Please, before you decide where to buy your new Clumber Spaniel, take the time to educate yourself.  It can take a while to get a quality, healthy Clumber Spaniel but, your new puppy will be worth the wait.      Stay away from internet classified retail sites that have numerous breeds for sale.  Most dogs on sites such as these come from Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mills.  Did you know a Clumber Spaniel from a reputable breeder, one who has taken the time to study the pedigree, does health tests and will be there for you for the life of the dog are usually the same price or LESS than what these people are selling their puppies for?           Please read the chart below for examples of what to look for.  It is very important to research your breeder.  There are Clumbers being sold on internet sites, usually offering to accept credit cards or PayPal, that come from Puppy Mills.  If you would like assistance in finding a reputable breeder, or wanted to talk about one you have found, please contact me or see the Clumber Spaniel Club Of America's  Breeder Referral Site for a wealth of information.  And be sure to download the Clumber Spaniel Club of America's Breeder Referral List.  You can also check my links page for additional resources.  For information regarding Clumber Health issues, please read the CSCA Dear Vet Letter. Pictured above is Reggie, Stella and Rumor courtesy of Dianne Daivs of Raven Saint Bernards & Clumber Spaniels.  Pictured below is Chowder on the left and Barley on the Right, courtesy of ShoGun Clumber Spaniels.

Responsible, Reputable Breeders Backyard Breeders/Puppy Mills "Into" Dogs (shows, training, clubs, etc.) Not "into" dogs (has "pets" around the house) Belongs to dog clubs and organizations Is not involved in the "dog world" Proves quality of dogs and suitability for breeding by competing for titles and certificates in conformation, hunt test, obedience, agility, field trialing, tracking, etc. Quality of dogs is almost always substandard, does not test his dogs in shows or trials Pedigrees are filled with dogs who have obtained show titles/working certificates; never breeds dogs without "papers" Pedigrees mostly a list of pets bred by backyard breeders; pups may not even have "papers"; may be mutts (Clumingers.) Is there for the life of your dog, always willing to help Says "Goodbye" and "Good luck" Knowledgeable in every facet of breed, including that of health issues/defects; researches genetics when choosing mates Not particularly educated about breed, often not aware of his own breed's genetic defects; does not consider mate's genetics Knowledgeable about house breaking, training, socializing, breeding, health; constantly reads dog-related materials Has own ideas which may not coincide with professionals' opinions; won't bother to read any of the hundreds of dog books available Knows his lines inside and out Knows nothing about the other dogs on puppies' pedigrees Willing to give you his references Has no references Requires buyers to spay/neuter pet-quality pups Could care less, but if you want to breed, lets talk about buying 'breeding' rights Follows up on puppies' well-being; collects health information affecting his dogs Does not concern himself with the puppies' well-being or how puppies' health affects his breeding "plan"  Breeds to improve his own dogs, his bloodlines and the breed Breeds just to make money Breeds only dogs which meet breed standard Rarely knows what a 'standard' is Breeds only dogs with stable temperaments Breeds shy/aggressive dogs with poor temperaments Breeds only dogs over 2 years old, after health clearances have been done Breeds dogs at almost any age, and any number of times, seldom or never does any heatlh clearances Sire could be from anywhere in the world Sire is whoever is on the premises or the cheapest Does all genetic testing and will provide proof; does not breed animals with genetic defects or which are carriers of defects Does no genetic testing; ignorantly breeds defective animals or those which are carriers, thus, perpetuating disease in breed Puppies are sold from waiting list created before breeding even takes place Puppies are sold after birth in the local newspaper, on retail animal classified sites, on a first-come, first-served basis Puppies are sold with health guarantees and on contracts Puppies are sold with no guarantee, no contract Requires pups back if new homes don't work out Never would take a dog back Does not own more dogs than he has room, time or money for; Dogs are groomed, exercised, healthy, happy Puppy mills are overloaded, "warehoused" dogs are not groomed or exercised, don't look healthy or happy Puppies are raised indoors, with love Puppies are raised outdoors, left alone for long periods of time  Visitors remove shoes and wash hands to prevent spread of parvovirus Has no understanding and takes no precautions to diseases Feeds either premium dog food or Raw/B.A.R.F. Feeds cheapest food available Keeps most Clumbers for 4 months, companion quality may be placed younger Sold as young as 8 weeks or younger  Socializes pups by systematically handling them and exposing them to various noises, children and other animals before sending them to new homes Does not understand or want to be troubled with any kind of training; just tries to keep puppies quiet and contained until sold Tests pups to match their temperaments and drives with buyers' personalities and lifestyles Knows nothing about puppy-testing or matching puppies with buyers; allows buyers to pick the "cutest" one Can honestly evaluate pups' quality Says all pups are high quality Never sells to "impulse" buyers Is not concerned about buyers being prepared for pups  Interviews prospective buyers, checks home and references, refuses to sell to substandard homes Sells first-come, first-served to whomever has the cash; does not find out which homes are substandard Responsible Breeders improve the breed Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mills damage the breed

Picture courtesy of Mary Pat Morris