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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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...

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’.

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

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

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.

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!

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.