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?

Yes, from Toast of London - ClemFandango was already taken. Why are you wincing?

It seems like every other dog where we regularly walk is a cocker/poodle x - most are v friendly but manic!

They vary enormously in size and looks but they are all ridiculously fast - and quite a few have dodgy recall which isn't a great combination with their turn of speed

Three of my puppy's best puppy friends are cocker/poodle crosses - they and lab/poodle crosses seem to appeal to him

I know 2 cockapoos, one is a very lovely little boy, friendly and calm. The other is growly and unfriendly. Both very cute looking though.

I have a mini schnauzer and she definitely doesn't shed but is a complete handful, I love her to bits but she is definitely hard work. Other mini schnauzers we have come across are not like her though, so you can't guarantee any personality in any dog.

However, I would say that my MS has come from an excellent breeder and, according to vets, is very healthy. I'm not saying mixed breeds aren't, but I suppose all the health checks are an extra reassurance.

Good luck with your decision.

If you go for a mix, please consider going to a rescue. Labradoodle Trust sometimes has other poodle crosses; it's where we adopted our labradoodle from after they rescued her and she's an absolute dream. Please don't contribute to the growing number of 'designer' breeders who discard the mothers if the puppies don't turn out right, that's what happened to our Daisy and it's taken so long for her to trust people, but she's an absolute beauty. I'm sure there's other rescues that probably specialise in cockerpoos and other poodle-mixes.

They're amazing dogs but don't be lured into the belief that no poodle mixes shed - some do.

Perma Snap! I got a Mini Schnauzer because I'd read they had terrier looks but not terrier temperament and my girl is sweet as a nut but a real handful, 100% terrier! Good to meet someone else in the same boat.

We've got a cavapoo who is gorgeous, small - medium, lovely thick curly hair but doesn't moult.
She has a lovely temperament and seems quite intelligent.

When I was searching for a smallish dog, and quite liked the poodle crosses then there were a fair few turned up on poodle rescue sites, even if not purebred.

I ended up with a pup from a local rescue who now has extremely long legs, and is neither small, nor like a poodle! But I loves her:)

It sounds like you like the look of a cockerpoo and are hoping for the traits of a poodle rather than a cocker. Why not cut out the middle man (so to speak!) and go for a poodle? That way you are more likely to hit on the traits you desire rather than the ones you don't. You can keep it in a puppy clip rather than one of the fancy ones if you prefer the appearance that way.

I would love a mini schnauzer but dh wants a slightly bigger dog. Well if it were only down to him, much bigger, but I have explained that a medium sized one will be easier to carry if needed etc. and just a little more manageable.
He also does like cockers so yes needastrong we have those in the shortlist but I'm not sure. Your advice re cockapoo breeders and being extra careful is useful.

I have a cockerpoo mine doesn't shed (just luck), is well trained ( an hour a week at agility for four years) and is healthy (I knew which checks to ask for and saw certificates).
What I massively under estimated was poodles are very needy dogs and cockers are very needy dogs and I bought a cross and have a supremely needy dog.
He was a compromise dog I wanted a poodle, ExH wanted a springer, the next dog will be a poodle.

What about a straight show type cocker? Before I had DS she had a full show coat but now she is shaved to within an inch of her life. She doesn't shed hair and you would be hard pressed to find a dog hair in my house and tidy I am not!

What about a standard schnauzer if size is an issue?

Before I looked at wheatens I too was charmed by the cockapoo but after 5 mins on the main forum I found out about the relevant health tests and questioned three local breeders from breeders online about the tests they all came out with the same "no I don't test I don't have to, I know my such and such is healthy" at that I decided that oh was right paying a ridiculous amount for a mongrel with possible health problems was daft

I don't know any cockerpoos but I know a few cavapoos. We also have a lab/poodle. Our dog is frankly the world's best dog. We love her to bits. The cavapoos I know are lovely as well and bring their owners a lot of joy but I am a fan of Cavaliers and poodles so a great mix.
I have some experience of fostering pedigree dogs from kc registered breeders and to be frank there's no guarantee they are above board and doing it for the right reasons. Our dog's breeder is excellent. She usually breeds labs, was vv upfront about the shedding issue and we met mum and grandma of our dog.
There's a reason why these dogs are popular. People will always slag them off and sneer at them but not all of them are from dubious backgrounds.

joni It sounds like you found a really good breeder, but unfortunately because these crosses are so popular for every good breeder like yours there are dozens like Noton spoke to who just breed for the money and have no idea about the advised health checks or any concept of ethical breeding practices.

Popularity seems to be the worst thing that can happen to a breed/type, when irresponsible idiots jump on the band wagon to make money. In the past German Shepherds and Dobermans suffered, we've all seen what happened to Staffys and now it's the turn of the Husky and specific cross breeds.

Had a look at two local rescue centre's websites earlier. Full if dobermans, mastiffs, bull terriers etc. With one or two others but very much the minority. Aren't these more aggressive dog types? Why were these centres so full of that type of dog? Genuinely curious.

The search is going on but would a cockapoo from a carefully chosen breeder be so bad?

I don't disagree with that but I wanted to make the point that KC registered means equals good breeder. In my experience that isn't the case. In one instance I fostered a lovely dog who'd been used as a breeding machine. Anyone looking at the breeder's website would be dazzled by her relationship with the Kennel Club and her success in the judging ring. She was a disgrace. That's why I wince when posters trot out the, find a KC registered breeder line...

Absolutely nothing wrong with a cockerpoo from a carefully chosen breeder! Just be aware that there are a lot of bad ones. (And they are really hardly bigger than a Mini Schnauzer which your DH has said is too small. )

Sadly joni you are right, there are a lot of KC and even KC assured breeders that I wouldn't touch with someone else's bargepole, never mind buy a puppy from. I really wish there was a scheme you could trust.

As for why many rescues are full of dobermans, mastiffs, bull terriers and staffys, it's because these were popular and over bred by unscrupulous breeders and sold as a commodity to idiots who didn't bother training them and got rid of them as soon as they became a nuisance. Rescues are starting to fill up with poodle crosses and huskies as these become overbred/over popular in a similar way.

An ethical breeder accepts responsibility for every single puppy they breed for it's whole life. If a breeder doesn't make this commitment you should walk away.

There are some poodle crosses on Dogs Blog and Many Tears often has puppies and young dogs, as you're looking at rescues.

Poodles in Need always have a variety of shapes and sizes..

www.poodlesinneed.com/Pages/AVAILABLEDOGS.aspx

Why doodle when you can poodle !!!
Poodles are great dogs..I have 2 miniature ones,why on earth would you want to buy a poodle cross???
Be aware any non shedding dog will need regular grooming,and clipping.
Alot of the poodle crosses have awful coats,as they have a mixture of coat types,and I have seen alot with skin conditions.

My dog has a lovely coat. Really scruffy, but when she's clipped it's like velvet No sign of skin problems either.

We have a nine month old cavapoo. No shedding, easily trained, very well tempered and absolutely adorable, if a bit naughty! He does need a good brushing though as he will get matted quickly. Yes, he is a cross, but we researched a good breeder, met his mum and dad, and have a 'pedigree' certificate. Obviously he is not a pedigree, but his mum and dad are, and we have the lineage though many dogs. I would say do your research carefully before you buy/rehouse any dog, and make sure you trust the breeder. Good luck in your search!

galleti- the most important thing is that both parents were health tested.

at 'why doodle when you can poodle!

As I said before, I agree that being a KC registered breeder (different to assured breeder, which is stricter I think?) can mean very little in reality.

However, I think the element of profit attached to an 'oodle' of any variety, must increase the chances of there being more people breeding for the wrong reasons and you probably need to be even more vigilant when you choose your breeder.

Absolutely nothing against 'oodles' of any type, our spaniels best mate is a HUGE labradoodle (who does shed and does cause one of the owners allergy issues, and ended up WAY bigger than any of his litter mates fully grown but the love him anyway, he's absolutely delightful ). It's not the dogs I object to, just the 'fashion' element attached, essentially for profit, essentially for a cross breed.

Mothership - I totally, fully agree with your point that a breeder should accept responsibility for the puppy for it's whole life.

The issue of 'fashion' with particular dogs has not started with cross breeds. There have been times when you couldn't walk down the street without seeing an Afgan Hound (seventies), Doberman (eighties), Staffie (nineties). I think there is a current trend for small fluffy dogs which I ascribe to the Paul O'Grady effect.