On the other hand, the introduction of Clumber blood into other strains of Spaniels, for working purposes at least, is rather beneficial than otherwise, and it is a cross frequently employed.
At one time the Duke of Portland had a very fine kennel of Clumbers, and when these dogs appeared at the Palace or other Kennel Club Shows, they simply swept the boards.
Mr Holmes of Lancaster had also a strong team, though I did not like the appearance of his Clumbers anything akin to those shown by the Duke.
Probably the handsomest—we will not say the most typical—Clumber that ever adorned the show bench was Mr Parkinson's Champion "Trusty," though, for some unknown reason, this exhibitor quietly dropped from the show ring, and "Trusty" sank into insignificance.
My dog, Champion "Psycho," was one of the most typical Clumbers going the rounds, and deserved a much more successful career than he had. He was about as sweet-tempered a dog as it was possible to have, and formed a most devoted attachment to my mother, under whose care he chiefly was.
At one time the classes for Clumber Spaniels were well filled, though in recent years they have declined considerably.
Lately His Most Gracious Majesty the King, and the Duchess of Newcastle, have shown Clumbers, and this alone should give a fresh impetus towards the popularity of the breed. At anyrate, we hope it will have this effect.
When carefully broken, Clumbers make excellent workers, and can stand a lot of heavy work.
