Is it awful to be considering a doodle..? First time dog owner

[AmpleLilacQuail]

Hi all, I’ve been thinking about getting my first dog for a few years and I’m now in a position to do so - very exciting.

Initially I was sucked into the cockapoo/cavapoo ‘hype’ but I went off them as I was worried about potential behavioural and health issues. I then had my heart set on a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel although I know they have their own health issues!

Anyway, now the time has come to get the dog, I’m back to considering a cockapoo.. is it terrible of me? I am open to other small/medium sized dogs too, if anyone has any suggestions?

The main driver behind this is that I live rurally and it’s much easier to travel an hour or two to a cockapoo pup, as it could be a 7 hour drive (each way!) for a CKCS.. which is just too far.

I check my local SSPCA weekly and I never see any dogs that would be suitable for me as a first time dog owner.

Get a poodle!

If I was after a terrier I’d get a border, great little dogs. The ones I’ve met and cared for have been easy going, hardy and not barky (which is important to me)

Unless you get dog from the toy category (bred to be lap dogs) all other pedigree were originally for working in one form or another. So all will come with some inbuilt mechanisms. The advantage of terriers over spaniels is they are less inbred. I am not the biggest terrier fan as I love sighthound. But I have met a few border and they are smart and whimsical. I had a Westie and a Scottie, never again.

It’s not about the fact it’s a poodle cross. It’s the fact that it’s not a particular breed. So there is no breeder who is breeding as they care about the breed standard and breeding the best example of that breed that they can. It’s generally puppy farmers and backyard breeders who don’t know enough to do a good job.
You could rescue one. Plenty of people buy them as cute pups then give them up when they realise they are active dogs that need mental stimulation as well as exercise. Oh and very regular grooming.

And out of interest…how health tested were their parents, and how many litters did the mum have? Just curiosity

Don’t. Those doodle breeds are awful and every one I see is yapping its head off non stop.

Get a Whippet.

You’re not being unreasonable, but do consider the ‘bad’ side of cockapoos before getting one. My parents have two who are absolute darlings and no bother. Ours, who we rehomed from a family member of my OH, is my absolute soulmate, but riddled with genetic issues. He has luxating patella (costing us a small fortune in weekly hydrotherapy to try and avoid him needing an operation), resource guarding issues (these are well managed and no issue to us anymore after lots of work with a positive behaviourist but we’re TOUGH in the beginning) and has digestive problems. All thought to have genetic links. Family member bought him from what she thought was a nice breeder. Bless her, she was very naive and it’s very obvious that his breeding is poor, but we wouldn’t change him for anything. Everyone has lovely things to say about cockapoos but for me it’s very much luck of the genetic draw + lots of hard work in the early stages. Ensure if you get one you go into it knowing about the genetic predisposition to things like resource guarding and ensure you’re proactive in preventing it (e.g. never just taking things off your pup, instead teaching a ‘leave it’ cue and provide reward; leave them alone when eating; don’t leave things lying around for them to steal that you will then have to get off them). Dogs trust has some amazing proactive advice. I work with dogs and see a LOT of old misinformation like “put your hand in their bowl as they’re eating”. Bad advice like that actually causes resource guarding and you’re setting a dog up to bite. So just beware of where you get advice from and ensure it’s reputable. The ABTC website is the only place I’d look if I needed a dog trainer for puppy classes or anything else. All are vetted against strict criteria and are all force free and ethical practitioners. I’m also very pro-rescue but know that not everyone is able to rescue and that many rescue dogs need experienced homes.

If you want a mixed breed, go to the shelter.

Don't pay people to mix breeds.

There is a reason certain breeds aren't mixed and buying/breeding a mixed breed because they're 'cute' is unethical.

If you want a ethically bred dog, go to the breed club for the dog you are considering and have a chat with the club. They will educate you on the breed and point you to a breeder if you're still interested.

Out of interest why cockerpoos over a poodle?

I’ve got a cockapoo & cavapoo. Both rehomed & wouldn’t change them for the world. Cavapoo is all about cuddles & food. Cockapoo is ball obsessed & a total gentleman.

We've got a cockapoo. We were aware of the puppy farm issue and chose a breeder who let us visit every week from the moment the litter was born. The one week we couldn't go, my son went on our behalf.

He's well trained, loving, not at all neurotic BUT his prey drive is really high. He comes back when called 99% of the time, but when he sees a hare or a muntjack he just takes off and won't come back.

Hi OP, I adore my cavapoo (from reputable breeder) but I wouldn't get another as she is such an anxious dog. Such a sweetheart though and amazing with children.

Sorry @mismomary but I would dispute there is any such thing.

Yes don’t get a cavalier or a cavalier cross. The health issues are horrendous for them as well as being very expensive for the owners.
I have a cavalier kc rescue who was used as a breeder for a puppy farm. The emotional issues that poor dog has from being kept in that environment and treated that way is heartbreaking. I’d love to tell you please don’t get a puppy, because behind the scenes there’s just abuse and devastation, but that’s not the point of the thread.

Everyone saying get a poodle, I’d have loved to do that. But also in rural Scotland and I looked for a year, not a single poodle for sale within a 5 hour drive.
I really want a poodle for our next pup but I’m not travelling to England for one.

We rescued a 5month labradoodle. She’s bonkers and anxious. And lovely!

But being realistic, how many rescue dogs are actually suitable for someone who’s not had a dog before? When I look at rescue websites there are so many requirements that I don’t meet.

Plus, I don’t have children of my own but I have friends/family with kids and I may do one day, so I need to be mindful of that too when getting a dog.

I’ve thought about rescuing a puppy from Romania or similar, but that doesn’t sit right with me because I just have no idea about their background.

In the past I’ve had cats and I’ve always got them from the SSPCA. I’d love to do the same with a dog but it is really difficult to do that.

(Ps, I don’t mean to single you out, but there are a few other “get a rescue” comments on the thread so just explaining!!)

A small Labrador? Great first time dog, fairly easy to find well health tested puppies with extensive family history, fairly easy to train. They do shed like mad and are a bit stinky, but there's a reason they are so popular. And you could offer it a great life where you live, do a bit of gun dog training etc.

If you don't care about shedding then Labradors and springers cannot be bettered.

A springer?! For a first time owner?!

Absolute madness.

I wouldn't even recommend a cocker spaniel for a first timer tbh

This video is funny and in jest but there is actually a lot of truth in there

We got our first dog in April, a cockapoo.

We Love him more than I can describe, and he’s doing well with training and generally well behaved.

But it’s been a steep learning curve and knowing what I know now, I would get a poodle next time, and would advise others against a crossbreed/poodle mix.

or a cairn terrier, great family dogs and are on the endangered list.

They are amazing with children too.

Also perfect for Scotland!

A beaglier is the best dog ever. All the cuteness of a beagle, not quite so much nose, and all the cuddliness of a cavalier. And if the parents are tested then I think the risk of any genetic issues is very much reduced. I have absolutely loved having this dog!

Another one saying Poodle. I walk a cavapoo and as lovely as he is with children he is neurotic and full of anxiety. There is no situation in which he seems happy. I feel terribly sorry for him.

We have a Cavachon, he’s 9 now, he’s been the best little boy never an issue, but I think we were lucky.
I also have a KC registered Labrador from an amazing breeder, in honesty dogs don’t need crossing they are perfect as they are meant to be.

Yep agree. I also got my first dog shortly after you, also a doodle. I've been very very lucky in terms of temperament etc but boy oh boy could it have gone the other way.

I would also get a standard poodle next time. Everything I love about her is the poodle (and she's over 80% poo!)

ETA: I also thought the breeders were nice people but oh dear... naive.