Remind me why I don’t want a puppy

[wheretoyougonow]

My very much loved dog died 2 years ago (old age) I was heartbroken. Agreed that we wouldn’t get another dog as our children are now (just!) adults and we don’t want to have the tie a dog brings.

I was absolutely fine with that plan until a friend told me her dog is expecting and will offer us first refusal on a puppy if we want one. It’s an exactly the type of dog I would choose and I love the mum to bits.

Adult kids are saying they would help out - they were brilliant with our last dog.

Now I want another dog 😁 I think I might have some rose tinted glasses on though as I loved my dog so much and have tried to forget the time she ate through a wall 😂

Please remind me of the harder side to having a puppy/dog.

Pets to me are like having kids or a partner baggage i dont need.

@Lovemysleeeeeepis that why you chose that username? ;)

Yes.
Well who does not like a good sleep.
And doing what they want at the drop of a hat.

Cockerpoos are yappy bastards. Don't get one.

you still have 2 dogs so know what’s involved.

you will be shelling out loads of money on those two dogs, so times that by 0.5 and add it onto your expenses. probably more in the future for health issues for the 2 current dogs.

Adult DC won’t be responsible for the dog and will inevitably prioritise their work, studies, relationship, living in a location they choose, or whatever.

You know that F1 cockerpoos can come out looking like either parent, right? They are very variable due to being first generation crosses.

Health and temperament issues wise, they are vulnerable to problems affecting both cockers and poodles.

Ah, right. So the parents are a poodle and a - springer? Cocker?

I certainly have met some lovely cockerpoos.

Like daxons, you mean?

Sadly, OP, experience on mumsnet - over years tbh - is that cockerpoos are often badly bred and from inexperienced breeders who do not know what they are doing. People are rightly concerned that health tests of the mum and dad will not be fully up to scratch and not everything will be covered. Why is your friend not breeding her poodle with another poodle, out of interest?

There's a reason so many cockerpoos have so many health and behavioural issues - and it's bad breeding.

As I said, I don't think there's anything wrong with cockerpoos - but I would comfortable bet my bank account that your friends bitch and the stud dog are not health tested to the extent they should be, and, more your friend has no idea how complex, time-consuming and demanding it is to raise a healthy litter.

That may be unfair, but unfortunately that's my overwhelming experience of people who breed designer doodles. As far as I know, there's only one poster on mumsnet who managed to buy a cockerpoo where the parents had all the health tests they should have - and where the breeder knew what they were doing.

Why is your friend not breeding her poodle with another poodle, out of interest?

Because cockerpoos fetch more money, I should think @LandSharksAnonymous

Out of interest OP, how much are you being charged for the puppy? There's no way you're getting a "cockerpoo" for free.

It will be a terrible tie - it really will. You are just getting your freedom back after bringing up the children - thi9s is not the moment. Spread your wings a bit and reconsider it later.

Would you have thought of going out and getting a dog if your friends had not happened to offer one?

What are the things you want to do with that will be harder with a puppy and then dog? Do you want to forgo them if your
adult children are busy? Not just holidays but being spontaneous, going places that do not allow dogs, or do but charge.

Has not having a dog freed up money for treats, holidays, bills?

Are you happy living where you are or were you planning on down upsizing- would a dog affect that?

What is you health like - that could go either way of needing appointments to the requirements to dog walking being good for your fitness and MH.

Are there grandchildren and if there are would you be doing some childcare. I presume that would mean more care when they are together, esp younger children

Sorry this is not what you requested but I think you should go with what your heart tells you.

We lost our two elderly dogs (May 23 & Jan 24). Plan was to have a break and see if having more freedom and less responsibility was a good thing, especially as DC went off to uni last Sept. Initially I was so upset I couldn’t face getting anymore dogs anyway, but now time has elapsed, I feel I have a huge hole in my life without the dogs. I found my new found freedoms very overrated and realised what I loved most, was going out with my dogs. Luckily my husband has reached the same conclusion. There are always good reasons not to get a dog (all listed in this thread) but at the end of the day, it’s how you really feel. As a previous dog owner you know the responsibilities.

We’re now looking forward to the arrival of our new puppy, even with all the work and responsibilities it’ll bring.

@Houndmumma I understand that. Congratulations- enjoy your new arrival.

Ha! I knew it. I have a one and omg she's so naughty. But she's super cute, her favourite toy is..... A flower pot! Post a photo 😁.

Awww mate. Listen because every word of this is true. I house sit. Don't do dogs, only cats, chickens etc. Have a regular house sit that has a dog but the dog usually gets sent elsewhere and I do the house, garden, cats and chickens. BUT I did have the dog a couple of times now for just a day or two when they were stuck.

Until this last sit, finally persuaded to have the dog for the whole sit, couple of weeks.
This dog is now the only dog in the universe that I actually love. Could live with. Yes, she's a cockerpoo. What a bloody lovely, loving, affectionate, cute dog. (Words I never ever thought I'd say!)
I've failed in the brief of the thread haven't I? 😂

MN hates cockapoos with a vengeance. My old boy has just turned 14 and has been an absolute joy throughout. Not yappy at all (in fact my friend commented just the other day that she didn’t know what his bark sounded like as she’s never heard it) and, whilst he is very much a people-lover, we have had no issues with separation anxiety.
But DH and I are currently on different sides of the fence about what to do when he goes. He’s adamant he wants another one - I think this is the worst time in our lives to commit to one (just started retirement and we have so much travelling we want to do).
Watch this space!

MN hates cockapoos with a vengeance.

I hate next door's cockerpoo with a vengeance. It barks for fucking hours in the garden whilst they never seem to tell it to shut up. Our cocker spaniel on the other hand rarely barks. I'm not anti dog - I'm anti yappy buggers with owners who let them.

We got our f1 cockapoo nearly 2 years ago and he is fantastic. I can’t imagine our life without him. We take him everywhere possible with us. We got him from a council licensed breeder and he has the most fantastic temperament. His parents were kennel club registered. Everyone who meets him loves him because he is such a loving gentle dog.

Errr...

A council license is a legal requirement for breeding - it's like how having a driving licence is a legal requirement to drive a car. And KC registration means nothing.

The only thing that matters are health tests - full health tests - for mum, dad, and both sets of grandparents.

Not saying there's anything wrong with your dog...but your points about his parents and the breeder are a tad disingenuous.

We’ve got a puppy. We got him to join our 1 year old, so had a puppy last year too.

Maybe we’re lucky, but we have found them both really easy. They’re both sparked out on a rug at my feet.

Sorry, I interpreted one of your posts to say that you had 3 dogs simultaneously but I think you meant one at a time, in succession!

I have had my cockapoo since he was 7 weeks and he was an absolute nightmare as a puppy . That cuteness was overshadowed by the crocodile stage , not being able to leave underwear anywhere , the constant attention seeking behaviour , we were staying in a caravan when he was a puppy and as he got older he was banned from the site for his behaviour 🤣

Now he’s such a lovely lad , so intelligent to train but the separation anxiety is a massive problem. I’ve been made redundant and I’m home with a broken bone atm and I can’t leave him alone for a second . They are such needy dogs :(

But even after all I would have another one tomorrow ! I absolutely ADORE the breed ! He’s so loving and i think as soon as you get the puppy trained you have a great dog . The intelligence of the poodle makes them great dogs .

Sorry but I wouldn’t get a cockapoo. Every single one I know and there are a lot, is hard work. They are hyper, bitey and barky.

Get a miniature poodle, they are amazing dogs and far easier. I dreaded the puppy phase, but our poodle didn’t bite, didn’t chew anything, settled straight away, has 100% recall. She came virtually housetrained. Poodles are extremely intelligent and clean, she never pooed in the house.

You get through the puppy biting, chewing, messing stage because they are cute.
Then you have to survive the bastarding teenage phase with constant gritted teeth.
Then they settle & you adore them. They are trained, loving, loyal, gorgeous companions.
You deal with the issues of old age.
Then you have to suffer the heartbreak of losing them.
We've now said no more when we lose our last 2.