The genetic locus EH plays a pivotal role in determining the unique sable coat coloration seen in American and English Cocker Spaniels.

Dogs that carry this allele display a notable reduction in the expression of eumelanin pigment, leading to a lighter coat.

This results in a distinct color gradient that transitions from golden hues to richer browns, typically concentrated on the dog’s head and back.

Genetic studies have identified a specific mutation, c.

250G>A, within the transmembrane domain of the MC1R gene, consistently present in dogs exhibiting the sable color phenotype.