Rare Clumber spaniels meet at Brandon Country Park

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

There are fewer than 2,500 Clumber spaniels in the UK, so owners Rod and Barbara Weston began organising meet-ups for owners and their pets three years ago.

On Sunday, they held their first event in Suffolk, staging a walk at the Brandon Country Park.

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The couple said they weren't expecting a high turn-out because it was a new area, but nine dogs and 15 people turned out.

Originally bred to work as gundogs, Clumbers are named after the Clumber Park estate, in Nottinghamshire, where they were first reared 200 years ago.

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

They are the largest member of the spaniel tribe and adults can weigh up to 85lbs.

They live for around 12 years and are renowned as friendly and affectionate pets, who are easy to train and good with children.

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Clumber spaniels and their owners meet at Brandon Country Park organised by Rod Weston.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)