Any Sprocker owners about?

[airforsharon]

I'm going to look at a litter of Sprockers - we've been thinking about getting a dig for the past year and have narrowed down our possibles to springer/field/cocker/cavalier spaniel or possibly a whippet. A local breeder has the Sprockers (currently 4 weeks old), so i'm going to see them tomorrow.

If anyone has experience of the breed (and i realize they are a crossbreed, not pure breed) could you let me know your positive/negatives of living with them? I've had a spaniel before, but a cavalier, and realize that anything springer or cocker-like will be more energetic and need more exercise (which is fine).

Thanks!

[PrincessWellington]

My mum has one. He's lovely. He's very fast at running and ideally needs a good hour run about everyday but he's reasonably well behaved at home

[PrincessWellington]

Negative though - he has a really thin, long tail that he loves to wag which whips you and hurts

[airforsharon]

thanks for that Princess.

I live very near to a common and my aim would be to get up there with the dog at least once a day for a good jaunt, so sounds perfect.

[airforsharon]

Ouch!

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've a Springer and he's lovely but mental. Even at his ancient age he still mentally thinks he's a puppy and attempts to bounce around like a loon even with his deafness, limited sight, exercise resistant heart condition meaning he tires after five minutes of walking as of course he can't ration himself to a slow, sedate walk - no, no instead he attempts to run around like crazy until he had to lie down.

He's a lovely boy and has been the best dog ever.

[TeaOneSugar]

We have a Cocker and have had springer's, both are pretty mad and need lots of exercise and mental stimulation.

Friends of ours have a Sprocker (working cocker x Springer) he's grown to be tall for a Springer and is very bouncy. With all mixed breeds you can never be sure what you're going to end up with, size, coat and temperament wise.

Worth checking if the Cocker is working or Show type, in theory a show type is a bit less bouncy.

[Imnotaslimjim]

my parents have a sprocker and he is nuts. if he doesn't get enough exercise he can become destructive but that is normal for spaniels really. he is a lovely playful dog though and extremely loyal

[airforsharon]

Laurie I friend of mine has got two springers in the past year, and when I asked him about them the only word he used was 'mental'!

Tea the cocker side is described as a working cocker. So I should expect lots of bounce then!

I love the idea of doing agility with a dog, are they a breed that would do well with that? I tend to associate it with breeds like border collies and german shepherds.

[TeaOneSugar]

Ours is a show Cocker and pretty bouncy if he hasn't been for a long walk, working Cockers need even more exercise and mental stimulation, should be great for agility.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Not got a sprocker but have two springers. They need loads of exercise are completely bonkers but thoroughly lovely and adorable.

[needastrongone]

I have one of each, a Springer and a Cocker (working type). The cocker is only 16 weeks. Both need a fair bit of mental stimulation and both need a good amount of physical exercise.

They are both gentle, loving dogs with placid and friendly natures. Both have good manners around other dogs.

If you are prepared to give the dog the required amount of exercise, both pyhsical and mental, and put in some training, you will be fine, but they are not couch potatos.

[needastrongone]

I get the prize for using the word 'both' the most in one post tonight, I blame wine

[airforsharon]

needa Gis a glass

Thanks for all your replies, they are all really encouraging actually as it sounds like that have fantastic natures - loyal, affectionate, but daft, cheerful. Perfect as I have three dcs. And I am willing to put work into training, exercise etc. It sounds like this is a breed that would make training and frequent dashes over the common great fun.

[airforsharon]

sorry, that they have....

[airforsharon]

Also good manners around other dogs would be vital around here, dogs are ten-a-penny and we would certainly see many others when we were out and about.

[DoubleMum]

I own 2 cockers, but there's a sprocker group on Facebook where you should get more questions answered if you want: www.facebook.com/groups/446494852084566/

[airforsharon]

DoubleMum thankyou! I hadn't thought to look on FB

[PeppermintInfusion]

I have a 3 year old sprocker (more cocker than springer so on the small side). She is very loving but absolutely hyper, though that's part of a spaniel's charm IMO. They are smart so training/teaching them tricks/playing games with them is good for them. Mine absolutely adores children and significantly calms down round them, though is less fussed on playing with other dogs. They do need exercise, but I found it's more about stimulation (playing, being around you etc) than putting in the miles and hours on the walks.