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?

The ones I've seen are smaller than most cats.

Get a proper dog instead of contributing to the poodle mix insanity (and irresponsible breeding that goes hand in hand)

We’ve got a maltipoo. He’s lovely. Can bark sometimes, but nothing bothersome.
He was bred by a friend of a friend and we were visiting the puppies in her home quite regularly before he was old enough to come home.
I’d definitely recommend a well-bred malitpoo as a family dog. He’s a good size and can go on decent walks.

I have a shihtzu x chihuahua and she’s the best little dog. She doesn’t bark, she’s chilled, doesn’t shed. She’s been super easy to train and is very loving but equally happy to nap all day too!

I don't have a poodle but I think they are such underrated dogs.

I think they have just gone out of fashion a little.

I do have a dog and see A LOT of cockapoos etc and they vary so wildly in size and temperament-you have no idea which bit of which breed you are going to get.

A bit like this quote from George Bernard Shaw.

Woman to Shaw-you have the greatest brain in the world and I have the most beautiful body so we ought to produce the most perfect child.

Shaw to woman-What if the child inherits my body and your brains ?? 😂

Plus one for Norfolk Terriers.

I don't think poodles have gone out of fashion, I just think many people are totally unaware they're not born with shaved faces and odd clips!

Also agree you are describing a mini poodle. Ours is 18 months old and such a good family dog. No shedding, two 30 min walks a day., happily curls up and sleeps while I work from home.

We had a Lhasa Apso. No shedding. It's a great breed of dog. They are quite self centred but intelligent. Or a poodle. Agree crosses lead to indiscriminate puppy farm breeding. A decent breeder of a recognised breed will be a much better bet.

I agree but we came across some dodgy people when we were looking for a beagle. I remember guy said he was bringing the puppies over from and we would meet him in a service station. We ran a mile but I was so sad for those little puppies.

We have a zuchon - shih tzu x bichon - that completely meets your brief. Has a dream of a temperament as well.

Depends which size poodle the bichon is crossed with. Mine is 12kg and much larger than a cat. No shedding, benefits from not being interbred in the same way as many pedigrees and the intelligent (but slightly neurotic) nature of the poodle is tempered by the very sociable character of the bichon. They’ll take as much exercise as you offer but won’t be climbing the walls if they don’t get a long walk every day.

The “interbred” thing is misleading.

it’s been demonstrated that fashionable breeds, like pugs and dachshunds recently, puppy farm breeding produces quantity rather than quality. There are no health checks or standards and it is simply about more puppies and more money. So while those breeds were popular back problems in dachshunds increased, and so did issues in pugs.

it is very unlikely you’ll find a breeder of crosses that adheres to breed standards in both parent breeds. They won’t be doing the hip, eye, genetic testing, and they aren’t required to. For pedigrees at least the KC requires these tests.

you’re also taking two pedigrees and crossing. It doesn’t make as much difference to the coefficient as you think. Not much more than two carefully chosen unrelated dogs of the same breed. Especially if your parents are inbred to start. Pedigrees at least you can check on the KC website.

if you can find a good breeder of crossbreeds then fab. But the market is so flooded with them 99% of the time you’ll be buying from a puppy farm, whether you realise or not.

For pedigrees at least the KC requires these tests.

I don't think it's mandatory to health test, just advised. KC registered means bugger all really.

Pedigrees do not require tests. Nor does the KC, as realistically you can get away with doing the bare minimum.

BUT the KC registration enables you to see when the tests were done - which is very important (and honestly I cannot state this enough) - and how often they have been done. Results for ailments, like PLA for example, can change over a period of time and errors can be made. KC registration is not just about being able to gloat about your dog being a pedigree but rather the assurances and peace of mind that come with it.

A dog that shows a score of 0 at 2 years old (when most Stud Dogs start) could show a score of 1 or even 2 by the age of 4 or 5. I know a bitch that had a score of 0 at the age of 2 then by age 4 her score was 2 (which means she should not be bred from - and the breeder instantly retired her and alerted the owners of pups from the previous litter). The last thing you want is to be using a stud dog or a bitch that's 4 or five years but not been tested for PLA in 2 or 3 years.

That is why designer doodle breeders are so dangerous, unethical and a downright disgrace to breeding - because they know all of this and they do not give one single, solitary, fuck. Why? Because the potential owners don't care and they know there are people out there who want a particular characteristic (that let's be honest half these dogs don't have) enough that they'll buy anything.

Find me a cockerpoo/maltipoo/shitpoo/goldendoodle from parents who have health tests as extensive as the dog below and I'll never mention dodgy designer doodle breeding again. KC Registration is how breeders can find exemplary dogs to use as stud dogs for their bitches and to ensure that unhealthy dogs (for lack of a better term), such as the one I mentioned above, are not bred from again.

Yes, some KC breeders are unethical and shit. But the KC website and the ability it gives you to properly search dogs for their health tests - going back generations (and you can use also Champ Dogs for this) is worth it's weight in gold. You are far more likely to find a dog that comes from healthy stock if you do your research and the best tool you have for doing that is going through the KC and checking the health tests extensively.

KC registration does mean nothing at the end of the day but the tests that come with that - that are verified and done year on year, are crucial when buying a pup.

You might find a cockerpoo breeder who has done tests for PRA in their Spaniel or their Poodle, but I guarantee you - I'd literally bet my bank balance - that they won't have done them before each litter the bitch has and they don't have made sure the stud dog has done the same. If people want to run that risk (alongside all the other awful things these breeders do) that's their call...personally, I couldn't sleep at night.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/dog-profile/?dogId=8c069bd5-c77b-e911-a8ad-002248005544

Rant over. 😁

The last thing you want is to be using a stud dog or a bitch that's 4 or five years but not been tested for PLA in 2 or 3 years.

But from your link I can see that stud was tested for PLA at age 8 and 5. Countless litters have come from him when he hasn't been tested within that year? And even when he has been tested there are 3 years between the tests.

I've just had a discussion about Cockerpoos with my vet tonight (I was just there getting my own (very large) breed vaccinated). We were chatting about the fashions of breeds over the years and the rise in popularity of Cockerpoos since Covid, and the issues many of them have. Nervousness is a big problem. They can also be barkers.
Crossing a Poodle with a Spaniel is not something many in the animal industry thinks is a good idea (and all of their coats produce dander hence are offer no protection from allergies). He said there can be some very sweet ones but many have nervousness/reactivity issues. I also have an elderly friend who used to judge at Crufts. She absolutely condemns the of Cockerpoos, for similar reasons to my vet.
My vet recommended for first time owners (I appreciate you are not one, OP) a Border Terrier or a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
My own son is looking for his first dog and I think we've managed to persuade him that a BT would be ideal and not the Visla he wanted that will need 3/4 hours exercise a day. I've owned many breeds in my lifetime-I think his suggestions are great for what you need. BT's are hardy little dogs with a great lifespan. Cavaliers are just gentle easy going dogs for those who want an easy time of it. I did query him on the brain issues that Cavaliers were highlighted for having many years ago on a BBC documentary, and he said it isn't a massive problem these days and all breeds have their problems.
Whatever you choose, make sure both mum and dad are health tested and that you see evidence of this.
www.champdogs.co.uk/
is a good place to find breeders who health test and display the outcomes quite openly.
If you look at the Kennel Club's website, you'll get a lot of of info, but just because a dog is litter is KC registered, it doesn't mean that any health testing has been done on either side. Good luck 🤞

It's not just the brain issues with cavs though, MVD is the biggest killer. I'm surprised a vet is recommending them tbh. Don't get me wrong, I had one as a child and they are the perfect dog temperament wise, but their health issues make them too risky for me unfortunately 😭

I just quoted you to demonstrate that having a X breed isn't always for healthier dogs- despite the popular belief. Both are recommended for BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, both breeds are also prone to Cushing's Disease and dental/ gum issues. It's also recommend to test for hip dysplasia. Everything mentioned makes for a miserable and painful life for the dog and can be costly in treatment.

So, any cross of these 2 breeds is just as vulnerable to known inhereted conditions/ diseases as a pure breed.
Granted the Shih Tzu is brachycephalic, so at least you stand a good chance that your pup can breathe normally unlike the mum or dad.
At least with a pedigree dog it's easier to find breeders who do the health tests and you'll have acess to the results via the Kennel Club.

To many people buy a dog willy nilly or because they can ... without a thought on the health implications of the dogs.

Breeders get away with poor breeding, because people are unaware or simply don't care... and then there are the stupid breed standards!
And I am a firm believer that the UK dog breeding is in crisis. But that's for another day.

I have a cockapoo. He's a dream dog in every single way.

Our favourite thing is to ask Alexa if cockapoo are good dogs. It's spot on. I play it to him as a bedtime story.

I appreciate this sounds bonkers. But the little guy saved me at the bleakest moment.

NRTFT but I would avoid any of these crossbreeds. The no moult rubbish conveniently doesn’t mention these dog need a LOT of coat maintenance. As well as not being sure which mix of traits might present.
Get a poodle. Get another breed. Get a Heinz 57.

But he’s still been tested more than once, which is the point.

Also, being frank, most of the semen is extracted and frozen - and can be frozen for up to years. Lots of a stud dogs semen is frozen straight after their first test - if I wanted I could probably use semen from him for my next litter that’s several years old - that’s why the second test is so crucial because it gives you that crucial information.

As it is, the dog I’ll be using was tested at age 1, age 3 and age 4. He’s five this summer. All tests 0.

Yes but this is not what you stated in the quote I've highlighted. If you've used that stud, you're not being as thorough as you're demanding everybody else must be.

No, @CellophaneFlower I think you misunderstood me. I was saying find me a doodle breeder that’s had a dog as tested as that and has done the tests more than once - but I Imagine you won’t be able to, because they don’t. They know people who buy these dogs don’t do their research - because if they didn’t they wouldn’t buy them for these qualities that don’t exist - and so they know they can be lazy on health test.

I never said that particular stud was perfect - only he’s a damn sight better than nearly every dog a doodle breeder would use:

“Find me a doodle breeder who used a dog with tests as extensive as the dog below.”