How to Tell if You Have Red Sable English or Springer Spaniels

Spaniels come in many different variations, and the red sable Spaniel and Springer Spaniel are just two examples. The Springer is an actual breed and the red sable is just a coloring type that can appear in different kinds of English Spaniels, but Springers also have their own distinct colors. Knowing what to look for can help you determine which type of Spaniel you own.

Things You'll Need

  • Spaniel
  • Good lighting
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Instructions

  1. Take a Look

    • 1

      Position the dog standing up outside or in a well-lit area. The lighting should be more white than yellow so the colors of the dog's fur will not be distorted. It is easiest to see all of the dog's fur colors when it is standing.

    • 2

      Look at the dog's coloring above all else. A traditionally-colored Springer Spaniel is more common, so look for that type of coloration first. The English Springer Spaniel is usually bi-colored and will have a largely white belly and chest, with white extending to parts of the back, face and legs. The other color is black or liver (which looks like a type of brown) and will be in large spots on the face and body. A Welsh Springer Spaniel, for example, has a more red with white coat.

    • 3

      English red sable Spaniels can appear similar to Springer Spaniels at first glance because they can also be mostly white with reddish-looking markings. Actually, it is not impossible for red sable colors to appear in a Springer, but it is very unlikely and not natural because this would be due to inbreeding. On your dog look for a color that is more golden reddish-brown, known as red sable. This color may also appear to have fine darker hairs mixed in with it. Instead of white, these colors may be on a darker background.

    • 4

      Examine the dog's size. English Spaniels are medium-sized, compact dogs and have muzzles that are the same length as their heads. The English red sable and the English Springer Spaniel therefore can be very similar in size, but Springer Spaniels are known to be very proportionate dogs. If the red sable happens to be an English Cocker Spaniel however, it will be slightly shorter and have a smaller and shorter head.

    • 5

      Examine the dog's tail. It is standard practice in most breeding circles for Springer Spaniels to have docked tails, meaning their tails are surgically shortened in length and left blunt at the tip. Other types of Spaniels, such as those that have red sable coloring, are less likely to have docked tails. In this case, the tail will be longer and fluffier.