Would you choose a cocker spaniel or a cockapoo?

[Puzzlelight]

I know MN generally isn’t a fan of cross-breed dogs, but risking asking anyway

MIL is allergic to dogs, which is why we are considering a cockapoo (and I know there’s no guarantee MIL won’t be allergic to a cockapoo, but think it might be worth a try as - anecdotally - I’ve heard lots of stories where people with allergies have been fine with this cross-breed. MIL says she has a neighbour with one and thinks she’s ok with her neighbour’s dog).

I grew up with cocker spaniels. We had - all of the time I was growing up - two at once. I love the breed.

I know cockapoos can inherit their poodle-parent’s intelligence and energy, but I’m not sure whether to go for one or the other or how they tend to differ apart from that.

(I would rescue a dog, but we have very young children (youngest is a toddler) and rescue places have advised me to get a puppy as even rescue puppies can be unpredictable because of their (often) sad backstories.)

Anyway - would you choose a cocker spaniel or a cockapoo for a family dog?

And to the poster who mentioned breathing problems - you might be thinking of pugs, not cockapoos

If you are referring to my post I was definately referring to Pugs and French bulldogs. My cockapoos breathe just fine 😁

A cross breed isn’t a pedigree

You don't say! And that's a problem....because? .....for who? A dog is a dog and all dogs have the same needs right? Or should all cross breeds and mongrels be condemned to death at birth because they don't fit the "superior, snobby pedigree" mould?

Both my cross breeds were rejected by their previous owners, should I have ignored them, and condemned them to death, in favour of some other dog, based on its pedigree?

I'm happy with my cross breeds. They are bloody amazing dogs. You stick with your perception of a dog and I'll stick with mine.

Isn't it strange how collie x labs, bichon x poodles, jacks x chis, and any other cross you can think of don't get half as much hate as a cockapoo or labradoodle....

I wouldn't give a penny for an Irish Wolfhound. Each to their own..

It looks like the breed but isn’t. I would happily have a mongrel but it’s not a pedigree

FFS! 🤦‍♀️

I have a cockapoo. My god he is the sweetest, dopiest dog I've ever had. I love him to bits. Doesn't shed, lovely soft wooly coat.

There are lots of mixed breed dogs in the world. I've never seen a cockapoo as 'fashionable'. Just a nice dog with a sweet temperament. The cockapoo bashing is getting old. Imagine if I judged every Maltese shihtzu, every chihuahua x. Get over it.

And his coat is not a nightmare. Never understand why people say they are. It doesn't get knotty or matted. Every three months he gets clipped right back. In between we brush him. Job done.

And his coat is not a nightmare. Never understand why people say they are. It doesn't get knotty or matted. Every three months he gets clipped right back. In between we brush him. Job done

Yep. This ^

The cockapoos coat is not as hard work as cockapoo haters make out.

Both my cockapoos love having a good combing (they love the treats 😉). They get clipped every 3 months. Again they have no fear of the groomer. Those that have no first hand knowledge have no idea but love to spout nonsense in the hope that they can convince others to share their prejudices.

I have no time for pedigree breed snobbery. A dog is a dog by any other name.

I’m another person saying look at miniature schnauzers. They are a similar size to cockerpoos, have non-shedding costs and are lively without being full on. They don’t make the spaniel squeal.

Schnauzers always look like grumpy old men to me! Sorry, not very constructive and know very little else about them, but they do make me smile.

@TwoPupsAndaHamster you seem to have misunderstood. I grew up with a mongrel and a cross breed. Both fantastic dogs and much loved. Nothing against crosses except the deliberate breeding for profit.
My point is you can’t outcross and then claim it’s still a particular breed. It isn’t.
Or maybe you just wanted to be rude?

My point is you can’t outcross and then claim it’s still a particular breed. It isn’t

Quite right.
Far more ethical and proper to allow the pure breeds to suffer crippling life limiting health problems then watch as they eventually cease to exist anymore as a result because nothing is more important than being ‘pure’.

Despite no pedigree on the planet being 100% pure from the beginning as they are all descended from mixed breeds...

Clearly no limit to human cruelty and selfishness.

@ArtichokeAardvark
My cockapoo does not yap at all!

Op, my cockapoo has a fantastic temperament, the right mix of friendliness, energetic and calm and loving. He's great with kids and other dogs. He was so easy to train-mostly! He does get excitable when new people come into the house and we're working on trying to reduce the levels of excitement. It is getting better with age. He doesn't mault. We're lucky that my dh cuts him so we can keep on top of the grooming. Saves us a fortune.

As you MIL is allergic and assuming you don't want her to have to stay away from your family I would consider another pure breed which is low shedding/possibly hypoallergenic. Try her meeting the breed at a reputable breeders to see if she reacts before deciding.

If you are only considering a cockerpoo because you previously had spaniels, don't as a cockerpoo is a completely different dog. You would be better looking at another pure breed.

My point is you can’t outcross and then claim it’s still a particular breed. It isn’t.
Actually, when the % of something else gets low enough, I think you can. By the time the outcross is 6 generations ago (about 25 years, in dog terms, the puppy's 5x GP), the outcross breed is contributing, on average, the princely total of 0.78125% to a backcrossed line. Good luck trying to play spot the difference between a dog like that and a 'pure' member of the breed. Especially if the outcross breed is morphologically and/or temperamentally similar, and the puppies that have been bred have been selected both for the desired trait for the outcross (heart health, say) and also for their resemblance to the original breed.

Besides, no breed is all that pure anyway. Let's take the wolfhound, for example:
"Based on the writings of others, Graham had formed the opinion that a dog resembling the original wolfhound could be recreated through using the biggest and best examples of the Scottish Deerhound and the Great Dane, two breeds which he believed had been derived earlier from the wolfhound.[24] Into the mix went the Scottish Deerhound, the Great Dane, and the Dutchess of Newcastle's "Korotai", a Borzoi who had proved his wolf hunting abilities earlier in his native Russia. For an outbreed a "huge shaggy dog" was added, which may have possibly been a Tibetan Mastiff.[19]"
Okay, that's only from Wiki, but other websites say similar things.

I'm not having a go at anyone, and I am not anti-pedigree dogs, either: I own a pedigree dog, of a particular and specialised breed. Luckily the breed is generally healthy, with a decent average lifespan and, since many owners and breeders focus on working ability, there is still a lot of variety in how the dogs look (which implies a good degree of genetic diversity). I would consider breeding my dog to a stud of the same breed. On the other hand, if there was a problem in the breed - cardiomyopathy, say, or a massively high rate of osteosarcoma - I'd be lining up to volunteer her for an outcross programme.

Because I'd so much rather that in 50 years time the breed is in good shape with 0.78125% of something else in it, rather than gone forever because the breed club refused to face reality.

Wolfiefan

@TwoPupsAndaHamsteryou seem to have misunderstood

I haven't misunderstood at all. I understand perfectly what posters are saying.

What part of this thread do you think I have misunderstood?

If you are only considering a cockerpoo because you previously had spaniels, don't as a cockerpoo is a completely different dog. You would be better looking at another pure breed

A cockapoo is half cocker spaniel. What are you talking about ?? What breeds do you think make up a cockapoo? 🤔

I have 2 cockapoos. They are very spaniel like - probably because they are 50% spaniel...

I've known a couple of lovely Poos but what concerns me is the industry around them.
Puppy farms and backyard breeders are cashing in literally.

Isn't it funny how you can never guarantee cockerpoo won't shed yet pretty much everyone on here and that I know in real life is saying their cockerpoo is low/nil shedding.

And Why don't people want poodles apart from the whole show trim thing? - I think poodles are ugly. Sorry, but I don't like their face shapes. Cockerpoos look different and much nicer imo. So that is why I wouldb't get a poodle.

I’ve got a poodle cross and when posts like this come up I do feel guilty that we got him from a hobby breeder but given the age of my kids and that two have special needs rescues wouldn’t permit us to adopt. Our dude is a bit of a yapper but I wouldn’t discount a poodle 😀

I think poodles are ugly. Sorry, but I don't like their face shapes.

Which one of these photos is a poodle, and which one a cockapoo? What's the difference in looks between the two?

Answer - absolutely fuck all.

Poodles are certainly not ugly. Perhaps the show cut isn't to everyone's taste(mine included) but they do look very similar to a cockapoo if cut in a similar way and they are very very cute.

Poodles only have that face if cut and shaved into daft shapes 🐩. A puppy cut poodle and a puppy cut cockapoo look very similar as pp have said ( 😍 gazes at snoring fluffy poodle)

This thread is making me want to get a third dog (not allowed as have 40kg of dog already) an apricot miniature poodle.

Are cockerpoo's less batshit crazy than a spaniel?,I have a springer and he's certifiable.

I'm allowed to have my opinion on what type of dog I think is cute!
In my family we have a standard poodle and a goldendoodle, with the same haircut and the face shape is very different and by far the goldendoodle is nice looking. I'm not keen on the muzzle and nose on poodles.
Just because you've managed to find 2 dogs that look similar doesn't mean they all are!

these 2 cockerpoos looks much nicer in my opinion than..

these 2 poodles