i dont see any difference in a "mix" of names eg Sprocker to shorten names eg Springer or Staffie. What it says on the tin!
I try my hardest not to call toby a sprocker - usually just say he's a spaniel and if they ask more i say hes half springer / half cocker - but the usual reply to that is "oh, so hes a sprocker then"
i just dont like it because, some of them sound so silly (such as cockapoo, goldendoodle, bordoodle, cavapoo... i could go on ;-)) and when they are given a name, people begin to believe they are an actual breed.
I dont think it sounds silly if its a Sprocker or a sprollie,its not a "selling" point or a gimick, its just a easy way to say the Cross i only think it sounds gimiky if the name has Doodle-poo in it. A sprocker has been bred ,in general ,for a purpose A lurcher is a made up type, although not from two different names probaley because it dosent come from the same breeds each time. Ive a friend who goes nuts when her Stafs are referred to as Staffies, shes thinks THATS gimmicky, they should be referred to as "STAFFORDS" Jake Could be a Bulder tellieherder agreed very silly sounding!!!!! or he could be a Heinz57 (i LOVE that term) or a Mongrel (i dont like that term) . I much prefer The term Heinz57 to mongrel Language is always Fluid ,& Custom & practise often will reign. So yes, personally i like to use terms that some will see as Gimmicky. Sprocker/Sprollie/Lurcher/Heinz57 Quick call the dog Police!!!!!!! Lock me up!
lol, i just think if people always refer to crosses (thats what they are after all) with a 'name', then other people begin to think it is an actual breed, which it isnt. ive heard of some people who actually seem to think their cross is a real breed! i like the term heinz 57 too but absolutely hate mongrel!
I love mongrel. It's not derogatory at all to me and just conjures up images of a loveable, scrappy little chap who is completely unique. Like I said, I can just about cope with Sprocker and Sprollie but I do not endorse ''breeders'' selling them at a premium.
"Mongrel" is not derogatory but it's not very descriptive either. Sprocker, Sprollie etc at least helps me to produce a reasonably accurate picture of the dog. "Mongrel" tends to produce (in my head) a small brown dog with slightly wavy hair and a curly tail.
Just looking at the pics I would say a very lovely Springer/Cocker cross or Sprocker as it is often known. I do have to agree I hate these "designer" names for what is essentially a non-pedigree "mongrel" .... especially when people try to sell them at a premium price ... had one person telling me that "oh but both my sprockers parents come from field trial champions" makes not a dolt of difference if the dogs were that good when not breed a fine pedigree cocker or springer! In rescue I have seen alot of Spaniel crosses being passed off as either cockers or springers .... had one that almost definately had beagle in her .... i think if they come from a puppy farm or a BYB then you have to take their breeding with a pinch of salt.
Though I notice you use the term Sprocker in your signature! I don't see the harm myself - if people want to pay more for a cross breed then that's up to them, I guess. You wouldn't tell people they shouldn't expect to pay more for a pure breed. It's when people are being misled when the problem comes. I got mine from a family who couldn't look after him anymore (they seemed to want a slow paced dog!!) and she assured me she had seen both parents and they were both Springers but both heavily brown. I had a feeling when I picked him up that he wasn't a 'proper' springer but didn't care cos he was adorable. Somewhere along the line someone either lied or were very confused about the parent dogs! Either way, whenever I describe him as Sprocker the person looks confused, and if I describe him as Springer/Wocker cross they say 'Oh a Sprocker!' - can't win!!
Yup I know slightly hypocritical I know from memory I chose the username cos I have Springers and Cockers and it is a combination of the two ... and as you have said as soon as you say my dog is a springer/cocker cross round where I am people say "sprocker" I think like other people have said I don't like the names that have "oodle" cos anything with a poodle cross seems to fetch a premium, sure if people are silly enough to pay it then more fool them. Your dog is gorgeous and I am sure you will get a great deal of love and fun from him. My Broc is adoreable and very soft and energetic a real snuggle bum of a boy.
That's the conclusion I've come to too since meeting a pedigree of the breed who was his spitting image! He's turning into a real darling. I adore him!
Nice to see this thread again. I'm still amazed how much he is like Toby in his baby pics! Any updated photos?
Hi! Yup, he's 10 months old now and driving me nutty! Do they all go through a headstrong phase at this age??? This was last month:
I have just looked at this thread for the first time and was going to say he looks just like my Poppy's dad - a working cocker... then read the rest! He is stunning, I chose not to read the 'headstrong bit' as Poppy is only 4 months old and can just imagine what she will be like at 10 months (I am still in denial!)