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?

It's like..... we have a booming puppy population and rescue centres packed with unwanted dogs.. but you're all just, what, disinterested? Just want a fluffy little pal that looks cute.

[quote Wolfiefan]@Sooverthemill so they’ve bred the maximum number of pedigree litters for that bitch? They can cash in by having a few crossbreed litters.
Decent breeders don’t do that.[/quote]
No. The breeders we have used different females and studs for the crosses and the pure. I know you hate designer breeds you've made no secret of it over the years but I am happy with mine. We had full health checks on all the parents from each of the breeders we used. I'm not going g to reap to any more of your comments but you do come across as simply prejudiced.

any poodle mix should be easy to train, my jackapoo picks things up really quickly. As for not training to chew - there is a bitter apple spray you can get online - when I had my puppy I crawled around and sprayed it anywhere she may chew, and never had any issues.

Honestly, most doodle dogs I’ve met have been utterly bonkers.

Screaming into a void, here. It's like climate change threads where people plug their ears and sing lalalala.

I am prejudiced.
Against puppy farmers. BYB. And commercial breeders.
Grew up with a gorgeous cross. But he was a rescue. Looked at the worst of each breed and decided if it was something we could cope with.
Decent breeders don’t purely breed to make cash.

Have a look at a cavapoo as well. Or a golden doodle. I prefer the latter.

So yes won’t be kennel club as it’s a mixed breed/mongrel. But you’ll expect to pay £2000-£3500 because for some reason puppy prices have shot up.

(KC dog owner here )

• Try and choose an advert where the owner has spent time describing their pet, the litter, where you can view mum and puppies.

• I’d avoid anyone who breeds from a few of their dogs and try a family pet (puppy farming is easily disguised)

• Willing for you to visit and also that they will hopefully ask you lots of questions, about the type of home you can offer.

I’ve heard some horror stories of lockdown puppies. One stupid lady in the park said she viewed her puppy via FaceTime due to Covid ans met on the motorway and handed over £3500 for her cockapoo- the small dog she has is a far cry from a cockapoo!

Good luck.

Chewing wise- you’ll need to keep the dog entertained, invest in good toys (not just cheap ones), a yak chew is amazing, if they chew items you take it off them say a firm no, then give them their own toy.
Crate train from day 1! So at night they’re in a crate and if you pop to the shops they’re in the crate (can’t then chew your furniture).

My friends cavapoos are mad by the way. Others are placid. It’s basically half spaniel, which is a high energy breed, mixed with a highly intelligent dog....

I can't believe how ridiculous (and frankly, snobby) some people are being about cockapoos. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a cockapoo or generally having a preference about which breed you want, I doubt you would have got these ridiculous responses if you'd said you wanted a retriever or a Labrador, despite the fact that cockapoos are often healthier than pure breds.
Anyway, I second looking on the Cockapoos of GB Club website, they have a list of registered breeders. Then the usual rules of making sure you meet the mother and that the breeder has done all the necessary health checks.
We have a cockapoo and he is actually fairly lazy, he's satisfied with an hour's walk a day but can also walk for hours if we want to. He hardly chewed any furniture and is very clever and trainable, he learnt toilet training in a couple of days. Our only "complaint" is that he is clingy but if you're already planning that you'd take the puppy to daycare when you work rather than leaving them alone all day then that shouldn't be an issue.

What about a wired hair mini or standard dachshund?

Dachshunds enjoy days of short walks and also days of country walks. Don’t like being left alone (so daycare on those days). Very good family dogs.

@Bubbletiers

What about a wired hair mini or standard dachshund?

Dachshunds enjoy days of short walks and also days of country walks. Don’t like being left alone (so daycare on those days). Very good family dogs.

Hideous back problems though.

Forgot to mention, after reading some posts, our dog doesn’t shed. She is the easiest dog ever. Happy to laze about during the day. But also happy to run around the park. She basically does what we like. She is out like a light by 8pm and then sleeps until we get up in the morning. We take her out to pee before we go to bed 10pm, but she just likes to sleep and by cozy otherwise. During the day she is very chilled. I take her out when we go to the park (8:30/9am and 3pm). Sometimes we go out more. She is happy and not hyper. She will engage and play if the kids want to play w her in the house, but will calm down if no one wants to play.

My breeder seemed very thorough and we waited 6 months to get her. The vet was impressed with how everything was handled and how the pup was all set up.

Get a rescue dog. Get a dog from a shelter. Why does it matter so much whether it is a specific breed.

Woodgreen from the Ch4 show the Dog House have an online workshop on choosing the right dog for you.
.www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/choosing-the-right-dog-e-learning-family-workshop-tickets-137791160069?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Looks worth a go.

I honestly wouldn't bother.
Have you seen all the relentless anti dog posts on here.
People don't want dogs in parks or basically anywhere they go.
You will need to keep it permanently tethered or be judged a bad dog owner.

@Moonface123

I honestly wouldn't bother. Have you seen all the relentless anti dog posts on here. People don't want dogs in parks or basically anywhere they go. You will need to keep it permanently tethered or be judged a bad dog owner.

Fortunately MN isn’t a reflection of real life. Almost everyone has a dog or two where we live.

Don't getting poodle crossed with a working cocker, they are hard work in my experience. I'd recommend a show cocker personally, but why not get a pure bred rather than an overpriced mongrel? (not that I don't like cockapoos there are just so many potential pitfalls in getting one.) Cockers can be a bit needy as they are companion dogs and they just love you so much, but so sweet IME.

Breeds do matter. Exercise and training and grooming needs.
And many dogs in rescue can’t go with kids or cats or have behavioural issues.
But there are so many different breeds. Bred to do different jobs and so having different traits.
I can’t understand wanting a cross as everyone else has it. Zero consideration of the traits of each breed. Totally about how it looks.

@Notanotherhun

It's like..... we have a booming puppy population and rescue centres packed with unwanted dogs.. but you're all just, what, disinterested? Just want a fluffy little pal that looks cute.

Rescues in the UK have extremely strict criteria, which make it very difficult. Lots, like OP, want a puppy so they grow up with the family. Rehiring older dogs also mean there's a good chance they'll have behavioural issues that make them an unsuitable choice for first time dog owners.

“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.”

Probably because they all look like poodles...

So it's all about the owners and not the lives of animals who didn't choose to be dumped or rehomed? How utterly selfish. I'm out of this stupid website.

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

I've had dogs for nearly 30 years and I wouldn't want a greyhound. The same way I wouldn't want a Newfoundland or a German shepherd.
I like the larger spaniels, eg springers (English and Welsh) so have had mainly those.
There's nothing wrong with having a preference

My link didn't work!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/choosing-the-right-dog-e-learning-family-workshop-tickets-137791160069?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

From a dog groomers perspective. I do a lot of not very well bred cockapoos and a few that are well bred (as much as can be done) one thing I will say is their personality varies a LOT. I have some that are super docile and really cute and others that will just go to bite without warning. I also do goldendoos (much the same but need even more grooming ) and cavapoos. In terms of coat type and temperament cavapoos are the absolute best. I would encourage you to just get a cav, but I’m guessing that’s just not your thing?

They’re easy to train, have less energy and are generally more amiable than cockapoos. Super happy disposition, their coat is softer and easier to maintain (you will realise how massive an issue this is after you get a cockapoo that needs a £35+ groom every 4-6 weeks even if you brush regularly) have you thought about a cavapoo instead?

Yes, I think cavapoos are very nice too. That’s good to know.

Some who go to bite without warning!
How is this “nice”?