Which breed? Cockapoo? If you own a Cockapoo what is it like? Any tips?

[futuredogowner]

We are seriously thinking of getting a dog (after a lot of consideration and discussion) and have the following ideas on what we would like them to be like:

• clever and trainable (and not likely to completely leg it off all the time on walks as I hear this can make life difficult?)
• medium sized
• non-shedding coat
• no slobberiness
• CUTE!

Not worried about the cost within reason.

I've come up with Cockapoos and Mini Schnauzers but dh thinks the latter are too small so they are off the list.

Are there any other breeds we could consider?

If we do go with a Cockapoo, what should we consider and look out for? I have heard they can be quite lively?

Cockapoos aren't a breed they are a cross and there is no guarantee they won't shed.

You should consider that you are supporting a trend for 'designer' dogs and contributing to hundreds of healthy dogs ending up being put down or into rescues by irresponsible idiots.

If you buy a 'cockapoo'.

The best thing to do is to visit a number of dog rescues. They have a mixture of puppies, young and older dogs of various breeds. A good rescue will work hard to find the most suitable breed and dog for you and your family.

I would not recommend a "designer dog" such as a labradoodle or cockerpoo, lovely though they are. They are not a proper breed, therefore the breeders are not affiliated to any professional body and you have no idea of the health and character of the parent dogs nor the litter.

I don't have one but see lots on our walks and I think they're gorgeous dogs. They seem to have lovely temperaments as always seem happy to say hello and play with my old English sheepdog puppy even though he's bigger than them and bounces over in very enthusiastic manner. Lots of other small dogs shy away from him but cockerpoos seem really confident.

Old English sheepdogs are also non-shedding - what about one of those?!

Oh thanks for the warm welcome .

So TYPE of dog then not BREED. Useful info about them maybe shedding after all.

I am very open to alternative ideas.

Crossed posts there mintchoc and danny - that was before your rather more helpful posts.

Aren't sheepdogs bigger than we'd like? I bet yours is adorable though!

Danny, if we did get one, I think we would go via a breeder that a friend got hers from and which is affiliated to the KC or some such (please no-one jump down my throat if I've got that wrong...)

Tibetan or a soft coated wheaten like my ewok actually scrap that just reread your first point

Cockapoos might well shed - you can't guarantee which coat type they'll get.

How about a mini poodle? They're medium sized, don't shed, clever...very cute without the weird haircut (apologies to anyone with a poodle in a full on poodle haircut, but it is odd)

Or a Kerry blue terrier, portuguese water dog...or there's a few breeds that shed a bit, but don't do a big moult?

Thanks Tabulah and noton I will go off and google those.

Love PWDs but they are a little large I think.

Yes they are large not medium! And despite not shedding the grooming for an OES is quite significant.

Join the cockerpoo club of GB and there is lots of advice there for people interested in the type and discussions with breeders

My friend has a soft coated wheaten and he's lovely. Maybe too small for you though? But they are adorable.

My PIL have a cockapoo, it's evil and bites my children's socks off, steals dummies, mauls toys (outs self).

it gets all sorts of skin conditions too and I think that's common.

My sister got a cockerpoo specifically because a friend of hers had one and it was well trained (intelligent), small and doesn't slobber.

With regards to the shedding, he doesn't but I think it would depend on which side they took after - Spaniels do shed.

He is very CUTE though. Good luck with your dog-search :-)

Just googled those mint - awwww adorable.
But a bit big?

Any dog that needs clipping is less likely to shed.

I personally steer clear of water dogs (Labradors, many spaniel breeds) because I don't like fishing dogs out of water, and water dogs can be strong smelling).

Even if you don't want a rescue dog, I really recommend a visit to a rescue. Their lifestyle questionnaires will determine suitable dog types for you. I know many families who have purchased pedigrees after rescues have refused them a dog because of their unsuitable lifestyle. Those dogs have soon moved onto other homes . I'm not saying you ARE an unsuitable owner, I'm sure you're not, but rescues are very honest about the realities of dog ownership, whereas breeders often are not.

If buying from a breeder, ask about their "returns policy". A good breeder will always take a dog back if it doesn't work out. You may not get your money back, but I would never consider a breeder that didn't have the dog's best interests at heart.

My mum has a schnoodle (schnauzer poodle) and she's the best! Lovely natured, non-shedding, no health issues, great with kids. She also has a cockerpoo. He's snappy and prone to yeasty ears. Based on my experience I'd suggest investigating schnoodles.

Yes a bit big. Really adorable though and cuddles are so special with all that hair around the place! He is a great dog for recall as well as he's very closely bonded with us and that happened from really early days - he hates it if he can't see one of us on a walk and tries getting us back together! Like a sort of herding sheep thing! So really good family dogs,

But like you say - large and all that goes with a large dog!

Oh, the shedding thing is totally variable. I have a lab x poodle and she sheds like a bugger and needs clipping . My Border Terrier doesn't really moult at all.

My cockapoo is an F1b, which means his dam was a cocker/mini poodle cross, and his sire was a miniature poodle. So he's more poo than cock . The crossing back to the poodle is an attempt to secure non shedding litters, but out of five pups he is the only one with a poodle coat. It's also worth noting that a non shedding coat needs a lot more grooming otherwise the matting can be horrendous. That said, we have struck gold with our boy. He is the most adorable, funny, loving little dog (6kg). He is regularly mistaken for a miniature poodle, though, and tbh you can't see any spaniel in him at all. It's worth looking at the Cockerpoo Club of Great Britain, as they have a lot of info about different types of coat and general care. They also have a list of approved breeders and have a rescue arm.

More poo than cock snorting at that one Snakey!!

If no shedding is important then you can't risk a cockerpoo.

Also the cockerpoos we know are really not much bigger than my Mini Schnauzer and they have all been a bit manic, and one of them has the worst high pitched ear splitting bark I have ever heard! Although admittedly this was at an agility class so she was a bit over excited.

Just remember dogs are living things so even with loads of planning and the best will in the world you don't alway end up with what you expected!!!

OT - MissPlum What is the thinking behind crossing a poodle and a schnauzer? They are similar looking, non-shedding dogs, what does the cross achieve?

I have a havanese, fits all of your criteria above. For us it is the 'perfect' dog. Only poss downside depending on your circumstances is they need company so would not suit a home where everyone is at work all day.

In Victorian times miniature poodles used to be trained to mess on people's shoes so that they could then be cleaned by shoe shine boys