Cockapoo or Cavapoo

[KaleQueen]

We’re taking the plunge with our first dog this year. In the research phase and it’s down to either a Cockapoo or Cavapoo. We’re going for male I think. We’re an active family and have one of us working from home. Two kids over age of 10 both sensible. Small ish house and mid size garden. Lots of fields and green space nearby. Want a dog that won’t chew our house to bits and be fairly well behaved! Committed to fully training them obviously as I know that’s an essential factor for behaviour. I adore dogs and walk others’ regularly so I’m really excited we’re taking this first step to get our own but I’m worried about making the wrong choice. Any advice would be hugely appreciated

I would echo what a lot of people have said. We (naively) got a cross breed about 9 years ago, not the same as the breeds you are looking at but a springer cross so similar. I wish I'd done more research and just got a known breed. I love him to bits but he has been hard work and looking back now he clearly came from a puppy farm

He's very anxious, we've worked on it really hard with trainers and behaviourists and made progress but it is always there. He also has a lot of health issues and costs us around £300 a month for insurance and medication, and that's without food or any extra costs. I know you can't always guarantee a pedigree will be healthy, but at least you stand a better chance if you get one from a breeder that wants to actually improve a breed they love and breeds from healthy dogs to start with

Knowing what I know now, I would never suggest getting a cross breed. I would always suggest just getting a known breed and doing as much research as you can

I’ve seen a few shorts from vets who say to avoid the -poo mixed dogs, as pp said poodles are good dogs, we had one when I was in my teens and she was great. We have a Samoyed now, also a great dog but you need to put in the effort to train and pay for training too, loads of walks and socialisation - she pretty much comes everywhere with me

Haven't RTFT (I have outdoor work to do before the rain starts) but my suspicion is that a lot of issues with cockapoos stem from being poorly bred (parents not selected for temperament, puppies poorly socialised), going to first-time owners who are in over their heads, and being half working cocker. Cockers are fabulous dogs in the right hands, but working-line dogs need an outlet that plays to their strengths and scratches the itch that they have been bred to have.

If you have a puppy with a genetically questionable temperament, going to a family with zero experience of dog ownership, and who happens to have got the working cocker mentality, the chances of a disaster go through the roof.

Yes, there are plenty of delightful cockapoos - and I have no opposition to cross-breeding in and of itself - but it is so often badly done, with no aim in mind other than to sell the puppies and make £££.

Thanks so much. This post has really made me smile. I’m absolutely committed to training and agility and other breed appropriate enrichment that keeps the dog happy and healthy and I love the idea of these clever athletic poodles memorising the course 😃

Cavs are one of the least healthy breeds there are, so bad that breeding them is banned in Norway. It's irresponsible to have anything to do with them IMO despite how gorgeous they look.

Anyone who breeds a whole host of different poos is going to be a puppy farmer, in fact finding a good breeder that breeds designer dogs is likely to be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Buy from a puppy farmer and you have no idea what you're getting either, they'll tell you it's one thing and it can grow up to be something else (often much bigger).

I'm a dog sitter and I would never get a poo cross, the chances of them being anxious and unable to be left for 2 minutes is high IME. They're not always so sweet natured either, I know one that killed all of next doors chickens.

Get a poodle or a show cocker (definitely not a working springer!) rather than a cross, both are wonderful dogs.

Just in case no one has mentioned it - make sure you get an F1, which is a first generation cross of a cocker spaniel and poodle. Also, if you're on Facebook, look up Cockapoo's as there are lots of groups of owners. You'll get a better idea of what type of dog you're getting and lots of tips and pointers of where to get one. I belong to a group and used to meet up for walks. It was fabulous, they greet each other like long lost cousins and get on great. By far the most sociable dog I've ever had. He's 10, almost 11 and no health issues, doesn't shed a single hair and I've learnt how to groom him. As pp have pointed out, separation anxiety is an issue with this breed so make sure from the get go that you 'train' for this and you'll have a wonderful dog.

I think you need to go back to the research stage and think carefully about what you want/need from a dog and exactly what you can offer a dog.

You seem to have narrowed it down to two cross breeds, based purely on the fact you know people who own them and your DH is alright around them. Yet you have nothing good to say about either of the actual dogs.

You say you are "absolutely committed to training and agility and other breed appropriate enrichment that keeps the dog happy and healthy". Yet you don't want a dog that needs "specific enrichment like a gun dog". Is it only gundog training you are against?

Wanting a dog that isn't too big, isn't too small and loves long walks is what led me to getting working cocker spaniels. I have done obedience and gundog training, hoopers and agility with them. They are happy with all the activities, as they are people pleasers and enjoy food rewards. As puppies, some have had an occasional nibble of a skirting board if I wasn't looking, but they have never destroyed my house. They do, however, shed quite a lot so probably aren't the dog for you.

Even if you manage to find an ethical breeder, there is no guarantee of what you'll get with a cross breed. I knew someone with littermate cockerpoos many years ago. One looked just like a cocker spaniel; the other looked like a poodle.

If I was you, I'd seriously consider a miniature poodle. They have the look your DC want, the coat your DH needs and you have more chance of finding a good breeder, who does all the relevant health checks.

@BeethovenNinth Springers are wild with terrible recall

What utter poppycock!

I have a border terrier - as a first time dog owner. Hes a good wee thing in general but recall isn't the best if he catches the scent of something he wants to chase/kill so he doesn't get off the lead when going for walks, not a big issue for us as we have an enclosed field out the back for running around, chasing balls etc but might be an issue for some. He doesn't do much shedding but like anything with hair - he does lose some.

Have you thought about a miniature schnauzer? I know people who have them as they have allergies.

My brother's springer has been trained to come back to a whistle recall - it's amazing to watch - he can be a long way away with only the movement of some bracken to let you know where he is - out comes the whistle and he comes racing back.

I took our cockapoo, a bright energetic well behaved little dog, to agility once. She strolled around the course at just below walking speed with a real air of - I'm doing this as you seem to want me to - but I'm absolutely not going to act like an eager little loon like these other dogs.

See her tearing up and down a hillside and over stiles, and under trees and into rivers in the real world. But in an arena with other dogs - nope, too cool for school.

I know several cavapoos and cockapoos and the difference is mainly size it seems. The cockapoos seem calmer but that may be training. None have health issues. Do your research into the breeder.

Im just taking my time to go through all the helpful replies and wondering why you felt the need to be so unkind? @HoppityBun I am reading these comments and I’m trying my best to do my proper research and I’ve clearly got a lot to learn. I have even admitted I’ve been naive being taken in by that site. No need to rub it in.

I’m def coming round to mini poodles. I’ve been having a good look this morning. Thank you.

I do tend to notice that people who want a doodle then go on to list all the qualities of a poodle 🤣 then insist they don’t like poodles 🤣

i’m in a yorkie group and had someone asking for yorkipoo breeders, because they wanted a Yorkshire terrier, but needed it non shedding and hypoallergenic because of allergies- errr a yorkie then?

the doodles have done marketing right, you have to give them that. So many people convinced that crossing a poodle with another breed will somehow give them a better poodle with more poodle qualities 🤣.

Can I put a shout in to suggest a Coton de Tulear? Although they're small, they are sturdy, doggy little dogs, who are always up for a hike or an adventure. Any dog can have health issues, of course, but as a breed they are healthy, and not prone to genetic issues.

They tend to have sunny, happy-go-lucky temperaments; very adaptable and great travellers. They are smart and quick to learn, with real personalities, and very people oriented.

You need to keep on top of grooming, otherwise they will get matted. I keep my Coton trimmed short and it's pretty low maintenance. They don't shed, so can be a good option if people have allergies.

@KaleQueen budget for grooming (we never got the knack of doing it ourselves) ours is £50 every 6 or so weeks otherwise they get matted. Poodle is a good choice though.

Our Cavapoo destroyed our house. I work from home too and thought it would be enough ro physically be with him but he was miserable unless constantly being stroked/ cuddled. It is not a low maintenance breed with a young family. We spent a fortune on behaviourists and training but we’d get over one issue and another one would arise. In the end it was too much. I really wouldn’t recommend it as a breed I’m afraid

Bichon frise is a similar dog. Or even a Maltese.

Agreed!
I know springers with fabulous recall. You just have to train them!

There are often people on these threads who love to jump all over the OP. It's unkind and unnecessary and just discourages people for asking here for advice.

I think you will make a wonderful home for a dog - as you are now thoroughly doing your research and taking comments on board. Just take your time, and borrowing your sister's dog might be a good starting point for figuring out the allergies issue.
I also recommend looking at miniature schnauzers - ours doesn't moult at all. She was a rescue so don't rule those out either - when you're ready. Good luck!

This is our 6yo mini poodle. He’s refusing to get up for a picture because he’s just come back from the vets and is sulking.
He doesn’t shed at all and DH’s allergy isn’t triggered.
I’m always telling people he’s a poodle not a cockerpoo. I know it doesn’t matter but I do enjoy correcting know-alls 😀

@AnnPerkins It does matter! I have a liver and white working cocker. Everyone thinks she is a springer and some people will even argue with me when I correct them.

I hope the vet visit was a routine one and nothing concerning.

If you are wanting to get a mongrel go to your nearest rescue centre and get one there 🤷‍♀️