I've never had a dog but starting to consider it... I have some idiotic questions I'm afraid.

[m0therofdragons]

Firstly, dh and I are thinking about getting something along the lines of a cocker spaniel. For the next 2 years I will be largely working at home so now may be a good time to get a puppy. (By now I actually mean around March time as we want to save and fully research).
First question. I looked at cockerpoos which I like particularly as there is a chance of non shedding but how come they are double the price of a pure cocker spaniel?
Second question. Do rescue centres allow any dogs to go to homes with young dc? All the ones I've looked at say no dc or maybe teens. My dc are 3.5 and 6.5. All will be at school from Sept next year.
slightly concerned re rescue about not knowing history as it will be around young dc anyway.
Anything else I should consider?
Many thanks

Nothing to add as I don't have any experience but we are at the same stage as you so marking my place.

I have been advised that the red cockerpoos are to be avoided as they can have a nasty streak but someone will be along shortly to confirm/deny this!

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Cockerpoos are twice the price because people will pay it...

Also if you're thinking about March, you should really already be in contact with a breeder. Good breeders usually have waiting lists before they even breed their bitch, because they're breeding well, carefully and have done all the appropriate health tests.

Yes lots of rescues do rehome to families with young children and a lot of them have dogs in foster homes do they know exactly what the dogs are like living in someone's home.

Rescue dogs often come with issues. Behavioural troubles. Some minor (we had a dog terrified of men and pans) and some more significant (nervous dogs inclined to bite). So I definitely wouldn't get a rescue dog with young children.

My parents have had working cockers for years and they are incredibly sociable, following you around the house. Personally I find them more attractive than the cockerpoos. All dogs bring in dirt on their paws so you'll be hoovering anyway. Cockers definitely need lots of exercise. Our dogs get one hour long walk, one shorter walk of 30 mins and a largeish garden to play together in. It's a big commitment but they are fabulous dogs.

The reason we've never had a dog is because dh and I worked full time and I don't think they should be left. Now I work from home and dh is close by so if I went out he could pop home for lunch.
Our cat has gone missing and we are trying to find her but I just don't think I want another cat... I want the lost cat back desperately but if she doesn't return I think it's a sign the time is right for a dog. I won't make firm decisions until after Christmas and won't rush anything.

An hour and a half/2 hours seems less walking than I expected :)

We've just got our second dog as a puppy from a rescue who rehome to people with children (my ds is 8, 6 when we got our first dog from them). He was born in foster with them, lived in a family home till we adopted him. Unfortunatly many pregnant bitches are dumped, and this one rescue has had a number of litters born in this way this summer as well as dumped litters of puppies.

Mine are from EGLR. As smooth haired lurchers they have very fine hair and not a lot of it. Their exercise needs are low, and being a bit short of brain means they like to spend a lot of the day asleep while I'm working (at home)

Garden is small but very secure. We are on the edge of a town with huge dog friendly parks and a country park. I realise it will have a huge impact on our family so want to make sure now is the right time.

Eglr says adoption only if dc are over 10 :(

Thats def not the case in practice - as I say, we first adopted from them when ds was 6

EGLR are happy to consider us for the right lurcher, our kids are 4 and 5 and we have 2 cats.....

Lurcher link, Greyhound Gap, Hounds First also all foster so happy to consider us in light of each individual dog that comes in.

Some are too bouncy and would knock kids over without intent or noticing it...others are hand shy because they've been hit so they won't rehome those to small kids, others are nervous of loud sudden noises rushing across a room yelling I'm an Octonaut, so not those ones.

We are looking at the child and cat friendly ones that can enjoy a mad family home without being stressed. Might take a while but I know they come up.

If you stick with the idea of a cocker, be aware there are working and pet lines. The working ones will be a lot more energetic, and possibly more intelligent (and therefore more troublesome lively) too.

Before you get your dog, invest in a good waterproof coat and some decent wellies: paths 4" deep in mud and lashing rain are no excuse not to set out for a bracing walk. If it's walk time, it's walk time.

That's good to know. A friend of mine has what I think is a lurcher and she's lovely. I don't want a tiny dog but otherwise I'm fairly open... No Jack russels as all the ones I know are horrible (bad or no training so probably more an owner issue).

Joules wellies purchased but I do need a better waterproof coat

These are mine

are you sure you'll work at home very long term?

May I point you in the direction of cockersonline. They are a fantastic forum.

Cockerpoos MIGHT not shed. But they also might. It is a long way from being a guarantee.

Cockerpoo 'breeders' generally don't do the relevant health checks. What if you end up with a puppy with the worst genetic problems from each breed?

There are two types of cocker. Working and Show. Have a look on cockersonline. It is full of useful information and is also a forum.

Thank you.
As for working - if I did change jobs I would only be looking for part time and local so could pop home for lunch and dh could do the same but not at the same time iyswim. Having a dog would mean full time wasn't an option and would become part of the decision making as he would be part of the family.

And with regards to rescue they have a blanket no children policy but with exceptional circumstances. They write that but if, for instance, they have a dog coming in from a family home with young children that is being rehomed for a good reason then they probably would.

My other question: my gut tells me docking and dew claw removal is wrong. I understand a bit that it may be useful for a working cocker but still seems cruel... That may be my non-dog owner voice and there may be a good reason I don't get.

Maybe stating the obvious here but if your work time is limited with the young dc around, remember to factor in losing 1.5 hours of it every single day. I stupidly underestimated this although I'm managing just about.

Plenty of good cockapoo breeders do health checks. There are unscrupulous ones out there cashing in on their popularity but there are decent ones too. Don't let that put you off in itself. They are clever and very jumpy and lively so need conscientious training. They also tend to love people so that means they can be somewhat clingy.

If you're in the South East, or can travel, Prodogs Direct are happy to rehome appropriate dogs, incl puppies to families with young children. They also have all their dogs in foster so the dogs are fully assessed.