The Well-Connected Spaniel

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322 – April, 2022

By Lee Connor

An oft-quoted saying (which contains more than a grain of truth) is, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.

This not only applies to the cut-throat world of big business or murky Governments but, it would appear, to some dog breeds as well.

A romantic back story and some highly distinguished patrons can propel a breed from almost complete obscurity into the stratosphere of desirability and popularity.

Such is the case with the glorious Clumber Spaniel.

This, the heaviest of the spaniel tribe, is said to have its origins in France where it was derived from crosses between the long-extinct “Alpine Spaniel” and Basset Hounds.

A common tale, concerning its history, which is eagerly repeated by doggy experts over the past hundred or so years is that the breed was fostered and carefully bred by the Duc de Noailles before the French Revolution. They were jealously guarded for their work in the field. As troubled times engulfed France, the Duc (it is said) removed his esteemed kennel to the safety of England, to the care of the Duke of Newcastle at Clumber Park.

The Duc de Noailles returned to France and was subsequently killed in the bloody Revolution that swept away the French royal family and swathes of nobility, and so his handsome spaniels remained in England and took on the name of their place of refuge–becoming Clumber Spaniels.

It’s certainly a lovely story, but is there any truth to it?

Click here to read the complete article
322 – April, 2022

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