Puppy advice please!

[Sevensevenone]

We have decided to get a puppy after years of consideration but am after advice on breeds. I lean towards a cockapoo as we are a busy family of five, I have researched and they are known to be great family dogs who don’t need excessive amounts of exercise, good size, don’t shed too much etc. My concern is becoming a middle class cliché as every other family in a ten mile radius has a cockapoo 😂 so I’d love to get some other ideas! I’d love a cocker spaniel but worry they need a LOT of exercise. Any thoughts on great family small - medium size dogs (we live in london, I don’t want a big dog). Thank you!

Except a large number of them do - some of them quite considerably too.

Poodles don’t shed, spaniels do. There’s no guarantee that a poodle cross won’t shed.

Any poodle crossbreed has the possibility of shedding. People who say that their poodle cross doesn't shed have just got lucky - it's certainly not a blanket rule.
Why a cockerpoo OP?
There are 'easier' medium sized dogs which are far more predictable in what you are going to get temperament wise, health wise and energy wise. Perhaps a poodle or a border terrier? Schnauzers may be worth a look but can be yappy?

Have you considered a Staffy? Great family dog and incredibly easy to train.

My from working parents Border terrier gets an hours walk a day in rural areas either offlead or on a long line. She also gets two training classes a week and daily training games and home work. That is more than enough for her! She lazes around the house for the most part the rest of the time.

More walks = fitter dogs. Appropriate walks and/or other activities = fulfilled dog.

Borders CAN be good pets but they’re terriers and they do need a lot of input in the way of careful socialisation and also the knowledge that not being a naturally handler driven type of dog they are much more reliable if they WANT to do something ie. They get motivated to do it. Mine has been hard work so far (she’s 13 months) but that said she is very friendly and tolerant and she is more sparky and driven as that’s what we wanted (I’m an agility trainer). There are more laid back lines.

agree with @wetotter @Robotalkingrubbish@hermioneee

Another vote for poodle.

They are easy to train, less high strung and guaranteed non shedding. I know too many cockapoo sheds and still need monthly grooming. They ended up with two coats, the poodle coat at the top and the shedding cocker spaniel coat at the bottom.

Anecdotal evidence. My poodle is much calmer than all my friends cockapoo.

A cocker sounds totally wrong for you so, they shed tons, Cocker spaniels have an INSANE amount of energy, can take ours on a decent walk then he’ll come home, later run about the garden (1/2 acre), then later play and no difference between how he was in the morning!! The loveliest loveliest personality (gorgeous!) but very clingy, want to be with their person all the time. Also they’re known as Crocker spaniels because they’re so bitey. Saying that a cockerpoo doesn’t sound right for you either? We were told they needed a lot of exercise? (People can correct me if I’m wrong I don’t have one!) best of luck op!

My poodle is very calm, people comment on how calm she is. ❤️🐾

I have a working cocker and she is an absolute delight. I WFH and she sleeps in her bed next to me, with a walk at lunch time. She usually gets 3 walks a day but they are approx. 20 - 30 min each. Much longer at weekends. The walks are as much for me as they are for her as it gets me out the house without fail (no rain or hangover excuses allowed!). She was easy to train and loves learning things. She is very content with her cosy life.
Most cockerpoos we meet are absolutely nuts. They're not for me as I actually don't like their fur (that's just a personal preference), and I'd be worried I'd never be able to tell my dog apart from the million other cockerpoos!

They do need A LOT of exercise!!! Ours gets crazy if not.

I dog walk/sit and I've never met a dog that didn't love a walk in the morning, after lunch and later in the day. I think it's awful that some people don't even take their dog out every day. The dogs might be used to doing nothing all day and be completely unfit because they hardly get any exercise - but that's not good or healthy!

If you go for a cocker OP I'd recommend a show over working - much more chilled IME but can be quite needy. With the poos you never know what you're going to get but all the ones i know are quite needy or quite crazy, no middle ground! None of the ones I've had shed much though.

I'd suggest a whippet, don't need excessive exercise, don't shed too much and not too big but big enough that you're not tripping over them.

A Chihuahua! They're amazing dogs

Regardless of what dog you end up with, the first few weeks are relentless, tiring, hard work etc. Have you got the time and energy to introduce a baby into the family, because that’s what it will feel like. They need constant attention, trips to the garden for wee etc, plus until they’ve had their jabs, they’re not allowed out, and then only short walks at first. Puppy blues are a real thing.

Have a look at Poochon/Bichpoo. Probably a bit less common.