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

[Untang13d]

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.

No answer? Because OP doesn’t care what they have to offer. Just what they want.

Would just add OP that you shouldn't make the assumption that if you're seeing the puppy with its mother that the 'mother' you're seeing is actually the mother of the puppy you're buying.

It's a common trick of puppy farms that they put the puppies into what looks like a family home so you see the puppy with what you're told is its mother, it isn't.

Likewise, be very wary about documentation as that's another thing puppy farms do. They'll give you what looks like genuine kennel club registration that is forged, same with pedigree document.

Sometimes it's very hard to spot a puppy farm. They want to sell the puppies, they're not going to show you the breeding bitches living in filth and misery.

If you don't know about puppy farms that's probably one of the things you really need to research.

@Jouleigh you bought a pup? Yet know nothing about breeders?

OP, a cockapoo can be lovely or can be bonkers. I know very well some of each type. One doesn’t switch off at all at home, wants constant attention and will eat anything he can get hold of.

You will need to be able to cope with not leaving a puppy for an extended period for many months - do you have someone who will watch it for the hospital appointments? Days out, cinema. shopping etc become very difficult and you have to have someone who will watch a puppy. If yours turns out to have separation issues it will be even more tricky. Holidays are tricky, your dog may not be able to go to kennels and dog walkers/day care are booked up to the max at the moment.

I think the lack of spontaneity and always having to plan for the dog has been the hardest thing for us - obviously everyone knows about the accidents and sleepless nights. You can’t just stop off somewhere for dinner, would your 16 year old really want that?

Gosh people - can you not stop going on about rescue dogs to someone who is clear they don't want one - it's so boring and aggressive.

In your research, factor in where the puppy will go if you’ve got long days out at hospital for outpatient appointments etc. We wouldn’t have been able to have a pet of any description that needed frequent care after my DD’s illness as we didn’t have anyone who could’ve helped out.

Hope all is well now

In talking about kennel club registration, obviously, a cockapoo won't be kennel club registered but they might claim the dam or sire is, or, of course, the puppy, if you ended up looking for a particular breed rather than a cross breed.

@longcoffeebreak

Gosh people - can you not stop going on about rescue dogs to someone who is clear they don't want one - it's so boring and aggressive.

The OP knew nothing about puppy farms when she started the thread and also thought every rescue dog had issues.

It’s fine to correct her on those misconceptions. Just scroll past if you find those posts boring.

You seem set on a cockerpoo! As such, I think you should consider the following:

• Are you looking for a generation 1 dog (i.e. a puppy that is the result of a mating between a poodle and a cocker spaniel) or do you want a dog with parents that are both poodle/cocker spaniel mixes themselves? Gen 1 dogs will have a great deal more variance in appearance, coat type, and temperament. Later generation dogs should be more consistent in appearance (assuming the breeder actually has a goal in mind past making bank on the cockapoo craze).
• Ask breeders what their focus is in their breeding programme - are they breeding towards a hypoallergenic coat type? A certain temperament? If the breeder cannot answer this question or give a solid answer, I would seriously reconsider.
• Ask about mum and dad’s health tests. At the minimum, I would be looking to see the results of hips and eye tests.
• Look for groomers in your area and be ready to start your puppy with them to acclimate them to the process as soon as possible - poodle mixes need regular visits to keep their coats in order.

Can I ask what draws you to cockapoos over a cocker spaniel or poodle? Is it temperament, appearance, low shedding (which not all of them are)?

Both my puppy were easier than my ds as a baby but it totally depends on the dogs.My chihuahuas were a dream.

@wolfiefan I didn't say I bought any dog at all.

I was saying that the dog I have is great; she is attentive, reliable and a really good girl!

She does like to bark at delivery people though, even if they aren't coming to our house!

We don't all buy or choose the dog we have, sometimes we just do our best and get lucky.

I have a cocker and she is amazing, totally bonkers but she's the best, we got her from a breeder as a puppy, we wanted to rescue but the hoops you have to jump through made it impossible for us.
She's 6 months old, puppy stage is not easy but not comparable to having a baby, if you can deal with a baby you can deal with a puppy, and they grow up quicker too.
Obviously she's a cocker but her wee best friend is a a cockapoo and he is genuinely the loveliest natured dog, doesn't shed, loves kids (as does my cocker) and is just a bundle of fun.
The natural response on Mumsnet is adopt don't shop and I get it, but not always the easiest or best option for everyone.
We found our cocker on gumtree, which is a no no but the breeder was reputable, the mum was clearly a well loved pet and the pups alwere all very healthy and happy and had the appropriate paperwork, vaccines and chip.
Always ask to see mum and where the pups have stayed/sleep and never never meet someone in a carpark to collect a puppy!

No answer to what op can offer because op doesn’t have to. I think some on here have rather inflated egos. Nobody needs to run past “Wolfe on MN”what they have to offer a dog. I certainly won’t be.

@Untang13d

No answer to what op can offer because op doesn’t have to. I think some on here have rather inflated egos. Nobody needs to run past “Wolfe on MN”what they have to offer a dog. I certainly won’t be.

No answer then. Ok.

OP, I do wonder why you’d post on a dog-specific board and then get cross because some people on here know a lot about dogs

Not cross and have no problems with any posters knowing a lot about about dogs and have thanked for the useful advice. However being grilled re suitability, patronised and mocked is not necessary and was not asked for so I won’t be responding to questions I don’t have to answer.

Cockerpoos sorry can be a nightmare. Nervous, highly-strung, high maintenance, yappy and zappy. Australian sheep dog much nicer. And lots of other breeds.

This thread is legitimately batshit. Yeah OP what do you have to offer a dog? MN needs to know before deciding whether to issue you a dog license. And woe betide you for asking for advice.

@Untang13d

Not cross and have no problems with any posters knowing a lot about about dogs and have thanked for the useful advice. However being grilled re suitability, patronised and mocked is not necessary and was not asked for so I won’t be responding to questions I don’t have to answer.

I can’t work out why you’d be offended by questions about what you have to offer a dog? Surely that’s something you sorted out on day one? You’ve already said a cockerpoo would match your needs so why the secrecy?

As for “patronised and mocked”, unless you think people being alarmed that despite doing research into getting a puppy, you know nothing about puppy farms is them being patronising or mocking you, I think you’re imagining this.

What's good a out going via a rescue is not only will they find a dog for you, but they will advise you ether your circumstances suit a dog in the first places. In some cases, that will be a flat no, or it may be possible with certain types or breeds or personalities. It would be a great route to go down by approaching their expertise and finding out your compatibility

OP honestly I'd continue to research breeds and stay away from anything doodle or poo

If you want to go for a mongrel dog I'd get a rescue puppy , as at least you aren't being ripped off.

If you want to buy a puppy I would only go to a KC registered breeder, but research your breed well.

Staffordshire bull terriers make wonderful family pets and are highly trainable

I have had many breeds over the years and always rescues but due to young kids this time we bought a puppy in March after a 18 month wait on a breeders list. He is coming up 1 year old and is amazingly behaved , I can take him anywhere he just sits quiet. He rings a bell for the toilet, his recall is good and he walks to heel off the lead, fantastic with dogs and humans. Never chewed anything in my house and left to sleep on sofa from 5 months old. As far as puppies go he was amazing apart from the puppy biting in very early days and a bit of a wobble with recall at 8/9 months old.

@longcoffeebreak

Gosh people - can you not stop going on about rescue dogs to someone who is clear they don't want one - it's so boring and aggressive.

It is not "aggressive" to give sensible explanations to someone misinformed, who has made a wrong assumption.

If she wants to see real rescue dogs, and how they are assessed and matched for happy and successful rehoming, I recommend watching Paul O'Grady's weekly TV program based in Battersea Dog's home.

My advice would be to read through the puppy support threads on here before you get a puppy - just help you to be a little more aware of the reality rather than the idea of having a puppy .

I think posters are worried that there will be another post from you in a few months time, under a different name, asking people to 'please be gentle but can they give you advice on rehoming' as dog ownership wasn't what you expected .

I have rescue dogs, totally support that - BUT THE OP DOESN’T WANT ONE.

Some posters are being extremely rude to a lady who has clearly been through a lot and is currently doing research on dogs before she buys one.

Everyone was new to having a dog at some point. It’s not as hard as people try to make out on here.

It seems that on MN you can either adopt a rescued greyhound or you can fuck off!

OP. you sound similar to us. We were first time dog owners when the dc were 21 and 17 years. Dd1 had begged for a dog since the age of 4. Dd2 had spent a lot of time in hospital and had really benefitted from the therapy dog that came to the ward.

The puppy stage was nothing like docile ex racing greyhound that came to the ward. We had a bouncy boxer on our hands. They teethe like babies, their bites hurt! And we were lucky , she was clean quickly and rately cried in the night.

She is now over two. Lovely nature, crap recall has to be on lead all the time. Spent a fortune on dog trainer and vet bills. Pedigree came with X number of weeks of ‘free’ kennel club insurance but because we had to claim, we now cant go anywhere else. Very allergic to everything (or so it feels).

If you go for a specific breed, join relevant facebook groups. Great source of information.