Talk to me about sprockers

[ShrimpingViolet]

Considering getting a sprocker puppy. For context, we have an eight month old DD and an old miserable cat (he'd be miffed at a dog but would just ensure it stayed out of his way).

I work three days per week, one from home. Would have a walker to cover the two days I'm working in the office.

We live somewhere with plenty of good open space and great walks all around. I think having a dog would be great for getting us all out and about and DD loves animals so think it would be great for her.

I've owned dogs before but not for a few years. I want to make a sensible decision so weighing up all the pros and cons (extra cost, big commitment, more tying than a cat, etc).

If there are any sprocker owners about, does this sound like a breed that would suit our family? There's a litter very nearby but I don't want to go and see them until I've properly considered everything, as I know that once we see an actual puppy we will find it hard to make a decision dispassionately.

Thanks to anyone who can help

I work with a spaniel rescue and have fostered several sprockers.

Honestly? Unless you have lots and lots of time to exercise and mentally tire them out and train them, I wouldn't.

I wouldnt have one that was left alone 2 days a week with just a dog Walker.

They can be excellent dogs but they can be mental and are hard work.

I have 2 cockers. One show and one, we dont know. I fostered then adopted her , through a rescue, after 'breeder' threatened to dump her. She could be any mix.

Show cockers are generally more lazy. But still need mental and physical stimulation.

I adore spaniels. But they do need alot of work and attention.

I would go for a cocker instead of a sprocker.

Also wanted to add, the rescue I work with gets more sprockers and cockapoos than any other spaniel.

With Sprockers, because people cant cope with them.

Thanks @Scarsthelot, that's really good to know. Do you think a cocker is a decent choice with a young child? I've read up on cocker rage but it sounds quite rare and seems to affect solid coloured ones more?

I agree totally with Scarsthelot. My son has a sprocker and he is a really lovely dog but bonkers. He needs an unbelievable amount of time and attention. My son is in a position to give the dog enough time (with my help) but much as I love the dog I would never have a dog of this breed myself, especially with a baby to consider as well. Good luck with your search though.

Cocker rage is extremely rare. And does effect other dogs. Lots of dogs breeds actually are afflicted with this.

But a sprocker is a cocker and Springer mix. So if rage is really a concern a Sprocker, would be a no too?

I have had spaniels my whole life. 5 cockers, 2 Springers and a cav.

I would have cockers as a family pet. Unless you have lots of time to exercise I would go show type.

Though they do still need exercise and stimulation, its general less so than working type.

I have had 2 kids in the years I have had cockers. All been amazing. Even the one I had when dd was born. She was great around the baby (obviously supervised) and they were best friends whole dd was a child. She was devastated when she passed away.

I've got a 6 year old working cocker, and a 1 year old sprocker puppy. Both are what I'd call "velcro" dogs - they hate being away from me, and sit sulking by the back door if I ever dare leave them. They're high energy on their walks (they have 45 minutes off lead morning and 30 minutes off lead late afternoon), but really calm in the house. They are loyal, loving, amazing dogs and I can't ever imagine a home without one.

Recall for the cocker is very - he's highly scent driven and quite hard work on a walk to keep in eyesight. In pheasant season, he has a bell on his collar so I can always hear him. The sprocker is amazing - she never goes far and loves bounding back to me on her giraffe legs (waiting for her to stop growing).

I will be honest - both of mine came from families where the parents were pets, and not working dogs. A friend got a very highly bred working gundog (to keep as a pet) and she's had an absolute nightmare with it. I'm fairly sure that mine have had a few generations on both sides as pets, and it's made them a lot less work.

With a young child in the house? I'm not sure they are a breed I've have with a child under 5.

Also just spotted you have an 8 month old.

In a honesty I wouldnt get a puppy at all at the moment.

Our newest addition, is still veimf toilet trained (10 weeks) and she needs to out constantly and needs lots of attention.

A sprocker with a baby, would be a definite no for me.

I don't think a sprocker is a good fit for your family. I had one, he now lives full time with my ex-husband, he is a beautiful, intelligent dog but he makes my border collie look like a sloth. He is not a dog that can be left without becoming destructive through boredom and if you walk him 5 miles a day, he'll want 5 more. They are active dogs that need exercise and mental stimulation, he loves agility and Dock Dogs he is a water and muck magnet. I don't even this a cocker is a good fit to be honest.

A friend got a Springer at the same time I got my Goldie
They are both 4 and ours has calmed down a lot, here has not
That’s 2 quite “active” breeds you are considering OP, I would not recommend it with a baby/toddler

Do you have the time and money to dedicate to some sort of advanced training/club like agility or scent work?

You’ll need to plan way in which to keep this dog busy or you’ll all go mad.

I’ve also just twigged that you have an 8month one.

I don’t think I’d get any puppy with a baby or toddler.

I have a 1 year old sprocker and a 7 month old DD. They absolutely love each other, baby can’t take her eyes off her.

They are hard work, she drives me crazy sometimes but they are such lovely dogs, aslong as she’s had a good few run abouts during the day she is great, just sleeps mainly.

I suspect it will be different when DD is on the move 🤔

We've got a 6 year old sprocker, had him since a puppy. We've previously had working cockers so know the breed well.

He's a lovely boy, affectionate, intelligent and very lazy unless he's on a walk when he's impossible to tire out. He's quite timid though, doesn't like loud voices or the hoover or stuff like that and will take himself off.

He's a perfect family dog but as you've read, they're all so different! Our sprocker is just the best dog ever though.

I also agree with most peoples sentiment on this thread, any type of spaniel is very demanding on your time, they are an incredibly active breed and not good left to their own devices!
Couple that with an 8month old is possibly a recipe for disaster :-(

Thanks all, this is really helpful. Not wedded to spaniel, or indeed to getting a dog right now (as I mentioned in the OP, definitely not doing anything without plenty of careful consideration).

So all your input is massively appreciated

@Awks ours is really timid too, the hoover, washing machine, loud voices all send her darting off upstairs and hiding under our bed.

@Junie70 they're so clever though aren't they? Ours has a full repertoire of tricks and sad faces and is a hideous muck magnet

In all honesty the constant ear infections would put me off another cocker or sprocker. Also both are fucking mental so I wouldn't get unless doing shooting or dog sports as they need the mental stimulation.
Personally I'd get a lab ( from a breeder with known steady lines). I also don't think a puppy/baby combo should rule out dog ownership as long as you know what you are getting into and are certain you can cope - I know one woman who bred a litter while also caring for toddler twins and plenty of my friends have had young dog/young children. It's hard work but doable.

It's a good point. Spaniels find it hard to shake ear infections.

I have never had one that got an ear infection, so not experienced it myself.

Spaniels also have great talent for rolling in fox poo. Daily, if possible. I swear that my cocker actually smiles as he's doing it. The little bastard pretends to have completely lost his hearing when I'm screaming "YOU DARE" across a field.

We have a cockerpoo/brittany spaniel mix. She is lovely but bonkers.
We got her when my youngest was just 2. She's 6 now, still very bouncy, and until recently needed two walks a day. (and if not 2 walks - then walks in different places, where she is exposed to different scents).
She is also quite highly strung - so although she is great with the kids, she mostly ignores them unless they are prepared to throw a ball for her.
She also didn't really like being left by herself for any period of time. (for the first 5 years, there was someone pretty much always at home with her) - though now she is older - she doesn't seem to mind so much (just sleeps on sofa until walk time - but still needs at least an hours walk each day)

She's great but hard work. Probably more so than the children!

I have a working cocker that I got even my ds was a toddler. I honestly found the baby/puppy combination fine. E found a routine that worked for us. Our cocker is the most loving, affectionate, wonderful pup I’ve ever met. She is, however, mad as a box of frogs! She doesn’t really go for ‘walks’ if day she goes for ‘zooms’. But her recall is great, she’s great with other dogs and has been easy to train (with the exception of walking on a lead). I wouldn’t Be without her.

I had DDog1 from pup then DDog2 came to us from FIL when I was about 5 months pregnant.

DS came along and the dogs got used to him but were already adults and still, at 2.7, have to avoid him at times. I could barely cope with the mess from DS never mind a puppy as well and there were times when DS has not enjoyed walkies due to the weather but I can get away with shorter ones and provision of toys/ garden time.

I would wait for your DD to be older. And why a cross breed?

We’ve got a Springer. And she’s a working springer which are meant to be crazy!
She’s really affectionate, great with kids.
She’s 18 months old and gets 20 mins walk on lead first thing in the morning, 30 mins at lunch time (chasing a ball the entire time, so sprinting for 30 minutes basically) and then she gets 20 mins on lead before bed.
So perhaps 1.25 hours exercise a day.
Between this she just sleeps or cuddles on the sofa.
She has no separation anxiety, although she does like to be with people and is clingy when I’m at home.
I only work 3 mornings a week and we have a dog walker on those 3 mornings who takes her for a 30 minute run.

For people thinking a springer should be exercised more than that, she loses weight very easily and is skinny already, so vet has suggested not letting her go mad and run for hours!