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.

Yes exactly the same for us with the breeders. We did our research or so we thought…… We were incredibly naive 🥲

We have a female Goldendoodle puppy.

She is 14 weeks old and will be a big girl.

I love her so much - but she will be the last. Never. Ever. Ever. Again.

The cat’s face says it all.

You can have my doodle if you want… honestly, don’t do it. Biggest mistake I ever made. Wish I could go back

I have a cockapoo who we rehomed when she was 1. I absolutely love her (she is ten now) but she has been challenging as she guards. She has definitely got more anxious too as she has got older. She has recently been prescribed Prozac which has helped massively with her guarding. She is the most beautiful dog but sadly I’m not entirely sure I would get another one in the future.

I have a cockerpoo from a well known breeder. Not yappy at all, health checked as were the parents, slept through the night from the start. Very smart and quick to learn and incredibly cute. But really naughty, comes when it wants, fussy eater and over excited about just about everything. I think on balance they are good dogs, good company but be prepared.

I have a cocker poo and he's great. Easy to train, calm and can be left for periods of time when needed.

What do you mean by a “well known breeder”? Can you share?

Against the grain but I think it is possible to have an ethical cockerpoo (or any cross breeder) and possible to have bad breeders of pure breeds. It's hard to spot is the problem and 'fashionable' dogs attract the bad ones.

However we've had two cockerpoos now (one long before they were so in demand) and both times we've met parents, had home visits to check we were suitable, and the litters have been spaced apart and capped at two. Both breeders will take them back if needed and one of them was happy to have the dog boarding in their home if we were going away. One was very calm and chilled most of the day, the most recent is very needy and anxious. Both were easy in the home. The most recent is hard to take out in that you sense it's not enjoyable but she's not bothering anyone.

I am minded that dogs are like people in that they have personalities. These are informed by breed but it's not quite so simple. Broadly our house was the same both times, family home, only dog, working from home, experienced dog owners. I'm sure some things are a bit different but not enough to explain such stark difference

It's right to be concerned about bad breeding but rescues aren't for everyone (even if you're allowed to once you get past of the silly rules - I know they need good homes but insisting on a six foot fence for a tiny dog for example) and it's not true that all cross breeders are unethical. I have close friends who have had an awful situation with a breeder of labs that turned out to essentially be a puppy farm and they've had the heartbreaking decision to pts due to such significant health problems. All dog owners need to be alert to that.

I got done too and I know dogs but they were always bought by family members. Those commercial breeders are very good salespeople and the kennel club is being used and abused.

If you are happy to get a poodle that looks like a cocker, a cocker that looks like a spaniel, or anything in between, then choosing a 'doodle' is fine. But you are literally at the mercy of the genetics. You could have the best or worst of both breeds.

We have Labradors. They are chalk and cheese in terms of personality. Both small (18kg fully grown). But we could have got labs that grew to 35kg.

The highest proportion of 1:1 behaviour visits in my training group is for cockapoos. They are often highly strung, anxious, resource guarding. It's not their fault.

Absolutely if you have the energy for a springer their nature is just so good. Id probably gonna lab first though. And currently the owner of a couple crossbreeds one of which is a cockapoo, and they are an absolute delight.
Tbh I think you have to be up for having a dog, their messing and all.

This! You sound a bit hopeless tbh.

I've had quite a few dogs over the years, mostly terriers, and honestly they were a dream. Calm, easy to train, just lovely little characters. I really thought I had the whole 'dog owner' thing sorted.

And then ...I got a Cocker Spaniel.
I did all the careful research, found a Kennel Club assured breeder who came highly recommended. And wow - never again. Not a Cocker, not a Cocker cross. They are completely bonkers.

I put in the time, training her every single day, but the moment she gets excited (about 95% of her day) it's like her brain falls out of her head and she forgets everything she's learned. And the health issues! Allergies, skin problems, ear infections, stomach upsets, joint issues, anxiety issues, just one thing after another.

Gundogs are amazing, but they really do need an experienced owner who understands their needs and can channel all that intelligence and energy into a proper job with a purpose. I can't imagine why anyone thought it would be a good idea to combine one with a poodle - a breed with its own highly strung temperament.

Personally, I'd recommend a Westie or a border terrier. Low drama, high fun.

How insightful, thanks bud

If you dont want a high prey drive, i would look into poodles and cocker spaniels individually...both of which usually have a high prey drive

If I’m honest I find the choosing a breed/breeder to be completely exasperating and is probably partly why I’ve put getting a dog off for so long. There’s no “best” decision, every breed and every breeder is going to have good points and bad points, everyone knows a dog of whatever breed that’s amazing or awful.. I’ve seen first hand through my friends poodle puppy that even a well recommended breeder can turn out to be seriously not great so I just don’t understand how anyone is meant to choose. And breeding in general still does weird me out a bit actually.

So maybe I am just destined to own sassy rescue cats for the rest of my life 🥲

Why would you want a doodle? What is it you are looking for in a dog?

Agree. Cocker spaniels are often aquired as a first time dog but for the life of me I don't know why.

Their need to work is as strong as a border collie or a husky. Spaniels are not for the feint hearted or inexperienced.

The only spaniel exception might be the cavalier King Charles but - heart problems are prevalent and their skull shape and capacity often conflicts with the brain size leading to painful neurological issues.

I had working cockers as my first dogs. I have two now that were born in the Highlands. They are great little dogs. They'll run for miles on a walk, but are very calm in the house.
If a cav is your first choice dog, a working strain might be too high energy for you. But a well bred, show strain cocker would suit.
There are good breeders in Scotland, but you might have to travel a few hours to get to one. One of the drawbacks of living so far north, I'm afraid. The other is being ripped off by delivery charges.

Alternatively, you mention recuing from SSPCA. Have you looked at Springer Rescue for Scotland? They have all types of spaniels and spaniel crosses and will rehome to first time owners.

I’ve seen first hand through my friends poodle puppy that even a well recommended breeder can turn out to be seriously not great so I just don’t understand how anyone is meant to choose.

Not great how?

Health issues? Did you friend get a puppy from fully health treated parents (who also had health tested parents)?

Behavioural issues? Often down to the owner, I am afraid.

I wish people would consider a cross breed and/or rescue dog - so many need living homes and it's seems wrong to fork out lots of money for thoroughbreds.

The problem is - as has been mentioned on this thread - it can be incredibly difficult to get a rescue. Must have owned a dog before, can't have kids, can't have cats, must have a big garden, must have 6ft fence etc...

I find this rather judgmental and holier than thou regarding rescue. Not everyone is made to rescue. I toyed with it for the breeds I love. I nearly went ahead with one but pulled back because the dog was used to the country and a quiet life. I am near central London. It is not easy to get a grown up dog and accept them for what they are. A puppy is easier to mould to my family needs.

If you have children, did you adopt them? Surely the same argument goes for humans and dogs.

They are people who are saints and can rescue, foster and adopt animals and humans. I have the greatest admiration for them and support them financially through donations because I can’t do it myself.

I like my pedigree breeds, trained my way and that can live in London with children and go off the lead. Am I selfish? Alright yes but I like to think that I know my limits and would not put myself, my family (near and extended) and the dog through misery just to prove that I am a better person.

The issue one needs to ask is why there are so many dogs needing rescuing. If you really want to help those dogs, find out why this is happening and sort it at the source. More often than not, it is people buying dogs without the faintest clue of the breed they are getting.

The solution is not necessarily in rescuing but in preventing dogs being given up in the first place.

We have a cavapoo, he’s a great little dog. Easily trainable, loves everyone and is great with kids and adults. Very gentle with other dogs. From what I’ve read cavapoos often have a main person, ours does, but he is loving with everyone. No anxiety, unlike the poodle next door which can’t handle visitors. He’s independent but cuddly if you want it, loves a good play. They do need a good amount of walking - ours would easily do 1-2 hours a day, but equally is happy with a quick walk when it’s stormy.

I honestly don’t know why people are so down on doodles. Dogs have been crossbred forever and if done properly, these are amazing.

I did read make sure you get a first generation i.e. a cavalier and a poodle cross, not a cavapoo with another cavapoo. We made sure to get a local puppy, we saw both parents and a dog from a previous litter and definitely don’t regret it.

Another vote for a Labrador. Yes they are bigger but they are (become) calm and easy to train.

We had a boarder terrier who I loved and was smallish and didn’t shed. A real character. But my Labrador who I have had afterwards is just so much easier. There is the shedding but her coat seems to self clean. The boarder terrier needed stripping or clipping every so often instead. (Not convinced that stripping is very kind for the poor dog). He was also more naughty - would disappear on walks and was never 100% reliably house trained.