The origins of how the Sprollie first came about remain unclear, yet these charming dogs have not earned The Kennel Club’s recognition. Although a number of local breed clubs have been established in the USA and elsewhere in the world with the ultimate goal of raising healthy Sprollies, whether they are first or second-generation dogs.
What is known is that for decades Border Collies have been crossed with Springer Spaniels and more especially on farms in the United States where they have always been used as working dogs. That said, in more recent times, Sprollies have only been deliberately bred not only as working dogs but also as companions and family pets.
In the last ten years or so, they have become a popular choice, especially among people who lead active lives because these high-energy dogs make wonderful outdoor pets.
Size Of a Sprollie
Height at the withers: 18 – 23 Inches (Both male and female dogs)
Weight: 39 -55 pounds (Bothe male and female dogs)
Because Sprollies are a cross between an English Springer Spaniel and a Border Collie, puppies of the same litter can have a quite different appearance depending on which of the parent breeds they throw at it.
Appearance
Because the Springer spaniel and the Border Collie are similarly sized dogs, their offspring also tend to be of a similar size. That being said, most Sprollies inherit dangling-type ears from the Springer and tend to have very Springer Spaniel-like coats. However, when it comes to coat colors, these can be very close to that of the Border Collie and most Sprollies also inherit a well-furnished, feathered Collie tail.
They have broad, well-proportioned heads and have inherited alert expressions from both parent breeds. They have quite distinct stops and their muzzles are wide but taper slightly towards a dog’s nose, which can be black or brown in color.
The eyes have a nice oval shape and are set wide apart, either light or dark brown in color. Sprollies always have an enthusiastic and “ready to go” look, but intelligent in their eyes, much like that of a Springer spaniel and a Border Collie.
They have medium-sized ears that are set wide apart and are usually long and pendulous, dropping forward when a dog is alert and to the sides of the head when they are relaxed.
Sprollies boast of having a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth perfectly overlap their lower ones. They have strong, muscular, slightly arched necks that are wider at the shoulders than at the nape, adding to their overall athletic appearance.
They have strong, well-boned forequarters, well-relaxed shoulders, and nice straight front legs. They have athletic bodies with well sprung ribs and deep chests on deep, muscular loins. The hindquarters are muscular with well developed thighs and well-angled back legs.
Their feet are oval in shape with deep pads, tight arched toes, and short dark colored nails. Sprollies have inherited the long histories of the Border Collie that they are short and well covered in fur. Dogs have a slightly curved tail to the tip, increasing their overall perfect balance and proportion. When excited, Sprollies lift their tails, but never carry them on their back.
When it comes to their coats, Sprollies can have quite long hair or their coats can be short and fluffy. However, whatever coat type they have inherited, they always have a dense top coat and a softer undercoat that offers dogs plenty of protection from the elements.
Long-haired dogs have longer hair around their necks and upper shoulders that form a mane and have more feathers on their legs and under their tails. Sprollies can come in a variety of colors and color combinations, the most common being:
- Liver and white with or without many spots on the face, belly, and legs.
- Black and white with or without many spots on the face, belly, and legs.
Temperament
Sprollies are high-energy dogs that have inherited their liveliness from both parent breeds. They have also inherited intelligence from the Border Collie and the Springer spaniel, which means that they not only need to get the right amount of daily exercise, but they also need to have enough mental stimulation to be truly happy and well-rounded characters.
A tired Sprollie is a happy dog and is a pleasure to be around. A bored Sprollie can turn into a handful, and all too often it will develop unwanted and destructive behaviors around the home if its mind is not kept busy.
Puppies should be taught the “basics” and limits as soon as they arrive in their new homes and their training should begin in earnest once they have been fully vaccinated. A great way to socialize one of these independent and lively dogs is to enroll them in puppy classes where they will meet many other dogs and people and at the same time they will be trained in a safe and controlled environment.
Although a Sprollie is always quick to alert an owner when strangers are around, they are not terribly good watchdogs at being overly friendly, which is one of their endearing traits. They are a good option for people who lead a more active outdoor life and not as suitable for people who lead a sedentary and quieter life because these dogs need a ton of exercise and are never happier than when they are away from home with their owners.
It is important for Sprollies to be well socialized from an early age so that they grow into confident and outgoing mature dogs. Their socialization should include introducing them to many new situations, noises, people, other animals, and dogs.
A Sprollie is never happier than when they know their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance. If they don’t know who the alpha dog is in a household, they can quickly assume the role of a dominant dog, which can make them more difficult to live with and manage.
Interesting facts about Sprollie
Is a Sprollie a good choice for first-time owners?
Sprollies are a good choice for first-time dog owners, as long as they have the time to dedicate themselves to such an intelligent, high-energy dog. They are particularly good with young children and older people, although playtime can be a bit boisterous at times, meaning that any interaction should always be supervised.
Do Sprollies have a high prey drive?
As mentioned above, Sprollies are social by nature, but they have work and hunting in their lineage. As such, they have a great prey drive and would happily chase any animal they see in the distance that tries to run away. The good news is that Sprollies are highly trainable thanks to their intelligence and need to please, which means they can be taught not to chase any animals they come across.
With that said, care still needs to be taken as to where and when a dog can slip off the leash, especially if livestock or wild animals are nearby.
Do Sprollies love to play?
Sprollies have a very playful side to their nature and they love to entertain and have fun. They love participating in all kinds of dog sports including agility, obedience, flyball, and tracking, all of which are activities that they are especially good at.
What about adaptability?
Sprollies are best suited to people who lead active outdoor lives and have well-fenced backyards that they can roam around whenever possible. They do not adapt well to apartment life, as they are such intelligent, high-energy dogs that they boast a low boredom threshold.
Do Sprollies have separation anxiety?
Although Sprollies form strong bonds with their families, they do not suffer from separation anxiety as long as they are not left alone for long. They are very intelligent and boredom would soon ensue, which could lead a dog to be destructive in the home.
Do Sprollies bark a lot?
Sprollies are not known to be “barkers,” although some dogs are overly fond of the sound of their own voices, which is something that should be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young, being careful not to frighten them. That being said, most Sprollies will only bark when there are strangers or something they don’t like is going on in their environment.
Do Sprollies like water?
Most Sprollies love to swim and dive into the water whenever they can, especially in hot weather. However, if someone has a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them.
With that said, care should always be taken when taking a Sprollie off the leash anywhere near more dangerous waterways in case a dog decides to jump in and then needs to be rescued because it cannot get out of the water on its own. It is important to dry a dog’s ears after he has been swimming to prevent ear infections from worsening.
Are Sprollies good watchdogs?
Sprollies are not natural watchdogs because they are overly friendly by nature, although this is not to say that a dog is not quick enough to warn an owner when strangers are around, although they would rarely do so aggressively and prefer to keep their distance and bark as a way of alerting their owners to what is happening.
Is the Sprollie a vulnerable breed?
No, they are among some of the most popular cross breeds in the US and have always been highly regarded by the hunting fraternity. Sprollies love to participate in all types of canine sports and are especially good at activities such as flyball, agility, tracking, and obedience.