296 BRITISH DOGS 



is uncertain, but that the characteristics he presents have for several 

 generations of men been preserved by in-and-in breeding, appears 

 pretty certain; !and for long the breed was confined to the New- 

 castle family, from one of whose seats it takes its name. 



The origin of this dog, so distinct in type from other 

 Spaniels, is a puzzle that, in the absence of all record, appears in- 

 soluble. His long barrel, short legs, and rather inactive formation 

 separate him not only from the sprightly Cocker, but also from 

 all other varieties of the Spaniel family ; in fact, his massive head, 

 large, truncated muzzle, and deep eyes, sometimes showing the 

 haw, almost suggest a cross with a short-legged hound ; but this 

 his characteristic of being mute in questing seems to contradict. 

 One plausible theory is that the introduction of French Bassets 

 to the Clumber kennels and their intermixture with the original 

 red-and-white Spaniel, now called the Welsh Springer, may have 

 been responsible for his production, and for endowing him with many 

 of the peculiar features that distinguish him from other breeds of 

 Spaniels. Daniel states that the breed was introduced into this 

 country by a Duke of Newcastle, who obtained it from the 

 Due de Nouailles. This tends to assign the date of its importation 

 to the latter half of the eighteenth century, and rather supports 

 the idea of that Basset cross which the form of the Clumber so 

 strongly suggests. 



This Spaniel, if pure-bred, invariably hunts mute, and is an 

 excellent, docile worker, with a wonderful nose. But he is rather soft 

 in his disposition, and apt to tire when used in rougher covers 

 than those of his native Sherwood, where there is not much 

 undergrowth except bracken. He makes a tender retriever, and is 

 easily broken to this business ; in fact, whatever his duties, he will 

 perform them in honest fashion, with a plodding, conscientious 

 patience. Many Clumbers prove excellent water dogs, although that 

 is not their profession ; and, well entered, they prove equally useful 

 and steady on snipe, pheasants, or rabbits. In packs they combine 

 splendidly, showing less jealousy and disposition to copy than many 

 breeds ; and even to the single-dog sportsman the Clumber proves 

 a useful, trustworthy companion. 



The strain was for long highly prized by several large landowners 

 in whose kennels it came to be established ; of these, the principal 

 were the Dukes of Newcastle, Norfolk, and Portland, Earls Spencer 

 and Manvers, Lord Arundell of Wardour, and Mr. Foljambe of 

 Osberton. Mr. Foljambe's name, indeed, is intimately associated 

 with the pedigrees of the best show specimens. 



Mr. R. S. Holford, in the earlier days of dog shows, exhibited 

 some grand Clumbers. The Arkwrights, also, of Sutton Scarsdale 

 and of Willersley, were enthusiastic breeders, and many examples 

 from the Sutton kennels were formerly shown with success. 



