dogs
Risks & Warnings
- -Over-clipping and losing breed character
- -Leaving long strays that disrupt the smooth head appearance
- -Visible transitions between clipped and natural areas
tail
moderateGoals
- -Continue body coat work out onto the tail, leaving a small flag
- -Detail the underside with thinning shears
- -Keep the tail as an extension of the spine — short, neat, and clean
Styles
- -Small flag on tail
- -Underside detailed with thinning shears
sanitary Area
moderateGoals
- -Remove only the coat needed for hygiene
- -Blend naturally into surrounding feathering
- -Maintain the undercarriage arch when appropriate
High-Risk Areas
- Behind the ears
- Ear feathering
- Chest and undercarriage
- Armpits
- Belly feathering
- Rear leg feathering
- Tail
- Between the toes
Challenges
- Blending clipper body patterns invisibly into profuse furnishings
- Owner requests for shorter clips that are hard to blend
- Profuse ear coat requiring significant thinning
- Heavy body extending bath and dry time
- Maintaining invisible pattern lines on a low-set, heavy frame
- Cutting cross-grain with thinning shears, creating holes in the coat.
- Beginning detail work while profuse feathering is still damp.
- Using blades other than #10 for pad trimming.
- Using blades that are too short, making it impossible to blend into furnishings invisibly.
Management Principles
- Prefer longer blades over shorter ones for easier blending.
- Card after clipping to restore texture.
- Use bulk thinning with moderately toothed single-sided thinning shears.
- Work methodically — four to six cuts per area, then brush out before continuing.
- Never cut cross-grain with thinning shears.
Pro Tips
- Confirm hand strip vs clipper trim before starting — the two approaches are quite different.
- Prefer #7F, #5F, or #4F over shorter blades for easier blending into furnishings.
- Card the coat after any clipper body work to restore texture.
- Thin ears to half-inch length all over, then edge lightly for a natural outline.
- Trim pads with a #10 blade and back-brush between the toes when needed.
- Never cut cross-grain with thinning shears — slide up under the coat with the smooth blade against the skin.
- Allow extra time for this heavy breed — secure support during all position changes.
Assessment Priority
Preserve a natural outline with invisible pattern lines and well-maintained feathering
Ready to book your Clumber Spaniel's grooming session?
Connect with a Buddyz professional to schedule online in minutes.
Not the right match?
Continue exploring our directory to find the perfect breed for your lifestyle.
Are you a professional?
Use Buddyz to manage your salon, understand complex coats, and educate pet parents.