Sprollie

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Size

Medium

Life span

17 Years

Weight

25 Kg

Group

Hybrid Dogs

Sprollie Overview

The Sprollie dog breed is energetic, highly intelligent and has a rather cute appearance. They’re a hybrid dog breed, bred from a Collie and English Springer Spaniel. They have very high energy levels so not suitable for everyone and they’re better suited to living in a home with enough space to roam around and a garden to play in. They require a minimum of an hours exercise a day, along with plenty of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored. If this breed is raised correctly they will get along with most dog breeds and children of all ages. This dog breed is classed as a working dog breed because of their intellect and energy levels. The Sprollie makes a wonderful companion.

Thinking of buying or adopting a Sprollie?

Sprollie Characteristics

Size InformationIntelligence
  • 5
Size InformationExercise Needs
  • 5
Size InformationDogs Health
  • 4
Size InformationChild Friendly
  • 4
Size InformationApartment
  • 1
Size InformationShedding
  • 3
Size InformationGrooming Needs
  • 3
Size InformationBarking
  • 4
Size InformationAlone
  • 3
Size InformationTrainability
  • 5
Size InformationEnergy Levels
  • 5
Size InformationDog friendly
  • 4

Sprollie Facts - Did you know?

  • Years ago, a Sprollies tail would have been docked. Back in 2007 the law changed against this and this became illegal. This type of procedure would now be agreed by the vets and performed by the vets under medical reasons 
  • The love to take part in all form of sport and really excel more so then other dog breeds at agility, obedience and tracking.
  • The Sprollie is becoming more of a popular dog breed within the UK and has always been highly rewarded by the hunting fraternity 

Pros

  • Loving and very caring
  • Highly energetic
  • Extremely clever
  • Low grooming maintenance
  • Loyal

Cons

  • Can be destructive if bored
  • Requires lots of attention
  • Prone to Hip Dysplasia
  • Prone to Collie Eye Anomaly

History & Origin

The Sprollie is a cross between the Collie and English Springer Spaniel. On their own, these two dog breeds are fantastic and have wonderful characteristics. Breeding these two dog breeds has created this wonderful dog breed with a great attitude to life. The history of this dog breed is not fully documented but it is believed the Collie’s parent was first noted in the Scottish Highlands and we’re led to believe they were brought to the area by the Romans. The Collie is an excellent herder of livestock and was once called the “Scottish Sheepdogs”. The English Springer Spaniel was thought to have originated from the United Kingdom. Breeding of both breeds has created a dog breed that has proved to be very popular and now considered more as a companion as opposed to a working dog breed. The Sprollie’s appearance and temperament can very vastly; between individual dog’s breeds as each of the parents will have different traits.

Sprollie Appearance

The Sprollie’s appearance can differ somewhat between individual dogs. The reason for this largely depends on what traits, genes and characteristics the puppy inherits from their parents. Majority of Sprollies have medium sized floppy ears that are typical of the English springer spaniel. Their coat, tail and colourings typically resemble those of a Collie. Their eyes have an oval shape and are set far apart. Their teeth are razor sharp and perfectly aligned. The Sprollie typically has a strong neck with a muscular shape. Their hindquarters are muscular and well-developed. They have oval shaped paws with pads that are deep and well-built.

The Sprollie has a well-proportioned head, with floppy ears that are typical of the English springer spaniel. The Sprollie has an alert expression which is inherited from both parent breeds. They express a rather “keen” ready to go look, which leads the owner to believe that they always want to walk or play.

This cross breed has a rather beautiful outlook on life, with their adventurous streak and humble attitude, the Sprollie makes a wonderful pet dog for a family for any age. Providing the Sprollie receives adequate training, love and attention, they are suitable to be around children of all ages.

Coat and Colour 

Sprollies either have very long hair on their coats or really short hair. Whatever the length of hair, their coat is typically dense and they have a soft undercoat, which helps protect them from the cold and other elements. Long-haired Sprollies have longer hair around their neck and their upper shoulders which shapes into a mane. Their hair is feathered on their legs and under their tails. The Sprollie typically comes in a variety of colours which ranges from: White and Liver with or without spots on their belly face and legs or they come in Black and White, again, with our without spots on their belly, face and their legs.

Sprollie Temperament

The Sprollie is a fun, loving dog, with a wonderful personality. Their temperament does vary between each dog and this  largely depends on the parents. The Sprollie can be obedient and sweet and can also be destructive and naughty if they’re not trained correctly. From a young age the Sprollie needs to be adequately socialised around children so they’re able to behave correctly and become loving, friendly family pets. As with all dog breeds, they should be supervised when left with very young children.

The Sprollie is very energetic and needs to burn off their energy on a daily basis. If they don’t receive enough exercise they are prone to becoming destructive and unhappy. Some Sprollies can be extremely loving towards the whole family and there are some Sprollies that become fully devoted to one person.

As with any puppy they need to be taught the basics when they first come home. Teaching them boundaries from the offset will set them up correctly as to where they’re allowed to go in the home and what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable. A great way of training your puppy is to enrol them in puppy training classes. As the Sprollie is a high-spirited and energetic dog breed they will require lots of continuous training.

The Sprollie is extremely active and this is a wonderful trait for any active family. They have a particularly friendly temperament, which doesn’t serve well if a stranger approaches them or your home.  It’s safe to say that this dog breed doesn’t make the best watchdog of all the dog breeds there are.

This dog breed is fast learner and can easily adapt to most situations. They require lots of positive reinforcement from their loved ones and with this, they become a truly, wonderful family pet.

First time owners 

The Sprollie is a great choice of dog breed for first time owners. As they’re a highly intelligent dog breed they require a patient and dedicated owner; willing to put in the time to properly train and socialise their Sprollie. As they’re a high-energy dog breed, they’re an excellent choice of dog for a family with young children, although playtime should be supervised.

Adaptability

The Sprollie is suited to a person or family that leads a very active life. As they’re a high energy dog, they require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. A Sprollie is better suited to a home that has large outdoor space that is secure and fenced off. This dog breed is not well-suited to living in an apartment as they require lots of space. The Sprollie is a highly intelligent dog breed and can become bored very easily should they not be stimulated enough. 

Behaviour Traits

The Sprollie is a very sociable dog breed with a tendency to become very needy. Early training and socialisation will help prevent them from suffering with separation anxiety and the needy behaviour. The Sprollie dog breed can become bored very easily if they’re not exercised enough and receive adequate mental stimulation. Those that work long hours and are not very energetic shouldn’t consider a Sprollie. 

Affection Levels 

The Sprollie is known for being very affectionate. They absolutely adore their owner and family. They tend to form a strong bond with just one person and if you’re fortunate to be this person, be ready for lots of slobbery, wet kisses and endless amounts of love and attention. As previously mentioned, the Sprollie can become needy and this can be controlled with training. If you’re an affectionate person, then the Sprollie is the perfect dog breed of choice. 

Playfulness

Sprollies love playtime as they have a very playful side. Infact, playing fetch with their loved ones is one of their favourite things to do. They love to take part in canine exercises including agility training. They’re especially good at obedience classes and any form of active exercise. 

Barking Tendencies 

The Sprollie isn’t known to bark a lot like other dog breeds that love to bark all day long. Excessive barking should be addressed when they’re a pup and training should be given to prevent them from continuously barking. Sprollies do tend to bark only when strangers approach them or they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. 

Territorial  

The Sprollie can be territorial over their home and loved ones. Training should be properly introduced when they’re a pup to help prevent this from becoming a serious issue. 

Sprollie Training

The Sprollie is a very intelligent dog breed as well as a fast learner. They are able to retain a lot of information in a short period of time and process very quickly. There is a negative to this, because of their ability to learn at a fast pace, they are also able to learn bad habits, so you must be careful when training and address any bad habits and behaviours, immediately.

Their training must be consistent and always fair so they know what is to be expected of them and they’re happy. Sprollies love being given commands and tasks to do. This is great, should you need any assistance in fetching your slippers!

This dog breed excels at most activities and they’re especially good at agility training. One of the key successes to training your Sprollie is to make their training as interesting as possible. You should also aim to keep to keep their training sessions as short as possible to prevent them from becoming bored.

Grooming

Sprollie’s are typically not high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Brushing your Sprollie twice a week is sufficient enough to keep their coat in good condition. They do, however, shed throughout the year and more so during spring and summer and then in autumn. During this time you should increase the brushing to daily to help prevent a build-up of hair within your home and keep your dog’s coat in better condition.

As with all dog breeds, you should check their ears on a regular basis to help keep them clean. If left untreated, wax will eventually build up and can cause an ear infection which can then be hard to clear up.

Health

The Sprollie is generally healthy, although there are some known health problems that they’re predisposed to from both parent breeds. These are:

Border Collie

  • Epilepsy
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Collie Eye
  • Ceroid  Lipofuscinosis
  • Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome
  • Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome

Springer Spaniel

  • Ear disorders
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Progressive Retinol Atrophy
  • Auto Immune Diseases
  • Fucosidosis
  • Goniodysgenesis
  • (PRA) - cord 1 mutation
  • PFK - Phosphofructokinase deficiency

The Sprollie has an average life expectancy of 10- 17years if they’re properly cared for and fed a quality diet. As with all dog breeds, their diet should consist of high quality canned food and kibbles. They should always have fresh water to drink.

Allergies

Sprollies are prone to suffering with allergies and it’s always worth visiting your vet to seek advice on the best approach to combat and prevent flare ups. Unfortunately, allergies are hard to clear and often we’re not completely certain on what the triggers are. To help alleviate a possible flair up, it’s worth researching what the triggers could be. Listed below are a few possibilities that could cause your Sprollie to suffer with allergens,  

  • Environment
  • Certain food groups
  • Flea and tick bites
  • Dust mites
  • Household chemicals 

Vaccinations

Sprollie puppies should receive their vaccinations before being sold or adopted to their new owners. It is vital that the new owner checks that they’re up-to-date with their shots and request the official paperwork. The follow up vaccinations are the responsibility of the owner and should be given as follows:

  • 10 -12 weeks of age. It’s worth noting that a puppy will not be fully protected straight away, but bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would then be fully protected 2 weeks after they’ve received their second vaccination. 
  • If you’re unsure on the continuation of boosters, you should speak to your vet for professional advice. 

Neutering

It’s recommended by the professionals that you should neuter your dog when they’re slightly older, normally around the age of 6-9 months old and on some occasions at the age of 12 months old. If you’re unsure you should book an appointment with your vet and seek their professional advice. 

Care

The basic care you should give any dog breed is feeding them a high quality diet, regular grooming, lots of exercise and plenty of love and attention. 

Puppy Care

Sprollie puppies are notoriously noisy and full of life. As with all puppies, it is important that your home is puppy proof and your garden is safe and hazard free. Puppies love to explore so you must ensure that any household cleaning products are out of reach and locked away. Pay extra attention to your garden and make sure any holes in your fence or gateways are properly covered up and flowers and plants that are potentially poisonous are not within reach, or removed, and your puppy is safeguarded against them.

Your Sprollie puppy should be properly trained and socialised from a young age so they grow to be independent, happy dogs. Whilst they’re growing, your puppy will need plenty of sleep and relaxing time. It’s vital that they’re not disturbed and allowed the time to rest as this is when their little bodies are growing and developing into an adult dog.

You should also teach your dog to play outside rather than in the house as that will encourage them to keep playtime outside and create more calmness in the house. 

When picking your puppy up from the breeder, they should provide up-to-date information on their worming and information regarding their microchip. Their worming schedule should be as follows:

  • Wormed at the age of 6 months old
  • Wormed again at the age of 8 months old
  • Followed by worming at the age of 10 months old
  • Then wormed again at the age of 12 months old

Senior Dog Care

As your Sprollie ages and they reach their golden years, they are at more risk of developing certain health conditions. As well as them turning a shade of grey around certain parts of their body, there will be other noticeable changes. As they age their coat becomes coarser and they lose muscle tone. Sprollies can also become overweight or underweight and they show signs of reduce stamina and strength. As they age they also struggle to regulate their body temperature and therefore you will need to provide a blanket during winter and provide adequate care during the summer. Often, as a dog ages, they also develop arthritis and so it’s worth supplementing this by giving them high quality supplement during their adult years. 

During your Sprollies senior years their response time tends to slow down and they tend to become slower in their movements and can often feel disorientated. They become intolerant to change so this always needs to be considered as they age. They have a lower pain threshold and become fusser about their food.  

Living with any dog that is aging means that their care needs to be stepped up and there are a few more responsibilities. As long as these are managed and their diet is cared for properly, your dog will live a happy, healthy life during their senior years. You should also be looking after their teeth and making sure their bed is still in good condition and they’re happy and comfortable. 

Living with a Sprollie in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities, but these are easily managed and should include taking a look at their diet, the amount of exercise they are given, how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

An older Sprollie doesn’t require the same amount of exercise as a younger Sprollie but they still need to maintain exercise to keep them healthy, their muscles toned and to help prevent them from putting on weight. Older dogs, as with any dogs, need access to fresh drinking water at all times. Senior dogs are prone to kidney failure and therefore need plenty of drinking water on a daily basis.

Sprollie Exercise Needs

The Sprollie should receive at least 2 long walks a day, preferably no less than 45 minutes each, majority of this time should be spent off the lead so they’re free to run around as much as possible. The Sprollie is an energetic dog breed and requires lots of exercise to help keep them healthy and happy. You should only consider this dog breed if you’re particularly energetic and outdoorsy, yourself. If they do not receive adequate exercise they are prone to becoming bored and then destructive. They love agility training and excel at most sporting activities. The Sprollies favourite game is fetch and if you’re up for it, they will play endlessly in the park.

As previously mentioned Sprollies are not suited to living in an apartment and require a garden to play in. During the down time of them not going for walks, they should spend lots of time playing in the garden.

Sprollie puppies shouldn’t receive too much exercise as their bones and joints are still growing, they shouldn’t be encouraged to jump from high heights or furniture as this can make their undeveloped bones and joints, brittle

Feeding

As an active and energetic breed, the Sprollie requires a balanced and nutritious diet to support their physical needs. It's recommended to feed your Sprollie a high-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity level.

Aim to feed your Sprollie two meals a day rather than leaving food out all day, which can lead to overeating and obesity. The amount of food your Sprollie needs will depend on their age, weight, and activity level. It's important to monitor your dog's weight and adjust their food intake accordingly to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.

In addition to a complete and balanced dog food, you can also feed your Sprollie healthy snacks and treats, such as raw carrots or green beans. Avoid giving your dog table scraps and high-fat treats, as these can lead to digestive issues and weight gain.

Always provide your Sprollie with access to fresh, clean water and monitor their water intake, especially during hot weather or periods of increased activity.

If you have any concerns about your Sprollie's diet or feeding routine, consult with your veterinarian who can provide tailored advice based on your dog's individual needs.

Sprollie Price

Sprollies can be relatively expensive to purchase, with prices ranging from £500 to £1,500, depending on various factors such as location, breeder reputation, and the puppy's pedigree. Additionally, the ongoing cost of owning a Sprollie includes expenses such as food, veterinary care, grooming, training, and toys. It's important to consider these costs before committing to bringing a Sprollie into your home. However, with proper care and attention, a Sprollie can make a wonderful and loyal companion for many years to come.

Children and other pets

The Sprollie is a very sociable dog breed and loves giving and receiving attention. The breed is alert and very inquisitive and so loves to explore. Generally, Sprollies are good with children, but supervision should be giving if they’re playing with younger, smaller children.

Sprollies are good with other pets as long as they’re socialised properly from a young age.  Supervision should be given if your Sprollie is playing with a smaller dog as they tend to heard smaller animals and can nip at them if they don’t obey.

Sprollie Buying Advice

During the time you’re visiting your puppy and looking to buy or adopt, there are several important factors to consider. You can read our Buying a Pedigree Puppy article which gives further helpful advice on what to look out for when buying your puppy.

The sprollie is a popular working dog and thus always in demand. This results in majority of owners paying a premium to own a Sprollie. With this, there are important factors to consider, along with some very important questions you should ask before buying your Sprollie from a breeder. These are as follows:

  • Sprollies are in high demand therefore amateur breeders are always looking to make quick money and will do so by selling a litter at a reduced price and breeding from the dam far too often. They don’t care about the welfare of the puppies and indeed the dam. This is a red flag and if you’re in any doubt about the litter and the breeder, you should walk away and report them to the RSPCA. 
  • You should ask for the microchip paperwork for your records. If they cannot produce this, this is another red flag and you should walk away and report them to the RSPCA. 
  • Always be aware of online scams and how best to avoid them. One of the typical signs to watch out for, is, selling the Sprollies off cheaper and then requesting a deposit before seeing the puppy. This is often a sign that this is a scam and there is no litter. You should never exchange any form of deposit before seeing the litter and meeting the parents and going through your vital questions.