The Sprollie is a popular cross or designer breed for active owners. It is a Border Collie Springer Spaniel mix, and they are also known as Border Spaniels.
The Blue Merle Sprollie is a particularly striking and handsome dog. They are sought-after dogs to run with, and there is a high demand for Sprollie puppies for sale.
Nevertheless, it’s best to adopt if you can. Sprollies are handsome, fun-loving, and active dogs that make great family pets for somebody willing to exercise them.
But first, let’s learn about where they come from.
Origins of the Sprollie: Where do they come from?
To understand the history and origin of the Sprollie dog, we have to look at their parent breeds’ history.
Springer Spaniel
The Springer Spaniel traces its roots to the rich history of British land spaniels.
Dogs described as Springers or Cockers were bred from the same litters at first. It would take time and intentional breeding before the unique breeds we know today would come to be.
These include the English Springer Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, and the Field Spaniel.
The British Springer Spaniel came into popularity hundreds of years ago and was used in fowl hunting. They made up an essential part of the hunter’s arsenal in catching prey. The Springer Spaniels were used in conjunction with nets, bows, and/or falcons.
The 1600s saw the advent of the wheel-lock rifle. The Springer Spaniel adapted well to the new way of hunting. Soon the English Springer Spaniel was regarded as an eager and reliable gundog.
Their role when hunting is to detect game birds in hiding, then to flush them out for the hunter. They then point to and retrieve the downed prey. Historical accounts describe the English Springer Spaniel as a tireless worker, capable of a full day’s work out in the field.
According to one historian, they will “retire to the easy companionship of family, hearth, and home after a good day’s hunt.”
Border Collie
On the other hand, the Border Collie traces its roots as far back as the first century BC when the Romans brought herding dogs along in Britain’s invasion. It is believed that Vikings would later bring with them their smaller Spitz dogs.
The crossbreeding of these early herding breeds would mark the beginning of the Border Collie lineage.
These dogs were bred specifically to thrive in the harsh climate and geography of the Scottish Highlands.
They bred these dogs for performance over appearance, emphasizing their herding instinct, trainability, and stamina. It is widely accepted that all modern Border Collies trace their lineage back to a dog named Old Hemp.
The Border Collie enjoys a well-documented ancestry. Old Hemp was an undefeated sheepdog trials champion, and his descendant, Wiston Cap, has had the most influence on the modern Border Collie bloodline.
It was the 1873 Sheepdog trials that we now credit with formalizing the breed. Selective breeding ramped up from this point on.
Breeders favored ‘quality of eye‘ and working style, proficiency, and endurance.
The result of breeding between the two intelligent, high-energy, high endurance dogs, the Sprollie makes for an excellent but active companion.
It shares many traits with both parent breeds. They are an eager and hardworking, active breed with a good sense of humor and are devoted to their owners.
Physical features of the Sprollie
Its parent breeds, the Border Collie and the Springer Spaniel dog, average between 20 inches and 18 inches, respectively. Both weigh around 55 lbs.
Therefore, the mature Sprollie dog should weigh between 40 and 55 lbs and enjoy an average lifespan between 12 and 16 years. Dogs are usually larger and more muscular than bitches.
The Sprollie is a medium-sized breed. They have balanced proportions and an athletic gait. Their broad forehead and ears are pendulous and set high up on the head. They have a wide nose matching the color of their coat, usually black or liver brown, and are often speckled.
Their fur is generally straight and medium in length. The coat is generally either black or rich brown with a white undercarriage. The hair on their ears and tails is longer than the rest of their coat.
The Sprollie has oval eyes, keen and intelligent, similar to those of their parent breeds. Their ribs are sprung, and their limbs are muscular. They have a distinct, feathered tail.
General Care of the Sprollie
Energy
Taking after its parent breeds, the Sprollie is a high-energy, active working dog. Their energy is best directed at tasks and training that mimics shepherding or that involves intense exercise such as agility or flyball.
They are also fantastic running and hiking companions. Still, they love water, so keep them on a leash and away from muddy puddles when out in nature.
Housing
Sprollies are happiest in homes that offer a lot of outdoor space for play and exercise. This hardworking designer dog’s ideal environment is a farm or ranch, mainly if they can participate in herding activities.
But they do equally well in cities, provided they have space to run and get enough exercise.
Our training program to get you and your Sprollie running up to km in six weeks is the perfect way to keep them fit. They need a minimum of one to two hours of vigorous exercise a day, as they can quickly become bored and destructive if left alone too long.
Food & Diet Requirements
As is common to high-energy breeds, the Sprollie requires a diet rich in quality proteins. Chicken, lamb, and poultry are ideal so long as they are not allergic.
It is recommended that one include grains, carbs, and foods like brown rice and wheat, again so long as your dog can digest it without having an allergic reaction.
Follow a set feeding schedule and provide food that your Sprollie is used to. This helps avoid gastric distress.
Do not make dramatic changes to their diet unless it is recommended by your vet. High energy dogs also need constant access to fresh, clean drinking water.
A puppy of two to six months should be fed between 150 and 270 grams of food per day. This may vary slightly depending on size and activity levels. From 7 to 12 months, they should do well on 270 to 350 grams of food. After that, they can move on to adult dog food.
Always consult your vet regarding the best dietary plan for your Sprollie.
Grooming
The Sprollie’s coat can range from sparse to bushy, depending on which of its parent breeds’ genes are most dominant. They should be brushed two or three times per week. This helps keep their coat shiny and free from matting.
Pay attention to the areas behind the upper leg. The hair in this area is particularly fine and liable to knot. Sprollies do shed; a regular brushing helps keep shedding under control.
This is not a hypoallergenic breed.
They should be bathed as needed. They do not require a strict bathing routine, with a weekly bath recommended for dogs working outside all day. A Sprollie kept indoors, or a tidy garden may only need a bath once a month.
They love playing in water and muddy puddles. This will require a good rinsing down after. Make sure to check their nails weekly and trim as needed. Ears also need weekly checking and cleaning as needed.
Their teeth should be brushed every other day at a minimum.
Health
Exercise
The Border Collie and the English Springer Spaniel are both high-energy breeds. It comes as no surprise that the Sprollie needs a decent amount of exercise to keep healthy and happy. They have also inherited the endurance of their parent breeds.
A Sprollie may need 2 to 4 hours of hardworking exercise a day. Their exercise routine should be split in two, with the first session in the morning and the second in the late afternoon or evening.
Concerns
- Severe Health Problems
- Mild to Moderate Health Problems
- Rare Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Contaracts
All breeds of dogs are susceptible to genetic health problems. Therefore, one should seek breeders who offer health guarantees on their pups by screening the parents for joint issues and hereditary diseases.
Other red flags would be a breeder who says that mixed breeds are not prone to genetic diseases and will always be 100% healthy. This promise can sometimes be too good to true.
A reputable breeder will be honest with you about the risks common to Sprollies and their parent breeds. They should also be open about disclosing health issues in their bloodlines.
While Sprollies benefit from more genetic diversity, they can inherit health problems from their parent breed. The health problems that the Border Collie and English Springer Spaniel have in common are the ones to look out for in the Sprollie.
These include hip dysplasia and epilepsy. The severity of the latter is dependent on the severity of the seizures that the dog experiences. Mild cases can be more easily medicated than severe ones.
Eye diseases are also common to both the Border Collie and English Springer Spaniel. These include progressive retinal atrophy (this is when tissue in the eyes begins to weaken and die) and cataracts.
While there is no treatment for retinal atrophy, cataracts can be taken care of by your vet. Always consult your vet before making any diagnosis of symptoms yourself.
Personality Traits of the Sprollie
How easy to train is the Sprollie | Temperament and Intelligence
The Border Collie is one of the most popular dogs for training. They are highly intelligent, and eager to please, and are focused and hardworking by nature. The same can be said of the English Springer Spaniel.
They also make devoted companions and good family dogs, provided their exercise needs are met. Bored and under-stimulated Sprollies may develop behavioral problems such as separation anxiety.
With both parent breeds’ high intelligence and endurance, it is no surprise that the Sprollie makes for a highly trainable dog. They are popular in sheepdog training.
They are not an officially recognized breed, disqualifying them from some of the bigger shows. Despite this, they are very popular in the less formal training expos and contests.
Sprollies and other animals
The Sprollie’s attitude towards other pets will depend on which of its parent breeds are more dominant. The Collie side tends to have a better relationship with other breeds of dogs than the Springer.
Neither are particularly inclined to antisocial behaviors, so the Sprollie should be just fine when socialized from a young age. The Border Collie genes lean more towards a herding instinct. This means you may see you Sprollied herding your smaller pets together.
The Springer Spaniel genes are more hunter-based, but their inherent obedience and desire to please go a long way to defuse the worst of it. Still, they may be inclined to chase smaller animals.
FAQS About Sprollies
Are Sprollies good pets?
The Sprollie is a delightful, energetic breed that one can easily be recommended for active homes. They are good with kids and other pets and make for great exercise companions.
The best home for a Sprollie is one with a big yard or lots of outdoor space. If there are work opportunities, all the better.
How much does a Sprollie cost?
White S While prices vary between breeders, you can expect an average of $300 to $450 in the USA. In the UK, they go for an average of around £350.
What is the Sprollie’s life expectancy?
The hybrid Sprollie breed is generally healthy. They enjoy an average life span of 12 to 16 years.
Conclusion
The Sprollie is an excellent mixed breed with a lovely temperament and bundles of energy.
They are eager to please and very intelligent. Training is comparatively easy if done right. In general, these are sweet-natured family dogs who are super-intelligent, sensitive, and have boundless energy.