Recently I have seen hot pink and electric blue pumpkins. I have seen blue and silver Christmas Trees. Now, on the Internet and in the newspaper , I have seen springers advertised as coming in new “rare” colors. These “new” colors are not acceptable for registration with the American Kennel Club, the most respected authority on dogs. The “new” colors are not acceptable with The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, the governing authority on springers.

Every breed that can be registered with the American Kennel Club has a “Standard” that describes the ideal specimen for the breed. The section on Colors for English Springer Spaniels is quoted below.

Color
All the following combinations of colors and markings are equally acceptable:(1) Black or liver with white markings or predominantly white with black or liver markings; (2) Blue or liver roan; (3) Tricolor: black and white or liver and white with tan markings, usually found on eyebrows, cheeks, inside of ears and under the tail. Any white portion of the coat may be flecked with ticking. Off colors such as lemon, red or orange are not to place.

Please note; off colors such as Lemon, Red and “new” Sable are NOT acceptable colors. Any springers that are one of those colors are probably a mixed breed and are NOT AKC registerable. Do not be duped into thinking you are getting something rare and valuable.

These “rare” colored springers fall into the same category as Laberdoodle or Cockapoos. They are mixed breed dogs, not purebred AKC recognized breeds.

Please visit www.AKC.org» or www.essfta.org» for the complete Standard for English Springer Spaniels.

Zippy Cooper
LenLear Springers