Sprockers! I had no idea what a Sprocker was until I adopted a Springer Spaniel Cocker Spaniel cross. Four years ago (her birthday is this week!), a beautiful mixed spaniel came into my life not much has been calm since. Little did I know Sprockers have huger personalities and a big fan club, especially in Britain.

Overall, Sprockers are high-energy, cuddly, family-friendly, jumpy, challenging to leash walk, adorable and charming tornados of love.

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What is a Sprocker?

Sprockers are half Springer Spaniel and half Cocker Spaniel. Some are calling these the ‘new’ hybrid dog but not a ‘designer’ dog (whatever that is) because centuries ago, Sprockers were intentionally created to be working dogs or, a term I dislike, ‘gun dogs.’ They just weren’t called Sprockers yet. They were called Spaniels.

Sprockers have a history: the English Springer Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel used to be the same dog, or at least the same breed. That’s right Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels weren’t considered separate breeds until 1902 when the UK Kennel Club declared them so. Prior to 1892 when the breed separation began, Cocker Spaniels were simply smaller Springer Spaniels.

All spaniel breeds are believed to originate from Spain around the 1600s.

So, ‘Sprocker’ is new in name only. Once everyone identified Cocker and Spring as two different spaniels, we brought them back together again and called them Sprockers. Maybe that’s the criteria for ‘designer’ dog – cute combo names.

Thanks to the beautiful wavy ears of both parents, pretty floppy ears define the look of a Sprocker. They can be any colour combination although black and white is most common.

My girl has the markings of her brown and white Springer momma, but where mom is brown, my girl is black thanks to dad being an entirely black Cocker Spaniel. So black and white she is – one of only two in a litter of nine.

What are Sprocker health concerns?

Apparently, some health concerns include hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism and less frequently, epilepsy and glaucoma. Sprockers average height is 36 to 50 cm (14 to 20 inches) and 13 to 20 kg (30 to 45 pounds), which means they are mid to small-sized dogs.  

Are Sprockers good family pets?

For me, yes. I love my fur family. But likely when people ask if a Sprocker is a good family pet, they are referring to children – human children – and for that answer I have to defer to observation: yes.

My dog loves kids and spent the first eight weeks of her life with young ones. Her breeder home introduced the litter early to little people, running, playing and being handled by them. So, my Sprocker loves kids … a bit too much. Jumping can be an issue but fortunately fear or lack of confidence is not.

Known to be very loyal, Sprockers can also be mischievous and busy, and do not like to be left alone for long periods. So far, I haven’t spent much time away from home, so this issue will likely need some attention whenever in-person work resumes.

Are Sprockers good with cats?

Yes, Sprockers like cats if they are socialized young. This I can speak to from personal experience because my 10-month-old Sprocker Victoria lives with three – yes, three – very different feline siblings. For the most part, she gets along with them, especially Henry the ginger boy whom she tries to play with (a bit too much).

My little black maternal kitty Sally rubs her daily (primarily because the dog can get the back door open), but my timid torti Daisy gets chased more than she’d like, mainly because she runs. Victoria will sleep near the cats, sometimes a little jealous of them, but hasn’t (yet) cuddled with them.

Do Sprockers bark a lot?

 In my experience, my Sprocker isn’t barky. Like any dog, mine will bark at people walking towards the door or unusual sounds outside – or sees one particular neighbourhood dog she has issues with for some reason. Unlike most dogs, mine is obsessed with watching and sometimes barking at birds. But she isn’t too yappy. Except when I vacuum. Then all hell breaks loose.

Research backs up my claim that Sprockers do not bark excessively. Apparently, because they were originally bred to walk alongside hunters and flush out and retrieve game, they had to do so quietly so barkers didn’t last long. Side note: that is not something my girl will ever be doing.

Are Sprockers cuddly?

Big yes for cuddling. A kind and sweet nature makes Sprockers great cuddlers. Mine’s a snuggler, but only after a good run. Otherwise, she won’t sit still.

Do Sprockers shed?

Yes. In my experience, my Sprocker sheds a lot, though my previous dog was hypoallergenic and required regular grooming. However, when compared to other dogs, Sprockers are only moderate shedders. Daily brushing is needed otherwise the feathery fur around the ears, legs, and in the ‘pits’ gets matted easily – and a vet tech might need to shave the mat off. (My first mistake).

Are Sprockers easy to train?

According to all my research, yes. Because Sprockers are smart, they are easy-to-train. However, easy training hasn’t been my experience. In my experience, no. Sprockers are hard to train especially leash walking. I’ve tried everything including the Figure 8 lead (affiliate link) I bought at the Westminster Dog Show and a face harness (affiliate link). These help, but she’s good at getting them off.

Training my Sprocker has been incredibly challenging for me because she’s easily distracted (particularly by birds) and exhibits an ADHD quality. The veterinarian has suggested that focus while training is her issue (and she’s on calming supplements, although you’d never know it).

Also, leash walking, I’m convinced, isn’t going to happen. (More on that process soon on dogtrotting.net). According to two Sprocker Facebook groups I belong to, leash walking is the number one concern (complaint?) among Sprocker people.

I’m hoping to find a training method – rewarding with ‘high value’ treats hasn’t worked – soon because my girl is a great candidate for agility training. But first we need recall … and focus.

Are Sprockers high-energy?

Sprockers are incredibly high-energy, more than I bargained for. My previous pup was part Cocker Spaniel and part Parsons Terrier according to a DNA test, and he was high energy until his 15^th year, so I thought I knew energy. Then I met my Sprocker puppy and discovered energy has a whole new level.  Even at the dog park, she smokes other puppies with both her speed and endurance.

Muscular and athletic, Sprockers were originally bred as birding dogs, and they’ve got the body structure for weaving through brush and out running almost every other dog in the field. Characteristically, mine’s extremely social, so doggie daycare has become a necessity.

Research indicates Sprockers need a good 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous play per day off leash (large fenced backyards and dog parks are almost necessary) and several leash walks a day for mental stimulation because just walking on leash is likely not enough exercise for these little nuclear reactors. Keep them busy. They need a job … or possibly puzzles (affiliate link) and snuffle mats. Mine loves dog enrichment puzzles.

Are Sprockers crazy?

Yes, Sprockers are crazy. But good crazy. Get-off-the-couch-we’ve-got-life-to-live crazy. Hopefully, my Sprocker and I are in for a very long crazy ride or die adventure ahead of us.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!