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Every physical attribute of the Clumber Spaniel is a reflection of the purpose for which the breed was developed. To find, flush and retrieve game from heavy scrub where the game was scarce.
The requirements for the conditions would be:
Not too tall or he will get tangled up in the scrub.
Strong, to push through the scrub.
Have a large head and strong neck so that heavy birds can be easily carried.
Strong straight bone to carry the heavy body.
Endurance and ground covering strides to find scarce game without tiring.
Stoical and determined, a dog that shies away from pain and is reticent would be useless in these conditions.
Be a silent worker, to avoid scaring the scarce game.
Be easily seen by the hunter, if you can't hear him you need to be able to see him.
Not too fast, to keep within gun and sight range.
We have just described a long low heavy dog, with a tenacity for hunting and white in colour. In short a Clumber Spaniel.
However, none of this tells you much about the personality of the Clumber. Which for me is kind and gentle, sometimes reserved with those he doesn't know but with a good measure of clown when he feels at ease. They are very perceptive and intelligent and I for one trust their people judging instincts implicitly.
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