Cockapoos

grass_is_greener

thorsoak wrote: »

I'm sorry to disillusion you, but a cross breed (which is, after all what a cockerpoo is) will not be less likely to suffer the health problems of the pedigree breeds - it is more than likely to suffer the health problems of BOTH breeds involved!

You would pay less for a well-bred pedigree poodle or cocker from a breeder that really cares about the breed than you will from someone who is in it to make money!

You will not find the best examples of either breed being used to produce crosses - sorry.

Yes, it has already been said about the health problems, of which I have already taken note.
All breeders are in it to make money, I don't see why someone who cross breeds is any different??? Breeders who cross breed still care.
I am not looking for a dog who I can breed from, I am looking for a family pet so it doesnt matter about KC reg however, the dogs health is paramount.

Person_one

grass_is_greener wrote: »

All breeders are in it to make money, I don't see why someone who cross breeds is any different??? Breeders who cross breed still care.

Not all of them! There are breeders who do it just because they love their breed and they are happy make a loss on a litter of puppies to ensure everything is done correctly, from health tests to nutrition to travel arrangements for the right stud dog.

I'm not opposed to cross breeding at all, I think sensible crossing is a positive thing and actually vital to improve and preserve the health of many breeds.

However, it can't be denied that a lot of the breeders of crosses (especially those who advertise them under silly names) have seen ££ signs and are doing it for entirely the wrong reasons. It will be very very hard to find a good, ethical, responsible breeder of cocker/poodle crosses.

grass_is_greener

Person_one wrote: »

Eek! The chances of finding a poodle/cocker cross that won't trigger allergies is pretty slim I'm afraid. If that's really important to you then you really would be about a million times better off with a poodle. Poodle coats are also much much easier to manage and keep tangle free than most of the crosses I've seen.

The silly haircuts aren't compulsory, they just look like dogs under those pom poms!

I'm allergic, so I have a poodle. There's no way I'd take the chance of getting a dog and then having to give it up a few weeks or months down the line because I have a reaction to it.

Maybe its because I am allergic so its never even been an option for me, but I don't think looks should ever be a major reason for choosing a particular breed/cross.

Like I say, its my mum who has the allergy, not us.
She was okay with a cocker previously so I cannot see it being a big issue but is obviously something we have considered and know there is no guarantee.
Personally, I think the whole dog has to be taken into account and for me, that includes looks. There are certain dogs that I really dislike the 'look' of and I wouldnt get them for that reason. I know they are likely to be a lovely dog but are just not my thing, I dont see anything wrong with that.

grass_is_greener

Person_one wrote: »

Not all of them! There are breeders who do it just because they love their breed and they are happy make a loss on a litter of puppies to ensure everything is done correctly, from health tests to nutrition to travel arrangements for the right stud dog.

I'm not opposed to cross breeding at all, I think sensible crossing is a positive thing and actually vital to improve and preserve the health of many breeds.

However, it can't be denied that a lot of the breeders of crosses (especially those who advertise them under silly names) have seen ££ signs and are doing it for entirely the wrong reasons. It will be very very hard to find a good, ethical, responsible breeder of cocker/poodle crosses.

Yes, I do agree and I do get your reasoning, which is why I am doing my research now in order to hopefully find the right breeder. I have already discounted a fair few for that same reason. The website provided previously has been of great use and hopefully I can either discount the cocker cross or find the right breeder for us.

laplandmad

We have a nine month old cavalier x poodle. They look very similar to a cockapoo and he is often mistaken for one. We chose this cross breed because we have had Cavaliers in the past and liked their temperament. I am not ashamed to say that the idea of the poodle cross not shedding was appealing. He does shed hair but it is very very minimal and it does not get on your clothes if he sits on you. He is very easy to groom - no tangles or knots. We have had him clipped once - he is black and it was warm at the time! He is now very shaggy and looks beautiful.
We did our research very carefully and visited the breeder several times and saw both the Mum & Dad. The breeder lives over 3 hours away from us so it was a real commitment. We are still in touch with the breeder now, and I believe she takes a real interest in her dogs after they have new homes.
At the end of the day they are a cross breed and we did pay a lot of money for our dog, but it was our choice and we definitely made the right decision.

Lady_S

Well, lets throw my two penneth in now!

I am the very proud owner of a wonderful puppy who just happens to be a poodle/cocker cross.

He is now 12 weeks old and is an absolute joy to behold. Okay, I am shattered from looking after him, but it was the best decision I have ever made.

He is very easy going, happy, relaxed and amiable. He is quick to learn but also has a very very mischevious streak,

I visited my pup weekly from when he was teeny so when he came home with us he was relaxed in our company. The breeder had all the correct tests carried out before the dogs were mated, and we were able to meet the mum ( the dad didn't live with her)

For anyone looking to have a cockapoo I would suggest visting

http://www.cockapooclubchat.co.uk

They are very knowledgeable about what their dogs and I would beg anyone to say that the breeders on their are irresponsible at all.

grass_is_greener

laplandmad wrote: »

We have a nine month old cavalier x poodle. They look very similar to a cockapoo and he is often mistaken for one. We chose this cross breed because we have had Cavaliers in the past and liked their temperament. I am not ashamed to say that the idea of the poodle cross not shedding was appealing. He does shed hair but it is very very minimal and it does not get on your clothes if he sits on you. He is very easy to groom - no tangles or knots. We have had him clipped once - he is black and it was warm at the time! He is now very shaggy and looks beautiful.
We did our research very carefully and visited the breeder several times and saw both the Mum & Dad. The breeder lives over 3 hours away from us so it was a real commitment. We are still in touch with the breeder now, and I believe she takes a real interest in her dogs after they have new homes.
At the end of the day they are a cross breed and we did pay a lot of money for our dog, but it was our choice and we definitely made the right decision.

Your reasons for getting the cross breed are very similar to ours, and like you, we are doing careful research on breeders before we make our choice.

Lady_S wrote: »

Well, lets throw my two penneth in now!

I am the very proud owner of a wonderful puppy who just happens to be a poodle/cocker cross.

He is now 12 weeks old and is an absolute joy to behold. Okay, I am shattered from looking after him, but it was the best decision I have ever made.

He is very easy going, happy, relaxed and amiable. He is quick to learn but also has a very very mischevious streak,

I visited my pup weekly from when he was teeny so when he came home with us he was relaxed in our company. The breeder had all the correct tests carried out before the dogs were mated, and we were able to meet the mum ( the dad didn't live with her)

For anyone looking to have a cockapoo I would suggest visting

http://www.cockapooclubchat.co.uk

They are very knowledgeable about what their dogs and I would beg anyone to say that the breeders on their are irresponsible at all.

Thank you Lady S, I joined the CCUK website the other day and have contacted 2 of the breeders, they do live a long way from us though so am trying to work out whether it would really be realistic to buy from them given the distance and given that I would want to visit regularly. The website does seem invaluable though and like you say, the breeders on there certainly do not seem very knowledgeable and responsible.

Lady_S

Must admit I didn't get my pup from them. I couldn't have waited that long. But it did mean I knew what to ask when I did visit the breeder.

Did you know there is a forum? search cockapoo club chat

grass_is_greener

Yes, I have joined as a member (and seen one of your posts too lol).

Once I work out what we are doing, I will start posting on there. Just trying to get as much info as I can first and reading all the threads on there back to front!!

Lady_S

Oh dear ...

I nearly had a pup from Jandaz, a breeder in Wales. But I wanted one locally really so he didn't have so far to travel and I couldn't bear the JukeeDoodle waiting list.

He isn't perfect, but I am happy with my choice