Going to look at a cockerpoo puppy this morning

[BarchesterTowers]

We were on the wairin* list. But she rang yesterday saying that one of the current litter isn5t going to br picked up. Did w3 want to come look. Means we won’t get a choice.

Because there’s a shortage n that.
There bloody soon would be if all dogs stopped reproducing.

Somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 dogs are PTS in pounds and rescues in the UK each year (exact figures are hard to come by by it's under 20k, perhaps substantially so, I forget the exact number Iw as once given). That is far too many dogs, but the UK has a dog population of approaching 10 million. If each dog lives an average of 12 years (which is being generous with lifespan), over 800,000 puppies (or imports) are needed each year to keep that population stable. Even if you argue that plenty of people who have dogs don't deserve them, and shouldn't be allowed to have another, there are still hundreds of thousands of households in any given year who are looking for a new dog.

The fact that UK rescues bring in dogs from abroad tells me what I need to know about our home-grown dog over-population problem.

I’ve never worked with a rescue that has blanket bans
I rencountered two or three rescues like this when I was looking for our first dog. One rescue staffer laughed down the phone when I mentioned that I had children. Strangely, we ended up with a puppy...

Arrangements and commitments change.

So by that logic, the couple who work from home with teenage children and a large garden with plenty of experience who are, on paper, the perfect family to adopt a rescue, could also have a change in circumstances in six months time, making them unsuitable.

If, six months later, the dog suddenly needs to be looked after by a neighbour three days a week because they both need to go out to work, would you insist they return the dog to the rescue centre?

Which is a great idea but some people who as still perfectly suitable to have dogs will then need to buy a puppy or dog.

Nobody needs a puppy. Dogs need us a lot more than we need them, so it's fair to expect aspiring owners to do their home work and have some sense and consider if they have enough time, room and attention to offer a dog.

Quite a few dogs are not suitable to keep with children and bringing a dog into a family with very young children is a bad idea.

Re first repetitive point: Those saying there a blanket bans, each dog is different and has different needs. I’m guessing the rescues quickly realised what the dog was intended for (as a toy for the kids) and then laughed down the phone, rightly so.

Re second repetitive point: Many rescues do insist to get back in touch if circumstances change to the point the dog is no longer in the routine in which they were adopted out to be in, makes sense.

Re the no puppies leading to no dogs - just lol.

I’m repeating myself now and it’s getting dull. Keep funding the puppy farms and breeders, the rescues will continue to be full to their brim, but as long as you made your point that’s all that matters.

We have a Cocker Spaniel. She's beautiful. Turned 1 on New Years Day Comes from a reputable breeder.
To be honest, I'm still not comfortable about breeding new dogs when there are so many dogs needing to be rehomed. But we needed her specific breed as she will be a working dog.
She cost £800
I think people who charge £££ for what is essentially a mongrel are taking the piss.

And to be honest, we wanted hypoallergenic fur to avoid any potential allergies. We care what breed particularly, so it wasn't about 'designer dogs' for us

If you are wanting to avoid allergies you need a pure poodle, yorkshire terrier, or other breed with those known hypoallergenic qualities.

Outcrossing one of the above to a dog with big standard will set allergies off type fur is completely illogical, as you are reducing the chance of getting the coat type you want.

So anyone getting a designer cross for “allergy reasons” is an idiot who knows nothing about dogs or genetics.

It seems to have seeped into the minds of folk that a dog must be crossed with a poodle to be hypoallergenic. Utter bollocks. I have a yorkie that doesn’t trigger an acquaintances allergy at all and she’s still going on about how she needs a “yorkiepoo” because allergies..

Just to make a further point... I'm not sure why you are particularly attracted to the 'cockerpoo' but this is our beautiful cocker spaniel

Nobody needs a puppy.

We have working dogs and quite often need a specific puppy.

Who on earth gets a dog as a toy for the kids. Come on now! On mumsnet there seems to be a small capsule of people who, of course, have rescue dogs and no kids/adult kids, who truly believe they are the only ones worthy, capable and knowledgeable enough to own and care for a dog. Back in the real world hundreds of thousands of us have a lifetime of experience, have dogs successfully that's they have acquired from all manners of places and in all manners of circumstances that suit both the needs of the dog and that of the family. In some of these cases a rescue might have been a preferred choice but they were not considered for a particular reason, that has not affected the dog they went on to get. I find it really quite arrogant.

Not to design ‘non-shedding’ dogs to suit the whims of people that was a fluffy teddy bear looking animal

They aren’t ”designing” non shedding dogs though, they’re doing exactly the opposite.

They’re taking known, non shedding breeds and crossing them with shedding breeds to produce a litter that may shed, or may not.

Why not just stick to the non shedding breeds we already have?

Well said @happycamper11

Those saying there a blanket bans, each dog is different and has different needs. I’m guessing the rescues quickly realised what the dog was intended for (as a toy for the kids) and then laughed down the phone, rightly so.

No. A blanket ban is a blanket ban. Bot based on the dogs.

People with kids can be responsible owners. Just like those without kids can be shit owners. Not everyone who has kids buys dogs as toys for the kids.

Many rescues do insist to get back in touch if circumstances change to the point the dog is no longer in the routine in which they were adopted out to be in, makes sense.

No rescue is going to want to rehome a dog again, because the owner has arranged for the dog to go to a relatives during the day for 3 days a week.

No rescue is going to want to rehome a dog again, because the owner has arranged for the dog to go to a relatives during the day for 3 days a week.

Exactly- it's acceptable to send a 6 month old baby to nursery or to a grandparent for childcare 5 days a week but anyone with a dog must stay at home and never leave for more than an hour for the pets entire lifespan

So the big question is did you get the pup OP?

So.... What about the puppy? Puppy farm or not does that pup not deserve a happy and loving family? If no one takes it, what is it's future!

Yeah I know this, wasn't being sarcastic? I know there's thousand of poor dogs out there in puppy farms, unless the government put stricter rules on breeding etc things aren't gonna change.

@TheRealMrsHopper the point is that by buying a puppy from unscrupulous people it isn’t “saving” a dog. Just condemning the parents to continue the mill and more puppies to be born in unacceptable conditions.

Hi 1more I wasn't getting at you at all. I've been reading this thread all day and am getting increasingly annoyed. The OP hasn't came back as the second you mention a Cockapoo or a doodle here you instantly get attacked.

I am a Cockapoo owner and before I got her I asked for name suggestions and got hassle from one of the regular Cockapoo haters on this post. To the end that I am too intimidated to ask for advice in the Doghouse as as soon as you mention you have a poodle cross all hell brakes loose!!

Puppy farms are horrific and immoral but until we regulate this puppies will be churned out. It's not those puppies fault and they are no less deserving a loving family that any other dog.

Perhaps we should recognise the 'popular' cross breads as actual breeds and the the KC can regulate the breeders. My first port of call when looking for my dog was the KC but as a mongral I couldn't get any info there. These crosses are so popular and have been for a very long time that they are a breed in there own right.

These crosses have been around that long. In terms of genetics.

If people reported the puppy farms instead of walking away with a puppy, that would help. The puppies would be then rehomed.

Theres really no justification from buying from a puppy farm. The selling of dogs on gumtree etc should be banned as shoild backyard breeders. Alot, of whom, are puppy farmers.

I dont think anyone here dislikes poodle crosses. What they dislike is that most people buying them, dont really understand what they are getting. They tend to be rehomed alot, due to irresponsible and shitty breeders lying and buyers not researching the breed.

Its not just poodle crosses. I fostered a springers recently. I was his 3rd home, at least. The latest owner bought hom because he was meant to be good with children with asd. This was an untrained 5 month old Springer. The child with asd in the household found him overwhelming. I found him overwhelming, and I have had spaniels my whole adult life. He is a great dog, took well to training, went to the toilet outside, always wanting cuddles. He had been owned by a seris odbowners that had no idea what a springer is.

A facebook page for cockers on face has a constant stream of people saying they bough a cocker but did not know if it was working or show type or what the difference is. Even after they bought them. And more still think they have bought one and its the other.

The whole industry is shit. But as potential dog owners, we can do our part to ensure we are acting responsibly.

Although, this thread shows that some people take this too far and essentially thinks only a tiny amount of people should have a dog. Which isnt realistic or great.

Ffs 'these crosses havent been around that long, in genetic terms'

Totally agree scarsthelot.

Across all breeds you see owners who literally haven't the first real clue about the animal they are getting or already have. And this is for breeds that have been stabilised and for which there is a wealth of reliable information available

Crosses are subject to this even more because the blending of breeds allows for the truth about the dogs to be further obscured. Plus there is much less reliable breed trait info. A classic example is the idea that a cocker poodle cross will be a chilled and calm dog. I bet some are but the reality of crossing those two breeds is that most must not be. The age old question: what is it that a cocker brings to a poodle that makes it more desirable for families?

I have yet to see anyone really answer that? Which specific bit of Coker spaniels were they hoping would come through?

All that said - I do think the KC should consider adopting the most common crosses as breeds, so that better and more accurate information could be available for families looking for their pet. And so that those dogs could get the same (albeit limited) protections.

Hi scars, I agree but I think a lot of people wouldn't know they are buying from a puppy farm as those inscrouplous breeders are very cunning now.

I also agree that before you get a dog you have to thoroughly research what breed suits you, your family and you way of life. Also within that each dog has its own personality. My Cockapoo is the laziest most chilled out dog we have had. We visited our litter 3 times to ensure we had picked the right dog for us (well she actually picked us).

Going forward though we need to regulate this to ensure the welfare of the puppies and their parents.

Puppy farms are sometimes good at covering. But in 99% of cases, theres massive red flags that people ignore.

I am not judging, but if you wanted a chilled dog, why a cockerpoo? Both dogs can be energetic to the point of destructive. I have always had cockers, they are amazing. But not what I would have if I was wanting a chilled lazy dog.

I think OTA brilliant you visited several times though.

OTA? ....its

I didn't say I wanted a chilled out lazy dog, I mentioned that she is to highlight that each dog has its own personality regardless of breed.