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
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 is being carried out by the Royal Veterinary College.
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.
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.
The Club has four on going surveys; the first records lifespans of Clumbers and the second is a breeding survey. The latter is to gather information about whelping, puppies and missed matings, a back disease survey and a Cancer survey with the University of Nottingham, please contribute as much information as possible.