Much like their silly name, sproodles are a silly but caring and affectionate crossbreed of English springer spaniel and poodle. Charming, fluffy, and loyal, sproodles are an excellent choice of puppy for first-time owners as well. One of the main benefits of owning a sproodle is that owners gain the non-shedding benefits of a poodle, but own an affectionate little pup that has many of the English springer spaniel’s charm also. This breed is designer and as such is ideal as a companion pet around the home.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell a sproodle from another breed, mostly because they may vary significantly in appearance whilst in the litter and depending on whether they inherit more of their appearance from English springer spaniels or poodles. They do tend to be approximately the same size, however, which is rather small.
Their posture is gentle and kind, contrasted with mischievous looking eyes. Their ears tend to be rather far apart and their heads are well-proportioned. Their tails are set high.
This breed has many different colour variations for their coat, of which the fur can appear either straight, curled, or wavy. Colours common to sproodles include white, black, chocolate, brown, merle, or tricolour.
As a mix between English springer spaniels and poodles, sproodles most closely resemble one or both of these breeds.
How big do sproodle dogs get?
Height: 46-56 cm
Weight: 23-32 kg
Sproodles have a kind and playful temperament and are generally easy to please and to keep in a cheerful, happy mood. They are highly affectionate and loyal companions that are also intelligent and easy to train.
Prospective owners should note that they do have high energy levels and can become yappy barkers if neglected or if they lack proper discipline and training from puppies into adulthood.
Since they are small designer dogs, sproodles don’t mind adapting to apartment living in urban environments, but they’ll benefit greatly from some regular outdoor playtime and exercise.
Are sproodle dogs intelligent? Yes, very.
Are sproodle dogs affectionate? Yes.
Do sproodle dogs have high or low energy levels? Very high energy.
Are sproodle dogs loyal? Yes.
Are sproodle dogs playful? Yes, very.
Are sproodle dogs aggressive? No, but they can be mischievous.
Are sproodle dogs easy to train? Yes.
Are sproodle dogs good guard dogs? No.
Sproodles are one of the best breeds to have around family or other pets, but caution should be exercised whenever they are playing around young children or small pets as they can be slightly mischievous at times.
They require frequent attention and a lack of attention can make them into excessive barkers, so be sure to train them well as puppies and reward good behaviour with treats.
This breed is ideal for homes with families with older children, around the elderly, and with adults. They normally don’t mind meeting strangers, although they may bark a fair bit.
Do sproodle dogs get along with other pets? Yes, although they have a high prey drive and will chase easily.
Do sproodle dogs get along with other dogs? Yes.
Are sproodle dogs good with kids? Yes, very, but they’re better for older children.
Are sproodle dogs good with strangers? Yes, most of the time.
This breed will thrive in an environment where there is frequent attention and mental and physical stimulation to occupy their more playful side, but they can be left alone for short periods without much of a fuss.
Adaptable to many different living environments, sproodles will feel right at home in a small apartment or home. They should be taken outdoors at least once a day, however, for some exercise and fresh air. Sproodles
Sproodles also have a fairly strong prey drive, which will lead them to chase small animals or birds they find. For this reason, it’s important to keep him on a lead whilst going outdoors in public spaces. You can remove the lead if he’s at home in the garden, but keep supervision so that he doesn’t behave mischievously.
Are sproodle dogs good for first-time owners? Yes.
Are sproodle dogs hypoallergenic? Yes.
Are sproodle dogs prone to drooling? Sometimes.
Are sproodle dogs a good breed for apartment living? Yes.
Do sproodle dogs shed a lot? No.
Do sproodle dogs bark a lot? Yes.
Can sproodle dogs be left alone at home? Yes, but only for brief periods.
Can sproodle dogs handle the heat? Somewhat.
Can sproodle dogs handle cold temperatures? Somewhat.
Are sproodle dogs sensitive to loud noises? Yes.
Sproodles have generally good health, on par with that of most other breeds. Nevertheless, there are some specific issues that prospective owners should be aware of before purchasing or adopting a sproodle puppy.
Since they are a mixed breed, they may inherit some of the health problems of either the English springer spaniel or the poodle, or both.
Make sure to take your sproodle to the veterinarian on a regular basis to diagnose any possible health problems. Some common problems include:
Bloat/torsion: whether from consuming gassy foods or from exertion, sproodles can develop bloated stomachs which can lead to gastric torsion;
Addison's disease: also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s disease comes from a lack of vital hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Fortunately, many cases of Addison’s disease can be diagnosed and treated early on in sproodles;
Epilepsy: common to most breeds but fairly prevalent in sproodles, epileptic seizures can be treated with medications from your veterinarian if diagnosed;
Hip dysplasia: lameness in one or more legs can manifest as a limp gait and lead to discomfort or pain in your sproodle. Fortunately, there are many treatments and surgical procedures that can remedy hip dysplasia in sproodles.
How long do sproodle dogs live? - 10-15 years
As an overly playful breed, sproodles need to be kept active and stimulated both mentally and physically very frequently. Budget at least an hour every day to take your sproodle out for a brisk walk, perhaps in the morning, followed by some more playtime in the evening.
Young puppy sproodles should get plenty of exercise too, but don’t over do it. Overexertion can cause problems in their development, so learn to develop a healthy relationship with your sproodle around playtime and relaxation time.
Sproodles should be given some time outdoors, such as in the garden, where they can follow their natural prey drive. Fenced yards are best to keep them contained, and always maintain supervision to encourage proper good behaviour.
How much exercise does a sproodle dog need? - At least 1 hour per day
Do sproodle dogs like water play? Sometimes to cool off, but they should always be supervised.
Despite their small size, sproodles can work up quite an appetite and have fairly generous feeding habits compared to other similar-sized breeds. It is very important that you follow the feeding instructions from your breeder or your veterinarian and adapt as necessary, especially as the puppy grows into adulthood.
Sproodles need a healthy, high-quality diet of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and they can be fed a raw or cold-pressed diet or kibble. Discuss options with your veterinarian if you would like to pursue a different diet than prescribed by the breeder.
Are sproodle dogs prone to weight gain? Yes.
How much should I feed a sproodle puppy? About 240-280g per day, in three sessions.
How much should I feed an adult sproodle dog? About 250-400g per day, in total.
Although sproodles do not shed much (mostly in spring and autumn), they do require plenty of grooming in order to keep their lush coats silky smooth and healthy. They should also be professionally groomed a few times every year at least, and this also doubles as an opportune moment to spot any potential health problems.
In terms of emotional care, sproodles require plenty of attention, although they can tolerate some periods of isolation (a few hours maximum). Give your sproodle plenty of affection and it will certainly be reciprocated.
- Grooming: 2-3 times per week, brush and comb your sproodle’s coat of fur and remove any dead hairs. Inspect the eyes and ears for signs of infection. Take the sproodle to a professional groomer 2-3 times per year.
- Emotional care: sproodles should never be left alone at home for extended period of time. Although they may get bored after a few hours of isolation, they tend to be fairly well-behaved. Any longer can result in destructive behaviour and excessive barking.
Much like other mixed breed designer dogs, sproodles date back to the 1980s during which time English springer spaniels and miniature or standard poodles were bred together. The sproodle’s main benefit to breeders (and owners) is that the low-shedding poodle’s traits can be passed down to the sproodle, an incredibly cute breed that sheds very little.
Sproodles have since become famous in North America, the UK, Australia, and Ireland for their wonderfully affectionate and gentle temperament and their relatively low maintenance. They are ideal companion pets and have been used as Pet as Therapy (PAT) dogs in the past and today.
They are not yet formally recognised by the Kennel Club or any of the other international kennel clubs.
The original reason for breeding sproodles was to produce a low-shed breed similar to a poodle.
Sproodles have often been used as Pet as Therapy (PAT) dogs on account of their gentle and kind nature.
Since 2007, it has been illegal to dock the tails of sproodles in the UK.
There are so many great reasons to purchase a loving sproodle puppy, but it’s a big responsibility as well. We recommend you follow our buying guide before purchasing a puppy so that you understand your duties and responsibilities as a proud new sproodle owner, but also to promote responsible breeding and to avoid purchasing from puppy mills.
If you wish to purchase a sproodle, please feel free to browse through our reputable sellers.
How much does a sproodle cost to buy? - About £400-£1,000.
How much does a sproodle cost to feed? - An adult sproodle costs about £0.80-£1.50 per day to feed.
How much does insurance for a sproodle cost? - About £25-£50 per month.
Sensible alternatives to purchasing a new sproodle puppy include rescue and adoption.
Additional resources can be found via sproodle registries and associations such as:
