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

P4H ads usually make me want to scream with rage, but this one looks actually ok, like a legitimate hobby breeder rather than a puppy mill or a scam. They specifically mention a 0% COI, which is a good sign.

Approach with cautious optimism 😉

The ad mentions a non-refundable deposit. Never pay a deposit before you have physically visited the breeder's home and seen the puppies interacting with their mother. A legitimate breeder will happily invite you to a viewing once the pups are around 3 to 4 weeks old before demanding cash. If they pressure you to pay a deposit online just to secure a spot or see them, walk away.

I would ask them which specific DNA tests have the parents undergone. For Miniature Poodles, the absolute bare minimum you want to hear is that they are clear of prcd-PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). They should also ideally have a recent clear BVA/KC clinical eye scheme examination certificate. Also, ask if the parents have been checked for luxating patella.

Ask if the puppies' KC registration papers have any breeding or export endorsements on them? It's a good sign if they do. Many responsible hobby breeders place a restriction on the paperwork preventing the dog from being bred for profit later on.

I would also ask what kind of socialization plan are they using with the puppies. They mention kids and cats in the text, but asking this lets them elaborate on how they get the puppies used to everyday household life, different surfaces, and early handling. Ideally, you want them to be at least a little familiar with everyday noises. Really good breeders do more, like get the puppies used to being in a car, starting on recall and so on.

A good breeder will be happy that you are asking those questions!

I’ve had a lot of people stop me on walks to admire my yorkie, comment on him being an “teacup” and ask if I’ve thought about breeding him. Usuallly by someone with a yappy fluffy thing.

well no. I have him as he was bred to show and came out not meeting breed standards- yorkies aren’t meant to be so small, and it causes massive health issues. His sisters did well in the show ring, but his breeder still spayed the mum asap as there was clearly a faulty gene in there somewhere.

but these people don’t care about health or responsible breeding, they think tiny yorkie x fluffy white dog will be £££££ in tiny fluffy “teacups”

We rescued our Cavapoo girl who had been used from breeding. Our first experience of dog ownership. She does look like a teddy bear but has transformed into that from the shaven sad little creature we rescued. She is adorable. Loyal, hardly barks, beautifully mannered. We pinch ourselves every day that we were chosen to have her.

Great assessments there from HungryHungryLandSharks and EdithStourton.

I’d be very cautious generally about any breeder advertising on Pets4Homes, because in my experience over many decades with dogs, a decent breeder will usually have a waiting list for their next litter before the mating takes place. If they haven’t, why not? Do they show or compete? Are they and their dogs known in the poodle world, with warmth and respect?

Complie a longgg list of sensible questions based on the advice you’ve been given, that require honest, factual answers. Phone by all means and get a feel of the intelligence, care and character of the person you may be handing £2k to, but absolutely get written answers to your important questions. And get a cast-iron guarantee that for the rest of the puppy’s life, the breeder will offer support to any and all your questions, and that they WILL take the puppy back if you ever need to rehome it, or support you through the process of finding it a new home. You need to like the people, not just the dogs, they should be people you’re happy to ring, send photos, keep updated, they should be interested in that generation of dogs all their lives, and not just interested in the £££.

All puppies are “adorable” (well, no, I detest some dog breeds at any age), all puppies “have their own personalities “, puppies of certain coat types will be “fluffy”. Look past that empty waffle and research things that matter. A breeder who cares where their puppies end up won’t mind you grilling them. And if it feels wrong, your spidey senses will alert you. NEVER buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it, either because it’s weaker or sicker than the others, or because you don’t think they’re nice to the dogs.

And never get sibling puppies, particularly not two sisters, without thoroughly researching litter mate syndrome. You can’t work full time and have any hope of making a success of educating litter sisters especially, and sadly there are many breeders (like the breeder of the (adorable and fluffy) Westie crosses that my sister was guilt-tripped into taking, with two pups left who’ll say oh, she’ll be so lonely by herself now you’re taking the other one, I could do you a special price for both, and whoops, you’ve spent more than you planned and a nightmare is about to begin. Kittens should go in pairs, but not puppies.

I’ll shut up. Good luck!

I love you’ve said ‘chosen to have her’ as I believe a dog chooses you just as much as you choose the dog. It’s like a two way mutual thing

We have a cockapoo, probably one of the best dogs we’ve had. Yes he’s a bit anxious, hates fireworks and follows you everywhere and always wants to play but no health issues and he is 7 now

We have a soft coated wheaten terrier. No shed, just a lot of joy.

I imagine the poster was talking about the people working at the centre rather than the dog. Let's not kid ourselves, dogs get no say in the matter. It's like saying the sofa at DFS chose you. Sorry but I think it is important to be honest.

a decent breeder will usually have a waiting list for their next litter before the mating takes place

I think in some respects, maintaining waiting lists suggests a level of breeding that is more commercial, the same with licensing. Both our dogs came from people who breed maybe once every 5/6 years, when they're looking for another pup to keep themselves. With our older one they had 7 homes lined up at the point of breeding, and ended up with a litter of 10, so 3 puppies looking for homes. I don't think that sort of ratio means it's a breeder you'd want to avoid.

And personally, I'd far prefer this sort of setup than someone who is raising two litters a year and maintaining waiting lists. I know of some setups like that and they move on ex-breeding bitches which is something I'm not comfortable with.

We had a West Highland terrier for similar reasons, non shedding etc. He was a lovely boy, great temperament, lived to 16.

Cavapoo - mine is 2 years old & not regretted my decision for a moment. I made decision based on general personality traits of being calmer & mine has always been a chilled out dude.

slightly biased due to friends cocker spaniel having to put down with unpredictable aggression problems caused by cocker rage which can be passed to mixes

Ah what a gorgeous dog

Cocker rage doesn’t exist. No competent vet or owner would ever describe it as such.

It’s as real as the Loch Ness monster.

You beat me to it. I do wish people would stop spouting this nonsense.

Although you are totally wrong about Nessie. 😂

Medical Term being idiopathic aggression - it does exist … Lovely working cocker spaniel would completely flip out for no reason, had every test under the sun including MRI to rule out epilepsy, engaged trainers, behaviourists & 2nd opinion Vet & a number of medications that didn’t work. Can assure you it was referred to as cocker rage and was upsetting to see him confused and lashing out and deeply upsetting that he was put to sleep.

I really don't know why these ones are not more popular, they were quite popular in my small neighbourhood when I was a kid, mostly from the same two breeders. Absolutely fantastic dogs. Probably a good thing they are not more popular really

So not cocker rage, as it isn't breed specific.

Conversely, I have a Cavapoo and she's the healthiest, most mentally balanced dog Ive ever had.

Ive only had pedigrees previously - Yorkshire terriers, Border terriers, Labradors and they all had far more chronic health/psychological issues than my Cavapoo who doesnt have any health issues at all.

Neither.
There is a lot of behavioural problems with these dogs.
Rather than make a fashion statement why don't you look at a pedigree?
Better still get one from a rescue centre 😊

Why the mix? Cocker spaniels are ideal family dogs. We’ve had three. They were/ are soft as butter and great with children. Our current one will sit patiently while my 5 year old tries hair clips and hairbands on her for ages.

Neither. They have behavioural and health issues which are difficult to avoid.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXKIKmZCdzQ/?igsh=MXZoeXkwOHRlcmVsNA==

In which case, you have been fortunate with your Cavapoo.

Christ.

My SD16's Mum has bought her a cockapoo and she's bringing it with her when she comes in summer.

I dislike dogs and am allergic to them so I was already dreading it. Now I'm wondering if I can move out until she takes it home.

I know loads of people who have a cockapoo (& I mean loads 🙄) & every single one barks constantly at everything/anything & can’t be left alone for any length of time. It’s incredibly tiring being in their presence as they’re totally neurotic & the constant barking is extremely irritating. Owners tend to tune out of their noise over time & will claim they don’t bark that much, but to a non dog owner, they do & it’s very annoying.

OP wants a low shedding breed, as her DH has asthma.