I'm Katherine E., the breeder behind Sonora Hills ESS located in Sonora, CA. We are lifelong ESS dog enthusiasts and excited to share our passion of breeding healthy and playful puppies for families who know and love the breed. Our puppies are bench Springers. We are a small, family-run breeding program. Our puppies are loving and loyal companions. Plus they’re gorgeous!
Q. & A. with Katherine
Why did you start breeding?
My husband had a male English Springer Spaniel when we married. Forty years ago. Then we got a female ESS. Bo and Bonnie. While I was having babies eventually Bo and Bonnie had a litter. Four beautiful puppies. We found great homes for each one and the experience very satisfying.
What makes your program special?
We utilize Embark, a genetic test that screens DNA in over 230 different locations across the dog’s genome. We also x-ray our Springer’s elbows and hips to confirm their joints are in proper placement by OFA. We have genetic tests and orthopedic tests done so that we can guarantee our puppies will be as healthy as possible. Our puppies come with a one year health guarantee or your money back.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include liver and white, black and white, black white and tan, and liver white and tan. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Hunter
Went home
Male
Elsa
Went home
Female
Rocky
Went home
Male
Loki
Went home
Male
Lucy
Went home
Female
Buddy
Went home
Male
Lucky
Went home
Male
Sparky
Went home
Male
Zoe
Went home
Female
Bella
Went home
Female
Willow
Went home
Female
Bailey
Went home
Female
Lucy
Went home
Female
Tessa
Went home
Female
Dylan
Went home
Female
Bella
Went home
Female
Rosie
Went home
Female
Hunter
Went home
Male
Brody
Went home
Male
Daisy
Went home
Female
Rosie
Went home
Female
Abby
Went home
Female
Bella
Went home
Female
Rocky
Went home
Male
Cooper
Went home
Male
Ellie
Went home
Female
Winston
Went home
Male
Max
Went home
Male
Oreo
Went home
Male
Mr. Freckles
Went home
Male
Charlie
Went home
Male
Bella
Went home
Female
Prince
Went home
Male
Chase
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Katherine
Katherine has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $300 refundable deposit and between $1,300 - $1,700 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“The price is determined based on their coloring and the extensive genetic testing and orthopedic screening I did on Willow, Sadie, Sparky and Skylar to guarantee their puppies health. Your deposit reserves the puppy of your choice in the order it is received. If for whatever reason you decide a puppy is not the right decision for your family, I will refund your deposit in full.”
Contract & health guarantee
Katherine may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Katherine offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Katherine directly.
Sonora Hills ESS meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Katherine E.
Program update on 09 Jan. •
Cooper is the first puppy shown in this video. He’s a black-Tri roan. Brody is the second puppy I pointed out. He’s a black-Tri roan also. Rocky is a black & white only Springer puppy. ♥️♥️♥️
Katherine E.
Litter update on 09 Jan. •
We have three very handsome and playful boys that are looking for their forever homes. Cooper is the smallest at 8 lbs, Brody is 10 lbs and Rocky is 12 lbs.
…
Skylar and Willow's litter
Parent dogs
Willow, mom
English Springer Spaniel
About Willow
Willow is a female English Springer Spaniel. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Katherine decided to make her part of their program. Katherine has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Sadie, mom
English Springer Spaniel
About Sadie
Black-Tip Sable. A beautiful ESS. Energetic but also likes to cuddle. A devoted mom to her pups. And devoted to her human family.
Sparky, dad
English Springer Spaniel
About Sparky
Black-Tri Roan. Eager to please. Intelligent. Very loyal. Loves the water!
Skylar, dad
English Springer Spaniel
About Skylar
Liver/White Roan. Smart. Affectionate. Eager to please. Great temperament.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Great level
Sonora Hills ESS reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for English Springer Spaniels.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
PRA, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4 (PRA-crd4), DNA Profile, DNA Repository
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Katherine to bring home their puppies.
Steven K.
Verified owner · Feb. 2025
Katherine was spectacular! She introduced Rocky and Mountain to us and told us about their personalities. She took plenty of time to review their medical history and introduce us to their mom and dad. She had towels that she rubbed all over mom/dad that we then put in the carrier with them. Once we got home we sent her updates to show how the pups were adapting to their new home. Mountain who was a super shy boy came out of his shell within 24 hours and is now driving his brother Rocky crazy stealing his toys.