Overview
The Sprocker is a Springer Spaniel crossed with a Cocker, and in the UK it is almost always bred from working lines by people who want a tough, keen beating dog. The result is a medium spaniel with the Springer's stamina and the Cocker's busy, quick-turning style, usually in liver, black or roan.
Because it is a cross, individuals vary. Some lean toward the taller Springer frame, others toward the compact Cocker. What they share is drive. A Sprocker that has not had enough to do will find jobs for itself, and none of them are jobs you want it doing in a client's house.
Exercise and walking needs
Budget at least an hour and a half a day for an adult, ideally in two outings that each include free running and some structured work: a retrieve, a hunt for a hidden toy or a few minutes of heelwork. Mileage alone does not satisfy this dog.
Young Sprockers are often fitter than their owners and will run until they are hurt. Build up distance gradually and avoid repetitive jumping while the dog is growing. Even adults benefit from being told when the walk is over.
On the walk
- Recall: Trainable and usually good, but a hot scent can switch off the ears completely. Reward every check-in and use a whistle if the owner already has one.
- Cover: Sprockers go into brambles, ditches and nettles without a second thought. Expect scratches and check the eyes and ears afterwards.
- Water: Any pond, stream or puddle will be entered. Carry a towel and watch for steep-sided water with no easy exit.
- Other dogs: Friendly and bouncy, sometimes too much for quieter dogs. A good match for other spaniels and energetic retrievers.
- Pulling: Moderate pull driven by excitement rather than weight. A harness and some lead work at the start of each walk help.
Tips for professional walkers
- Give the dog a job every walk: a tennis ball hidden in long grass is worth a mile of road.
- Pack a towel and a brush for the feathering, which collects burrs, mud and the odd tick.
- Finish each walk with a few minutes of calm lead walking so the dog arrives home settled rather than wired.
- Check ears for grass seeds and wetness after every outing; spaniel ears hold both.
What to ask the owner
- Is the dog from working parents, and does it do any beating, gundog training or scent work you should keep in mind?
- Which recall cue or whistle does it know, and how does it respond when it has picked up a scent?
- Any limits on swimming, jumping or distance, especially if the dog is under eighteen months?