1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Doug Johnson

1. I’ve been in the sport of purebred dogs for 40 years and I breed English Toy Spaniels, Clumber Spaniel, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, and most recently, Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. I live in Bloomington, Indiana, and I am a breeder, judge, and exhibitor. And I’ve been breeding since the late 1980s.

2. In Toy breeds, you’re always looking for a dog that has a great temperament. That’s paramount in selecting a show animal or a companion animal. That would ALWAYS be number one, especially in English Toys who tend to be a little introverted. It’s very important that they have a rock-solid temperament. I’m not a big one to talk about a Performance puppy versus a Conformation puppy, because really, they should be able to do it all. You don’t see a lot of type differences in a Performance puppy bred to perform for a certain venue, Agility or Obedience, for example, in the Toy breeds. A Papillon, for example, could do both of those things very easily. They can be a Best in Show winner, but they can also have a Rally title and an Obedience title and still look the part of a show animal. So, I don’t think there are big distinguishing features. That is the beauty of sharing time with Toy breeds.

Once you have passed the temperament testing in a litter, you would then move on to looking for very specific breed details of your breed. We grow them up a little bit longer than most breeders in the breed. We believe our kennel has a bit of an advantage because they’re raised with other breeds that aren’t Toy breeds. So, they’re more empowered and braver than a lot of Toys Spaniels we meet in the ring. Toy breeds need to be brave, and sometimes when they live amongst dogs that are the same stature they don’t become as brave as they could. So that’s one of our advantages. All of this said, if looking for a structural concern in Toys, you must look at knees for fitness and strength to ensure functional soundness to perform in these venues as well. But for the most part, I think the aesthetic of the animal is the same.

3. I think the English Toy breed in the United States is varied in quality. I think we have a range of breeders who are not as progressive as others. I don’t think they see forward motion and movement in their kennels like some others, meaning there are several breeders who are very content with the dogs they have reproducing themselves, looking like what they have, retaining the qualities they have but not looking to improve or advance the breed in any certain way. I think that we have seen the profile of the breed elevated in the last 15 to 20 years. From the advent of someone like Karen Miller, who got involved and had a high-profile animal do some winning, it assisted in getting judges to recognize the breed as competitive within the Toy Group. From that, you’ve had people, including us, get involved who have produced a lot of puppies over a period that have been rather successful in the last two decades. So, there is movement for improvement in a faction of breeders, but I don’t know that it’s shared across the English Toy Spaniel community who are still very satisfied with retaining the certain type of dog that they have and perhaps is less competitive when exhibited outside of its littermates of the same quality. Of course, there are areas of concern in the current state of the breed in our country. We continue to see dogs exhibited and rewarded with their tails down in the ring. (Would you award a Cavalier a major with its tail clamped down? Crawling around the ring?) Every breeder in the country knows how I feel about this. I’m made fun of because I don’t tolerate a dog with its tail down, where most breeders don’t care about that. I see this breed’s mentality to be the exact same as the Cavalier. You would never show or reward a Cavalier that had its tail down, and I don’t think you should do the same in English Toys. So, we have great concerns about that. Knees are also an area of concern, as we see this at each National being ignored by judges as the exhibits gait around the rings with slipping patellas. That’s a problem, and that should be addressed in the whelping box and then assessed in the show ring, and judges should be less forgiving of it. And finally, one of the breed’s biggest challenges is the closed membership of the parent club. It has been unquestioned and unchecked for decades. This is a club that does not let people in who might not agree with the powers that be. I know of eight people turned down in the past year. I can’t imagine that is happening in other parent clubs. They have turned down our membership twice now. This restrictive behavior only fuels our passion to continue our successful path. We know the actions of the few hurt the club and the breed. We rise above to continue to advance without the small-mindedness of those who don’t know us but see the progress and run scared of competition. It is a sad state when a small club is so exclusive to the point of self-harm. It is unfortunate for the club but not for the breed, as we continue to support it with quality dogs

4. I think we have plenty of shows. I think there are perhaps too many shows to keep quality high. It’s nice to have maybe fewer shows where there’s more concentration of animals so that there’s direct competition rather than making something we call a kennel champion. (A kennel champion is a dog that has shown only against its kennelmates and isolated in its exposure to other breeders.) You can run away and take four bitches and one dog and get a major on a bitch and a crossover major on the dog. And before you know it, that dog is a new champion, and no one’s ever seen him. Well, that, to me, is not the point of the sport. The showcase of animals at a dog show is breeder-to-breeder competition so that you know where you stack up amongst those also breeding your breed. To me, that’s more important. The state of the sport is strong. The entries across the board are reasonable, but for a minor breed there’s not a lot of opportunity for breeder-to-breeder competition. I would like to see more of that.

5. In my opinion, social media has benefited the English Toy Spaniel greatly. Were it not for social media, the global exchange of quality animals across country borders and barriers would not be happening. Our kennel has certainly had a direct impact on the global community because of exposure from Facebook or Instagram. They allow you to showcase your dogs, and people acknowledge them who may not speak your language. Yet, on Facebook, you can communicate back and forth about your common passion for a breed. We’ve certainly benefited from a wonderful exchange with breeders in Russia who had bred to a dog of ours that we placed in Germany for a short period of time. That has led to a cooperation that has really brought to the fore some great English Toy Spaniels. The top-winning English Toy Spaniel of all time is a direct result of the influence of social media. Were it not for the fact that I was on Facebook and saw some dogs in Russia and reached out to a breeder in Russia, none of that would have happened because we didn’t know each other. I didn’t even know she existed! And despite a language barrier, we were able to communicate about animals and work to advance the breed, advance our kennels, and exchange genetic populations. We are still doing this and communicating about our breed. We share a common goal of advancement, improvement, and viability as well as working to increase the breed’s profile in the competitive Group that is the TOY Group!

6. The biggest issue facing the dog show community today is probably the cultural shift against purebred dogs. With that in mind, dog shows are a safe place to be a breeder, a safe place to display what you’ve bred. I think that we’re faced with a cultural shift where the “adopt don’t shop” mentality has taken over. This is sort of a tired mantra that we’ve been hearing. I think breeder-on-breeder drama is detrimental to the sport. I am probably one of the few who are not anti-doodle. I am pro-breeder. I don’t think you can be pro-breeder and anti-someone who breeds. I’m not an anti-high-volume breeder. I am a pro-responsible breeder. I’m actually pro-accountable breeder. So, if you’re accountable for your animals, if you have 100 litters a year or one, all power to you. If you have 100 litters a year and you take great care of them, super. If you have one disastrous litter and you throw your hands up in the air and ignore all of the problems, that doesn’t make you a better breeder than the high-volume breeder because you only had one litter. We have to support breeders across the board. We have to educate people on how we want breeders to breed. How we want them to be accountable for dogs, what are the methods in place to ensure the health and wellness of animals that we create, the welfare of the animals we create, and good positive relationships with those people who have dogs from us. Without those relationships, everything falls apart. So, keeping those relationships would be the biggest challenge we face as a collective group of individuals sharing the same sport.

7. I think, over the past decade, people have grown to realize how important the social aspect of dog shows has become. A growing family of dog friends means that you are reaching people socially. There’s a social aspect to dogs and dog showing that is very important, especially with Toy breeds where they become part of families. That’s a little different than some of these other Groups within the American Kennel Club system. These are dogs that sleep on your bed, watch TV with you, and share your life. We certainly have recognized the importance of the Toy breeds from day-to-day life. That’s one of the most important things about dog showing now, the community of dogs that we have, the aspect of dogs, all of which is positive, is where we all share in the companionship of an animal. It’s an integral part of the human experience.

Additionally, there have been several positive changes in the sport. I think that we are seeing a focus on a lot of testing to produce quality dogs. There are lots of advances in the medical field for animals to help our dogs live longer. There is a concentration of quality breeders still breeding dogs. Another big challenge is the fact that we don’t have a lot of breeders, so without them, you rely on a mass population to breed dogs. We want people to focus on breeding quality animals that are healthy. Fortunately, we do have several mechanisms in place to test animals for health, DNA testing to make sure that what you’re putting together is good. Then, there’s even something as simple as the microchip and utilizing that to track your dog and put that in place for the lifetime of the dog. These are medical advances that we didn’t have when I started. This type of thing is huge when it comes to the canine population.

The post Doug Johnson | Clussexx English Toy Spaniels and Clumber Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels & Nederlandse Kooikerhondje appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

I am often asked to mentor new judges wanting to learn the nuances of the Clumber Spaniel. Sadly, many times, this breed, like their rare, lesser-known spaniel cousins, is one of the last few breeds applied for in the Sporting Group. At that point, your judging skills are already in place and sorting dogs is not as difficult as when you first entered the ring.

For the newer Clumber judge, that level of comfort can work against good decision-making, meaning that you might start sorting with an untrained eye, making decision on soundness instead of type, and rewarding a generic spaniel-type dog over an animal that excels in breed-specific qualities.

The Clumber Spaniel presents judges with challenges not commonly found in other members of the spaniel family. I have shared 40 years of my life with this unique breed and I can tell you they are not like the other smaller spaniels. While they differ in many ways, you should instantly notice Clumbers enter your ring with a larger body mass and proportions, a looseness of protective skin, and a distinctive headpiece.

When I judge this breed, whether at a show or in my own breeding program, I look for a dog that is clearly long in proportion and deep in body, with massive bone and substance; top that off with the hallmark headpiece that contains the breed essential nuances I require (i.e., good eye set and the proper expression, deep lips, and a softness of brow). You can keep a high bar for quality in what you look for in this breed. While lower in overall numbers, the quality is quite good. When you have an entry, you will generally have plenty of decisions to make.

Looking at the breed in profile, the very first thing I notice is how low to the ground is this animal. Is he low and long? Does this dog occupy his space with substance and bone? Does he make an empowering impression with a big, broad head, with loose skin framing his face? As the judge, you should look at his elbow and notice that from the elbow to the ground is one-half of his height at the top of the shoulder. If the length is greater than that, he is too tall. Long legs are without question the plague of the breed today. He should never be fine-boned, tall, or present lots of daylight under his body. More and more often, dogs are getting taller, and as a result, they appear shorter in back. With this extra leg length, their proportions are skewed. This long, low silhouette is very important to the breed and defines his outline. As a breeder, these leggy, taller dogs have no value; however, as an uneducated judge, they can have a visual appeal. Beware: A taller dog will generally appear sounder and hold a firmer topline, giving a generic appeal or what we refer to as SPRINGERY. I avoid these animals as breeding stock and winners in my ring.

Clumbers are a massive dog with barrel-shaped ribbing that is vital to this breed. The body has a wide girth and is two-thirds ribbing and one-third strong loin. There is no tuck-up. The underline is also long. Use your hands to feel how far back the bottom of the ribs go and check for any presence of tuck-up. The front of the Clumber is well developed and wide, but elbows are tight to the chest and well tucked-in, supporting the dog’s full body mass. The pasterns are slightly sloping. On the move, the front legs should reach forward, converging to the centerline but never crossing over. Their feet are large and round, bone is strong. This breed has a level topline and a strong back, but there will be a slight rise over the loin that is not always perceptible to the eye but evident upon physical exam. The croup is typical for most spaniel breeds. It is slightly rounded and never a continuation of the topline. Like the slight rise of the loin, you will need to feel this, as the coat can be profuse. The tail should be slightly below the line of the back.

This breed was developed to flush out game and beat birds out of nests for hunters. The ground cover where they worked was densely covered with native Rhododendron bushes and thorny thickets. To that end, the breed must have loose-fitting skin, with a great deal of play to move with the dog when he is pushing through this underbrush. This is an essential breed characteristic, without which he would never be able to perform his function as a flushing spaniel. This thick skin is an element of proper breed type, most notably on the head; the skin creates the classic furrowing and loose eye. The brow acts as a protective element for the eyes as the dog pushes through the cover to locate game. Unlike other spaniel breeds, some haw will show around the eyes. A “V” shape lower rim is created with the skin. Too much skin can lead to many health issues and should be avoided. A Clumber devoid of loose skin is a Clumber with no type. Unlike most of the other breeds with a typical lobe shape, the ears are triangular or leaf-shaped. The ear leather is a place to feel for the characteristic thick skin of the Clumber Spaniel. This breed has suffered with malocclusion for many of the four decades I have been involved with them. As a breeder, I do not keep dogs in my breeding program that do not have perfect bites, and as a result I never reward them in the show ring. There will be others of merit to reward. The Clumber is never shy or timid; instead, he is reserved in temperament with a noble character.

Most judges are comfortable with breeds that look the same moving as standing, and frankly, often this breed is not. This is a direct result of the short legs and long body, coupled with the loose skin. On the move, the dog’s skin will undulate back and forth, tending to rock and vibrate. This is referred to as the “Clumber roll.” It is more apparent on the go-round, with a slight flap of coat that covers the shoulder blades. This is the spaniel shawl and is not to be trimmed or penalized. In other breeds, the handler will pull this out or trim it; however, it is left natural on the Clumber as it is part of his protective armor.

This breed has large, round, dense bone; round muscle, and thick, powerful thighs. They have a wide, round rump typical of most spaniel breeds. They should have meaty or fleshy rears with good muscle tone, and very short hocks with thick, fleshy feet that work as shock absorbers. Going away from you, he should push back, showing his pads. This breed has made great strides in soundness in the past few decades. He has become a strong, dynamic sporting dog, instead of the lumbering Clumber of yesteryear. They are more powerful and stronger today than ever. As breeders, we are proud of these structural improvements. His tail is thick at the root and can be either docked or natural. Neither is preferred. They are always white with either lemon or orange markings.

I often use a bulldozer or milkmaids as a metaphor for the breed. The females are always slightly less dog throughout than their male counterparts, and many times are overlooked. The mass of a male can outshine the superior qualities of a great Clumber bitch. Sadly, we struggle to have top-winning bitches even when their qualities are superior. The girls will carry less bone, head, and coat than males, but she should never be fine in bone or lacking in substance.

Clumber Spaniels are unique to the Spaniel Family. Their differences are what attracted me to them originally. It is my hope that when you have the opportunity to judge a major entry, you will come to appreciate the unique traits that define him as the country gentleman.

The post Judging the Clumber Spaniel appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My passion for Sporting dogs started as a Junior Handler showing my English Springer Spaniel. When I won Best Northwest Junior Handler with her, I was hooked! My husband, Bob, and I live in Oregon and fell in love with Clumber Spaniels for numerous reasons, especially that the breed was not split along field and show lines. Being passionate about preserving the breed’s original purpose and natural instincts, our first Clumber was owner-trained and handled by Bob and I to become the first Clumber to earn the Master Hunter title (2001). I have been an AKC Spaniel Hunt Test judge for over 20 years and love seeing the breed doing what they were bred to do. I am proud that our small and selective breeding program under the “Creswick” banner has produced numerous Conformation champions and Specialty winners that have also excelled in the field for more than 20 years. Our daughter, Lauren, has grown up in dogs and is now an active co-breeder with us and an accomplished handler. Most recently, our dogs have won the CSCA’s Top Ten Gala competitions in 2022 and 2023.

2. My process for selecting show puppies involves a continuous team approach. Myself, Bob, and Lauren evaluate puppies initially at the age of eight weeks, and then again around 12 weeks. We have developed an open process of discussion as we go over a litter and try to focus on what improvements we hoped to make and what gains we hoped to keep, while striving for that ideal “long, low, and substantial” specimen. We typically sort our top prospects and then keep those until the adult teeth come in. A scissors bite is preferred in the Breed Standard, but we do not show or keep dogs with poor bites. Puppy evaluation for performance centers on such qualities as biddability, willingness to retrieve, boldness to cover, and curiosity. Of course, the ultimate puppy for us will combine an exciting potential for success in both venues; the show ring and the field.

3. Yes, in my opinion, the breed is in good condition overall and has been steadily improving for the past 20 years. Clumbers in the US have not split along show and field lines, which was one of the original aspects of the breed that attracted me and is also important for many of the breed’s defenders. In recent years, more attention has been paid to OFA certification for elbows in the breed, which is a positive development.

4. Breeding and showing a low-entry breed such as the Clumber is truly a labor of love that takes passion and commitment. Clumber entries are typically low compared to other Sporting breeds, but I have generally found that most judges will take the time to recognize and reward good specimens. The upside of more shows is that they provide more opportunities to showcase Clumbers to the general public. Generally, Clumber owners are used to having to coordinate with others to build majors, and more shows provide more options for these opportunities.

Clumber entries are typically low compared to other Sporting breeds, but I have generally found that most judges will take the time to recognize and reward good specimens.

5. There are always individuals and groups that will misuse social media, but with a niche breed, such as the Clumber, it generally provides an opportunity for community and connection with other owners, breeders, and fanciers from around the world.

6. In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges facing the dog show community today as a whole is the aging population of our sport. We need to take the time to encourage and attract the younger generation to the dog world. I see the need for this in both the show ring and the field.

7. Building on the thought of trying to attract the younger generation to our sport, I have seen many positive changes in the area of Junior Showmanship, for example. Individuals such as Jody Davidson in Arizona have led the way with offering mentoring, training, and support for a large number of Juniors around the country, both in-person and virtually. I look around the shows that I attend today and see many of our daughter’s friends from the Juniors ring competing as successful owners, handlers, and breeders. I think that it’s important for clubs to continue to showcase and support Juniors with events such as limited competitions and opportunities to win scholarships. Junior Handlers are the future of our sport and need to be supported, encouraged, and cultivated!

The post Julie Wickwire | Creswick Clumber Spaniels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My kennel is in Pepperell, Massachusetts, on the New Hampshire border. I have had Sporting dogs my entire life, originally field Springer Spaniels which I hunted with, and in later years did some breeding. My kennel name is Bulwinkle’s. I have had Clumber Spaniels for 15 years; breeding these dogs for the past 10 years. I believe you need to socialize puppies thoroughly and am always proud to hear that my puppies are fearless.

2. I always ask for several opinions from fellow professionals when picking show puppies. Although I do keep in mind my favorites. I like a dog with substance and a strong head. I start my puppies at six weeks, working them on clip wing birds just to get them used to retrieving and to make it fun.

3. The breed is doing very well with health testing and overall health improvement. I always consider that this is a Sporting breed and form needs to follow function. I consider my dogs, first and foremost, hunting dogs. I want them to be successful in the field to carry on their purpose.

4. It is nice to see more people becoming interested in dog sports. With a rare breed, I believe judges education is crucial because it is common that they may see very few entries for our breed at each show. I do believe there are many shows available to us in the current climate.

5. Social media allows us to reach people we may not have interacted with. Professionally, caution does need to be used to make sure interactions are prudent and supportive. It does allow quick posting of pictures and videos for those who were unable to attend events or may not be able to see stud dog options in person.

6. I see that many of the dog show judges and participants are aging. We need to pay particular attention to the Juniors. They are the future of the sport and if we don’t encourage them and help them, there will be no dog sports.

7. There are a number of new performance events that have been added that allow individuals who may not want a Conformation dog to enjoy the sport of dogs and their community. This also allows the media to attend these events and show others that there are ways to participate and enjoy these events with their own dogs.

It is nice to see more people becoming interested in dog sports. With a rare breed, I believe judges education is crucial because it is common that they may see very few entries for our breed at each show.

The post Sarah Bulwinkle | Bulwinkle’s Clumber Spaniels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Collette Jaynes, Breeder of Jazzin Kennels

Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Collette Jaynes: I live in White, Georgia. I have been in dogs for 50 years; 48 years as a breeder.

What is your kennel name? How many dogs do you currently keep?

Collette Jaynes: My kennel name is Jazzin Kennels. I currently keep 9-11 dogs and bitches total for both Golden Retrievers and Clumber Spaniels.

Which show dogs from the past have been your noteworthy winners?

My noteworthy winners include:

• Golden – CH Jazzin’s Advice Line – WB GRCA National Specialty 2010
• Clumber – CH Jazzin’s Ducking The System – WB CSCA National Specialty 2010
• Clumber – CH Nexus Total Eclipse (breeder) – BOB CSCA National Specialty 2012
• Clumber – CH Jazzin’s Duchess of York – BISS at both the CSCA National 2016 and CSCC National 2015
• Golden – GCH Jazzin’s Final Jeopardy – Top 20 goldens 2012

Which have been your most influential sires and dams?

My most influential sire and dam:

• Golden – GCH Jazzin’s Final Jeopardy (sire)
• Clumber – CH Nexus Jazzin Jenga (dam)

Can you talk a bit about your facilities? Where are your puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Collette Jaynes: My facilities are a home with a full basement. The kennel is in the basement with stainless steel dog wash, washer/dryer, runs with Kuranda beds, and six acres to run on. Puppies are whelped upstairs in the office area. I have a daybed there and I sleep with the litter for the first two weeks. Once the puppies are old enough, they go in the kennel in a huge area with lots of toys, litter box, and music. They are socialized daily and taken on walks, and the grandkids play with them often. They become well-adjusted puppies.

What is your “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Collette Jaynes: I hold a Zoom meeting now, but before Zoom I always had other breeders and judges come over to evaluate the litter one by one. I do temperament testing for performance and field with retrieving and birds.

Do you compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Collette Jaynes: I try to obtain an AKC Championship on all my dogs, and most of my Goldens do Performance in Field and Obedience.

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to you?

Collette Jaynes: Yes, to make sure the original purpose is still part of the breeding program.

How would you define “conditioning” as it relates to your breed?

Collette Jaynes: Conditioning means lots of exercise and room to run and jump. Retrieving daily helps to condition those dogs that are not interested in playing with others.

Are there any health-related concerns in your breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Collette Jaynes: There are lots of health-related concerns in both breeds. I am OCD about testing and only use dogs/bitches that have been health and DNA tested for everything related to that breed: Hips/Eyes/Elbows/Heart and all genetic testing as well.

Do you think your breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Collette Jaynes: In Golden Retrievers, yes, but it’s not the case in Clumbers.

Is your breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own your breed?

Collette Jaynes: Yes, both breeds are great family dogs and I encourage each owner to enroll in Puppy Obedience ASAP. Goldens do well in most environments. Clumbers need a fenced yard, as once their nose turns on their ears turn off.

What is the biggest misconception about your breed? What is your breed’s best-kept secret?

Collette Jaynes: With a well-bred Golden there are no misconceptions. With a Clumber, the misconception biggest is the drooling. They do drool, but not nearly as much as it is led to believe. The best-kept secret is that Clumbers are one of the best family dogs around and they are clowns as well. I’m not sure why they are still a low entry breed. They were registered in AKC before Golden Retrievers!

If you could share a comment or two with judges of your breed, what would you like to say to them?

Collette Jaynes: Judge for form and function and type. Make your cuts on type and your placements on structure and you will never go wrong. Clumbers are long and low but they are NOT Sussex Spaniels! Clumbers need to have “enough” leg to do the job they were bred to do. Bigger, heavier, and hairier is not always correct!

Do you have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Collette Jaynes: Find a mentor in the breed. They will help you navigate through so much unfamiliar language and dogs. I can’t stress this enough. Trying to do it alone is a recipe for disaster. AND, breeding is not for the faint of heart. So much tragedy will occur if you do this long enough and it takes love of the breed to keep going.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing you’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Collette Jaynes: It was in the 1980s and I was running one of my Goldens in an Obedience Trial. He was good too good. It was a VERY hot day in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the trial was held in a pavilion outside. My turn was up, and half the ring was in the sun and the other half in shade. We started the off-lead heeling and, as soon as I hit the sun, my Golden stops with his front toes on the edge of the sun/shade. I had to continue the heeling pattern without the dog and when I passed him coming back, he whipped into heel position! That evening, we worked on heeling in the parking lot of the hotel. He was flawless!

The next day, when it was close to my turn, a crowd had gathered to watch. Everyone had heard about the Golden refusing to go into the sun. Well, I thought, “We will show them!” and, by damn, he did it again! As soon as I crossed over from shade to sun he stayed in the shade. I continued the heeling pattern, and again, once I’d returned to where he was standing, he whipped into heel position. Everything else was flawless, but, of course, we did not pass. Lesson learned: Never show him in the sun. The crowd had a good laugh that day!

The post Jazzin Kennels | Collette Jaynes appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

I often tell potential Clumber Spaniel owners that although the Clumber Spaniel is the couch potato of the Sporting Group, this is a relative term. While Clumbers do not have the energy of an
English Springer Spaniel, the Pointers or the Setters, that doesn’t mean it spends its life just laying around doing nothing every day. A well-bred Clumber Spaniel needs to be structurally sound enough to hunt thick fields of cover all day. In addition to structure, there are other traits that were bred into the Clumber to help it with the work it was meant to do; coat color and texture, amount of loose skin, and eye shape are some of these traits. Many new Clumber puppy owners are surprised at the amount of energy that a Clumber can have and, as with other Sporting breeds, this energy needs to be channeled to keep it from becoming destructive. Clumbers can get bored doing the same activity over and over again, so it can be a lot of fun for the dog and owner to try different venues. While I have trained and competed with Clumbers in most AKC venues, including conformation, obedience, rally, tracking, hunting, and agility, the Clumbers especially excel in tracking and hunting.

There aren’t many Clumbers that participate in obedience or agility, but it can be done. Again, training needs to be structured to work with the Spaniel/Hound background. At times, the Clumber can appear to suffer from attention deficit disorder. But, if you can keep the training interesting and minimize boring drills, you can excel in obedience and agility with a Clumber Spaniel.

In tracking and hunting you can really see the superior nose and birdiness of the breed. You need a well-structured dog to compete in these events—a Clumber with the proper structure will have no problem covering rough terrain in all types of weather to succeed in tracking and hunting. Clumber puppies are quick learners at tracking, and can earn a Tracking Dog title before the age of one. For hunting, the Clumber should have an obedience foundation, but then let them go—and watch them hunt. While the Clumber doesn’t cover the field with as many steps as the other Spaniels, it has more than covered the field with its powerful nose. When working a hunt dead (lost bird) exercise, you just need to point a Clumber in the right direction, then stand back and wait for it to work the area until it finds the bird and then come trotting back with it.

And finally, what is it like to live with a Clumber Spaniel? They are characters! With that smooshy face and swishy walk, you can’t help but laugh at a Clumber. The down side is shedding, which is done on a regular basis and then, depending on the dog, there could be snoring or drooling. But, if you can live with the hair, you will have a wonderful, loving companion that loves to join you on your adventures and provide entertainment every step of the way.

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