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Cockapoo puppy

107 replies

Whywhywhy1 · 19/07/2019 22:51

So we’re thinking of getting a cockapoo. We’re going to look at a little tomorrow and I’m very excited. I’ve tried to do lots of research but just wanted some advise from others. The puppy would be 9 weeks when we get it. How have others found the first few weeks/months?I will be home with the puppy and out two children (6 and 8) as it is the summer holidays. Is there any advise you would give me?
Thanks all

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SilverySurfer · 20/07/2019 18:22

Lemonlady22
there is no such thing as a cockapoo...its a cross breed, i really don't know why people give these names and pay big money for a dog that is not a pedigree....it's a big con by puppy farmers.

I thought cross breed was another name for a mongrel? What makes a puppy bred from a spaniel and a poodle a cockerpoo but another bred from two different breeds, a mongrel? I also can't understand why anyone would buy from breeders when there are so many animals desperately needing homes?

I've had three cats, all were rescued at varying ages. It's not because I've never had a huge desire for a particular breed because I have. For as long as I can remember I've wanted a Korat cat but could never justify to myself that it was ok to spend a lot of money buying an animal bred to make money while others languished in rescue centres.

Of course you won't change your mind but just think about it.

Soola · 20/07/2019 18:27

The Cockapoo is a cross breed dog. It’s a mixture of an American or English Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. They are regarded as healthy, well-tempered dogs without many serious health problems. As with many dog breeds, however, they can develop luxating patella, a problem of the knee joint. In addition, the Cockapoo is prone to several eye disorders, including progressive retinal atrophy. The breed is a long lived one, with typical life spans of 15 to 18 years.

They seem nice dogs but once matured do need decent exercise, the ones I meet on dog walks don’t seem to stop for a minute such is their high energy.

BananaBeforeBed · 20/07/2019 19:12

I think a mongrel, technically speaking, has five or more breeds in it.

A cockapoo is at ‘worst’ a crossbreed, but for me, it is a lovely family dog.

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SilverySurfer · 20/07/2019 19:28

The definition of a mongrel in the Oxford English Dictionary is: "A dog whose parents are of different breeds". No mention of five or more breeds so apart from amazing PR on behalf of the breeders, I still don't understand why cockapoos are different.

BananaBeforeBed · 20/07/2019 19:30

Where on earth did I read the five dogs thing? Grin

Anyway, I quite like Wikipedia: A mongrel, mixed-breed dog or mutt is a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized breed and is not the result of intentional breeding

Dora26 · 20/07/2019 19:56

My friend has a cockerpoo and he is a LUNATIC! I am a dog person and no way would I have lasted that. One to one behaviour sessions (not cheap) gave good insights and improved things a bit - but compared to my 2 year old springer (an energetic breed) he is the devil incarnate. Sorry for being so negative but I really do not see why you would bring that on yourself - and this from someone who has always had a dog!

Lemonlady22 · 20/07/2019 20:05

do any of you people actually see the papers of your cockapoos parents....if not how do you know they are a cross between a spaniel and a poodle, they could be anything.....your nuts spending big money on a mongrel/crossbreed dog....tell it like it is !

Lemonlady22 · 20/07/2019 20:07

of course its snobbish to say 'i have a cockapoo' isnt it.....just say 'ive got a mongrel'...the truth!

Soola · 20/07/2019 20:12

I did meet a list who was adamant her dog was called a snickerdoodlemaltiplopoer or something like that! She had combine four different dog breed names from the parents of her dog and had paid £500!

It just looked a ball of fluff with little teeth poking out!

She was adamant he was a ’proper breed’!

Soola · 20/07/2019 20:13

List means lady

Alfiesellar · 20/07/2019 20:16

Hi I’ve got a little angel who’s mum
Was a Cockerpoo and father a toy poodle so he will be smaller ! He was very quick to learn and I took mine at 7 weeks which I found better to be the dog you want him to be! He needs exercise and lots regardless of what they’re saying if he didn’t get his 2 mile hike he’s unhappy but that was after month 4 ! He’s been going to a playgroup but suffered anxiety when I left but after the third time he had lots of pals and didn’t want to come home, he is a very clingy wee thing though and loves to be next to you at all times and follows me around ! He gets on amazingly well with other dogs of all descriptions and is absolutely adorable! They do need exercise and lots of it

MattMagnolia · 20/07/2019 20:19

The 5 minutes exercise per month of age is really not applicable to small bouncy breeds, which are never still unless sleeping. They don’t have the joint issues of big dogs.
It’s a guideline for lead walking on pavements, not when running loose or playing.
Cockerpoos are high energy. If you want something a bit calmer choose a different mix.

bluewhale99 · 20/07/2019 20:34

Our cockapoo puppy is almost 6 months old now. I took off a month to get him settled and potty-trained which was definitely needed, he can be very hyper but is the most loveable little character. i don't have children so can't compare but it felt like having a wee baby for a long while. Follows me about everywhere room to room and doesn't like to be alone but I can't imagine life without him. It might be a shock the first couple of weeks but they are such magical little beings you'll fall In love I guarantee it :-) so pleased for your new arrival :-)

Booboostwo · 20/07/2019 21:21

All dog breeds were mixes of something or other, what turns a mongrel into a breed is the moment the breeding has gone far enough to produce consistent results in the offspring.

TopBitchoftheWitches · 20/07/2019 21:25

It's a crossbreed.
No papers will be given upon purchase because it is a crossbreed.

bluewhale99 · 20/07/2019 21:35

I have an Instagram page if you dm me on my pup with all the stages we went through etc, may or may not be useful but all I will say is it was a bit of a shock at hfs start but eases up after a few 3-4 weeks! One of the biggest challenges is def toilet training - we got a potty bell from the start and made things so much easier! Really excited for you Smile

bluewhale99 · 20/07/2019 21:42

Noticed some posts about it being a cross-breed, all I can offer is my sister is a minister and took a funeral for a family who lost a member to an illness and had bought them a cockapoo as a therapy dog in their last months so that's how she met them. She fell in love with the dog, as they had. Yes they may be a cross breed but they are such a lovable little dog. I have three in my family now, my pup and two others landed by other family who are 3 and 6. They don't like being alone but apart from that are lovable, adaptable, gentle, playful and the rest....hyper and crazy too between around 7-9pm I find!

bluewhale99 · 20/07/2019 21:43

We still got full certificates from the KC on both parents

Jesslequest · 20/07/2019 21:59

I love cockerpoo’s ( poodle x cocker spaniels if you prefer!) but as a professional dog groomer I see daily people who have purchased these dogs with little or no idea of the upkeep required. They’re told by breeders that they’re non moulting ( not true true for all of them! , and don’t require regular grooming!)
I spend my life clipping off matted cockerpoo”s , not what I spent years training to do. If your going to take one on expect it to need professional grooming every six weeks even if your brushing at home. If not expect your dog to join the rest of the cockerpoo population that spend their lives in a totally matted uncomfortable state because their owners like them fluffy but can’t be bothered to pick up a brush or pay for regular grooming for them. They require more grooming than a pure bred poodle!!
Sorry if I sound harsh but honestly my heart
breaks every time I have to shave bald one of these poor dogs because of the state they’ve been left in and the ones I see are much loved pets, i dread to think what state the ones without loving owners are left in!

Wolfiefan · 20/07/2019 22:05

These dogs are pretty much impossible to get from anyone that isn’t a puppy farmer or BYB.
Health tests on parents rarely done.
Cross breeds are an unknown. Exact coat etc? Who knows?
And why this pairing? I have met a few sprockers. Bred to work. A deliberate pairing to try and get the best of both breed. Can you cope if you get the worst of each?

Posky · 20/07/2019 23:05

Our neighbour has had a cockapoo puppy, for the first few weeks it was whining and barking in the middle of the night which kept them awake and us! And it is now 6 months old and I hear it everyday, I know when my neighbours go out because the whining starts and then the most annoying high pitched yap. Goes on for 30 mins and then stops for a bit and then starts again, my neighbour thought that the dog was OK when she goes out and leaves him, but he obviously isn't. I had to tell her as it was horrible to hear him do this and Very annoying as she is out and doesn't have to put up with the noise. I was thinking of getting a dog but after hearing her dog, it has completely put me off. Why have a dog and leave it on its own and think it is perfectly OK? How do you know if you are not home to hear it?

salsmum · 20/07/2019 23:11

We popped a Teddy in our chihuahua pups crate and a heartbeat pillow although a ticking clock covered works as well set ground rules from day one... a pup is hard work ( that's why I have rescued) Wink but my daughter is in a wheelchair so we specifically wanted a bomb proof pup who was small enough to sit on her lap/shoulder and be fun to walk too.

kazza446 · 20/07/2019 23:15

We’ve got a cockapoo. He’s 18 months old and completely bonkers. He’s springy and will jump up at every opportunity. He loves human food and has worked out how to open the bin, climb on the dining table and knocks on the kitchen cupboards when he’s hungry! He’s got boundless energy and needs lots of walking. He gets grumpy around the children sometimes, (especially if he thinks they’re going near his toys.) also, he needs grooming every 6 weeks max. Just cost me £38 today! Not sure if I’d get another knowing what I know now. I wanted a cavapoo but husband said they were too small!

LittleFairywren · 20/07/2019 23:24

I like the poster above trying to convince herself that her dog's breed has an actual name.

My SS (which is a cockapoo crossed with a shnoodle)

So that's a Cocker spaniel crossed with a poodle, mated with a schnauzer crossed with a poodle. Ending up with a Heinz 57 of a dog that's part poodle, part Cocker, part schnauzer. That's not a breed dear. It's a mongrel.

Nothing wrong with mongrels, I love them. But don't kid yourself that the dog is any more special than any other because someone got a poodle and some other breed and stuck them together. You're not guaranteed to get breed traits from the poodle such as not shedding or being quick to learn. You could get a neurotic poodle crossed with Cocker rage. What then? Proper breeders put in years of perfecting their breed lines, carefully selecting for health, type and temperament. They will health check and score their dogs. They breed for the good of the breed as a whole. People who are cross breeding with poodles willy nilly aren't doing it with any sort of breed standard in mind. Theyre doing it to make a buck.

VetOnCall · 21/07/2019 01:21

Not getting into the ethics of breeding designer crosses, but if the breeder really is halfway responsible then as a bare minimum both parent dogs should be DNA tested for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) with at least one being clear. They should have documentary proof of the testing and should be offering to show it to you without you actually having to ask.

If the dogs are 'hereditary clear' (due to all of their parents having been tested clear) then the breeder should again be able to show documentary proof of this - it is printed on the dog's Kennel Club registration document.

It is important because both Cockers and Poodles can carry the gene for PRA and if two carriers, or a carrier and an affected dog, or two affecteds are mated, the resulting puppies can develop PRA in later life, which causes blindness.

Ideally both parents would also have current clear BVA eye test certificates. This is an annual test carried out by a registered veterinary opthalmologist and it checks for various conditions - it should be repeated annually as many eye conditions develop in later life and you get an updated certificate each year. The Cocker Spaniel parent should also have had a one-off gonioscopy test which checks for predisposition to glaucoma.

There really is absolutely no excuse for a breeder not to health test their breeding stock.