There are so many great reasons to purchase a Springer Spaniel or a Cocker Spaniel puppy, but why not get the best of both worlds? Sprocker Spaniels, often referred to as Sprockers, are a wonderful breed that’s often mistaken for being a designer dog or a crossbreed. Although they’re certainly beautiful, they’re neither designer dogs nor cross breeds since both parents are Spaniels.Sprockers are best acquired as puppies and they do require a fair bit of education and socialisation, but it’s well worth the effort. These loyal, loving companions are quickly becoming a favourite in the UK for their lovely temperament and their beauty. For those looking to purchase a Sprocker, however, some research is required beforehand in order to understand the needs and requirements of these energetic canines.
Why Sprocker Spaniels are Great
Some highlights of Sprocker Spaniels:
Loyalty: a well-raised Sprocker puppy will form a strong, loving bond with owners and families alike.
Active lifestyle: as an energetic breed, Sprockers can help maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
Intelligence: this breed is quite intelligent and can be trained fairly easily to associate commands with actions.
Grooming: luckily, Sprockers require little in the way of grooming and are easy to maintain.
Child-friendly: Sprockers get along well with children and their families and are gaining a great reputation as being an ideal family pet.
Things to Consider when Looking at Sprocker Spaniels for Sale
Some downsides to the Sprocker Spaniel:
Energetic: for owners that aren’t willing or able to keep up with a Sprocker’s high energy levels, other breeds are perhaps a better choice.
First-time owners: Sprockers are not the best puppy choice for first-time owners since they can be temperamental during puppyhood.
Adaptability: this breed prefers large, open spaces and won’t tolerate apartment dwelling very well.
Loneliness: as a social breed, Sprockers can quickly turn to destructive behaviour if neglected for extended periods of time.
History of the Sprocker Spaniel
Sprockers are a mix of Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels. All Spaniels trace their lineage back to Spain, where multiple types of Spaniel breed existed as far back as the 17th century. Hunters and gamekeepers bred Springer and Cocker breeds together to obtain the qualities of both at least 20 years ago. It’s also possible that in the past, some accidental breeding also occurred, resulting in Sprockers before their breeding became standardised as it is becoming today.Although Sprockers and their Spaniel parents have historically made excellent gundogs, they’re now becoming a popular choice of house pet in the UK thanks to their warm temperament. They are not yet an officially recognised breed by the Kennel Club of Great Britain, but petitions have been made to have them included.Perhaps owing to their mistaken attribution as a designer dog or a cross breed, kennel clubs are still reluctant to include them as a registered breed. It remains to be seen whether the UK will formally adopt these wonderful companions as a registered breed in the near future, but other organisations are working hard to develop a more standard breed for those looking to own a Sprocker puppy.
Appearance
Few breeds can boast as much genetic diversity as the Sprocker Spaniel. Since they’re a mix of Springer and Cocker, they inherit the appearance of both parents. This means that there is no single, defining appearance that applies to all Sprockers equally. With recent movements to standardise Sprocker breeding, however, this breed is beginning to show more common aesthetic traits.In general, Sprockers are athletic and well-proportioned. Most Sprockers have large, fluffy ears that rest gently downwards on their heads. Their coats of fur come in many colours, defined by the colours of their parents. Moreover, the length of their coats also varies but tends to be smooth and of a medium length, with longer hair typically adorning their ears and heads.
How big is the Sprocker Spaniel?
Sprocker Spaniels are medium-sized dogs. Males and females tend to grow on average to 35.5-50.8 cm high.
How heavy is a Sprocker Spaniel?
Fully-grown adult male Sprocker Spaniels weigh between 16-20 kg on average. Females tend to weigh between 14-20 kg on average.
What colour is the Sprocker Spaniel?
This breed has many acceptable colours inherited from the parents. They include:
Roan
White and Liver
White and Black
Tricolours
Chocolate (sometimes with white markings)
Temperament
Once again, Sprockers aren’t easy to define with one generic temperament. As with appearance, they also inherit their temperament from their parents. This means that Sprocker puppies’ behaviours can be anticipated by reviewing the temperament of their parents and knowing which was a Cocker and which was a Springer.There are some commonalities, however. Sprockers tend to be highly affectionate and loyal, making them excellent companions. They’re also highly energetic and love to play and roam outdoors. As an intelligent breed, they’re also more prone to boredom and lack of social interaction and may engage in destructive behaviour if neglected.
Do Sprocker Spaniels make good guard dogs?
Sprockers are not good guard dogs. They’re just too friendly to competently guard a home. They are able to act as watchdogs, however, due to their alertness and their ability to warn owners of suspicious activity.
Do Sprocker Spaniels bark a lot?
This breed doesn’t tend to bark too much since it was bred from gundogs and hunting dogs, where silence and obedience were key traits for catching prey. They may bark occasionally as puppies whilst playing or if left alone for extended periods of time.
Are Sprocker Spaniels easy to train?
Sprockers are easy to train due to their high intelligence. They are, unfortunately, also prone to stubbornness at times and should therefore be trained carefully and properly as puppies more so than for most other breeds.
Are Sprocker Spaniels playful?
Sprocker Spaniels are amongst the most playful and excitable puppies one can think of. They enjoy canine sports, running, and in general having fun as often as possible.
Are Sprocker Spaniels good with children?
For families with children, Sprockers are a superb choice of puppy. They get along well with children of all ages, but do endeavour to supervise toddlers in case the puppy becomes too excited.
Are Sprocker Spaniels good with other pets?
Sprocker Spaniels do get along well with other dogs provided that they’re socialised and introduced to them. Cats and other smaller pets may not be ideal, however, due to the Sprocker’s natural prey drive which can lead to chasing or aggressive behaviour.
Can I leave a Sprocker Spaniel alone?
As a sociable and intelligent breed, Sprockers do not tolerate loneliness well at all. It’s possible to leave them alone for short periods, but longer periods will inevitably lead to boredom and naughty behaviour such as chewing carpets and furniture.
Do Sprocker Spaniels like water?
Most Sprockers love being in and around water, but that doesn’t mean you should be throwing puppies into the first body of water in sight. All puppies need to approach the water themselves so that they aren’t frightened.
Health
How long do Sprocker Spaniels live?
Generally, Sprocker Spaniels are expected to live anywhere from 10-14 years.
How much exercise does a Sprocker Spaniel need?
It’s often said that a tired dog is a happy dog. Sprockers require a minimum of one hour’s worth of vigorous exercise every day with two hours being ideal as they grow into adulthood. Simple walks are fine, but they’ll be happiest when allowed to roam off the lead and to play.
What are a Sprocker Spaniel’s common health issues?
Sprocker Spaniels are prone to health issues and disease inherited from their parents. The following health issues are common to Sprockers:
Progressive retinal atrophy;
Glaucoma;
Hip dysplasia;
Fucosidosis.
Care
How much space do I need for a Sprocker Spaniel?
Plenty of space is required for a Sprocker Spaniel. They are highly energetic and take up all the space that’s given to them, so provide them with a home and a large yard and they’ll be happy and healthy.
What should I feed my Sprocker Spaniel?
A fully-grown Sprocker Spaniel should be fed at least 2.5 cups of high-quality dog food every day, divided into two or more meals. Puppies should be fed a little less than this, divided into 3-4 meals per day. Adjust as necessary to promote good health and to prevent overfeeding.
How much grooming do Sprocker Spaniels need?
This breed requires little grooming. Daily brushing is recommended, however, particularly on their ears and where their fur coat is longer to prevent tangling and to remove dirt.
Do Sprocker Spaniels shed?
Sprockers shed an average amount when compared to other breeds. They should be brushed daily to remove dead hair and to promote healthy growth.
Average Costs
How much does it cost to keep a Sprocker Spaniel?
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £250-500 for a well-bred Sprocker Spaniel puppyOther costs (Vet, Food etc): £70-100 per month
Specific Buying Guide
You can read our general buying guide here, with the most important thing being going to view your Sprocker Spaniel puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Sprocker Spaniel puppy buying advice:
There are many potential problems buying a Sprocker Spaniel puppy from questionable dealers. The BVA Animal Welfare Foundation, in cooperation with the RSPCA have drafted a puppy contract that helps ensure that your Sprocker Spaniel puppy was bred in ideal conditions and to high breeding standards.
If possible, evaluate the puppy’s mother and father. Whether one was a Cocker and the other a Springer or vice versa will play a large role in determining the puppy’s disposition and temperament.
Other Reading, Adopting Sprocker Spaniel Puppies and Rescue Organisations
