DH wants a cockapoo/ labradoodle I don't :/

[Snoopydoop]

I'm really hesitant to get a poodle mix, they're as expensive as a pedigree puppy but obviously not!

I'd really love another Labrador, we've had them before. We tend to go hiking every weekend and need a dog who can keep up. I also want a fairly sturdy dog? One who's parents are health checked.

We do have a dog walker and on the days I'll be in work (3) the dog will be in day care with her. I do long days but my husband works normal office hours.

Am I being stupidly precious about a labradoodle or a cockapoo? I just don't want a dog that is going to be unwell with god knows what hereditary disease or leg problems.

Are their good 'doodle' breeders out there? It's me that will be doing most with the dog so should I be able to veto a breed?

Sorry if it's a bit confused. I don't know why he's set his heart on these breeds!

I live in a place where it seems like every other dog is a labradoodle. They are usually massive and completely bonkers, and of course totally gorgeous!!! I would not want one though unless you were set up for hours of exercise a day.

The Doodle Trust (poodle x rescue) spends a lot of time trying to put people off getting a poodle cross www.doodletrust.com/adoption/before-getting-a-doodle

I'd be talking to your DH, providing him with a list of breed characteristics for each of the three breeds you're looking at, and asking him to identify which he finds attractive. Preferably a brutally honest set of breed characteristics - by way of example the KC claims that JRTs need up to an hour of exercise. As a JRT owner, I saw that and gave a hollow laugh (he needs a minimum of 2)

Two separate groomers have told me the word cockapoo strikes fear into their hearts as they're such a pain to groom.

He thinks they'll be calm and not need much exercise

Crosses usually use working cocker because they are cheaper - so need a good amount of exercise and brain work. Get extremely excited to see other dogs on walks. And don't forget the cocker whine! Cocker's are vocal but not barky which I think is worse. All the cockerpoo I know are even worse than the pure cockers for the whining noises.

Then poodles are rather nuts, very energetic and highly intelligent, thus need huge amounts of mental stimulation to stop them going doolally and destroying everything.

The people I know with cockerpoos have huge problems with toilet training (presumably not helped by being puppy farmed), jumping/constantly being over excited and destructive behaviour.

I agree with the person who said get a proper breed, from a proper breeder or a total mixed breed rescue.

Why not look at poodles?

I don't get the poodle cross trend. Poodles are used for a reason and they are a great dog. I have a miniature. Get a pure breed poodle and you can easily find a good breeder who is trying to breed to the standard and performs all the health tests. That is never going to happen with a cross breed.

I have a cockerpoo, he’s 7. I must have the exception because he is very very low maintenance and calm. His a dream with the kids and the best dog we’ve ever had. I think you can get very different dogs across a breed whatever it is.
I’m a member of the Doodle Trust, they do not want to put people off buying poodle crosses but want them well informed on exactly what they are getting. For example there is no guarantee that they will not cast, which is what a lot of breeders tell you. If you speak to them, they’re on Facebook they will have great well informed advise which might confirm or decline if a doodle is suitable for you and your husband.

The other day I saw a massive white/ whitish dog, much taller than a lab, stouter than a standard (giant?!) poodle, with just so much hair, albeit perfectly groomed. It was a labradoodle. I had no idea they could be so enormous. I was glad I didn't have grooming duty on that - and imagine a muddy walk? Doesn't bear thinking about. They must be really high maintenance.

If he wants all the fashion looks and go with the crowd ... but you want a decent pedigree of highly recommend a Tibetan Terrier! They really are what most people want from their designer cross minus the craziness, uncertainty about health tests and slightly cheaper than the x-poo! But still fun and very intelligent.
Tibetans really adapt to your lifestyle (so if you really can't give them a 2hour walk one day, they don't mind!) They are a bit mad as puppies but mature into wonderful dogs about 12-14 months later!
I'm hooked / addicted ... I currently have 4 ...

Vet nurse here - with a cockerpoo be prepared for a highly strung scatty dog with no manners! Cute and very living but try and clip its claws? Clean and pluck its ears (which you will inevitably need to do regularly) and pay out for grass seed removale xN for the whole of summer?

We see several "breeders" of these and they are invariably in it for the money.

I do like them but id never have one and ive got two bastards terriers!

@Ylvamoon just for you, our 9 week old TT. We are smitten

Trainer here.

Cockapoos very very common round these here parts. Probably the “breed” we see most.

Generally nice temperaments (met a couple of rather timid ones who interestingly later turned out to be from the same “breeder”) but the majority are VERY high energy and not for the novice owner.

No I completely agree. I can do about an hour and a half off lead per day plus doggy care for the 3 days a week.

Just a bit frustrating he's just picking dog breeds out of thin air!

It's not the poodle bit that is the issue though it's the cocker, lab etc that are hyper.

I agree about TTs! Yours is gorgeous Brightlights!

Ok well if a lab is unsuitable and I love them as I've had 2 previously. What dog would people recommend? I can commit to 1.5-2 hour off lead each day, training obviously, I'd like to do agility or fly ball, I will be putting it in 'doggy day care' for 3 days a week but the doggy day care we would use is on a small holding with lots of walks and mental stimulation, we've used her before.

I just miss having a dog, and want a nice solid dog. I can't really explain it more than that. I want a health checked solid temperament dog who loves exercise and will be happy as an only dog. Might go and have a look at a rescue

Black Retriever X frequently have the type of dog you are looking for.

He thinks they'll be 'calm and not need much exercise ' 

Baaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha

Has he met many?

And brightlights what a gorgeous pupper!! 😍

@Halfahunnerstillastunner he's never met one ever! Might get him a toy one! 😂 I'm
Making him join groups on Facebook where owner plead for help! But seriously it's me that's going to training, walking, getting up at 3am etc so he can name it, I'll pick it 😂

I’m not really sure why people are saying labs aren’t suitable tbh... well they’re not really built for agility or fly ball if you’re wanting to do it seriously, but other than that...

If it’s the floof he likes, standard poodles without a poodle clip look exactly like labradoodles except a bit smaller (as people have mentioned they tend to come out big) but not actually small.

Tollers are fluffy retrievers and lovely.

Setters? Irish ones are a bit, um, high... but English ones are great or if you can find one Gordon setters are fab.

Oh Spinones are good too..

Flatcoated retreiver? Though they’re usually more active than some of the other breeds.

Tibetan Terrier all the way! They are fab and respond well to training! Perfect for agility - they can run and jump.

BrightLightsandBlackHoles - ^^ YlvaTT#3, 7 months and still a bit mad! Good luck with yours.

It's not the poodle bit that is the issue though it's the cocker, lab etc that are hyper

You haven't met my NDN's poodles, have you?! To say that they are hysterical nutcases would be an understatement...

Oh yours is gorgeous too Ylvamoon!

My PIL have a cockapoo and she is gorgeous and sweet, but absolutely nuts with unlimited energy! She would run around the garden playing football all day every day if she could, only stopping for meals and a 20 min nap.

In all honestly they don't cope well with her when out and about, and her lead will always be given to DH if he is here as he is the only one who can control her well.

Thought of a French basset? Or their main name is fauve de Bretagne. Ours is nearly 11 and amazing