Clumber Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever

A Clumber Spaniel
Photo: Canarian
A Labrador Retriever
Photo: SixtyWeb

Side by side

Clumber Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Adult weight
Males 29.5–34 kg (65–75 lb); females 25–29.5 kg (55–65 lb)1
Males 29–36 kg (65–80 lb); females 25–32 kg (55–70 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 45.7–50.8 cm; females 43.2–48.3 cm1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 12.3 years3
Median 13.1 years3
Fully grown
12 months, both sexes4
Group
Retrievers & water dogs1
Retrievers & water dogs5
Coat
Coat with feathering1
Short coat5
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
A brush once a week
Exercise
Plenty
Health
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely)6
Elbow joint disease (much more likely); Outward-drooping eyelid (much more likely)6,7
Class
Companion
Family

Which suits you

Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Clumber Spaniel sheds through the year, the Labrador Retriever moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Clumber Spaniel needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Labrador Retriever needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Clumber Spaniel: affectionate on its own terms; Labrador Retriever: a lap or leaning dog) and on independence (Clumber Spaniel: cooperative, with its own ideas; Labrador Retriever: keen to work with you).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 30 kg (65 lb) for the Clumber Spaniel and 31 kg (68 lb) for the Labrador Retriever.
Alike
Both are rated the same on handler demand: suits a first-time owner.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Clumber Spaniel
Retrievers & water dogs · Large

In temperament the Clumber is calm, affectionate and steady, often reserved with strangers but rarely sharp. It has a reputation for a sense of humour and for carrying objects in its mouth.

Labrador Retriever
Retrievers & water dogs · Large

The breed is friendly, outgoing and keen to work alongside people. Its steady nature has made it a common choice as a guide dog for blind people.

The Clumber Spaniel page →The Labrador Retriever page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Clumber Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Suits a first-time owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Clumber Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Clumber Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 30 kg.
Clumber Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
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More comparisons

Compare the Clumber Spaniel with
Golden Retriever vs Labrador RetrieverChesapeake Bay Retriever vs Labrador RetrieverClumber Spaniel vs Sussex SpanielGerman Shepherd vs Labrador RetrieverLabrador Retriever vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverClumber Spaniel vs English Springer SpanielAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·