How to find a cockapoo puppy?

[tastylancs]

We lost our beautiful springer two years ago and now feel ready for a new puppy. Beyond excited! Going for cockapoo as I have allergies. But where do I start? I hear horror stories about puppy farms. Can I trust the pets 4 homes app? Should we be visiting homes now with a view to picking puppy up in late August? Advice please!

[Tinkobell]

Lots of people get very hung up about grooming and shedding. It is so worth learning to groom your own dog and with patience is not that hard. I have always enjoyed grooming my own dogs which reduces hair in the house and saves me lots of money and them several hours of discomfort. Doing this, the shedding v not shedding thing becomes less relevant. There are quiet cordless clippers on the market which make the job quite easy. You also get the added benefit of being able to groom weekly in short stints rather than having the poor dog stand still for hours. Personally, I think it's nice to have a Cockapoo closely clipped....especially in this heat misery.

[Tinkobell]

Cockapoo owner here! And a very very happy one! The hybrid breed does have a big span of character variation. It is vital to look at the temperament of both dam and sire. Our girl is a show cocker / mini poo cross - lovely calm temperament I'm pleased to say. HOWEVER many Cockapoos are busy busy busy and quite bonkers, certainly for the first 2 years. The working cocker cross can have boundless energy reserves and they all require firm handling - tendency for possessive behaviours (spaniel) and separation anxiety (poodle)......so check your lifestyle is going to suit. The Cockapoo puppy can be a destructive so and so....mine is not however, digging, trashing the garden, chewing furniture are not unusual stories. Most grow out of it....I'm just giving you the health warning!

[whathappenedtomyusername]

I have a cockapoo. He doesn't shed. I get his coat groomed once every 6 weeks. He has a docile, sweet temperament. Never had another dog like him, loveliest dog I've ever owned.

[Flippetydip]

If you want a "poo" of some description, get poodle. At least you know what you're getting.

[Wolfiefan]

A cross isn't a breed and you can't guarantee you won't be allergic to it.

[Cobrider]

You seem set on a breeder but for any lurkers, there are lots of puppies in rescues, particularly the smaller independent ones. Also, lots don’t have ‘issues’.

[tastylancs]

Thanks everyone so much. I'm going to look into other breeds (though not completely ruling out a poodle cross). Will check out discover dogs and kennel club. This is such a big decision! I will keep you posted...

[bunnygeek]

(FYI I know KC assured still isn't fool proof, but it's better than nothing at all)

[bunnygeek]

I agree with what everyone has said re the Cockapoo - there's no guarantee it will be non-shedding as it's a crossbreed, temperaments can really vary (one I know positively savages other dogs) and finding a breeder that isn't just in it for cold hard cash is nigh on impossible.

The Kennel Club have a list of KC-recognised breeds that are low/no shedding here, some unusual breeds you may not have heard of too: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/finding-the-right-dog/non-shedding-breeds-of-dog/.

For a dog from a proper KC assured breeder you'll need to join their waiting list and may have to wait several months before a litter is born. A good breeder will want to build a relationship with you, let you visit on several occasions and want to follow up with you afterwards.

[Tutlefru]

Fair point Whitney. I would rather go on WOM than pets for homes/gumtree though.

It's all about research really and not doing things on a whim.

[CMOTDibbler]

If you don't want to do any grooming, then how about a whippet? They have very fine coats, don't hold onto mud, and are utterly enchanting balls of nuttiness as puppies

[Whitney168]

There are good breeders out there but you have to really really examine them and go for word of mouth rather than pets for homes/gumtree.

I know it sounds as if people are just 'down' on these designer mixes - not the case here. I can entirely see the appeal, and I don't really care where people get their dogs if they are appropriately health-tested (for the buyer's peace of mind) and correctly reared (for the good of the dog and the buyer), and their parents are well cared for.

However, 'word of mouth' on here has demonstrated regularly that lots of people are recommending high volume puppy farmers because they have been taken in by clever marketing. Even if people manage to buy a physically and mentally healthy puppy from these places, they are condemning the puppy's parents to misery.

It is, I'm afraid, down to each individual buyer to do their research and make sure they are not supporting the cruelty of puppy farming, and taking word of mouth recommendations doesn't seem to be the way to do that.

[Tutlefru]

There are good breeders out there but you have to really really examine them and go for word of mouth rather than pets for homes/gumtree. Full of puppy farmers. Make sure you see health certificates for mum and dad. Not just a quick check at the vet... actual tests with results. Ring said vet to ensure they're not false.

Ensure you see mum with pups, regular updates.. if you want a guaranteed non shedder dont get a cross as there's no guarantee.

Good breeders tend to have waiting lists. Some a year plus...

[Ylvamoon]

tastylancs - if you are unsure about grooming, than a (non shedding) dog is not for you! Most "poo-x" that you meet are clipped and require a visit to the groomers every 4-6-8 weeks. You also need to brush their hair inbetween and after a muddy walk they may need a quick bath - as any dirty dog would! My Tibetans need a good brush 1-2 x week when in full coat. And even when clipped, I like to do it as it's very relaxing for them and underlines the relationship we have.
All alternative breeds mentioned on here are the same. If you want an "easy" dog to fit in with allergies, look for straight hair like Schnauzer or Tibetan or no hair like Chinese Crested = fab energetic little dogs, I used to have 2, they where great with the kids and very easy going.

[onedayiwillmissthis]

As Lucisky said...why not go for the real...the original...the best

The Poodle.

3 different sizes (4 if you count the 'Moyen')...toy, miniature and standard. Definitely no shedding...and yep they don't have to be clipped out like show dogs.

I have a 3 1/2 year old miniature girl who I luff to bits. She is my second poodle. I lost my first miniature in 2015...we had been together for nearly 16 years. I still miss her.

[TheGreatCornholio]

If you think a Tibetan Terrier has the potential to be too much grooming for you, then a cockerpoo is not for you. They have VERY high maintenance coats.

[Wolfiefan]

Don't get a cross breed if you suffer from allergies. You have no idea what you will get.
Cross breeds like this are bred purely for money. I wouldn't and couldn't find people like that. Clueless backyard breeders and commercial greeders.
Choose an actual breed.
Would you consider visiting Discover Dogs as a starting point?

[geekone]

@AbbieLexie I love a Schnauzer. Our Giant is a big teddy.

[AbbieLexie]

I would ask you to think/consider a standard Schnauzer. Asthma and allergies in this house. I was taught how to groom our girls (we had 2) and no hair in the house. So pleased with the breed we are getting another 2. Our girls lived until 14 & 13 years.

[geekone]

If you are open to conversion a mini Schnauzer is a great non shedding breed. Contry to popular belief on here not all breeds have a waiting list of a year as not all breeds are popular. I was on a waiting list for my Giant S at one of the best breeders in the country and it was 5/6 months before I picked up my puppy it is not a trendy dog (we love him).
Think about different breeds and what they could bring and if you still want a cockapoo then go for it but like pugs you will never be 100% sure of the breeder due to the demand for them. My friends cockapoo is a wonderful bundle for joy and is an F1. Good luck in getting your perfect dog.

[Chickenbhunaandoice]

My poo is more poodle than spaniel. His mum was a poodle /working spaniel cross and his dad was a poodle. Lots of different combinations are sold as cockerpoos- as they are mongrel dogs- different size poodles and different types of cocker.

[tabulahrasa]

“Also we would be walking in muddy woods every day so this would be a hair nightmare”

A Tibetan terrier would be easier than most cockapoo coats... unless you get one with a cocker coat, in which case you’d be as well getting a cocker...

[tastylancs]

Lucisky interesting re poodles - I certainly wouldn't rule them out. Thanks

Tabular thanks for the link - will read now.

[tastylancs]

Ylva the Tibetan terrier is a lovely looking dog (never heard of this breed before today!) but such long hair makes me itch just looking at it. Not for me I think. Also we would be walking in muddy woods every day so this would be a hair nightmare! Thanks for the tip though.

[Whitney168]

I wonder if this is the breeder Noonelikesfruitcake is suggesting: www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/1962479-last-chance-for-tilly-adorable-pra-clear-cockerpoo-bedford.html

£200 more for the popular colour would have me running a mile before I looked any further.