Clumber Lab

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Great Britain <> Canada -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Clumber Lab

The Clumber Lab is a cross between a Clumber Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever. This breed is a naturally cheerful, friendly and lovable companion and family dog. The Clumber Lab has a moderate to high energy level, and therefore requires regular, vigorous exercise to stay happy and healthy. They have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, weigh 25 to 36 kilos and stand 48 to 56 centimeters tall. They generally resemble a stocky Labrador Retriever and can come in many different colors common to both parent breeds. The date of origin of this hybrid breed is unknown. Because Clumber Labs are relatively new, they cannot currently join the American Kennel Club's list of purebred dogs.

History of the Clumber Lab

The name Clumber Lab is a combination of the names of its two parent breeds: Clumber Spaniel and Labrador Retriever. The union of the Clumber Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever gave way to the Clumber Lab, which is a relatively new breed. Clumber Labs are thought to have been bred for decades, but have been eclipsed by the more popular Labrador Retriever hybrids. Currently, the Clumber Lab is not recognized by the AKC.
        

A little of the Clumber Spaniel

        
The Clumber Spaniel is thought to be descended from Basset Hounds and Alpine Spaniels, which originated during the French Revolution. Depicted in a painting by the Duke of Newcastle in 1788, the Clumber Spaniel takes its name from the Nottingham Estate of the Duke, Clumber Park. Other members of the nobility to appreciate the dog were King Edward VII and his son, King George V. The breed arrived in North America in the 1800s and is still renowned for its excellent retrieving abilities.
Standard of the Clumber Spaniel

A little of the Labrador Retriever

The Clumber Lab's other parent, the Labrador Retriever, originated in Newfoundland, Canada, and is a branch of the Newfoundland breed. They were bred in Canada to be dexterous swimmers who were trained to retrieve objects, such as nets, from cold water. Eventually, their population declined in Newfoundland due to a tax on dogs, but exploded in the UK where they had been imported for decades in the early 1800s and used for hunting. Eventually, Labrador Retrievers were imported to North America in the late 19th century and have long been one of the most popular breeds in America. The Labrador Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917.
Standard of the Labrador Retriever

Appearance of the Clumber Lab

A Clumber Lab generally resembles a more stalker-like Labrador Retriever. It has a muscular, athletic build with many of the Labrador Retriever's facial features. They are large, medium-sized dogs with short, dense coats and dark noses and eyes. The average weight is 25 to 36 kilos and the average height is 48 to 56 centimeters. Their coat can be made up of several color combinations common to both parent breeds, including black, chocolate, yellow, white with orange, lemon or white markings. The Clumber Lab has a thicker neck and larger head than a purebred Labrador Retriever, but retains the breed's puppy eyes. Clumber Labs also have a broad, deep muzzle that enables them to retrieve game. They have soft ears, a medium-sized tail and large, compact paws with thick pads to absorb the shock of rapid movement.

Temperament of the Clumber Lab

Clumber Labs come from two affable breeds and, unsurprisingly, have many qualities that make them affectionate, cheerful and loving pets. This is an inherently friendly breed that tends to do well with strangers, children and other animals. As an emotional dog, however, the Clumber Lab is highly sensitive to negative interactions and can easily become shy or anxious if mistreated by owners. Clumber Labs are occasional barkers, but considerably in mouth given their retrieving and sporting lineage. However, bites and play bites are generally not considered a problem due to the breed's non-aggressive behavior. Clumber Labs respond well to training as they are naturally inclined to listen and obey humans, making them perfect for families and new dog owners. The breed needs affection and regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. As such, the Clumber Lab would thrive as part of an active family with the capacity for lots of affection.

Needs and activities of the Clumber Lab

On the energy spectrum, Clumber Labs tend to fall somewhere between their high-energy Labrador Retriever parent and their medium-energy Clumber Spaniel parent. As such, this breed requires regular, relatively vigorous exercise and will be happiest in rural or suburban environments. Clumber Labs have thick, weather-resistant coats, so they benefit from a temperate or cool environment. However, they'll do just fine in moderately warm to hot environments if they're not overly stressed by the heat. As the Clumber Lab gets on well with others, visits to the dog park are a great way for owners to exercise their pet. These dogs also enjoy swimming and long walks.

Maintenance of the Clumber Lab

Clumber Labs are not hypoallergenic and therefore not suitable for owners of dogs with allergies. They are moderate shedders and should be brushed once or twice a week to keep their coats in tip-top shape. If Clumber Labs are inspired by their Spaniel relatives, they should have the longest parts of their coat trimmed around the ears and feet. This breed needs to be bathed monthly, and owners should pay particular attention to cleaning Clumber Labs' floppy ears every time they are washed. Like all dog breeds, the Clumber Lab should let its teeth be brushed daily and its nails trimmed once or twice a month to avoid painful overgrowth.

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