Clumber Spaniel Wins Crufts, Spotlight on Rare Breed

0:00On March 10th, a Cuomber Spaniel named Bruin, owned by Lee Cox, just one best-in-show at Crefs, beating nearly 19,000 other dogs. This rare breed took the top honor, putting the spotlight on a type of Spaniel many people have never even heard of before. The breed traces its roots back to Cuomber Park and noddinghamshire, created as a deer park in 1709. In the 1760s, as a local duke and his gamekeeper developed these dogs from prized Spaniels for hunting on the nearby Sherwood Forest, Heathlands, part managers there are thrilled, noting clumber Spaniel still roamed the grounds daily and carry the park's name proudly. They see the win as a nod to their shared history, even after the original stately home burned down a century ago. Breed enthusiasts like Barbara Weston, who leads a popular walking group for clumbers, hope this victory draws more attention to the vulnerable breed. With a small gene pool in the UK, more interest could mean healthier breeding and bigger litters down the line.

1:01Her group started small 10 years ago, but now packs in dozens of owners and dogs at clumber park meetups where the friendly, loyal plups mix easily, despite their shedding and a bit of drool. This cruffs moment feels like the boost the breed has long needed to thrive.