Clumber Spaniels are steady and sometimes aloof with unfamiliar people, often scent‑driven and methodical; many like to carry toys or household items, and some will swallow objects, so clients may report “always holding something” or sudden vomiting after chewing. Families may also mention normal drooling and a calm, stoic demeanor that can mask discomfort. Heavy, floppy ears and their eye shape (visible lower haw/“droopy” lids) mean owners may describe head‑shaking, ear odor, or “red, droopy eyes.” Their dense coat and heavier build can make heat and poor ventilation (e.g., car rides) more stressful, so callers may report hard panting after modest activity. If a caller reports rapid or labored breathing at rest, collapse, repeated unproductive retching/vomiting, or suspected object ingestion, treat as urgent and route for immediate veterinary assessment.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Clumber. They’re typically calm and a bit reserved—does he tolerate gentle handling, and has he had access to toys, socks, rocks, or other items he might carry or swallow? Has he been in heat or a warm car today, or is he panting heavily at rest, shaking his head, or showing ear odor? If you notice collapse, pale/blue gums, repeated vomiting/retching, or you suspect he swallowed something, please come in immediately or proceed to the nearest emergency hospital.
Clumber Spaniels have notable breed-linked risks for orthopedic joint disease (hip/elbow dysplasia), spinal disc disease (IVDD associated with the CDDY mutation/long, low build), eyelid conformation problems (entropion/ectropion), recurrent ear infections and allergic skin disease, and hypothyroidism; rarer but documented risks include immune‑mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and a breed‑specific PDP1 deficiency that causes marked exercise intolerance, and they may also be at some risk for bloat (GDV). Front-desk cues to flag include persistent limping/stiffness, reluctance to jump, neck/back pain, frequent ear/skin flare‑ups, squinting or eye discharge, poor stamina or heat intolerance. Escalate immediately if there is non‑productive retching with a tight/swollen belly, collapse or pale gums, or sudden hind‑end weakness/acute severe back pain.
Front desk script: This breed can be prone to hip/elbow issues, back (disc) problems, eyelid irritation, and recurring ear/skin troubles. If an owner mentions limping, reluctance to jump, squinting, or frequent ear infections, please book a routine exam. If they report a swollen belly with unproductive retching, sudden weakness/paralysis or severe neck/back pain, or pale gums/collapse, advise: “This could be an emergency—please come in now or go to the nearest ER; we’ll alert the team.” Also note any history of poor stamina on short walks.
Gentle, mellow Clumber Spaniels are calm indoors but still need daily moderate walks and play; expect year‑round shedding and some drool, so brush 2–3 times weekly and keep ears clean. Ask your vet about breed‑recommended health screening (hips, elbows, ophthalmologist eye exam, and a PDP1 DNA test). Common issues to watch for include eyelid problems (entropion/ectropion), ear infections, joint/back problems (hip/elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease), and easy weight gain; keep socks and small toys out of reach, as many Clumbers like to carry and may swallow objects. Call us the same day for new limping, ear odor/discharge, or red/painful eyes; go to emergency now for sudden severe back pain or hind‑leg weakness, repeated vomiting, or a swollen, painful belly. ([akc.org](https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breed-health-testing-requirements/sporting-group-health-testing-requirements/?utm_source=openai))
Front desk script: They’re gentle, lower‑key spaniels that shed and drool a bit. Plan on daily moderate exercise plus regular brushing and ear checks. For this breed we follow AKC/breed‑club screening: hips, elbows, an ophthalmologist eye exam, and the PDP1 DNA test; we can schedule these or review any breeder records. If you report sudden back pain/weakness or repeated vomiting, we’ll direct you to the emergency hospital; for new limping, ear discharge, or eye redness, we’ll see you today.
Front-desk patterns for Clumber Spaniels: frequent ear concerns (odor, discharge, head-shaking), eye calls (redness, tearing, “droopy” lower lids), itch/skin or recurrent ear/skin infections, limping or stiffness after exercise, reluctance to jump or back soreness, weight/feeding questions, and owner inquiries about breed-recommended screening (hips/elbows, CAER eye exam, PDP1 DNA). Escalate immediately if you hear nonstop retching with a tight/distended belly, collapse, sudden inability to walk, severe back pain, or a very red/painful or suddenly cloudy eye—advise emergency care now.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—this breed commonly has ear issues, eye irritation from eyelids, allergies, and orthopedic or back soreness, so I’ll ask a few quick triage questions. Is there head-shaking or ear odor, squinting or thick eye discharge, sudden pain, trouble walking, or retching with a tight belly? I can reserve a same-day exam based on what you’re seeing. If there’s nonstop retching, a hard swollen abdomen, collapse, sudden hind-limb weakness, or a very painful/red eye, please head to the nearest emergency hospital now.
Clumber Spaniels have a dense, flat, water‑resistant double coat with feathering that traps debris and sheds moderately to heavily year‑round (often more in spring/fall). Expect regular at‑home brushing (at least 2–3 times per week) with extra attention to feathered legs, belly, and ears, and plan periodic baths or professional grooming to manage mats, staining, and shedding. Their long, pendulous ears and facial folds require routine checks and gentle cleaning/drying after baths or swimming. Escalate if owners report head‑shaking, ear pain, redness, foul odor, or discharge—advise a same‑day veterinary exam. Allow longer bath/dry times due to coat density and consider referral to a groomer experienced with spaniels, especially during seasonal sheds.
Front desk script: This breed’s dense, feathered coat sheds and can mat, so we recommend brushing several times a week and scheduling periodic grooming—let us know if you’d like a groomer referral. Please remind owners to check and keep the ears dry after baths or swims. If they notice ear shaking, odor, redness, or discharge, we should see the dog today for an exam. We may book longer grooming slots due to the thick coat and drying time.
Clumber Spaniels are long, low, heavy-boned spaniels (chondrodystrophic) with front-desk–relevant tendencies toward intervertebral disc disease (sudden back/neck pain or hind-limb weakness), hip/elbow dysplasia (lameness), eyelid conformation issues (entropion/ectropion; painful red eye), and ear disease from heavy, pendulous ears (head shaking, odor, debris). They are also notorious for ingesting foreign objects; ask about vomiting, retching, or suspected ingestion. Triage for emergency if non-productive retching with a tight, swollen abdomen or collapse (possible bloat), or heat stress signs; same-day for acute eye pain, sudden neurologic/back pain, or persistent vomiting. For ear/skin or lameness concerns, route to GP and allow extra time (ear cytology/cleaning or orthopedic exam). Advise clients not to clean ears before the visit and to bring videos/timing of signs and any medications given.
Front desk script: Because Clumber Spaniels can hide pain and are prone to back issues, ear problems, and eyelid irritation, I’d like to ask: is there non-productive retching with a tight belly, sudden back/neck pain or hind-leg weakness, or a red, very painful eye? If yes, please proceed to emergency care immediately. If not, I can schedule a same-day/next-available exam (extended slot for ear or lameness). Please avoid cleaning the ears today and bring any videos and a list of medications.
Puppy (to ~16 weeks): schedule visits every 3–4 weeks for core preventive care, large‑breed growth/weight checks, microchip, and owner coaching on socialization, ear care, and household safety (Clumbers often carry/chew items, so foreign‑object ingestion prevention is a common topic). Young adult (1–6 years): book wellness every 6–12 months with weight/body condition and mobility questions; collect any breed health records (hips, elbows, eyes) and note PDP1 DNA test status if available; reinforce dental scheduling and household management to deter sock/toy ingestion. Senior (~7+ years): schedule exams at least every 6 months with vet‑directed screening labs and mobility/cognition check‑ins; ask about stamina, stiffness, coughing, appetite/weight changes, and new lumps. Escalate immediately if an owner reports non‑productive retching with a tight/bloated belly, collapse/weakness, severe breathing distress, or sudden inability to use hind limbs—advise emergency care now.
Front desk script: For Clumber Spaniels, our vet recommends puppy visits every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks, young‑adult wellness every 6–12 months, and senior checkups (around age 7+) at least twice a year. For your next visit, we’ll record any prior hip/elbow/eye results and PDP1 DNA status if you have them, and note any mobility or weight changes. If you ever see dry‑heaving without vomit plus a tight, swollen belly, collapse, or sudden back‑leg weakness, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now and call us on the way.
Clumber Spaniels are gentle and often stoic, so owners may underreport discomfort—front desk teams should proactively ask about mobility changes (hesitating on stairs/jumping), signs of back/neck pain, ear odor or head-shaking, and eye squinting/tearing. Set expectations that their heavy build and long backs mean we take reports of sudden pain or hind-limb weakness seriously. Remind owners this breed’s long, droopy ears and eyelids can need periodic checks, and that a tight, swollen belly with unproductive retching is an emergency. Encourage bringing a favorite toy/treat to keep them calm at check-in and confirm contactability during the visit.
Front desk script: “Because Clumber Spaniels can be very stoic, have you noticed any changes with stairs, jumping, or back/neck sensitivity, or any ear odor or eye squinting?” “If you ever see a swollen, tight belly with gagging/retching, sudden collapse, or sudden back-leg weakness, please go straight to the nearest emergency hospital now and call us on the way so we can coordinate.” “For today, we’ll note any mobility or ear/eye concerns and make sure we can reach you during the appointment.”
Clumber Spaniels benefit from tight weight control and scheduled joint/eye/ear check-ins: confirm breeder screening notes (hips, elbows, eyes, PDP1 status) in the chart; ask owners to book prompt visits for ear odor/redness or scratching (pendulous ears predispose to otitis), and same-day if an eye is squinting, red, or painful (breed is prone to eyelid laxity/ectropion). Discuss timing of orthopedic screening with the vet team and flag back/spine watchouts (reluctance to jump, neck/back pain, hind‑limb weakness) for same‑day evaluation given IVDD risk noted for the breed. For puppies with marked exercise intolerance or collapse, note possible PDP1 concern and route to the medical team. If the dog shows bloat signs—sudden distended abdomen, nonproductive retching, collapse—advise the owner this is an emergency and to go to the nearest ER immediately while contacting us.
Front desk script: For Clumber Spaniels, we keep a closer eye on ears, eyes, weight, and joints. If you ever see a swollen belly with gagging/retching but nothing comes up, that’s an emergency—please head to the nearest ER now and call us on the way. If an eye is suddenly red or squinting, or if there’s sudden back pain or weakness, we’ll prioritize a same‑day appointment. May I add your breeder/previous vet screening info (hips/elbows/eyes/PDP1) to your pet’s record so we can schedule appropriately?
Calm, steady spaniel that’s often polite yet a bit aloof with strangers; typically food‑motivated and responds best to quiet, unhurried handling. Heaviest of the spaniels—use non‑slip footing and a ramp or team‑lift for the scale; support chest and hind end if brief lifting is unavoidable. Front‑desk priorities: note any history of back problems (breed predisposed to intervertebral disc disease), chronic ear or eye irritation, and weight gain; confirm if owner has hip/elbow/eye clearances and PDP1 test results on file. If the owner reports sudden back pain, reluctance to jump, hind‑limb weakness, or collapse, notify the medical team immediately as this may be an emergency.
Front desk script: “Clumbers are usually calm and gentle; we’ll approach slowly and may use treats. Because they’re heavy and long‑backed, we’ll use a ramp or get a team‑lift for the scale—has he had any back issues? If you’ve noticed sudden back pain, wobbliness, or reluctance to jump, we will alert the medical team right away as this can be urgent. Also, do you have hip/elbow/eye clearances or a PDP1 result we can add to the record?”
Clumber Spaniels are heavy-boned, low-to-moderate energy dogs that often do well in calm homes; for intake/placement, plan for high shedding, routine grooming and ear care, and screening conversations around breed-leaning issues (ear infections, eyelid conformation problems, hip/elbow dysplasia, and signs of back/neck pain linked to intervertebral disc disease). For newly adopted dogs, request prior records of OFA/CHIC-style screenings (hips, elbows, eyes, cardiac) and the PDP1 DNA test specific to Clumbers, plus any history of ear/skin flares, eye procedures, mobility changes, or exercise intolerance/collapse. Triage guidance: book same-day exams for painful eyes, persistent ear odor/discharge, or new limping; escalate immediately to emergency care for collapse, pale gums, severe back/neck pain, or sudden inability to walk.
Front desk script: Congratulations on your Clumber Spaniel adoption—this breed can be prone to ear/eye issues and some orthopedic or back problems. We recommend a new-adopter exam in the next 1–2 weeks to review any prior testing (hips/elbows/eyes, PDP1 DNA) and set up a preventive care plan. If you see collapse, severe back or neck pain, pale gums, or sudden trouble walking, please go to the nearest emergency clinic now and call us on the way.
Calm, steady, and dignified spaniel; often a bit aloof with new people but typically friendly and cooperative with a quiet, slow approach. For check-in and waiting areas, seat in a low‑traffic spot; keep purses/food/loose items off the floor as many Clumbers like to carry objects; have a towel handy for drool. Use non‑slip routes and avoid asking them to jump off benches because of their long, heavy build. For handoff, allow sniffing time, offer a treat/toy to focus, and note if the dog prefers calm introductions. Escalate immediately if you observe sudden back/neck pain, reluctance to move, trembling, or hind‑limb weakness—notify the medical team and fast‑track to an exam.
Front desk script: “Clumbers are usually calm and polite but may warm up slowly, so we’ll approach quietly and let them sniff first.” “We’ll seat you in a quieter spot; please keep small items off the floor since many Clumbers like to carry things—we also have towels if drool is an issue.” “If you notice sudden yelping, trouble walking, or reluctance to move today, please tell me right away so we can have a nurse see your dog immediately.”
For Clumber Spaniels, escalate immediately if you hear any of the following: sudden back/neck pain, wobbliness, hind‑limb weakness, knuckling, inability to walk, or loss of bladder/bowel control (risk: intervertebral disc disease); collapse or marked weakness during/after exercise—especially in young dogs or those with known PDP1 status (post‑exercise collapse risk); repeated retching with little/no vomit and a tight/distended abdomen, restlessness, or collapse (possible GDV); repeated vomiting with a painful belly or a likely/known object ingestion (breed is prone to foreign‑body obstruction); eye held closed, squinting, sudden redness/cloudiness, or bulging; difficulty breathing or blue/pale gums; seizures or unresponsiveness; or inability to urinate. Use explicit language: “This is an emergency—your dog needs to be seen now.”
Front desk script: Based on what you’re describing, this could be an emergency and your Clumber Spaniel needs to be seen immediately. Please come to our hospital now; if we are closed or you are far away, go directly to the nearest 24/7 veterinary ER. If anything changes en route or your dog collapses, proceed straight to the closest ER and call us once you arrive. We will alert the clinical team that you are on your way.