To ask what is the right way to get a puppy?

[Shoppingwithmother]

I’m often seeing on here people commenting on disreputable breeders, people buying puppies at the wrong time of year when there shouldn’t be puppies ready, etc,

As there are a lot of people who know about dogs on MN, could people advise me as to what the correct way to get one is?

I’ve never had a dog before, but have really come round to the idea. My children (age 14 and 11) are very keen to get a cockapoo-type dog, and that is what I would like too. I would like to get a puppy, as I would prefer to have the dog from the start. I have looked on the rescue pages locally, but the dogs there are very far from what we would want, just mainly loads of Staffordshire Bull Terrier-types or Alsatians.

I know with cockapoos that they are not actually a breed and understand a bit how they are bred. As they are not recognised by the Kennel Club (am I right about this?) then how do I know who is a reputable person to get a puppy from?

I wish I’d said 2 hours a day! It’s close to what I did say, but less easily mistaken so I could have been spared most of the scathing comments.

Apologies for misreading and thinking you said just half an hour a day.
I still stand by my comments on the potential high energy/yappiness though

Puppies can be quite chewy, barky, bitey (when teething) are can wreck your house if you don’t keep an aye in them!

Are you sure you want one? It would also have to learn to be alone while everyone goes out. After lockdown I think the councils will be inundated by calls about barking dogs who have been left alone for the first time in their lives as their owners have now stopped working from home and returned to the office. Because they have never trained them to be alone.

All the work with a puppy as well as looking after a family and working is a lot.

Would a retired greyhound suit? There used to be loads in rescue centres. Don’t shed much fur, sleep a lot, good natured, perhaps some not so good with small kids or cats, but deserving of a good home - and if you pick one who has been looked after in someone’s home to get ready for rehoming, it will be housetrained and won’t need much input from you.

Dog walkers used to be £15 a day where I am. Not sure now. So you’d need to look out £70 a month approx. Perhaps with a pup you’d need two dog walker appointments per day as a full day is a long time for a baby to hold its bladder, so £140 a month.

Dogs are expensive. Factor in insurance too. Prob around £20 a month. Rising with age.

It’s good you are thinking all these things now. Good luck with your furry friend

In the politest way possible, don’t choose a dog based on it ‘looking cute’. Choose a dog based on the one that will fit best for your lifestyle. How many walks a day? For how long? What type of exercise (on or off lead?) Do you have other pets? How willing are you to train it? How much will you engage with it when at home (cockapoos can be quite ‘busy’ and energetic), how much barking can you (or your neighbours!) put up with, how much space do you have, who will it be around, how much will it interact with other dogs and humans (guests etc), where will it go when you go on holiday (asking someone to look after a small dog might be easier than a big dog for example), how much do you want to spend to start with, how much can you afford in day to day care, etc etc. It shouldn’t be about ‘cute’. Then I’d think about going to a rescue and see if a dog is out there that could be really well suited for you, even if it’s not the most fashionable breed or the ‘cutest’. A dog that needs a home. Greyhounds for example are a good shout for first time dog owners as they tend to be very laid back and easy in the house, good with kids, don’t need lots of exercise, don’t tend to be bark-y or guard-y etc.

Go to the vets and a dog trainer and get advice on buying a healthy puppy where you can meet the parents. If you could observe puppy training classes that might help.

There are dogs that are rehomed due to changes in circumstances.

Why don't you and your family volunteer to walk some rescue dogs.It's a huge leap to go from no dog to full dog ownership and it may not be for you.I've always owned dogs but if I didn't have any l'm not sure I'd committ.
I've been involved for many years in campaigning against puppy farming and joined a couple of fb cockapoo groups to find out more about the breed and the craze for them.Skin problems, digestive issues and pancreatitis seems to be the main problems. The majority of these dogs are bought from puppy farms and many of the owners just don't care.I live beside the largest licenced puppy farm in Europe and they supply most of the English market.
Rarely a week goes by on the fb groups without someone posting a picture of a cockapoo and asking did anyone buy the rest of the litter and they bought the pup from Joe in whatever area.
30 responses wouldn't be uncommon with many saying there's was the last in the litter.
Give them a year and they'll say their little dear would like a boyfriend, the same people are coming forward to offer their males as studs.Proceed with huge caution if you go for a cockapoo, they're the only thing which can be exported from NI at present with no issues.

There are some ethical cockerpoo breeders, but they are very much in the minority. I don’t think they are particularly suitable dogs for a novice. They are often high energy, noisy and reactive. They absolutely definitely need regular grooming, professional unless you really want to get into it yourself. As a PP said, if you are set on one, go through the breed club. Otherwise, you could spend an evening looking through the KC website or other online resources to find other ideas of what breeds might suit you.

As others said, you absolutely should see the litter with their mother. It’s not a problem if the father isn’t there, in fact it can indicate a breeder who has taken more care to use the right dog, not the most convenient dog. Look for health testing - with documentation, not just them saying ‘’my vet says they’re healthy’. a very small scale breeder will not necessarily be licensed, that doesn’t mean they are bad.

Good breeders will take a puppy back or arrange its rehoming at any time during its life, no questions asked. Commercial breeders will give you a short window of time for return, like buying something from a shop. Good breeders will ask you a lot of questions to check you are suitable owners. Good breeders probably won’t have puppies available for immediate purchase, you’ll have to wait to get one. But a good breeder will become a source of support and advice for the whole life of the dog.

A dog should not be an impulse purchase. The more homework you do the better your chances of a good outcome. Try the Dog Breeding Reform Group website for some impartial advice.

And when you find a breeder, if you are in any doubt ask people here whether they think it’s ok. It’s a minefield for the inexperienced. A minefield that not only maybe gives the buyer problems but perpetuates a very, very problematic dark side of the market for the unwary that causes a lot of misery for a lot of dogs.

It's hard to be a first time dog owner, but all of us dog owners have been one and I am pretty sure we have all made mistakes. I think it's a good idea to ask how to/what to look for when buying a dog.

I know quite a few cockerpoos and they are all pretty high energy (read mental) and very yappy. They all also have separation anxiety for some reason. If one person in the family goes into a shop and the rest are waiting outside, you can be sure that the dog is outside barking constantly until the person come back. Their bark is usually high-pitched and loud.

In fact, one of the families I know who got a cockerpoo in the beginning of lockdown 1 can't even leave their house now because the dog has such bad anxiety that he just barks constantly and the neighbours are constantly complaining. So if you do get one, that is something you could focus your training on.

They are however usually very playful and fairly easy to train so good for off lead playing with other dogs and things like that.

We have a cockapoo-to be fair she is a complete knob-really high energy combined with a low boredom threshold-recently when I was ill and couldn’t walk her much she made an installation of dog shit in the garden resembling a pyramid in structure-and then she ate it 🤮 She chews all the time, so we have lots of antlers etc and puzzle things for her to think about to get her dinner. She would walk all day if you let her. Our breeder was a registered breeder with the council and we were able to see her with her mum and siblings-though not her father due to Covid (however did have all the KC registration details/health checks for both).

Just do your research beforehand to go for the right one. Incidentally despite all that, our girl doesn’t even really look like a cockapoo-she looks just like her mum (working cocker) but with really long wavy hair-though she doesn’t shed so that’s a bonus!

Another thing to bear in mind is the cost of grooming.
I have a gorgeous Bedlington, he costs close to £50 every 6 weeks.

Aargh! I can't post the link.
Anyway, google why the original breeder of a labradoodle regretted his decision to do so.

He felt that he had unleashed a Pandora's box of inbreeding etc...

Please rethink why you want a designer cross-breed... just because they're cute is not a reason to get a cockerpoo.
They are high maintenance and may well have underlying health issues.
The Kennel Club does not recognise all of these cross-breeds... and for good reason.

We have a cockapoo and got her for the same reasons you are thinking OP but MN hates the cockapoo. We also have a labrador so we have experience of training and owning another dog (a more MN approved one).

Our cockapoo was hard to train. She was (still is) much more stubborn than any other cockapoos we know. Her ten age years were difficult but she got to two and one day she just became the best dog. It was hard work and we had to make sure we were consistent. Even when she was having her rebellious phase she was a very friendly dog. She loves other dogs and people. We socialised her a lot. Pretty much everyone who meets her, loves her and says what a brilliant dog she is. Like o said, she took a bit more work than the other cockapoos we know but she is also a better dog than those. Although those other cockapoos aren’t neurotic or happy or any of the other negative adjectives used for cockapoos on here.

The cockapoo will be happy with a 30 minute walk. Some days she’s happy not even going out. She wouldn’t be happy with just a 30 minute walk everyday but you could top her up so to speak at the weekend. She also loves going on big walks all day (pre covid). My cockapoo understand what a lazy Sunday is but she can also climb mountains in Scotland for 8 hours like a mountain goat. We do other enrichment activities with her too though. Although not so much during the last year. My ‘high-energy’ cockapoo is laid on her bed after a Potter around town this morning and a play in the garden with DH.

Our cockapoo didn’t chew but that doesn’t mean all cockapoos won’t chew. Ours chewed the strap on my handbag but that was about it and there were just a few little nicks rather than destroying it. She never had any interest in furniture but if they start to chew something you don’t want them to, you redirect them on to a toy or chew. Now the labrador is a chewer. He’s tried to chew the chairs on the sofa even though we have an abundance of toys and chews already.

The labrador is still hard to train and they’re not that different. Both my dogs are food driven and quick to learn. Both have selective deafness and a lot of stubbornness in them. Both have also had different issues that we’ve had to tackle.

When you look at a puppy, you need to see how they’re raised and see the temperament of the mum. It’s not a guarantee but if the temperament of the mum is good then the temperament of the pup should be good. Although all pups of all breeds are going to be shits as puppies/teenagers (maybe both).

I have a designer cross breed ( on my fourth in fact, having had them for many years) and my dogs are lovely. Gorgeous temperament, loving, friendly and loyal BUT really high energy, very intelligent so get bored easily and want lots of walking and training has been key. My MIL has an absolutely insane cockerpoo and I wouldn't have one for that reason but loads of people, do and adore them. There are tons of breeds I wouldn't have, it's very personal.

You need to get a dog that fits your life and one that you will live and stick with even during that awful adolescent phase they all go through ( our 3 year old dog is just coming through that thank god and our nearly 13 year old one is so sweet and doting). I spare that walking rescues is a great way to find out about commitment needed for different breeds. Look on the Facebook pages for the type of dog you want, lots of tips there.

I’m afraid I’m going to agree with many of the previous posters - I wouldn’t recommend a cockerpoo to anyone!

Very high energy, easily bored, high upkeep, very expensive to buy and source reputable breeders. If I were you I’d be looking at labrador/retriever type breeds. Staffies might also be worthwhile - great with kids, usually quite calm/laid back, very easy to find!

Cockerpoos look cute but everyone seems to have them these days and I don’t know many without some form of behavioural issue.

With all due respect OP, I would really urge you to go for a dog that you want more than just because you like the way they look. If you must use a breeder, spend (a lot of!) time researching different breeds, their activity rates, friendliness to kids, intelligence, etc. I would really really advise choosing a breed because it would work well with your family, not because you think they're cute.

@Shoppingwithmother

Mainly we like the look of cockerpoos. I much prefer the look of them to pure poodles. I do think spaniels are beautiful dogs, but have been led to believe from a bit of reading that they are very very high energy dogs, more so than cockerpoos.

If I had to say what attributes we would like in a dog, I would say- nice and cute looking, but not anything really tiny. Not yappy. Happy with children (although it wouldn’t be with any v young children anyway). Not too hard to train. I don’t really want it to chew up all our furniture! (Probably things most people would want in a dog). The ideal dog would be flexible in the amount of exercise required/ able to do. Obviously we would be walking it every day, but in an ideal world it would be good to have a dog for which about an hour an a half of walking per day would suffice. However, we also spend quite a lot of time in the countryside, so when there we would like it to be happy to go on longer walks for a few hours, including up hills etc.
I am giving it a lot of thought, and the main drawback in my mind is that I work out of home for 1 or 2 days per week. So I would think I would have to look into some day care/walker service just for those days, which I know is not ideal.
I know it’s a massive decision, so am thinking very carefully.

it’s a living creature not a new home accessory. I don’t think you’re ready for/ suited to a dog

ALL puppies need a great deal of training, (house, lead, obedience,manners) and they all spend some time chewing and poohing where they shouldnt.

you work 2 days a week it is totally unrealistic to think a pup can be left alone in the house; nor can you expect a dog walker to take on house training or any other training.

 You would do better to take on a  fully grown dog, from a reliab;le rescue centre ; good ones are very careful about matching the rigjht dog to the right owner.   Their dogs have been fully  checked by vets so  you'll be assured of starting out with a healthy  well-developed dog of known temperament.  Far more important  than looks and cuteness.
 ( To say there are only staffies and GS's available at rescues  is just  not true,  btw).

Thanks for all the helpful comments.

In answer to a few things, I think compared to a lot of people we’re quite well suited for a fairly high - energy dog. We like walking and being outdoors, and outside of the one or two days I work, I do have spare time for a dog. I just know it’s a mistake that a lot of people can make though, so I wanted to stress that I wouldn’t go for a breed well known for needing excessive amounts of exercise like a Border Collie or a working cocker, but I appreciate knowing that a cockapoo can require a lot too.

We have plenty of space in our house and garden, and no other pets. We never go abroad on holiday so the dog would always be able to come with us.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want a dog that you find visually appealing, as long as it’s right for you in other ways, which is what I’m thinking hard about. I definitely wouldn’t want a greyhound as they’re just not the sort of dog I like. It would be a massive thing for the family, so it would need to be a dog we could all be really enthusiastic about and enjoy, or not get one at all.

I’m sure that when rescue centres are open again it may be possible to just see an individual dog that maybe was a breed you wouldn’t have thought of and fall in love with that dog, so I wouldn’t discount the idea totally.

i don’t think it’s unreasonable to want a dog that you find visually appealing, as long as it’s right for you in other ways, which is what I’m thinking hard about. I definitely wouldn’t want a greyhound as they’re just not the sort of dog I like. It would be a massive thing for the family, so it would need to be a dog we could all be really enthusiastic about

What’s wrong with a greyhound? Let me guess...not cute enough?

@Shoppingwithmother

I'm currently waiting/hoping to find out my beautiful cavapoo is pregnant! We eventually decided to go for it as we wanted one of her pups and have a few people already on the waiting list.

She is an amazing dog, the kids loves her! Not quite as energetic as our previous spaniel but loves one long walk and two shorter walks. She was easy to train, very chilled and loves to snuggle! We do have a slight issue with separation but that's because we have been with her 24 hrs a day for the last year!

I know you said Cockerpoo, my mum has one and he is just as fab as our cavapoo, he's just a tiny bit bigger.

Good luck on you search, it will be well worth it

Haven't read the whole thread but cockapoo owner here. He's great, love him but he's an asshole 90% of the time. I wouldn't say he's high energy though, 30 min run or 1 hour walk and he's out for the count the rest of the day. He needs grooming atleast once every 8 weeks, probably 6 in the summer. He sheds, alot. He's terrified of most people. He's smart, but he has massive anxiety and separation issues. They call them velcro dogs for a reason! He comes pretty much everywhere with us. I don't think I would get another given the chance just because we have had alot of issues with his behaviour and I've heard it's not unusual with cockapoos.

Can’t it just be “not the sort of dog that appeals to me?”

I only mentioned a greyhound because a few people have suggested it, and that was because they have misread and thought I was so lazy that would only do a half hour walk per day!

I’ve seen a lot of people’s dogs recently (coincidentally- every day I seem to bump into someone I vaguely know who has a beautiful dog) and nearly all of the dogs I’ve thought were really lovely in looks and nature were cockapoos or similar.

I was going to suggest a greyhound too. They’re so beautiful, so elegant and so affectionate. They can walk for miles but don’t need it.

Puppies are hard work and you have to put a lot of time and effort into training them. It takes hours of two people’s time to get reliable recall and that’s the most basic thing.

I would not buy a poodle cross. If someone has poodles and loves the breed then they would breed poodles. And the number of litters they have are recorded by the KC. People who breed these crosses generally do so purely for cash. Often no health tests done on the parents.
Plus heard lots about them resource guarding. I would not have one.

We are a very outdoorsy family but I wouldn't have a cockapoo. I do understand the attraction but all the ones I've met seem to have no off switch.