General Info

English Springer Spaniels were originally bred as a hunting dog. In America today they are still classified as a member of the sporting group. The intelligence, stamina and desire to please that made them such great hunters is what we believe makes them such wonderful family pets.

Springers crave the attention of their human companions. It is important to remember this when you are looking for the right breed for your family. They are outgoing and love all people.

Springers need regular exercise to keep their mind and body healthy. General obedience is a must with all dogs and Springers respond well to positive and consistent training.

We would encourage you to read lots of information about the English Springer Spaniel before deciding on one as a family pet. These dogs have a lifetime of 12-14 years. Please make sure you are ready to make that kind of commitment to an animal as well as ensure your lifestyle matches the needs of this breed before obtaining one.

You can find lots of great information on the Springer by doing a google search on english springer spaniels.

The Tri-Color Gene

The tri-color trait in English Springer Spaniels is due to a recessive gene. A dog may carry the gene but not express the actual color trait. Two dogs that carry or express the trait must be mated for any of the puppies to actually express the tri-color.

We used to have a springer, Danni who is a good example of this fact. Danni's pedigree showed NO tri-colored dogs listed in her history even though Danni and some of her litter mates express the tri-color. This indicates that the dogs in her background carried the gene but did not express the trait.

Lemon Colored Springers

The Red, Orange and Yellow or "Lemon" coat color is a recessive gene. It is a different type of gene then the tri-color but it is recessive in nature. It is easily "covered up" by the darker black and liver coat colors most commonly found in Springers. Once again you must have two parents carrying the lemon gene for any of the puppies in the litter to have a lemon coat.

The Lemon coat is registered either as Orange and White (134), Red and White (146) or lemon (115) with the AKC. This color is recognized for registration but not allowed in the AKC conformation show ring. These dogs are able to compete in the agility and obedience rings.

Lemon springers were more prevalent in the early years of the ESS breed but were "culled" out by breeders that didn't like the color. Those breeders were going for a more uniform look for their dogs at the time.

Despite the attempts to stop the lemon line of springers, many still exist in today's gene pool. Either in the actual lemon dogs or other colored springers that carry the recessive gene. Yellow or not these dogs express the attributes of beauty, joy and brains that we love in the Springer breed. To us they are a "SOLID GOLD"!

Sable Coated Springers

The sable color is a novelty color that is sometimes produced in English Springer Spaniels. Imagine your favorite springer colored like lassie and you will get an idea of a sable coat. Ranging from yellow to red with darker hair tips, these are gorgeous dogs.

Sable coloration is a recessive gene that like the lemon coat can easily be masked by the darker more dominant colors in springers. Two Springers carrying or expressing the gene must be bred to produce any sable colored puppies.

Although the dog itself can be registered by the AKC, the sable color is not recognized at this time. You may choose to note ticking on the registration form if you choose. Most sable's are registered as liver or tri-color dogs.

Sable is an unusual color and definitely not a color every springer owner would choose. We think they are awesome dogs and have had a great deal of interest in them.

AKC Recognized Colors and Markings