Getting a puppy - cockapoo, maltipoo, poodle?

[PuppyLovee]

I lost my beloved dog recently, and I am starting to research different breeds/breed crosses for a puppy. Even though I've had a dog before, I'm finding it a bit of a minefield with all the talk of puppy farms and how easy it is to be duped.

I am wanting a dog that is affectionate, doesn't shed and isn't as barky as my beloved terrier was. She was 10kg, and I am wanting something around that size or maybe slightly smaller. So a small dog but not a tiny 'toy' size. I work from home so they will always have company, but I am not wanting a dog that needs lots of exercise - maybe around 60-90 mins a day?

I like maltipoos, but I worry they are too small as most seem to be toy poodles crossed with maltese. I like Cockapoos too but worry if they would need more exercise than I am looking for? I'm just feeling a bit lost and wondered if anyone have any suggestions?

Poochon!

Get a show cockerpoo then (instead of working, they are the crazy ones) Ours is a dream!

Cairn? Underrated dogs.

i would steer clear of doodles, mainly because it’s next to impossible to avoid puppy farms. I know one person who breeds cockerpoos with the same rules as -kc, and she has a two to three year wait list. If you want one soon you will be getting a farmed dog. And be careful- “licensed” breeder just means the are breeding a lot of litters, not that they are in any way ethical. But you know that.

A show cockerpoo? Do they even exist?

Norfolk terrier.
Brilliant little dogs.
Ours is a little bit barky, but not excessively so.

Havanese! Super cute and easy to train. Calm but fun. Not too much exercise needed.

Yes, as in mum is a show cocker and dad is a poodle. We don't call him a show cockerpoo, I was just using that to explain the difference. He's just a cockerpoo.

I think the obsession with 'poos' probably contributed to the puppy farm issue tbh.

Any other breed likely to get a look in on your wish list?

As a teenager and university student, my family had a cavalier spaniel. I still maintain she was the best little dog ever, and I've owned dogs my entire adult life since. Loved everyone, was gentle and affectionate, and didn't need a huge amount of exercise.

anecdotally, any doodles that I do know or live near always seem to be quite highly strung and stubborn. Cockapoos in particular - think of the worst attributes in a cocker spaniel (high prey drive, prone to resource guarding, high energy, destructive behaviour) with those of a poodle (highly intelligent, needs stimulating) and you could get that in a cockapoo.

Also the vast majority of decent breeders won't produce cockapoos so I would worry about puppy farming from those that do.

You have basically described a miniature poodle. Mine is 6.7kgs, guaranteed non-moulting, loves her 70-80 minute off-lead walk each day, and happily curls up and sleeps while we work from home. She will do much longer walks, or equally will not be too upset if she doesn't get a walk one day (as inevitably happens occasionaly). I also do agility with her, and she is very affectionate and cuddly. Get onto champdogs or the KC puppy finder site, or contact your local breed group and get on waiting lists. It is worth waiting for the right one from the right breeder, there is a world of difference between a well bred poodle and one that has been puppy farmed with no care for health or temperament.

This 100%.

I went on the 'Cockerpoo Club GB' about a week ago (Goldendoodle thread relateed)and of the six breeders (that the bloody club recommended!!!!!) that I randomly clicked on, all six were clear puppy farmers.

After seeing that, no one will convince me that 'poo mixes' and puppy farming do not go hand and in.

No breed is perfect, but I'd never seen something that bad before. One 'top breeder' that they recommended had 7 bitches, none under the age of 5.

Please avoid any form of “poo” mix. The factors you want in the dog aren’t guaranteed - e.g don’t shed, as even within a litter there can be variations in hair length and shedding patterns one pup might never moult fur and the other may be shedding as much as golden retriever. The barking, can’t be guaranteed either as it’s all down to the dog and their general habits which can be determined by breed to a degree such as if one parent is a working dog you may find the puppy is more high energy/more prey drive aka might bark a bit more. I don’t believe they’re ethically bred, they’re really high in the trends right now and if I’m being honest having worked with more of them than I can count I haven’t come across many with a temp I’d want to take home particularly. I’d focus on trying to vet good ethical KC registered breeders, if you’d like a smaller dog that’s got minimal shedding have you considered an actual miniature poodle? Or Lhasa apso/Shih Tzu or a breed along those lines? Obviously, you would need to do the research into whether the breed would fit into your lifestyle but in general they fit the requirements of being smaller without being toy breeds, typically know how to turn off when they need to and chill out their grooming would not be any more than any sort of poo mix. None of them shed masses if you do keep ontop of their coat with brushing and grooming and are all considered “hypoallergenic” so to say.

I don't think its possible to find an ethical breeder for "poos" at all

Of course there are loads of puppy farmed poo crosses, it's because they're so popular and have been for many years. The reason they're popular is because on the whole, they are lovely dogs, despite what all the doodle haters will have you believe!

They do shed, some barely at all and some as much as their non poodle parent, but you can get an idea of which you're in for by their coat as puppies.

Your best bet to avoid the farms is to find a very infrequent breeder who has fully health tested their dog and has used a stud who has had the same level of testing. They're very few and far between though.

IME the smaller dogs (pure and cross) tend to be more vocal, hence one of the reasons I went for a big one! I do see quite a few small poo crosses walked in groups by dog walkers though, with larger dogs in the group and they all seem much less yappy and triggered by my big dog, so it may be that socialisation is the key.

I have a cockapoo and he’s crazy but he’s calmed down a lot now he’s coming 3. He’s such an affectionate boy . He puts his head under my chin for cuddles and he’s soooo intelligent it’s unreal . So so easy to train coz of the intelligence and although they do have separation anxiety he’s much better now .
I adore him although he is the red colour and they are meant to be crazier than the rest 😂
His Dad was a show poodle with really good genes .
I wouldn’t have any other dog now .

Cavapoo?

Agree you have exactly described a mini poodle. They are amazing dogs - here is mine 😊

From what you have said, you want an adult rescue dog. You can explain what you are looking for as above to a rescue and they will match you to the right dog. By getting an adult dog, they already know what their personality is like and if they will be happy with that level of activity.

Any breed can turn out to need more exercise than they claim to on the ‘fact sheet’ and you might end up with a small dog that craves enrichment and work that will not fit what you are looking for. Especially if you go for a cross breed - there is no guarantee what percentage of each breed trait you will get.

But I am completely understanding of wanting a well bred puppy, and a good breeder of a ‘companion’ type breed like a Shih Tzu or Maltese is a good place to start.

Poodle from a reputable breeder. The mixed breeds seem to be absolutely pot luck as to whether you get a perfectly healthy dog or one that comes with a list of health issues as time goes on.

Nothing with poo or doodle in it.

Mini Poodles are fantastic family dogs, very easy to train, clever and great company. Ours likes 2 30 to 40 minute walks a day. No shedding at all. And she loves our cats. I don't consider myself a dog person but she is rapidly changing my mind. She's almost a year old now.

Get a Poodle or a Tibetan Terrier, although Tibetans have a lot to say! You'd never have a dull moment!

Just don't get a cookerpoo unless you want a dog that is nervous, high energy and very intelligent! Mine is cute, but also very needy (Poodle traits?) and has lots of energy. Give me a Tibetan any day so much calmer, still clever and a lot lazier than a pooX.

@PuppyLovee My friend does very expensive boutique dog care in his own country house- I stayed over as he had a hospital appt and wanted dog to have company.

She is a purebred small poodle and is wonderful!
quiet, well mannered and really lovely.

Go via a show person who breeds the occasional litter ( one every few years)

Definitely go via a breed club.
Any online ads are puppy farms.

Reputable people NEVER need to advertise.

Pic of purebred poodle friend was( is) looking after the ears in background are my Whippet!

Im rapidly becoming fonder of purebred poodles.

I have a Bichon frisée. He can be a bit barky, but that seemed to be triggered after he was attached by another dog.
He can be quite stubborn and is very affectionate.
They don't shed but do need grooming often.