The Complete Sprollie Guide to Pet Care and Ownership

Sprollies are a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Dachshund, and as such, they require a unique approach to pet care. They need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy.

A sprollie's average lifespan is 12-15 years, so it's essential to plan for the long-term commitment of owning one. With proper care, they can live a long and fulfilling life.

Sprollies are prone to obesity, so it's crucial to monitor their food intake and ensure they get enough physical activity. A daily walk or playtime is a must to keep them in shape.

As a breed, sprollies are relatively small, weighing between 20-40 pounds, making them a great option for city dwellers or those with limited space. Their compact size also means they don't require a large yard to run around in.

The Sprollie's physical characteristics are quite impressive. They have a medium-sized body with a well-proportioned head, wide forehead, and pendulous ears that are set high on the head.

Their muzzle is a good size, ending in a broad nose that may be either black or brown. Their intelligent, oval-shaped eyes can be brown or amber.

Sprollies typically weigh between 14kg and 24kg and grow to heights of 46cm to 56cm. Males are often more muscular and will weigh slightly more than their female counterparts.

Their straight fur is short to medium in length, and they come in either black and white or a rich brown and white. They tend to have longer fur on their ears, belly, back of their legs, and tail.

The Sprollie's coat is typically dense and has a soft undercoat that helps protect them from the cold and other elements. Long-haired Sprollies have longer hair around their neck and upper shoulders, which shapes into a mane.

Their oval-shaped paws have deep and well-built pads. The Sprollie's tail is typically impressively well-feathered and is one of their best features.

On a similar theme: Sprollie Puppy

Sprollies are high-energy dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and well-rounded.

They can become bored and destructive if left alone for too long, so it's essential to provide them with plenty of activities and training to keep them engaged.

A tired Sprollie is a happy Sprollie, but a bored Sprollie can be quite a handful.

Sprollies need to be taught the basics and boundaries from an early age, and their training must start in earnest once they've been fully vaccinated.

They are not good watchdogs due to their friendly nature, but they make great companions for active families.

Sprollies can be extremely loving and form strong bonds with their owners, but they can also become needy if not trained properly.

They are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long, so it's essential to provide them with plenty of attention and interaction.

Sprollies are not suited for small apartments or inactive families due to their high energy levels and need for regular exercise.

They are generally good with other pets, but introductions should be made when they're young to prevent any conflict.

Sprollies can be territorial over their home and loved ones, so proper training should be introduced from an early age.

They have a tendency to bark only when strangers approach them or they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings, but excessive barking should be addressed when they're young to prevent it from becoming a habit.

Sprollies can become bored very easily if they're not exercised enough and receive adequate mental stimulation, so it's essential to provide them with plenty of activities and toys to keep them engaged.

Feeding your Sprollie is an essential part of their care, and it's recommended to feed them a high-quality dog food that meets their nutritional needs. A good quality diet will support their physical needs, especially for an active and energetic breed like the Sprollie.

You should 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 they need will depend on their age, weight, and activity level.

A Sprollie puppy needs to be fed a highly nutritious diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide, a Sprollie puppy can be fed the following amounts every day:

Once a puppy is 12 months old, they can be fed adult dog food. Adult Sprollies need to be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health, and as a rough guide, an adult Sprollie can be fed the following amounts every day:

It's also essential to monitor your Sprollie's weight and adjust their food intake accordingly to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.

The average life expectancy of a Sprollie is between 10 and 17 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages. This is a relatively long lifespan, and many Sprollies enjoy good health into their teens.

Sprollies can be prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, eye problems, and allergies. These conditions can be inherited from their parent breeds, so it's essential to choose a responsible breeder who prioritizes health testing.

Regular grooming is crucial to prevent matting and tangling of the coat. Brushing a few times a week is essential, especially under the belly, armpits, groin, and on the ears. Ears must be cleaned regularly and checked for any sign of infection daily.

Here's a list of essential grooming tools for your Sprollie:

By following these grooming tips and investing in the right tools, you can help keep your Sprollie's coat clean and healthy, and prevent potential health issues.

Grooming your Sprollie is relatively easy, but it does require some regular attention.

Brushing your Sprollie twice a week is sufficient to keep their coat in good condition, but more frequent brushing may be necessary during Spring and Autumn.

Regular brushing helps prevent matting of the coat, particularly under the belly, armpits, groin, and on the ears.

Ears must be cleaned regularly and checked for any sign of infection on a daily basis.

Sprollies have double coats, which can shed steadily throughout the year, with more shedding during Spring and Autumn.

You should increase brushing to daily during these periods to help prevent a build-up of hair within your home and keep your dog's coat in better condition.

Here's a list of essential grooming tools for your Sprollie:

Bathe your Sprollie as needed, which might be weekly, monthly, or somewhere in between, depending on their activities.

It's also essential to rinse and dry them thoroughly after playing in water to remove chlorine, salt, or debris.

The average life expectancy of a Sprollie is between 10 and 17 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Sprollies are generally healthy, although there are some known health problems that they're predisposed to from both parent breeds. These include conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Hip Dysplasia, and Phosphofructokinase deficiency.

Responsible breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues by using schemes such as the BVA/KC/SDS Gonioscopy and the DNA test - PRS (cord1).

A Sprollie's diet is crucial to their health, and they require a good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives. You should look for a dog food with a protein content of 14-21%, fat content of less than 10%, and fibre content of less than 4%.

Older Sprollies need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives, with a rough feeding guide as follows:

Training a Sprollie requires consistency and fairness from an early age. They are quick to pick up commands, but also bad habits, so it's essential to establish clear expectations and boundaries.

Sprollies are happiest when given tasks to complete, and they thrive on attention during training. To keep them engaged, make training sessions interesting and short, as they can get bored quickly.

The first commands to teach a Sprollie puppy are: ComeSitStayHeelQuietLeave itDownBed

To prevent boredom and maintain focus, keep training sessions short, ideally around 10-15 minutes. This will help your Sprollie stay engaged and retain information more effectively.

Exercise of the Sprollie is a crucial aspect of their overall well-being. They need a minimum of 1 hour's exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible.

A Sprollie's energy levels are high, and if they don't receive adequate exercise, they can become bored and destructive. They love agility training and excel at most sporting activities, making them a great fit for active owners.

To prevent joint problems, Sprollie puppies should not be over-exercised, and their joints and bones should be protected from too much pressure. This means no jumping up and down from furniture or going up and down stairs.

A Sprollie's ideal exercise routine includes at least 2 long walks a day, with the majority of the time spent off the lead. They also love to play fetch and can play endlessly in the park.

Here's a rough guide to a Sprollie's exercise needs:

A Sprollie's exercise needs are best met with a combination of physical activity and mental stimulation. They thrive on being given tasks to complete and will give every ounce of their attention to a job well done.

The Sprollie is a very sociable dog breed that thrives on attention and interaction. They're naturally alert and inquisitive, always eager to explore their surroundings.

Sprollies are generally good with children, but it's essential to supervise interactions, especially with younger or smaller kids. If left unsupervised, they might get too rough.

If you have other pets at home, socialization from an early age is key to a harmonious household. Sprollies can get along with other pets, but they might view smaller animals as playthings and nip at them if they don't obey.