Page 2 | Talk to me about cockapoos

MulberryDerry · 2023-04-26T19:54:15+00:00

What are they like? Any health problems to beware of? Character? Good with children? We met one recently and it was so fun and happy and gentle and smart. We fell in love.

Exasperatednow · 26/04/2023 22:05

We have one. No separation anxiety. He's had lots of training and still goes to classes because we/he enjoys them. Great with people and children and other dogs. Pretty bomb proof - we live in a quiet village and he's good on trains, the tube, bus and ferries.

Sarahlouise86 · 26/04/2023 22:10

I have a three year old cockapoo.

Shes currently curled up asleep at the bottom of the bed. I'm definitely the favourite and she will follow me around everywhere if given the chance.

Positives - Great with our young children. Has energy but is actually pretty chilled. Happy to be left alone in the house when needed and doesn't whine etc. Rarely barks. Doesn't shed.

Negatives- can be excitable when visitors come round (jumps up, goes from person to person trying to say hello). This is our fault though. Got her just before lockdown and we didn't have any visitors for 1+ year and I didn't train her very well. She's definitely improving now.

Overall a lovely dog. Would definitely have another cockapoo although from the above comments we may have got lucky!

Original poster

MulberryDerry · 26/04/2023 22:12

Thank you so much for sharing! Please do keep posting.

We are not driven by cuteness although they are lovely.
We'd love a good family dog. Not too fragile and wonky (I'm sorry chihuahua). Somebody that would love kids and would happily sit in a pub or follow us over the hills. We live by the sea and we are out a lot. We'd want a dog to love socialising as well. Happy to invest in training but not ready to train to the highest standard (like a German shepherd).

Oh we loved that they are not a pocket size dog and not too big.

OP posts:

PeskyPenguin · 26/04/2023 22:12

Mine has many of "issues"
Mentioned. Yes she has imprinted on me and adores me. She is very clingy and follows me everywhere.
But she is so gentle and so clever, is only 7 months and is picking up so much, loads of tricks and things, is very well behaved. Goes everywhere with me.
She has boundless energy, and can be destructive, like most pups, when bored, so is currently being walked 4-5 times a day at least 5 miles every day.

OrlandointheWilderness · 26/04/2023 22:17

Bit tricky to guarantee any traits due to the fact they are a cross breed. I know a cracking one, love him, but I know several neurotic, needy and nervy ones. Can be prone to resource guarding without proper management. If working cocker cross then they need good training and something to do.
There is definitely a space opening up for them as proper working dogs in the shooting field as they have characteristics that are good - drive, intelligence and trainability. I think with the correct management and training they can be very nice dogs.

OrlandointheWilderness · 26/04/2023 22:19

Have you considered a springer?
Asking highly recommend a sprocker - it's a bloody nice cross.

CC4712 · 26/04/2023 22:19

Like any breed, there are good and bad points. This is just my own account of my 1st one- I'm FAR from an expert!

Unlike my MIL's retriever, we don't have dog hair all over the sofa or wafting in every corner of the house. The coat could be more poodle or cocker, but we got lucky with more poodly and no shedding
Ours only eats when hungry. Kibble and wet food can sit in the bowls until she fancies it
They are very intelligent and need lots of mental stimulation too- games, brain teasing toys etc
Lots of physical activity too- more than I'd have thought for the size. I could take ours off lead and she will run around the park/field etc for an hour. We will come home with her panting away- then 10mins later she wants me to throw balls to chase!
In saying that, ours sleeps often during the day and very well through the night
They are like your shadow and do struggle with separation anxiety
Ours doesn't favour DH nor myself. She spends time with us equally, snuggles with both, plays games with us both independently
You can get 50:50 cocker and poodle, or various combos like a 1B, where a cockerpoo has been bred back with say a poodle. Technically 3/4 poodle and 1/4 cocker, but still called a cockerpoo. This can bring about various sizes and temperament's. I've seen some as small as 6kg and others 20kg!
Regular grooms and brushing are a must. Ours get too hot if her hair is too long, but she loves her cool mat. Finding a groomer was tricky- I rang 8 places before finding somewhere with availability! Consider the time and cost for this every 6 weeks or so too.
Unlike other breeds I've had, they can have sensitive stomachs. I 'think' the vet said this is from the poodle side? We therefore don't feed her some things my previous breeds would have been absolutely fine with. If something upsets her- she generally vomits it up later and/or gets diarrhoea- this is rare now though, because we know what she tolerates.
Ours is very friendly with other dogs and just wants to run and play with them. She is the same with people- every strangers- she loves a cuddle and I've never seen her snarl or snap at anyone or anything. Not saying this couldn't happen though- with any breed.

Bovrilla · 26/04/2023 22:29

PeskyPenguin · 26/04/2023 22:12

Mine has many of "issues"
Mentioned. Yes she has imprinted on me and adores me. She is very clingy and follows me everywhere.
But she is so gentle and so clever, is only 7 months and is picking up so much, loads of tricks and things, is very well behaved. Goes everywhere with me.
She has boundless energy, and can be destructive, like most pups, when bored, so is currently being walked 4-5 times a day at least 5 miles every day.

@PeskyPenguin you need to work your dogs brain. A fit, bored dog is the worst combo! Honestly, invest in scent training and gundog work and you won't need more than 90 minutes a day. Promise.

SpaghettiSquash · 26/04/2023 22:30

MulberryDerry · 26/04/2023 22:12

Thank you so much for sharing! Please do keep posting.

We are not driven by cuteness although they are lovely.
We'd love a good family dog. Not too fragile and wonky (I'm sorry chihuahua). Somebody that would love kids and would happily sit in a pub or follow us over the hills. We live by the sea and we are out a lot. We'd want a dog to love socialising as well. Happy to invest in training but not ready to train to the highest standard (like a German shepherd).

Oh we loved that they are not a pocket size dog and not too big.

@MulberryDerry A miniature poodle fits most of those requirements. They are brilliant dogs!

tigerbear · 26/04/2023 22:33

We have a 7 month old Cockapoo, who is totally adorable.
He’s my first dog (DH grew up with dogs from an early age), and I definitely had the puppy blues for the first month or two, just because it was just such a shock to the system.

Having said that, he’s incredibly clever, learns quickly (despite no formal training), was toilet trained quickly, let off lead quickly, plays with other dogs really well, slept through the night from early on, and is great with DD.

He does like lots of attention, and does jump up and mouth, but not excessively.
VERY food motivated, and does pick up anything he can find on walks.

Is fine to be left for an hour or two, as long as he has a long lasting chew, and is fine to be looked after my other people.

We’ve been very lucky with him, he’s an amazing dog.

Bovrilla · 26/04/2023 22:34

I reckon a border terrier or a Welsh terrier might fit your bill too.

I know some cracking cockapoos but they're all from the same family and a superb breeder. You've just got to be really smart about who you buy from and you might need to wait a long time. Equally my daughter had to go to hospital for treatment after a cockapoo bit her in the park. She's dog savvy and did nothing wrong. We now know said dog is very stressed and has a poor home life (kids chase and pester, so it resource guards) so probably more ignorant novice owners than anything else.

LifeIsGreatForUnicorns · 26/04/2023 22:37

We have a cockerpoo- we got him as a rescue (previous elderly owners went for the teddy bear cuddly look not realising the energy and walks needed and then had heart attack and couldn’t cope) at 1 year old - he’s a nutter! A loveable nutter tho!
He can’t find a ball but has learnt if he runs full tilt at the laundry basket he can get to socks - we now have no pairs left! He has so much personality and ‘chats’ to us on a daily basis.
Great recall, happy to play with other dogs but gets jealous if I pet them when out!
We don’t have the separation anxiety but don’t leave him more than a couple of hours (I wfh 3 days a week and hubby works shifts!) and he’s happy lazing in the windowsill waiting for us to come home or laying on my bed peering out of the window.
He gets a good 45 minute walk a day - if he doesn’t he’s like a naughty toddler, hiding shoes and digging in the garden - he is 4 now.
Needs grooming £45 a go every 6 weeks - gets hunger sickness if he doesn’t have a chew before bed - gets an ear infection if he has roast beef - we feed on a sensitive stomach dry food as otherwise he’ll get an upset tummy.
We’ve had dogs before but I will admit he has more personality than any of the others have had - extremely loving

Louise295 · 26/04/2023 22:45

We have a 9 month old cockapoo and honestly could not ask for a better dog. She's obedient. Smart. Absolutely amazing and patient with 3 and 9 yo DDs. Brilliant with other dogs. I've had a lot of dogs throughout childhood (toy poodle,sausage dog, schnauzer and yorkie) she's by far the best 🤣 she is very clingy though. Only thing I could say as a slight negative. Only in the day time though as at night she goes in her crate downstairs and we don't hear from her until we get up x

OrlandointheWilderness · 26/04/2023 22:45

@tigerbear you have mistakenly posted a school letter with identifying details on it. I'll report as well. Very cute dog!

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 26/04/2023 22:51

I'm a dog walker - I walk three cockapoos and they're all totally different in terms of size, personality and trainability.

One is the ideal dog - cute, loves people, friendly, good with other dogs, can be left alone with no issues and no health problems. He's cream and about the size of a mini poodle.

The second has multiple allergies, loves people but is dog-reactive. Is quite happy being left alone but can be vocal in the garden. He's "Merle" (so definitely has something else in him) and about the size of a beagle.

The third lives with the second and is extremely nervous - often wets herself in fear. She's fine with people once she knows them - also dog reactive and very nervous on walks. She's black and tiny - more like a toy poodle.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 26/04/2023 22:53

PeskyPenguin · 26/04/2023 22:12

Mine has many of "issues"
Mentioned. Yes she has imprinted on me and adores me. She is very clingy and follows me everywhere.
But she is so gentle and so clever, is only 7 months and is picking up so much, loads of tricks and things, is very well behaved. Goes everywhere with me.
She has boundless energy, and can be destructive, like most pups, when bored, so is currently being walked 4-5 times a day at least 5 miles every day.

Way way way too much exercise.

Way too much.

You need to drop it drastically and swap it for brain games - it will make the world of difference to your dog.

tigerbear · 26/04/2023 23:04

@OrlandointheWilderness yes, have reported myself also 😬

Original poster

MulberryDerry · 27/04/2023 08:17

So far of all the things mentioned here the thing that worries me the most is a sensitive tummy. Not because we would not be buying proper dog food and following the vet’s advice but because we have had experience with a cat whose life was an absolute nightmare and it was heartbreaking to watch them suffer with tummy problems all the time regardless.

My husband used to have a Jack Russel and they are tough and wouldn't have such problem. But the shed like hell and also reactive. And that one was awful with other dogs (a rescue).

Do springer spaniels shed? They wouldn't be hypoallergenic would they?

Also do you think that us having a large extended family and seeing them regularly would help with separation anxiety? Being around people? Visiting houses?

There was also a Pomeranian in my family. But a German one (they are not tiny). A perfect dog but quite rare. Also they would not walk at all.

OP posts:

turquoisediamond · 27/04/2023 08:33

MulberryDerry · 26/04/2023 22:12

Thank you so much for sharing! Please do keep posting.

We are not driven by cuteness although they are lovely.
We'd love a good family dog. Not too fragile and wonky (I'm sorry chihuahua). Somebody that would love kids and would happily sit in a pub or follow us over the hills. We live by the sea and we are out a lot. We'd want a dog to love socialising as well. Happy to invest in training but not ready to train to the highest standard (like a German shepherd).

Oh we loved that they are not a pocket size dog and not too big.

This literally sums up my cockapoo. He's so lovely and great fun with all children. We have a two year old but got him before and he's always been good with him as a baby and now toddler. He comes on long walks, runs 10km with me, but also happy chilling out at home and is happy sitting by our feet in the pub. He doesn't have separation anxiety. We have however taken him out from when he was a small puppy so he was constantly at pubs / friends houses and socialising with other dogs. Also he doesn't shed which is amazing.
To give a fair and balanced view some negatives are:
His hair is very curly more poodle so we have to get him groomed often (every 6 weeks)
He doesn't shed but does get all sorts stuck in his coat which is like Velcro so I'm often picking grass seeds out of him in summer
He is very intelligent but can also be a bit emotional (gets in a mood if told off!)
He is a bit yappy - not in an aggressive way but he does bark if he sees a squirrel in the garden or someone rings the doorbell. It can be a bit annoying.
I think what we did right was very strict rules and training when he was a puppy. We sent him to bed every time we ate and do not tolerate begging. We gave him lots of attention, taught him tricks, keep him occupied with a ball full of treats. Trained him to fetch which he LOVES and kids love playing with him. Good luck - I'm biased but my cockapoo is the best and wouldn't change him for another breed.

Silvergoldandglitter · 27/04/2023 08:34

PeskyPenguin · 26/04/2023 22:12

Mine has many of "issues"
Mentioned. Yes she has imprinted on me and adores me. She is very clingy and follows me everywhere.
But she is so gentle and so clever, is only 7 months and is picking up so much, loads of tricks and things, is very well behaved. Goes everywhere with me.
She has boundless energy, and can be destructive, like most pups, when bored, so is currently being walked 4-5 times a day at least 5 miles every day.

That's far too much exercise for a 7 month old.

turquoisediamond · 27/04/2023 08:43

MulberryDerry · 27/04/2023 08:17

So far of all the things mentioned here the thing that worries me the most is a sensitive tummy. Not because we would not be buying proper dog food and following the vet’s advice but because we have had experience with a cat whose life was an absolute nightmare and it was heartbreaking to watch them suffer with tummy problems all the time regardless.

My husband used to have a Jack Russel and they are tough and wouldn't have such problem. But the shed like hell and also reactive. And that one was awful with other dogs (a rescue).

Do springer spaniels shed? They wouldn't be hypoallergenic would they?

Also do you think that us having a large extended family and seeing them regularly would help with separation anxiety? Being around people? Visiting houses?

There was also a Pomeranian in my family. But a German one (they are not tiny). A perfect dog but quite rare. Also they would not walk at all.

Re sensitive tummy we should feed him what the breeder advised - grain free and his tummy is fine. He only gets a sensitive tummy if he eats any old dog food.
When looking for a breeder look for kennel club registered and see any online reviews. Don't trust them if they break any rules or not vaccinating or allowing you to pick them up before 8 weeks etc. our breeder was very strict and had a policy we had to offer them the dog back first if we didn't get on - all good signs that show they were reputable.

turquoisediamond · 27/04/2023 08:43

MulberryDerry · 27/04/2023 08:17

So far of all the things mentioned here the thing that worries me the most is a sensitive tummy. Not because we would not be buying proper dog food and following the vet’s advice but because we have had experience with a cat whose life was an absolute nightmare and it was heartbreaking to watch them suffer with tummy problems all the time regardless.

My husband used to have a Jack Russel and they are tough and wouldn't have such problem. But the shed like hell and also reactive. And that one was awful with other dogs (a rescue).

Do springer spaniels shed? They wouldn't be hypoallergenic would they?

Also do you think that us having a large extended family and seeing them regularly would help with separation anxiety? Being around people? Visiting houses?

There was also a Pomeranian in my family. But a German one (they are not tiny). A perfect dog but quite rare. Also they would not walk at all.

Re sensitive tummy we should feed him what the breeder advised - grain free and his tummy is fine. He only gets a sensitive tummy if he eats any old dog food.
When looking for a breeder look for kennel club registered and see any online reviews. Don't trust them if they break any rules or not vaccinating or allowing you to pick them up before 8 weeks etc. our breeder was very strict and had a policy we had to offer them the dog back first if we didn't get on - all good signs that show they were reputable.

HayleyBean · 27/04/2023 08:56

My parents have one and he's a nightmare. That's due to them not him though. He latched onto me as a puppy and is obsessed. He's 5 this year and my parents have never left him alone. He has terrible separation anxiety, to the point if you go to the toilet in a cafe he'll whine and howl. I have a 5 month old baby now and I don't enjoy going round my mum's as I can't relax. He's tried to grab the socks off my baby's feet - my baby was only 6.3 when born so tiny. If anyone holds my baby and ignores the dog he humps their leg. If we are all talking whilst someone holds the baby he whines, butt scoots on the carpet and then sniffs the mark. Honestly he's put me off ever having a dog. I know he's not a bad dog, my parents are bad owners and they won't seek specialist help. I'm dreading when my baby is crawling or walking as the dog won't stay behind a baby gate, he can push open the doors and he just has massive anxiety/jealousy issues. Sorry for the rant but if you do get one, don't treat it like a baby and train it!!!

Geneticsbunny · 27/04/2023 08:57

How old are your kids? Puppies are really hard work and your kids need to be old enough to understand that they need to leave the puppy alone when it is resting or they will end up getting bitten. Usually better to wait till kids are over 5 before getting a puppy.

Original poster

MulberryDerry · 27/04/2023 11:21

@Geneticsbunny well they are 2 and 5 but we will be having more and there are more in the family we see regularly. So for the next 10 years we are bound to have little kids around.

We are at home almost all the time and the children are not 😅 that's a bonus

OP posts: