Sproker, or something else

[edthedead]

At some point in the relatively near future we would like to get a family dog. We have 2 children over 8 in a house with a fair size enclosed garden. I work shifts and the wife works in a school, the only time the dog would be home alone for any period of time (6 hrs) would be when I am on a early on a week day during term time, which works out 3 or 4 days a month during term time depending on when half terms fall. On those days we have a relative who is a dog walker who would be happy to take ours for a walk. The rest of time time it would be no longer than a hour or 2 occasionally.

We have considered lots of breeds, we are after something medium sized, not yappy, easy to train, unlikely to destroy the house and easy going for first time dog owners... I appreciate we are searching for the impossible ideal!

We seem to have arrived at a Sproker as a good compromise, we appreciate they need the higher end of exercise, we have some nice dog walking places nearby and aren't too far from the seaside. We bumped into a family with 2 sprokers at the seaside over the weekend and they were singing their priases. They recommend a female as being, relatively, less crazy.

Any other Sproker owners out there who could share their experiences and, possibly, recommend any breeder (prices seem ridiculous at the moment so we are happy to wait!).

[moorx]

Out of interest, why a 'designer crossbreed' - why not either a Springer or a Cocker?

[dirkgently]

edthedead said:

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We have considered lots of breeds, we are after something medium sized, not yappy, easy to train, unlikely to destroy the house and easy going for first time dog owners... I appreciate we are searching for the impossible ideal!

That sounds like a Golden Retriever to me, Goldies are usually nice out of the box.

[edthedead]

Good questions... A Springer seems too big and "too crazy", not really sure why not a cocker?

We have discussed a retriever or lab, apparently they can get lazy and are too big, we want something with a bit more energy not a dog you have to force to walk.

[Turn7]

Red Labs are generally smaller then Golden and wont be as mental as any Spaniel....

[moorx]

edthedead said:

Good questions... A Springer seems too big and "too crazy", not really sure why not a cocker?

Maybe consider a cocker then, rather than a cross, where you can't necessarily guarantee getting or avoiding the size or the traits that you want or don't want?

Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-crossbreeds by any means - I've had plenty myself, I just don't particularly see the point in designer crossbreeds, or paying the silly prices they command.

If you're looking for a family dog for a first time dog owner, I would suggest you avoid anything with working lines. Working cockers and show cockers are very different animals (literally).

[edthedead]

Yes, the trouble is she doesn't like the look of the show cocker! Sprokers actually seem cheaper than pure cocker, or at least are on the breader we have founds website... Prices seem to have shot up since lockdown!

[moorx]

edthedead said:

Yes, the trouble is she doesn't like the look of the show cocker! Sprokers actually seem cheaper than pure cocker, or at least are on the breader we have founds website... Prices seem to have shot up since lockdown!

Oh dear, I won't tell Rosie (our cocker)

Yes, prices have gone even more stupid than normal.

[Audicab]

Your requirements sound exactly like our dog. A 2 year old Working Cocker Spaniel. She is very easy train, great with kids, other dogs and people, incredibly easy to walk and has good recall. However like all dogs, they don't come out of the box like that and it does take consistent effort to ensure you have the dog you want. Bonnie does get at least 2-3 hrs of exercise most days and a lot more at weekends which also helps. She also loves pubs which is very useful.



I know some owners who have Working Cockers and don't exercise them much they then complain that they are mad and never calm done in the house. That is exactly the same as Springers and Sprockets.

I think Spaniels make fantastic family pets but as with all dogs you do need to go into them with your eyes open.

[foxbody-87]

I didn’t realise sprockers were considered designer now, I shall have to tell my mum, she got hers for next to nothing 10 years ago!
Lovely dog though, needed plenty of exercise especially in his younger years.

[Jamie VTS]

Border terrier is the answer. Big dog in a little dog’s body. He’s not yappy. He could run all day, has climbed mountains and loves swimming. But is also happy curled up on the sofa or in front of the fire.

ETA: he’s 11kg so only marginally smaller than a cocker.

Oh and I am biased.

[Bazil Bush]

Audicab said:

Your requirements sound exactly like our dog. A 2 year old Working Cocker Spaniel. She is very easy train, great with kids, other dogs and people, incredibly easy to walk and has good recall. However like all dogs, they don't come out of the box like that and it does take consistent effort to ensure you have the dog you want. Bonnie does get at least 2-3 hrs of exercise most days and a lot more at weekends which also helps. She also loves pubs which is very useful.



I know some owners who have Working Cockers and don't exercise them much they then complain that they are mad and never calm done in the house. That is exactly the same as Springers and Sprockets.

I think Spaniels make fantastic family pets but as with all dogs you do need to go into them with your eyes open.

I’d agree with all of this. Working Cockers are fantastic family pets. We’ve had our boy ted from a pup and he’s brilliant with people, kids and other dogs. But we put the work in early doors, puppy classes, lots of socialising, training etc...and you still need to keep going with it. Cockers quickly learn the rules but check every hour or so to see if they’ve changed. Unfortunately people do sometimes get them without understanding the traits of the breed and fail but if you train them right give them reasonable exercise they pay you back in spades

[garythesign]

Working cockers are great dogs.......but they do require a lot of work.

Like most gun dogs, they are bred to work all day and that energy needs to be channelled somewhere if they are not to become unruly.

Mine came to work with me for the first nine years of his life, so had plenty of mental stimulation. I didn’t know the difference between working and show cockers when I collected him, but soon found out.

Here is a pic of him in his dotage.

Edited by garythesign on Tuesday 28th July 11:02

[LotusMartin]

We have springer’s, working springer’s, but have to say if it was a house dog then cocker or cockerpoo world be my choice. Every time i see my neighbours cockerpoo I can’t help but think how perfect she is.

My two:

[moorx]

Jamie VTS said:

Border terrier is the answer. Big dog in a little dog’s body. He’s not yappy. He could run all day, has climbed mountains and loves swimming. But is also happy curled up on the sofa or in front of the fire.

ETA: he’s 11kg so only marginally smaller than a cocker.

Oh and I am biased.

That was another thought, but I didn't feel that I knew enough about them to recommend as a family dog.

[Jamie VTS]

moorx said:

That was another thought, but I didn't feel that I knew enough about them to recommend as a family dog.

Fantastic family dogs (as are lots of other breeds - spaniels included). My sister has a cocker who is wonderful, but requires a lot more stimulation than our border.

[cslwannabe]

We’ve gone for a working cocker - week and a half til he (Enzo) arrives... Will be our first dog.

Am hoping he is going to enjoy running when he is old enough as I run practically every day and have some brilliant trails right on our doorstep. They’re incredibly quick by all accounts - way quicker than my parkrun pb that’s for sure!

[Cocknose]

moorx said:

Out of interest, why a 'designer crossbreed' - why not either a Springer or a Cocker?

All dogs are designer crossbreeds though, they've been bred for hundreds of years to represent the attributes that humans desire. There just isn't a 'breed standard' for Sprockers, yet.

OP, I had two Sprockers previously. They were fantastic but did have a tendency towards destruction if not exercised thoroughly. Probably true of all dog breeds, apart from something like an English Bulldog.

Edited by Cocknose on Thursday 30th July 09:45

[edthedead]

Thanks for all the replies. Some food for thought. I have been recommended "puppy walking" for a local police force as a way to see if we would cope with a dog of our own so have applied for that. Hopefully we can try before we buy, so to speak!

[gman88667733]

We have a sprocker, he is just over 2 years old now. He has such a wonderful personality, never aggressive, loves fuss. He is happy to snooze all day, but also happy to run around at full pace all day too. He knows to be calm when we are indoors, he hasn't ever been destructive. Now, I am sure we just got lucky as not all dogs are the same, but he is a gem!

Remember, like mine, lots are working dogs. They have it bred into them to chase wildlife and boy does mine like to chase birds and anything that moves! He doesn't exactly disappear, but he does like to wonder off for a few minutes to chase whatever he sees.

He has been easy enough to train and responded well to training. Just be aware of any working background if you go for one.