CLUMBER SPANIEL THE
1. Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs? 2. In popularity, the Clumber Spaniel is currently ranked #143 out of 195 AKC-recognized breeds. Do you hope this will change or are you comfortable with his placement?
Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I comfort- able with the placement? I have been involved in the breed for more than 35 years. We are consistently in the bottom tier. I don’t see it ever changing and I am good with that. The breed is certainly always in jeopardy of extinction should breeders continue to move away from the sport. This is something we should all be wary of. Do these numbers help or hurt the breed? They do both. Because the numbers are so low it helps with containing health issues and moving a breed forward with healthy stock. One must make good health choices to retain the breed’s original make and shape while working to constantly improve the health challenges of a heavy-set breed. Is there a preference for color/markings in the Clumber Span- iel? There is no preference. Breeders generally have preferences, but color is immaterial to me. Can I provide an example of the breed’s playfulness? This breed has a wonderful nature. They have been called the “Clown Prince of the Sporting Group” because of their silliness. The size, bulk, color and somewhat awkwardness of their shape make them a bit unusual. The Clumber can do it all, just on their own terms and with direction. The biggest misconception about the Clumber? Without ques- tion, the most misunderstood thing about the breed is their speed. They are deliberate in gait—they are not slow. It should be a sus- tainable gait, not a walking gait. For me, after all of my time show- ing this breed, I am insulted in being told to slow down when my dogs are able to sustain a reasonable trot around the ring. I can assure you, off lead in a field they are not walking around. Does the average person on the street recognize the breed? Our breed is somewhat fortunate in that when our dog won BIS at WKC in 1996, the public became well aware of the breed and was taken by them. This was a pivotal time in the breed as breeders were finally able to create a companion market for them. This win brought great awareness to them. This also allowed for breeders to breed more which helps to create more dogs to breed from and sort out qualities more desirable for the breed. You cannot improve a breed without numbers. Increasing the dogs to breed from allowed people to find better dogs to breed to. It was really the beginning of great change in the breed’s health. What special challenges do breeders face in our current econom- ic and social climate? Because the breed has a niche market, there is little effect so far. At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Quality animals are filled with promise in the breed. Over time, as they grow, we can sort them on breed specific virtues. We rarely do much evaluating of show dogs before 12 weeks. Prior to this time you have a keeper list and a place list. Sorting the litter into two parts. The best two of each sex and the others. The others leave first. The top two (maybe three if you get lucky) are watched and grow up until the adult teeth come in at 20-25 weeks. We don’t approve of showing dogs with poor bites and so we are very hard on denti- tion. It is a curse on a breeding program and none should be shown. The most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? Our breed’s proportions are challenging and most judges are trained to a generic type of animal. Very few bother to learn the true specific traits which define the breed (the same is true with more breeders too). The taller, higher on leg animal with the shorter back tends to fool both breeders and judges alike. They are pretty on the move and carry a tighter profile moving. None of that appeals to me, our breed is low on leg and long in body. They are covered with a thick skin and hair that undulates on the move.
3. Do these numbers help or hurt the breed? 4. Is there a preference for color/markings in the Clumber Spaniel?
5. Can you provide an example of the breed’s playfulness? 6. What is the biggest misconception about the Clumber? 7. Does the average person on the street recognize him for what he is? 8. What special challenges do breeders face in our current eco- nomic and social climate? 9. At what age do you start to see definite signs of show-worthi- ness (or lack thereof)? 10. What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? 11. What’s the best way to attract newcomers to your breed and to the sport? 12. What is your ultimate goal for the breed? 13. What is your favorite dog show memory? 14. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. DOUG JOHNSON
Breeding under the world- famous Clussexx prefix, he has pro- duced more than 200 Champion Clumber Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, and Eng- lish Toy Spaniels. Clussexx dogs have won more than 150 Best in Show awards and 15 national spe- cialty wins across four breeds. Mr. Johnson holds the distinct honor of producing two Westminster
Best in Show winners, and he is the only breeder of Westminster Best In Show winners in two different breeds. The winners are Clumber Spaniel Ch. Clussexx Country Sunrise, “Brady,” in 1996 and Sussex Spaniel Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, “Stump,” in 2006. Stump, a veteran at ten years, is the oldest dog to ever win Best in Show at Westminster. Mr. Johnson was awarded the American Kennel Club’s Sporting Breeder of the Year award in 2005, Judge of the Year Nominee for 2017, and a Winkie Award Winner for Breeder of the Year in 2019. He is a member of the Santa Barbara Kennel Club, Hoosier Kennel Club, The Bloomington Indiana Kennel Club, and a lifetime mem- ber of the Clumber Spaniel Club of America. A founder in the Canine Conservation movement, Mr. Johnson strives to be a voice for all breeders who work tirelessly to produce and promote their breed of choice. Advocating for dogs is a passion, but also a responsibility to insure the successful longevity of unique breeds. Together we must continue to foster the best breeding prac- tices to keep breeds from extinction. I live in Bloomington, Indiana, and I am the co-owner and operator of several medical and non-medical home care agencies; Elders Journey Home Care and Comfort Keepers.
160 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020
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