Patterdale or Cockapoo?

[missy111]

I'm a terrier girl (we already have a JAck Russell that I had pre husband and child), and are thinking of getting a new dog.
I would love a patterdale, but thinking a cockapoo might be more family friendly? As in a bit more laid back and chilled out?

A cockerpoo is a cross breed of a cocker and a poodle. Both are high energy breeds so you are going to end up with a mix of the two traits and not necessarily the 'best of each' either.

I have a cocker and he is quite chilled for one but he needs mental stimulation as much as physical exercise and has a high prey drive that if you don't understand can cause issues with recall etc. He is a lovely pet and is generally chilled in the house but outside he is as mad as a box of frogs.

My friend had a cockerpoo and he is lovely but bat shit crazy. Have you considered border terrier? I was previously a JRT lover but opted for BTs once we had kids and they are great little dogs. As much terriers but a little more laid back,less firey. (Although my ddog2 would dispute this!)

Definatley not patterdale with a family.

Border terrier gets my vote.

Patterdales are tough going. I always think of them as being ideal for gamekeepers, ratcatchers, bachelor farmers.

Have you thought about getting just a poodle. It's the cocker spaniel side that makes cockerpoos nutty.

I have a poodle. He was my first dog and he's great. He's loving, intelligent, easy to train but also relatively low maintenance. He's also great with kids.

Neither of those!!! Both known as being nuts...

What about a rescue staff?

I have a patterdale, and he is great. He is so soppy and a bit of a whimp in all honesty. Compared to my collie he is calm, but he is a terrier and has some tendency that only really come with a terrier. I think that providing you have the right environment any dog would be great, and an asset to any family.

My folks have a Patterdale, she's bred to work. We're terrier folk but she's like a jack Russell to the power of ten! Seriously, they're not easy dogs! The hunting instinct means she isn't often off the lead as she goes for everything incl other dogs. This is normal for patties. Pulling them out of rabbit holes is normal too!
How about a wee rescue? I often see wee jack crosses or poodle crosses in our local centre, 'designer dog' types no longer wanted. Their wee faces!

My cockapoo is batshit but lovely, although not so with strange men, he absolutely loses it and yaps like a mad man at men he doesn’t know

I know a few other people with cockapoos too and they all say there’s are rather crazy too, though none seem to have an issue with strange men (that’s just mine ).

My DM has mini Schnauzers and they’re quite possibly one of the most laid back breeds I’ve ever come across, will walk for miles if they’re out, but also will happily sleep and chill all day if allowed to. They’ve a beautiful and loving nature too.

Friends Patterdales used to climb the 8' fence and go off for the day!

All my friends cockapoo's are a bit crazy. What about a lurcher? Sighthound/terrier cross rather than collie cross. Mine is lovely, lots of energy when out and about but also calm and loving around the house.

RandomMess ours used to do that too! 6ft fence no problem! And off she went! Still jumps that high and she's 16!

Thanks all! Lots to think about...

As an ex dog groomer, the word "cockerpoo" still makes my blood run cold. They are neurotic, screaming maniacs. Every single one of them.

Our daughter has a cockerpoo and though she's lovely, chilled and laid back she ain't. Bonkers, tbh. She has SO much energy, it's a real challenge to give her enough exercise / stimulation.

We've got a Border T and he's so cuddly (trying to sit on my lap right now) and relatively low energy - perfect for us.

My trainer said she would never recommend a Patterdale unless very experienced owners - very challenging and need loads of socialisation and training to avoid problems.

How about a Bedlington? Any patterdales I've encountered (both domestic and working) have been extremely energetic. Working ones particuarly had a high levels of bloodlust.

Sorry slightly off topic, but you rarely ever see poodles any more. Thousands of poo or oodle crosses but not a straight poodle. The sire's must be having a while of a time to keep up with the demand :)

Bedlingtons are so lovely looking.
Like little lambs.

I have a Patterdale x JRT , looks like a patterdale and they make lovely family dogs if you have lots of energy .What I would say is that they are proper working terriers even if you don’t work them so you have to be very careful about where you let them off lead because of them going down holes and also decimating the local wildlife and bird population . They are generally excellent with people but not good with other dogs as they can be a bit aloof and are terrible with small furries and cats .

Neither, cockapoos are overpriced crossbreeds imo, a show bred (not field bred or you'll have a nutter on your hands) cocker spaniel or a border terrier would be great for a family!

What about a Border Terrier? Still a terrier but a bit more family friendly than a Patterdale. My friend has a Cockapoo and she's crazy!

I wouldn't have a cockerpoo. Far too high energy.
Lots of patterdales seem to end up in rescue. Not an easy option.
My mum has a border. Not as "terrier" as others!

Yorkie? Ours is great with kids and loves a snuggle. Borders terriers are great dogs but need quite a bit of exercise. How much walking can you do?

So in a complete turn around, thinking border terrier or cocker spaniel (not field!).
The dog will get a lot of exercise, and we have a large garden that they have pretty much access to full time..

Jumping in with a different option - have you thought about a soft coated wheaten terrier? They're great with kids, energetic but not exhausting, and happy to sit and cuddle when you're watching TV etc. The perfect dog!

Just be aware that even a show cocker spaniel will have a certain prey drive and can be just as daft as the working ones.

I would investigate all the breeds you are interested in, look at their traits and decide whether you are comfortable with the pros and cons.