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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Looking to buy a puppy after Xmas. Never done it before. Where do you start looking?

256 replies

Untang13d · 22/12/2021 20:01

Dd 16 has been v poorly the past year and in hospital a fair bit. She has researched a lot as have we and think the time is right. Where do we start looking? Want to find one from a reputable breeder and not to be ripped off. It will be our first dog and thinking of a Cockapoo.

OP posts:
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RedMozzieYellowMozzie · 22/12/2021 20:13

Very unlikely to find a reputable breeder of cockerpoos - most people are in it for the money. The best thing to do would be to do as much research as you can on how to spot puppy farms and be prepared to walk away if it doesn't seem right. Gumtree and pets4homes are rife with them.

If it was a pedigree dog you could look on champdogs and approach some breeders to find out more about them or if they have litters, or contact the breed association. You'd still have to be careful of puppy farms though and they're really crafty these days

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 20:16

God sounds like a real minefield. What is a puppy farm exactly?

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 22/12/2021 20:18

Go to a rescue centre explain your household set up, get matched with a suitable dog.

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 20:21

Don’t want a dog with history as we have enough to cope with.

OP posts:
Mandyjack · 22/12/2021 20:23

I have a cockapoo and you need to take into account some can be very high energy dogs and they are also very needy hence the nickname velcro dogs. Sometimes some come up for rehoming so you could look out for 1 that way. Many Tears or Doodles Rescue are 2 that spring to mind.

ImInStealthMode · 22/12/2021 20:23

Not all rescues have a sketchy past. Some poor pups (especially after Christmas) are just there because the novelty has worn off Sad

Hellocatshome · 22/12/2021 20:24

Don’t want a dog with history as we have enough to cope with

Thats why I said explain your circumstances and get matched with a suitable dog. They dont all have 'history' well obviously they do but not necessarily bad history or anything that causes any issues. If you have a lot to cope with can you cope with a puppy? Sometimes a calm, house trained dog is easier than dealing with the puppy and then teenage stages.

Mandyjack · 22/12/2021 20:25

@Untang13d

God sounds like a real minefield. What is a puppy farm exactly?
People who breed dogs multiple times with no regard to the welfare of the dogs. It isn't always a big place and it's easy to be conned by someone pretending to be a home breeder. This happened to me just google Karen Crowley.
SwumMum · 22/12/2021 20:26

If you've got enough on, dont get a puppy!! Seriously, the commitment is beyond what you can imagine and their needs can feel utterly relentless at times - especially when you are at your lowest ebb with family illness or having to dash off to hospital at no notice for potentially unspecified periods of time. Unless you have a lot of back up and reliable family/friends who will step in at short notice and sleep at yours etc, just don't add to your plate. (I speak from bitter and painful experience)

If you do want to go ahead, it's worth looking at some of the rescue pages esp the ones bringing animals in to the UK from kill shelters. They often have puppies or rescue dogs with lots of back up and vetting via foster homes.

Mandyjack · 22/12/2021 20:26

Sorry that's rubbish there are lots of reputable breeders of crossbreeds and plenty of bad pedigree breeders!

Mandyjack · 22/12/2021 20:27

Totally agree, I wonder if the OP realises just how much work a puppy involves??

MyGirlDaisy · 22/12/2021 20:29

Will this be your first ever dog or first ever puppy? Puppies are hard work, just like having a toddler! Cockapoos are high energy dogs, I would go to a rescue as previously suggested and explain your circumstances and take advice from them. Good luck and I hope you find a suitable four legged friend.

cherrypie66 · 22/12/2021 20:32

Our rescue is a hundred times calmer and easier than a puppy. Loads of dogs just waiting for the right home it's very sad no need to buy a puppy

QueenofLouisiana · 22/12/2021 20:33

You'll potentially have a whole heap of issues with a puppy from a disreputable breeder, be very careful. I'm not sure if there is a register of breeders for a cockerpoo as they are basically a crossbreed.

Please don't discount rehoming a dog, as mentioned upthread an older dog will probably be housetrained, you know what size it is (if over a year old) and will probably need less intensive work. I have a retired racing greyhound and apart from 3 wees indoors and an experimental chew on a tv cabinet he has settled beautifully. I'd expect a lot more chewing, weeing and general destruction from a puppy. No behavioural problems.

MyGirlDaisy · 22/12/2021 20:40

Sorry just re read your post, realise will be your first dog!

TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 22/12/2021 20:45

As rewarding as it can be to have a puppy, it is like having an unpredictable toddler. Could a cat be a better option? Just as lovely but nowhere near as high maintenance

TedMullins · 22/12/2021 20:48

You need a calm adult dog that’s already trained, so contact rescues. If you’ve got a stressful life and lots to cope with do NOT get a puppy, especially a bouncy playful breed like a cockapoo. I’ve raised a chihuahua puppy and he was challenging enough - they aren’t born house trained, they will have accidents, you will need to get up at 5am to let them out to poo, they need a lot of stimulation and socialising and training. I think you’re underestimating how much work a puppy is - a retired racing greyhound may be better for you. They sleep most of the day and just need a couple of short walks.

JustLikeaJingleBell · 22/12/2021 21:06

You really need to do your homework where having a dog is concerned because you seem blissfully ignorant at the moment OP

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 21:14

I think we’ll cope. Countless people start dog ownership with having puppies for the first time. We’ve done and are going lots of research. Trust me having a puppy will be nothing to what we’ve had to cope with the past year. I’ve also had 3 babies under the age of 15 months. We’re not walking into it lightly.

OP posts:
Tiramesu · 22/12/2021 21:17

Rescue. Honestly, I prefer older dogs.over the biting, pooing in the house stage though, loads of dogs adolescent age or a bit older with plenty of years ahead of them and get a second chance at a loving home. Please adopt!!!!

Honeyroar · 22/12/2021 21:19

How can you not know what a puppy farm if - you said you’d done research.

And a rescue dog takes about the same amount of settling and training as a puppy.

Tiramesu · 22/12/2021 21:19

So you don't want a dog 'with history'. The reason these dogs end up in rescues in the first place is because people fancy a puppy and then realise it is actually monumentally hard work when you are juggling children and family life and all the rest of it. Terrible attitude to look at dogs with, honestly

Lilyargin · 22/12/2021 21:19

Rescue centres.

WhatsUpDrWhoChristmasSpecial · 22/12/2021 21:20

I think people are just genuinely trying to warn you his much hard work a puppy is. Obviously if you're aware of that then that's great, it was just that you said you'd had a hard time recently.

We did get a rescue dog, luckily from a rescue near us who were allowing visits. They really listened to us and helped match the perfect dog. The matching was the best part as the dog is a wonderful fit for us.

BurntO · 22/12/2021 21:20

Search online. There’s loads of info out there. It takes up a lot of time and energy to raise a puppy so I am baffled when you say you’ve done your research and you’re ready when it doesn’t sound like you know anything?