Activities with a Clumber
The best activity is one that you and your Clumber both enjoy
Clumbers may be known for their calm, dignified nature, but there is much more to them than a leisurely walk and a comfortable sofa.
They are intelligent, willing and naturally curious dogs who enjoy having something to do and spending time with their people.
Whether you want to work with your Clumber in the field, enter the show ring, develop their training or simply discover a new activity together, there are plenty of ways to enjoy life with your dog.
Find your thing
What would you like to do together?
Working
Keep the working instinct alive
The Clumber was developed as a working gundog to hunt, flush and retrieve game, and those instincts remain an important part of the breed.
Working activities give Clumbers the opportunity to use their excellent noses, natural hunting ability and determination while developing a stronger partnership with their handler.
From training days to working events, there are opportunities to learn, have fun and discover what your Clumber can do.
Showing
Step into the ring
Showing is a wonderful way to celebrate the Clumber and learn more about the breed.
Whether you are completely new to showing or an experienced exhibitor, the Club supports owners who want to develop their skills and enjoy the atmosphere of the show ring.
And you don't have to be an expert to get started.
Training
A well-trained Clumber is a happy Clumber
Training is one of the best ways to build communication, confidence and trust between you and your dog.
The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme provides a structured introduction to everyday training, with Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Classes are designed to be enjoyable and accessible to dogs and owners of all abilities.
For a Clumber puppy
Training is an opportunity to learn good habits and enjoy positive experiences from the start.
For an adult dog
There is always something new to learn.
Obedience & Rally
Work together. Think together.
Clumbers can be surprisingly enthusiastic learners when training is made rewarding and enjoyable.
Obedience
Focus and reliable everyday skills
Obedience develops focus, responsiveness and reliable everyday skills.
Rally
A course of exercises, side by side
Rally gives you and your dog the opportunity to work together around a course of exercises.
You don't have to compete. Many clubs offer informal training simply for the enjoyment of learning together.
Scent work
Let the nose do the work
Few activities make more sense for a Clumber than scent work.
Their excellent sense of smell and natural desire to investigate make scent-based activities an enjoyable way to exercise both body and brain.
Scent work can be practised at different levels and is suitable for dogs and owners who simply want to have fun, as well as those who enjoy working towards more structured challenges.
It is also a particularly good way of giving your Clumber mental stimulation without relying solely on physical exercise.
Agility & other activities
Try something different
Clumbers may not be built like the lighter, faster breeds traditionally associated with agility, but some enjoy taking part in activities such as agility, heelwork and other dog sports.
The key is to choose activities that suit your individual dog's age, fitness, structure and ability.
For a substantial breed like the Clumber, activities involving jumping or repetitive impact should be approached thoughtfully, with appropriate consideration for the dog's physical development and fitness.
Canine Hoopers is a fun dog sport that’s ideal for dogs & owners of all ages and fitness levels with the dogs navigating a free flowing course of hoops, barrels and tunnels. Unlike agility, this is a low impact sport with no tight turns so is accessible to dogs of all ages and sizes. Dogs are encouraged to follow directional cues from a distance which is great for building a dog’s confidence and independent thinking skills.
You can find out more about the sport of Hoopers here:
Hoopers Website - https://www.caninehoopersuk.co.uk/There are plenty of other possibilities too:
The Clumber in the community
Making a difference
The Clumber's gentle, people-loving nature can make some individuals well suited to visiting and community activities.
Some Clumbers have become involved with Pets As Therapy (PAT), visiting settings such as hospitals, care homes and schools. PAT's Read2Dogs programme also gives children the opportunity to read alongside a calm, non-judgemental dog, helping to build confidence and enjoyment around reading.
For the right Clumber and owner, helping others can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Of course, not every dog is suited to this type of work. The dog's temperament, welfare and willingness to participate must always come first.
Other ways to help
Blood donation
Your Clumber could become a life-saving blood donor in the UK through an organisation like Pet Blood Bank UK or the Royal Veterinary College.
You can find out more about the eligibility criteria on their websites.
Personal Experience
Tardy & Tanner are a mother & daughter duo of Clumber spaniels who have donated blood at the RVC. They thoroughly enjoy their visits where they get the undivided attention of the nurses, a whole body health check by a vet followed by the donating process which only takes about 10 – 15mins. The dogs are then treated to a generous bowl of food as a reward – the best bit of the day for them!. We leave with happy dogs and know that we have left behind vital blood that will be used to help the save the life of someone’s dog.
Other ways to help
Cadaver dogs
Cadaver land search (sometimes called Human Remains Detection) utilises a dog’s ability to detect the presence of cadaver scent particles. These dogs are used worldwide by law enforcement agencies and search teams to find missing people and help solve criminal cases.
Dogs that are used to fulfil this capability are highly trained to ensure they are capable of detecting human remains that may have also been buried and there are Clumber spaniels in the UK who are qualified in this field.
Ready to get started?
Find an activity that suits you both
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do, just start with something simple and see what your Clumber enjoys.
To find a local training club for these activities go to the Royal Kennel Club’s Find a Club page where you can search for clubs in your area.