Sprocker Spaniel

Springers and Cockers were once born in the same litters and only split into separate breeds in the early 1900s. Shooting people have crossed them back together for years, aiming for a dog that is a bit smaller than a Springer but has the same stamina. Most Sprockers come from working lines, which matters more for temperament than the cross itself.

Friendly, keen and very sociable. Most love people and other dogs. They are sensitive to harsh handling and do best with clear, calm training. Under-exercised Sprockers can become frantic, chewy and noisy.

• Very high energy, especially working-bred dogs
• Clever and eager to work
• Usually great with people and other dogs
• Love water, mud and hedges
• Not suited to a sedentary home

1. Ear infections. Long, heavy ears and swimming are a classic combination.
2. Grass seeds. In summer, seeds work their way into ears, paws and eyes. Removing one from deep in an ear often needs sedation.
3. Cuts and injuries. Torn pads, cut legs and split tail tips from bramble work.
4. Eye conditions. PRA and glaucoma (goniodysgenesis) are recognised in Springers and Cockers.
5. Hip and elbow dysplasia. Recognised in both breeds.
6. Fucosidosis and familial nephropathy. Inherited conditions in Springers and Cockers respectively, both covered by DNA tests.

Ask for hip scores, current BVA eye certificates and gonioscopy results on both parents. DNA tests worth asking about include prcd-PRA, fucosidosis (Springer), familial nephropathy (Cocker) and PFK deficiency.

Sudden violent head shaking or holding the head on one side after a walk, which often means a grass seed. A red, painful or cloudy eye. A swollen paw, limping or constant licking between the toes. A deep cut or a tail tip that keeps bleeding.

Generally very good, especially with older, active children. Young Sprockers are bouncy and can knock toddlers over.

Usually good with dogs. Many live with cats, but they may chase birds and small animals outdoors.

They need a garden and owners with time. Busy households where the dog is left alone all day are not a good match. A crate can help a young dog learn to switch off.

At least one to two hours a day, with plenty of off-lead running where safe and lots of nose work. Their brains need as much exercise as their legs.

Gundog training, scentwork and retrieving games all suit them. Start recall and a reliable stop whistle early. Teaching them to settle at home is just as important as working them outside.

Brush once or twice a week and trim the feathering on ears and feet. Trimming the hair under the feet helps stop mud balls and grass seeds.

Check ears, between the toes and around the eyes, especially from June to September. It takes two minutes and can save an expensive sedation.

Working dogs burn a lot of energy and may need more food in the shooting season, then less in the summer. Weigh food and adjust to body condition rather than following the bag.

These are current UK averages taken from published vet price lists on our site:

Plenty of practices price neutering by weight. For a dog of roughly 10–25kg, castration is typically around £280 (most practices charge £212–£375) and a spay around £368 (most charge £300–£510).

Routine care for a healthy adult usually costs £300–£500 a year. Ears, grass seeds and minor injuries are the regular extras. An active Sprocker is unlikely to get through a summer without at least one unplanned visit.

Yes. Injuries and ear problems are common, and joint or eye disease can be costly. If your dog works on shoots, check the policy covers working or field activity, because some do not.

Most UK insurers let you list a dog as a crossbreed and pick the two parent breeds, or choose a size-based "mixed breed" option. It is worth trying both on comparison sites, because the quote can change noticeably depending on which parent breed is named. Be honest either way. A mismatch between what you declared and what your vet's notes say can cause problems at claim time.

Any good small-animal practice can look after a Sprocker Spaniel. What matters more is how they explain costs and whether you can see the same vet when something drags on. Ask what a consultation includes, whether they run a monthly health plan, and where your dog would go out of hours. You can compare consultation and vaccination prices at practices near you, and our emergency vets page lists dedicated out-of-hours clinics across the UK.