The Field Trials have, no doubt, had a great deal to do with the largely augmented popularity of the breed and the great increase in the number of those who own Clumbers.  For the first two or three years after these were truly established no other breed seemed to have a chance with them; and even now, though both English and Welsh Springers have done remarkably well, they more than hold their own.  The most distinguished performer by far was Mr. Winton Smith’s Beechgrove Bee, a bitch whose work was practically faultless, and the first Field Trial Champion among Spaniels.  Other good Clumbers who earned distinction in the field were Beechgrove Minette, Beechgrove Maud, the Duke of Portland’s Welbeck Sambo, and Mr. Phillips’ Rivington Honey, Rivington Pearl, and Rivington Reel.

The points and general description of the breed as published by both the Spaniel Club and the Clumber Spaniel Club are identical.  They are as follows:—­

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HEAD—­Large, square and massive, of medium length, broad on top, with a decided occiput; heavy brows with a deep stop; heavy freckled muzzle, with well developed flew.  EYES—­Dark amber; slightly sunk.  A light or prominent eye objectionable.  EARS—­Large, vine leaf shaped, and well covered with straight hair and hanging slightly forward, the feather not to extend below the leather.  NECK—­Very thick and powerful, and well feathered underneath.  BODY (INCLUDING SIZE AND SYMMETRY)—­Long and heavy, and near the ground.  Weight of dogs about 55 lb. to 65 lb.; bitches about 45 lb. to 55 lb.  NOSE—­Square and flesh coloured.  SHOULDERS AND CHEST—­Wide and deep; shoulders strong and muscular.  BACK AND LOIN—­Back straight, broad and long; loin powerful, well let down in flank.  HIND-QUARTERS—­Very powerful and well developed.  STERN—­Set low, well feathered, and carried about level with the back.  FEET AND LEGS—­Feet large and round, well covered with hair; legs short, thick and strong; hocks low.  COAT—­Long, abundant, soft and straight.  COLOUR—­Plain white with lemon markings; orange permissible but not desirable; slight head markings with white body preferred.  GENERAL APPEARANCE—­Should be that of a long, low, heavy, very massive dog, with a thoughtful expression.

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IV.  THE SUSSEX SPANIEL.—­This is one of the oldest of the distinct breeds of Land Spaniels now existing in the British Islands, and probably also the purest in point of descent, since it has for many years past been confined to a comparatively small number of kennels, the owners of which have always been at considerable pains to keep their strains free from any admixture of foreign blood.