Sprocker?

[BekindStayhome]

Anyone got advice on sprockers? Interested in hearing what yours is like temperament-wise and how you found a reputable breeder (I'm scared of inadvertently supporting a backstreet breeder).
Our previous, much-loved, dog was a beagle and, while I would love another, I know it wouldn't be the same, so I'm thinking another breed is fairer.
Needs to be a breed that will grow into good family dog that gets on with children, other dogs, likes long walks and short runs, and doesn't yap. Ability to reliably come when called a bonus!

The reason we're looking for a breed rather than a mongrel is, as someone said, because of the predictability of size and temperamen as our youngest is 2

A sprocker isn't a breed, though. It may be a fairly well-established cross but why not go for a cocker or a springer?

I agree that 30 minutes isn’t ideal for most springers. I think it’s just because she sprints at full pelt for a full 30 minutes after a ball that it probably wears her out more than a gentle hour and a half potter around the woods.

Please, please be careful that you don't damage her joints or cause her to tear her cruciate.. Charging around after a ball at full pelt is a recipe for disaster in terms of injury because they're constantly leaping and changing directions and landing at unnatural angles to get the ball.

I hope that doesn't sound patronising but I'm a dog walker and I see a lot of dogs who are injured because of high impact activities and it's not a quick recovery. 12 weeks minimum of crate rest.

Sprockers are a class of crossbreed in their own right I always think - because until relatively recently cockers and springers were the same breed, just small and big versions, you are almost crossing them "back" (at least with working types) and the result is usually a dog that looks like a very small springer.

Personally I'd get a springer. Can't be doing with cocker craziness and the ears are a ball ache in comparison.
If you are dead set on one OP, I wouldn't rule out gamekeeper bred dogs (for all Gundog breeds) - just because it's not a big kennel operation doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Unfortunately the term "backyard breeder" encompasses both profiteers and diligent home breeders.

I’m my experience the field bred are more hyper, but mentally a bit steadier.
The show type are calmer, but in the 5 that I know I would say they are more likely to be a bit more temperamental with resource guarding, growling etc.

This is fair and matches my own observations/experience.