Current Surveys

Surveys are an invaluable tool for assessing trends in a breed’s health. The Clumber Spaniel Club is committed to carrying out a general health survey every five years to gather information that will inform on current health issues and enable future breeding guidance. The Clumber Spaniel Club has addressed health issues affecting the Clumber Spaniel for over thirty years. It held the first International Breed Seminar in 1987 specifically for “Hereditary Defects in the Clumber Spaniel” including a presentation by Dr Malcolm Willis on “Hip Dysplasia in Clumber Spaniels”. Since then a number of general health surveys have been carried out and the ongoing breeding and lifespan surveys were developed so that data on these issues can be collected during the interim periods.  In addition to the general health surveys the Club has carried out investigations on Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1 Deficiency (PDP1), weight and whelping issues. When a new condition presents, such as Exercise Induced Collapse, the Club will respond to establish how significant the condition is for the breed.

Current Surveys

Back and Spinal problems

From previous general health surveys it was recognised that Clumber Spaniels have a higher incidence of back and spinal problems than most other breeds and that further investigation was needed. A survey into Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) was launched in 2018 and was carried out by the Royal Veterinary College. The analysis of the study has now been published and can be found below and on the “Past Surveys & Reports” page. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to participate.

Clumber Spaniel IVDD Analysis

Cancer

The Club is also supporting survey into Spaniel and Otterhound cancer being run by the University of Nottingham

University of Nottingham Cancer Survey

Please contribute as much information as you can.

Screening Project into the Prevalence of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in the UK population of Clumber Spaniels

The Clumber Spaniel Club is undertaking a study to investigate the prevalence of the condition within the UK population using DNA testing. It will also use the BVA Eye Test scheme to see if any of the dogs found to be genetically “Affected” are also clinically affected for the condition. The Club has engaged the help of Laboklin for this project; they will issue test forms specifically for this project and the results will be shared with the Club as well as the owner.

Further details and an application form for the study can be downloaded here

Previous PRA Test Results can be found here-  PRA Test Results

Ongoing Surveys

The Club has two on- going surveys; the first records life spans of Clumbers and the second is a breeding survey. The latter is to gather information about whelping, puppies and missed matings, please contribute as much information as possible.

Lifespan Survey

Breeding Survey