English Springer Spaniel Colors: Most Common to Rarest

The English springer spaniel is a wonderful breed of dog that is famous for their stamina and intelligence. Known as “gun dogs,” this breed was created to serve as a hunting partner to their owners. Because of this, the English springer spaniel is highly alert and energetic, requiring physical and mental stimulation daily. Owners describe them as friendly, easily trainable, and well-mannered. Aesthetically, these dogs have long feathery ears, muscular bodies, and beautiful double-coated fur.

This breed comes in a variety of colorations, with some more common than others. English springer spaniels can have tan marks and roaning in combination with any base coloration. In addition, there are two types of English spring spaniels, bench-bred and field-bred. Bench-bred dogs have long, silky fur and often go on to become show dogs, whereas field-bred dogs are more suited for hunting. Today, we’ll explore four colors of the English springer spaniel and discuss their relative rarity.

1. Liver and White

When you picture an English springer spaniel in your head, you’re probably visualizing the classic liver and white coloration. This is the most common color of this breed, and it’s a textbook example of what this dog looks like. Spaniels with more white coloration are highly favorable among hunting circles. The reason for this is due to their increased visibility, which allows their owners to easily spot them among the tall grass. These precious dogs are likely to have deep, hazel eyes.

2. Black and White

The next most commonly seen color of English springer spaniel is black and white. This coloration is nearly as popular as the classic liver and white, however slightly less so. Despite its commonality, this coloration is highly sought after, and it’s easy to see why. Black and white English springer spaniels are hard to resist! Dogs that have black and white coloration will usually have deep, dark brown eyes.

3. Tri-Color

Tri-Color is a combination of black, white, and liver, which is slightly less common than our number one and number two spots. This coloration is also more likely to have some tan markings. Although some individuals claim that this color is not legitimate for an English springer spaniel, it is recognized as one of the accepted colors by the American Kennel Club. Breeders report relative difficulty when trying to select for this coloration, which may add to its rarity.

4. Solid Colors

Although not unheard of, it is very uncommon to see an all-black, all-liver, or all-white English springer spaniel. These dogs are often highly sought after due to their incredible scarcity. Solid-colored English springer spaniels are most often bench-bred. These dogs are very sleek and stylish, and it’s easy to see why many have great success in the show ring. Tracking down English springer spaniels that have solid coloration isn’t an easy feat, so if you’re lucky enough to come across one, be sure to snatch them up. Among solid colors, all-liver English springer spaniels are the least common of all.

Honorable Mentions

You might be thinking, “Wait, I have an English springer spaniel, and the color isn’t listed here!” According to the American Kennel Club, the only official colors of English spring spaniels are “black or liver with white, blue or liver roan and tri-color.” This means that other colorations such as lemon, red, and orange are not recognized as official colors of the breed. Due to this, there is no official rarity ranking for these colors, and little information is available.

Final Thoughts

English springer spaniels are available in a wide variety of color combinations. Although some colorations might be less common than others, it doesn’t provide any additional value outside of aesthetics. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference. If you’re thinking about bringing an English springer spaniel into your home, you may have an easier time finding a black and white or liver and white puppy. However, finding solid-colored puppies isn’t impossible by any means. Consider conducting some research about reputable local breeders to make the task of finding one much easier.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © chrisgandy/Shutterstock.com