Thinking of adopting a golden doodle and a cocker

[ARoomWithoutADoor]

I have a friend who is thinking of adopting a golden doodle and a cocker spaniel.

They are from a loving owner in a private home whose circumstances have changed and now has to work v long hours and cannot give them the time they need - I am quite sure this is genuine.

They are both 3 and have been together since around 4m old.
The doodle is female and the cocker male. They were neutered 3m ago but I understand neither have ever been bred from.

They are well trained and appear delightful well cared for dogs.

She has two concerns: the distance she'd need to walk them (she can take them 3/4 times a day and has a big garden but how FAR?)

They have never been crate trained which is fine but dont have a dog bed either so appear to use the sofa in the daytime. They are currently in a flat and she suspects they sleep on the owners bed at night. How realistic is it to re-train them both at age 3 to sleep on a dog bed downstairs when owner out / at night?

There is a risk of littermate syndrome.
You don’t know if the person is genuine.
They are likely not well bred. Cross breeds often come from puppy farmers and any decent breeder would insist the owner contact them first if they needed to rehome.
Failing that people normally use a reputable rescue.

They are both 3 and have been together since around 4m old.
The doodle is female and the cocker male. They were neutered 3m ago but I understand neither have ever been bred from

They are both 3 having been together since 4m, male and female, and no puppies

Is the owner charging for them? I'd want to make sure they are not stolen.

Unless you knew the person independently a long time prior to them rehoming I would take their word with a pinch of salt.

Yes they may be genuine but honestly I would be very surprised and be bracing myself for behavioural and training issues to be the cause of the rehoming. If your friend is ok with that and is prepared to put in time and money to solve them then go ahead but they may need to think about if they need separate training or need to pay for professional help.

Also what about their health. Are they up to date with vaccinations/worming. What have they been to the vets about before incase there are hidden health issues that may cost a fortune in the future if excluded by insurance as pre existing (no idea how that works with rescues if it turns out that the previous owner knew and you took them on but declared there wasn't any health issues). Get your friend to ask for their vet details and for them to give permission for them to access the dogs details.

What about chip details. Are those details definitely registered to the current owner?

The exercise issue would be the least of my concerns tbh.

Sorry I should reply about the exercise.

Mine is a working cocker and it isn't about the length of walking but about working with his instincts so lots of hunting when out and about with balls.

Exercise would be the least of my worries tbh
It's more likely they're being rehomed for behavioural reasons - two dogs the same age who have lived together since they were puppies are quite likely to have issues with each other unless a huge amount of effort has gone into training them.

Also, two unneutered dogs living in a flat? Very unlikely they haven't had a few litters.

My guess is they're not up for adoption but for sale.

I understand that the cocker has pedigree papers but the doodle doesn't.
I understand that when the bitch was on heat she was sent to a relatives house for the duration. They have been neutered now as the owner doesn't want someone to take them on to breed from.
He does not want any money for them, just to be provided with updates about their wellbeing. He seems entirely genuine.
There are up to date Vet records available - I will tell my friend to check them and also to ask about microchipping - thanks.

The doodle won’t have pedigree papers because it isn’t one. Puppy farmed pedigree dogs can have papers. I would be very suspicious.

Your friend could ask the current owner for the dogs' vet details, contact the vet and have a chat about the dogs and the owner. I would think that the owner would have to give his permission for the vet to divulge information, but that might be a way of finding out if they have been bred, have been vaccinated regularly etc etc.

And definitely check the chip details.

Goldendoodles are my favourite type of dog. We now have 4 between our extended family!

Tbh the part about puppy farm is largely irrelevant as they are 3 years old now so theres nothing she can do about that.
Its perfectly feasible that these 2 are simply someones family pets who now needs to rehome them, change in working hours is one of the most common reasons for giving up a dog.
Its a really positive and responsible thing that the owner has neutered them.

-When your friend visits them, tell her to look at the bitches teats, that should give an indication of whether she has been bred from.
-Observe them playing together, give them a treat, try to take a ball/toy off them to see if there is any resource guarding.
-Take them for a walk to see how they are on lead, do they have a good recall?
-Ask to see their vet history.
-Ask about their toilet training

To answer the questions:
-Exercise - its more about the content of the exercise than the duration, but 2 good walks a day should be adequate. Especially with 2 dogs, they will often play and wear each other out.

-Sofa/Bed - They can be retrained but if they have access to the bed, they will go on it! Your friend will need to block access to the room with the bed whilst they are out.
Be prepared for a few nights of whining/unsettling as they are obviously use to being close to the owner, but they will get use to it.

Well, they got re-homed!

The doodle is fine, the spaniel is a bit of a nightmare.
Endless pulling, no recall (neither of which seemed a prob with previous owner) the new owner has had spaniels before but says he is a 'real handful'. All of this could be addressed, but more to the point is growling at the young teenage son of the new owner (a lot).

The previous owner said the dogs were very bonded and must not be separated but they don't sleep near each other and are often in separate rooms / dont play together. The doodle has adjusted well and the kids love her, but the spaniel seems quite neurotic and the new owner wonders if he might be better in a home with just him, and an owner who can give him sole attention. She doesn't want to 'move him on' poor chap, and isn't sure the best way to do so, but he IS a problem with the older child (dog is 4 and neutered)