Sprocker Spaniel: A Guide to This Popular Spaniel Mix

Sprocker Spaniel dogs have been gaining a lot of popularity. While bred to be working dogs, they can also be perfect family companions due to their loving kind nature and trainability.

Sprockers were created by crossing two purebred dogs: Cocker Spaniel and Springer Spaniel. It seems Sprockers have kept the best traits of the two breeds, making them excellent devoted companions as well as great working dogs.

This article will give you an overview of the history, appearance as well as health and grooming needs of a Sprocker Spaniel for dog owners.

Breed History

The exact origin of Sprocker Spaniel is unknown, but they have been around for about 20 years. They are not seen as designer dogs and they are not officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club.

It is likely that they were accidentally or on purpose bred to be working dogs by gamekeepers. Some people think they were bred by Scottish gamekeepers who required a robust dog breed to work on large estates.

The Sprockers are bred from Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel, both of which are hunting dogs known to be bred to hunt game. While two separate breeds, they share some common characteristics.

During the long history of English Springer Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniels, accidental breeding could have taken place already before. However, the name Sprocker was not known or used back then.

Spaniel dog breed itself was originally divided between land and water spaniels. However, in the 19th century breed standards were introduced and various spaniels were classed as separate breeds. English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel were seen as the same breed for a long time.

When breeding Sprockers it was preferred that both spaniel parents were of working dog type.

Also, now it can easily be the case that two Spockers are bred together and there are even third-generation Sprockers.

What Do Sprocker Spaniels look like?

Unlike many mixed breeds, Sprocker Spaniel has quite a specific look. Many of the characteristics are similar to Springers and Cockers.

The coat can come in many colours. Most common are black and white, liver and white, chocolate as well as roan and solid colours. They can often have wavy fur.

Their nose is very sensitive and is normally brown or black with wide muzzles and wide nostrils. They have long pendulant ears, floppy as their parent breeds. The eyes are set wide and look alert at all times.

The body of a Sprocker Spaniel is athletic. They can easily run great distances. The ribs are well sprung and their legs are strong and muscular.

Key Information:

Below is some main information regarding these popular dogs:

• Weight: Average for males 17 to 20 kg and for females 14 to 20 kg
• Height: Males 43 to 51 cm, females 41 to 51 cm
• Colour: Black and white, roan, liver and white, tricolours, liver and white
• Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
• Eye Colour: Brown, blue or hazel

Temperament of Sprocker Spaniel

The Sprocker breed has a temperament similar to Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels.

They are social dogs who are most happy when they are together with their owner and family. They love human companionship.

They are also easy to train and highly intelligent dogs. However, at times the Sprocker Spaniel puppies can have selective hearing, especially at a young age. Overall, they love to please their owner and will love a good training session.

They are extremely energetic happy dogs. They will require more exercise than breeds like Cocker Spaniel. Sprockers require vigorous playtime and a lot of mental stimulation as they are very active. They might not be suitable for first-time dog owners.

Also, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and can become mischievous and pick up bad habits. They can also suffer from separation anxiety.

It is important to fully socialise a Sprocker Spaniel puppy to ensure she or he will get along with other dogs and pets.

Overall, they are charming dogs, who are loyal to their owner while needing to be kept busy to avoid boredom.

Sprocker Spaniel Health

Sprockers are generally of good health and can live around 10 to 14 years.

There are some health issues that they can have, and many of these can be hereditary. The most known are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Eye issues
• Hypothyroidism
• PFK deficiency
• Allergies
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Ear infections

Before breeding, parents should be health tested for some of these genetic disorders. So, when you are getting a puppy, it is important to contact a reputable breeder. These breeders will provide the scores so you know you are getting a healthy puppy.

It is also important to ensure you have pet insurance for your dog. This will help with unexpected bills when some health problems occur.

Sprocker Spaniels can sometimes suffer from allergies caused by environmental factors or certain foods. It is best to discuss with a vet, if you notice any signs like rashes, upset stomach or redness.

A good dog food can help to keep the dog healthy and can support with some health issues and allergies.

Another issue that can impact some Sprocker Spaniels is obesity. The dogs will love to eat, so the owners need to ensure they give the right amount of food.

Carrying too much weight can put pressure on dog's organs and legs. A combination of a good diet and exercise can help to keep their weight in check.

Exercise

A Sprocker Spaniel is an energetic dog who requires his daily exercise to be happy.

It is recommended that Sprockers get 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day. It is best to give them off lead time when they can run around.

A field or a garden is a good place to give them the opportunity to run around to tire themselves out. However, a dog park is also a good choice. It is important the dog has good recall.

It is also important to give them mental stimulation to keep them from being bored.

Playing games like hide and seek can help these intelligent dogs with mental stimulation to keep their brains active.

If they are given a chance to play and exercise properly during the day, they are happy to chill out and lounge next to their owner in the evening.

If you are considering which breed to get and do not have enough time or energy to keep up with Sprocker Spaniel's daily exercise needs, this might not be the right dog for you.

Do Sprockers Swim?

Sprockers are very active and like many kinds of dog sports. So, they will happily take up the opportunity to have a swim.

If you are walking your dog in a dangerous area like cliffs, it is best to keep them on the lead as they may want to run and jump in the water even if it is dangerous.

Grooming Sprocker Spaniels

Sprocker Spaniel requires regular grooming to keep their coat maintained.

It is recommended to groom Sprocker Puppies from a young age, to ensure they get used to brushing. Most dogs will love the extra attention they get during brushing.

Sprockers are keen running through muddy paths and can get very messy. You should be checking the dog's coat after every walk to ensure they have not brought back anything unwanted.

As they are Spaniels, they can be prone to ear infections so also their ears should be regularly cleaned to avoid wax build-up.

Are Sprocker Spaniels Good Family Dogs?

A Sprocker Spaniel can be a good family dog due to his loyal and social nature.

They love being around people. They will be happy to have many family members around who can all spend time playing with them.

They can also be good with other pets. If you are considering getting more Spockers do not get dogs from the same litter. They may struggle socialising with others and concentrate too much on their sibling.

They can live with cats and other animals. However, it is best if they are well socialised and together from a younger age to avoid any clashes.

What are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Sprocker Spaniel?

Sprockers, like any other dog breed, can have both pros as well as cons.

Pros

Here are some pros of having a Sprocker Spaniel:

• Social
• Loyal
• Perfect for families
• Good as working dogs
• Good at canine sports
• Low grooming needs

Cons

There are however some cons of having a Sprocker:

• Highly energetic that may not suit all people
• Not best for first-time owners
• Can misbehave if not given enough mental stimulation and exercise

Do Sprockers Have Prey Drive?

It is worth remembering that Sprockers were bred as hunting dogs and are still seen as working dogs. They have kept some of their prey drive.

If you have a Sprocker as a family pet, it is important to train them from an early age to ensure they know when to leave things and have good recall.

Can Sprockers Live in Apartments?

Sprocker Spaniels are very active a require a lot of exercise. Because of this, it is best if they have room to run around and have access to a garden.

They may not have enough room to run around in an apartment. They are likely not well suited for small spaces.

Conclusion

Overall, a Sprocker Spaniel is a very lovely and versatile dog breed. Sprockers can be great as working dogs while also suitable as family companions.

Sprockers might not have a long history, but this dog whose parents are Cocker Spaniel and Springer Spaniel is very popular. They have also taken the good traits from both of these loved breeds.

As a family dog, they suit best active owner who can keep up with the breed's daily exercise and mental stimulation needs. It will take a lot to tire this dog out.

Sprocker Spaniel has generally good health with some genetic health conditions possible. That is why it is important to get your dog from a reputable breeder who has had the parent's health tested.

All things considered, Sprocker Spaniel is a great dog to have if love an active little companion.