This Clumber Spaniel was on the breed stand at Discover Dogs last weekend. Ouch.
The modern show Clumber is too heavy, too fleshy, it overheats, over 40 per cent of them are delivered by C-Section and no real gundog could survive with eyes like this (or indeed would ever be bred from). What were they thinking of when they took this dog to Earl's Court to put on a stand as an example of the breed?
There is a group of enthusiastis trying to preserve the Clumber as a working dog and it's no great surprise that the working Clumbers are lighter, more nimble, have much better eyes and can do running on a warm day.
The breed will never replace a working cocker or springer - or sprocker. But you've got to admire them for trying.