Sprocker Spaniel – English Springer Spaniel X Cocker Spaniel Mix
The Sprocker Spaniel is a mixed breed from the early generation of designer dogs. This mix came from breeding a Cocker Spaniel and an English Springer Spaniel. Today, this intelligent and loving dog is a perfect fit for many families.
Dog owners love these hybrid dogs because they are intelligent, loyal, and have this attractive charm about them that makes them lovely to have around. If you’re interested in learning more or getting a pup from this breed, this article is for you. You can find all the details you need to know about Sprocker Spaniel here.
Sprocker Spaniel Facts and Figures Summary
| TRAITS | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Name | Sprocker Spaniel |
| Other Names | Sprocker |
| Parents | English Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel |
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Height | 40-50cm |
| Weight | 15-20kg |
| Personality | Intelligent, loyal and active. |
| Temperament | Affectionate and playful |
| Shedding Level | Low |
| Puppy Cost | $400 to $1000 |
What is a Sprocker Spaniel Mix?
The Sprocker Spaniel takes traits from its parent breeds; the English Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel. Not everyone is comfortable with referring to Cocker Spaniels as hybrid dogs because their parent breeds are both Spaniels. Nonetheless, the mix of both dogs created the expressive home dog many love today. For a clearer view of what the Sprocker Spaniel mix is, let’s have a closer look at some traits of the breeds that formed it.
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog but is the tallest in the family of Spaniel. Presently, it is a family dog, but in earlier times it was used as a hunting dog. This breed has medium-length hair and is intelligent and relatively easy to train.
The Cocker Spaniels were also originally bred to hunt. They were experts at hunting woodcocks in earlier times. Today, they are great family dogs. Cocker Spaniels are small dogs usually reaching a maximum of 43 cm in height. They have a thick flowing coat and their happy temperament makes them lovely family dogs today.
The Sprocker Spaniel mix was first bred from these dogs to create an ideal hunting dog that could work through the toughest situations. Today, the Sprocker Spaniel’s hunting background makes it an energetic and playful home dog, and where he is properly socialized, he would enjoy everyone’s company.
Sprocker Spaniel Health & Appearance at a Glance
The Spaniel’s big ears and beautiful eyes make it beautiful to look at. Asides from these, it has other attractive features it picks up from both parent breeds. Since the Sprocker Spaniel is a hybrid dog, some features might differ across dogs because they were bred from different parents. Nonetheless, this comprehensive guide would show you all you need to know to tell a Sprocker Spaniel from other dogs.
Build, Height and Weight
The Sprocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with long flabby ears and expressive ears. The actual size of your Sprocker Spaniel is determined by the parents it was bred from.
Sprockers have an average height of about 40 to 50 cm and an average weight of about 15 to 20kg. This makes it bigger than the Cocker Spaniel but not as tall as its other parent, the English Springer Spaniel. Also note that female Cocker Spaniels are usually smaller in size when compared to males.
Sprockers generally sport an athletic build with their well-sprung ribs with muscular front legs to match. They have strong jaws and a medium-length tail all covered in their semi-thick coat of fur.
Colors and Coat
Sprocker Spaniels have a semi-thick coat of fur all about them. They are also low shedders.
This beautiful coat can come in a variety of colors. Some common colors on Sprockers are Black, Brown, Red, Cream, Blue, Fawn, and White. You could also spot a Sprocker with a mix of these colors.
Just like with the color, the texture or length of your Sprockers coat is determined by its parents, so they differ across Sprockers. Generally, though, they are smooth with more hair concentrated on the head and ears.
Life Expectancy and Possible Health Issues
A Sprocker Spaniel that is properly taken care of with the right diet and healthcare has a life expectancy of about 10 to 14 years. If you care for your Sprocker well enough, he should live a long and fulfilling life.
The Sprocker Spaniel faces the same health challenges his parent breeds face. Although as a hybrid breed he is less likely to inherit these diseases, the risk is still there. Also, Spaniels always have long ears and your Sprocker is no different. If his ears are not taken care of, he would be at risk of ear infections. Good ear grooming and regular vet appointments would prevent this from happening.
Sprocker Spaniel Personality Traits
Sprocker Spaniels are active, loyal, and affectionate dogs. Their origin from being working dogs makes them playful and hardworking. You might catch your Sprocker up to mischief at any time, so you should keep a close watch on him.
This breed loves playing with other dogs and other animals generally too. If you have a cat though, you need to keep a close eye on their interactions. They might make friends quickly because your Sprocker was curious, but you might catch him chasing your cat sometimes.
Sprocker Spaniels love to be engaged and have people around. When left alone they usually turn to some mischievous habits like chewing inappropriate items. If you are not around to socialize with your furry friend for a good part of the day, then he might not be the right fit for you. If you have little children in your house, ensure their playtime is supervised. Sprockers play well with children, but you don’t want there to be any mistakes when children are involved.
Sprocker Spaniel Temperament and Instincts
They enjoy the company of humans or other animals. They love being active, so if are interested in getting one, you would need to give him quality exercise time to keep him fit and also to prevent boredom. Also, don’t leave him alone for really long periods, boredom is not good for your furry friend.
Sprocker Spaniels are also really intelligent dogs. They pick up repeated training cues quickly. Positive reinforcement training methods are a good fit for them. Training is really important for Sprockers because they have some mischievous tendencies that you want to keep at bay when they are in your home.
How to Care for a Sprocker Spaniel?
Just like with other dogs, you need to take care of your Sprocker Spaniel so he would live a long and healthy life. Thankfully, caring for this dog breed does not require too much from you as an owner.
Grooming and Shedding
Sprocker Spaniels have an attractive, silky, and smooth coat that needs to be cared for. To keep your buddy healthy you have to practice some hygienic practices daily. These lovely dogs also love swimming and this could expose them to more risk, so if you let your Sprocker wade in the water a lot, ensure you tidy him up quickly after.
Brush your Sprocker Spaniel’s coat quickly every day and once a week give it a thorough brush. When you are brushing, pay extra attention to the hair around his ears, paws, and belly.
Spaniels generally have long ears. Long ears on dogs are attractive, but they are prone to ear infections. You can prevent this on your Sprocker Spaniel though. Once a week, wipe his ears clean to prevent any infections. Do this when he is just returning from a swim too.
Also, bathe your Sprockers regularly. This is very important after a swim because some he could have picked up infections while in the water. Pay attention to his floppy ears when giving him a wash.
You can prevent tooth and gum decay by brushing your dog’s teeth at least two or three times every week. Try to keep his nails trimmed and run ear checks regularly. A regular, scheduled visit to the vet is also recommended for all household animals.
Diet and Feeding
The best diet to stick to is the feeding schedule you got from the breeder when you got your pup. The breeder knows all about your dog and his feeding patterns, so to avoid any stomach complications, keep him on that diet.
All young and adult dogs need to eat good food, especially when they are in their developmental stages. Feed your pup well, so he would grow fast and remain fit. The general rule is to feed your puppy between three to four puppy meals a day As he grows the number of times he eats a day would be reduced and you can gradually transition him to adult food.
As your pup grows you should pay attention to the advice your vet gives you on what amounts your dog should eat. The amount and type of food you should give your furry friens depends on his size and the activity level.
Activity and Exercise Requirements
Sprocker Spaniels were bred to be working dogs. They don’t hunt anymore, but they still have that high-energy feature embedded in them. This, coupled with their intelligence makes them require daily physical exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy.
To make the physical exercise requirement, give your Sprocker about 60 to 80 minutes of playtime daily to keep him occupied. This can be any engaging physical activity like an outdoor jog or an indoor game.
You also need to keep your Sprocker occupied with mental challenges every day. Boredom always takes a negative toll on working breeds. Teach him new tricks or keep him preoccupied with tasks. Dog puzzles are a good method of keeping your furry friend mentally stimulated.
How to Train a Sprocker Spaniel?
Sprocker Spaniels are really intelligent dogs and this makes the tasks of training them easy. You can use positive reinforcement training methods to train them and they would learn fast. Clicker training is recommended to teach you Sprocker some tricks.
Training is really important with Sprockers because if left on their own, they would succumb to some mischievous tendencies. If you notice your Sprocker exhibiting selective hearing while training, you should manage it early. Also, keep him engaged with mentally stimulating challenges and dog puzzles to avoid boredom.
Known Sprocker Spaniel Health Problems
Sprockers could suffer from some diseases common with their parent breeds. As an owner, you should keep an eye out for any symptoms of such illnesses so they can be treated early. He could have allergies or progressive retinal atrophy which could get worse if not handled early. In more serious situations, your furry friend can suffer from hip dysplasia or hypothyroidism.
You can prevent these illnesses from becoming grave by having regular, scheduled visits to your vet for tests and treatment.
Is a Sprocker Spaniel the right dog for you?
The Sprocker Spaniel is a lovely family dog, so he is great to have around. If you want to get one in your house, you would need to consider a few things.
First, Sprocker Spaniels are intelligent and active dogs that need mental stimulation and physical activity to stay healthy. If you are the type of dog owner that has to spend most of the day outside your home, a Sprocker is not for you. An ideal owner must have time to engage their Sprocker physically and mentally.
Also, if this would be your first time caring for a dog, you might want to consider other breeds. The activity, training, and grooming requirements that Sprockers need might be too much for a first-timer to handle.
Should you buy or adopt a Sprocker Spaniel?
When considering whether to adopt or buy a Sprocker Spaniel, consider all your personal circumstances.
Getting a Sprocker Spaniel from a breeder would cost you between $400 to $1000. Bear in mind that this is just the initial cost because you have to groom and feed your Sprocker once he’s yours. If you can afford this cost, go for it. If this is on the high side for you, consider adopting a Sprocker from a shelter.
Also, if you’re a first-time dog owner or you know you would have challenges training and caring for a pup Sprocker, then you should adopt a fully grown one. Sprockers need to be trained properly, if you cannot provide this training, then you should go for a grown, trained dog.
Adopted Sprockers are a good option for many homes. You would also be giving a Sprocker a new home and creating room for a homeless dog on the streets in the shelter. On the other hand, if you want your new pup experience and you can pay for it, then visit a reputable breeder and bring your Sprocker home.
Facts and FAQs about the Sprocker Spaniel
Do Sprocker Spaniels shed?
Yes, Sprocker Spaniels shed fur. But when compared with other dogs, they are in the category of low shedders. If your Sprocker is shedding excessively, then it could be an infection and you should get him checked.
Are Sprocker Spaniels easy to train?
They are really intelligent dogs and this makes them easy to train. Use positive reinforcement training methods and your Sprocker would learn your instructions fast.
How much walking does a Sprocker Spaniel need?
Sprocker Spaniels are active dogs; they require mental stimulation and physical activity to remain healthy. If you give your Sprocker Spaniel 60 to 80 minutes of active exercise daily, he would be fine. This includes walks and other physical exercises.
Do Sprocker Spaniels smell?
A Sprocker Spaniel does not smell any worse than regular dogs. If there is a bad smell, ensure he is properly cleaned, consider changing his diet and pay a visit to the vet.
How often should you bathe your Sprocker puppy?
A weekly or biweekly bath would be enough to keep your pup clean. Ensure he is brushed daily and given a thorough brushing once a week. Give your pup a bath when he returns from a swim, to ensure that no bacteria is hiding under his coat.
Are Sprockers hyper-active dogs?
Yes, Sprockers are hyper dogs. They were originally bred for hunting, so they are loaded with energy. If you are an owner, you have to keep your Sprocker mentally stimulated and physically active to aid his growth.
How do I stop my Sprocker puppy from mouthing?
When your pup starts mouthing, you could stop playtime or give a signal of displeasure. You could also replace the item they are mouthing with a toy. Sprockers are intelligent dogs, they would get the message early.