Hovawart vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison | PetzLover

Ever since winning in Confirmation at Westminster Kennel Club’s annual show, the popularity of the Clumber Spaniel has increased markedly. The breed of Clumber Spaniel comes from the United Kingdom and it is the largest of all the spaniels. The breed is named for the Clumber Park where it was developed in Nottinghamshire. The Clumber Spaniel a=was designed to be a gundog or hunter in heavy weeds or cover. They have been popular with the Royal Family and were kept by King George V, King Edward VII, and Prince Albert.

The ancestry of the Clumber is not really known, only theorized:

It is possible that during the French Revolution, the Duc de Noailles gave his spaniels to the Duke of Newcastle in Nottinghamshire, These spaniels, Alpine Spaniel, are extinct. At the time they were bred with Basset Hounds and Great Pyrenees.

Another line of thought has the Clumber Spaniel descending form an ancient Bleinheim Spaniel, which was used to later develop the King Charles Spaniel.

Whichever theory is true, we know that they were first bred and improved by William Mansell. They were shown in 1859 in England. They were bred almost exclusively by nobility until the mid-19th century. Then World War 1 caused all breeding to be discontinued and the number of Clumbers declined drastically, only to be redeveloped after the was by King George V.

The Cumber won Best in Show at the prestige’s Crufts 1991 Centenary Show. When the American Kennel Club recognized the Clumber Spaniel, there were only 9 other breeds officially recognized. They came to Canada in the same year of 1884. They are also recognized by the UK Kennel Club as a Vulnerable Native Breed. A Clumber bred by Doug Johnson won Best in Show at the 1996 Westminster Dog Show.

The Clumber Spaniel is a loyal, gentle soul who is not very friendly with strangers. They shed all the time and snore loudly.

The Hovawart, is a German Black Forest breed developed as a guard dog for large estates in the medieval era. They first appeared in history in the early 13th century as heroes who saved the German son of a castle lord, despite being injured themselves. The boy they saved grew up to be a German legend. He wrote the oldest German code of law that remained from medieval times. In it he names the Hovawarts as a dog that if you are responsible for hurting, stealing or killing it, you must pay for it or replace it. No other dog had this protection.

In the late fifteenth century Hovawarts were featured in Heinrich Mynsinger’s “The Five Noble Breeds”. This guard dog breed was esteemed on a level with the hunting dogs – their health a question of life or death for their owner. In the 1500’s the popularity of the breed began to fade. The GSD or German Shepard Dog began to replace the Hovawarts as the preferred guard dog.

By the early 20th century the breed had almost disappeared but were saved by breed enthusiasts in the early 1900’s. Zoologist Kurt Konig was prominent in this effort and went looking in the Black Forest area for dogs working on farms. Using the dogs, he found on these farms, Konig began a breeding program crossing the them with Newfoundland’s, Kuvazoks, Leonbergers, GSD, an African hunting dogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

By 1922 the first litter of these pups was entered officially into the German Breeding Registry. In 1937 the Hovawart was recognized by the German Kennel Club. However, many members of the breed died in World War II as they were used widely by the military and not many were left by 1945. Once again breed enthusiasts came to the rescue forming a Coburg Hovawart club. This club still exists and in 1964, for the second time, the breed was recognized by the German Kennel Club. Other countries also began to take notice of this working breed.

The Hovawart has many skills in addition hunting and guarding. The Hovawart does not work for people, he works with them as he is a very independent thinker. He is also good at search and rescue and tracking. An owner of this breed must be stronger, smarter, more alert, intentional and consistent than his Hovawart. These are not dogs for the faint of heart or first-timers.

The Clumber Spaniel is heavy-boned, with a very large head and a square muzzle. Of all spaniels, he is the biggest. His expressive face wears a dopey, sad look and his eyes are large, shaped like leaves. The muzzle is as large as the head and his nose is square. He has freckles on his muzzle and a deep chest. His legs are straight, and his feet are solid.

The Clumber Spaniel gives off a dignified air and despite his expressions, he is ready to play or to work at any time.

The Hovawart is a proud and majestic dog and his looks match his character. He looks a bit like the Golden Retriever with a powerful and broad forehead. His skull and muzzle are the same length and his nose is black. His oval eyes are a medium to dark brown and his ears are high set and triangular.

Their chests are strong, broad and deep. The breed has strong legs straight in front with round, strong and compact feet. They are heavy boned with dense, long coats that lie flat and have a slight wave to them. The coat can be black and gold, blond or black.

This is a gentle, loving dog though he is wary of strangers. He is loyal, dignified and affectionate with his own family. If there ever was a canine couch potato this breed is it. They love to curl up and sleep or eat on your living room couch. He has a great sense of smell and he has good stamina

1.Children friendliness yes, they are good with children.

Special talents

They have a great sense of smell and a well-balanced personality.

Adaptability

They are not indoor dogs and should have a yard to run in. They do not tolerate hot weather well. They do great out in the country.

Learning ability

They are intelligent independent thinkers. They lengths well with positive reinforcement.

The Clumber Spaniel can suffer from a variety of conditions due to its very design and genetics. Lameness early in life can be attributed to the large and fast-growing bones in the Clumber. This lameness will dissipate when the pup is fully grown. Other issues include:

• Impacted anal gland sacs
• A vet may need to empty them regularly.
• Heat Stroke or Sensitivity

Can become dehydrated and all the problems that arise from a dog being overheated and dehydrated.

Difficulty giving birth

Must have a caesarian section. They may also have a sensitivity to the anesthesia used in the procedure.

Hypothyroidism with ear and skin complications.

They cannot take sulfa drugs.

Though their isolation protected them from genetic health issues for centuries, once they were being rejuvenated and mixed with other breeds some common issues began to show up. These include:

• Underactive thyroid
• Hip Dysplasia – can cause arthritis or lameness
• Osteochondritis – causes joint pain in shoulders mostly
• Liver Shunts

Feeding

The Clumber has a tendency to gain weight and become obese. Feed them wisely. Feed about ¼ to ½ of a cup of high quality dry dog food twice a day.

Health issues

Additional health issues faced by the Clumber Spaniel include:

• Dysplasia of the hip and/or elbow
• Can cause lameness
• Spinal Disc Herniation

This can be cervical or spinal. The discs can be bulging or ruptured. Can lead to paralysis if not treated properly.

Eye issues

Entropion with inward rolling of eyelid or Ectropion with outward rolling of eyelid.

Exercise and games

The Clumber Spaniel is not the most energetic of canines. He still needs moderate exercise daily but don’t overdo it. Walks, fetch, swimming, chase or confirmation are good activities for a Clumber.

Feeding the puppy

Feed breed specific high quality dry food for puppies. Feed 1-2 cups in 3-4 meals per day

Feeding the adult

Again Feed breed specific high quality dry food for adults. Feed 2-3 cups per day in 1-2 meals per day.

Points for Good Health

Points for Good Health – Stamina

Games and Exercises

The Hovawart needs plenty of exercise. Remember this is a mountain farm dog used to working all the time. Walk or jog with them daily. They can excel at field trials, obedience, search and rescue, agility, flyball, therapy dog, and service dog.