THE CLUMBER SPANIEL: A LOVING AND ADVENTUROUS HUNTING COMPANION
There aren’t many Clumbers that participate in obedience or agility, but it can be done. Again, training needs to be structured to work with the Spaniel/Hound background. At times, the Clum- ber can appear to suffer from attention deficit dis- order. But, if you can keep the training interest- ing and minimize boring drills, you can excel in obedience and agility with a Clumber Spaniel. In tracking and hunting you can really see the superior nose and birdiness of the breed. You need a well-structured dog to compete in these events—a Clumber with the proper structure will have no problem covering rough terrain in all types of weather to succeed in tracking and hunt- ing. Clumber puppies are quick learners at track- ing, and can earn a Tracking Dog title before the age of one. For hunting, the Clumber should have an obedience foundation, but then let them go—and watch them hunt. While the Clumber doesn’t cover the field with as many steps as the other Spaniels, it has more than covered the field with its powerful nose. When working a hunt dead (lost bird) exercise, you just need to point a Clumber in the right direction, then stand back and wait for it to work the area until it finds the bird and then come trotting back with it. And finally, what is it like to live with a Clumber Spaniel? They are characters! With that smooshy face and swishy walk, you can’t help but laugh at a Clumber. The down side is shed- ding, which is done on a regular basis and then, depending on the dog, there could be snoring or drooling. But, if you can live with the hair, you will have a wonderful, loving companion that loves to join you on your adventures and provide entertainment every step of the way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ms. Brizes began showing Black and Tan Coonhounds in the late 1980s. After training and competing in conformation and obedience with her
Coonhounds, she acquired her first Clumber Spaniel in 2000. She began breeding Clumber Spaniels in 2009 and has produced Clumbers that have excelled in conformation and performance events. Ms. Brizes has trained and competed in multiple venues with her Clumbers, including conformation, obedience, rally, agility, tracking, and hunt tests. Some of her most notable achievements include Group placements, Award of Merit at the Clumber Spaniel Club of America (CSCA) National Specialty, BOB at American Spaniel Club, HIT at three CSCA National Specialties with two different Clumbers, obtaining Junior and Senior Hunter titles on three different Clumbers, and earning the CSCA Gable Award for versatility with two different Clumbers.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2021 | 301
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