[Blaablaa]

Hello, I'm new here, although I've been doing nothing but reading and talking about Cockapoos and breeders for the last month or two! It's all a bit boggling, so I'd like to ask you people out there for the benefit of your experience, please.
Can anyone recommend a good breeder, preferably in the north half of the country (I live in Yorkshire but would be prepared to travel within reason).
Ideally I'd like a light coloured one, sandy/white mixture would be lovely, not sure whether I want a boy or girl, but I'd like to have one any time from late January 2012.

What good/bad experiences have you had with breeders?
What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you were looking for your Cockapoo?
Thanks, folks.

 

[Tressa]

Hello and welcome - I can only speak from my own experience as Teddy is our first dog. You would need to decide whether you want American or English cross, mini or toy. We went for an American boy in white and apricot from Jandaz in Wales. She is a well established breeder and not too far from you. It all depends on your particular preference, of course, and there are plenty of others on here with as much information as you can handle!

 

[Turi]

Hi there

Welcome to the forum :welcome:

Do you know what mix you would like? English show/English working or American? Sired by a miniature or toy poodle? There are some differences in energy levels, appearance and coat types but because a Cockapoo is a cross-breed you’re never 100% sure of what you’ll get! There is a good show of photos here of the different types of Cockapoos http://www.cockapooclubgb.co.uk/what-do-the-variations-look-like.html and information relating to colours available here http://www.mydogslife.co.uk/cockapoo-coat-colour-catalogue/.

There are a few main commercial breeders and many of their pups are on this forum so you’re in luck.

Anzil (Anthony) – based in Liverpool – do a search on the forum for Laura(L) Izzie. Laura has two of Anzil’s pups. Anthony does English show and American crosses.

Broadreach Dogs (Anne) – based in Cambridgeshire – do a search on the forum for Mia’s Mummy. Anne specialises in English working crosses. I am on the list for one of Anne’s dogs which will be ready to take home at the end of Feb. Eeeeeek, so excited arty:

Jukee Doodles (Stephen & Julia) – based in Lincolnshire – do a search for michaelwatson54 or Cockapoodledoo as they both have two of Jukee Doodles’ pups. Stephen and Julia specialise in English Working crosses. They have a very good description of the differences between the three types of Cockapoo on their website.

Marley Doodles (Thirza) - based in Gloucestershire - do a search for mariag - her puppy Oakley is just sooo handome! Thirza's bitches are from a mixed background of English show and working.

Jandaz (Janice) – based in Wales – do a search for suerandall. Sue has two of Janice’s pups. Janice does English Working, English Show and American crosses.

Topmac (not sure of the owner nor where they are based. Do a search for Wellerfeller – Karen’s black dog is from Topmac. They do English Show and American crosses.

Sylml Cockapoos (Sylvia) – based in Lincolnshire also – do a search for Kendal as she has four of their dogs. Sylml do English Show crosses and American and Cavapoos too.

These are the biggest breeders I can think of... however, you may choose to go for a home or a hobby breeder. I don't have any experience of these but I'm sure someone will be able to help on the forum!

Turi x

 

[Blaablaa]

Wow! Thanks for the quick replies - very kind of you!

Having spent so much time recently seeking out breeders, I think I've come across most of those mentioned (JukeeDoodles have been especially helpful, but their waiting list is, not surprisingly, quite long) but I just thought it would be good to hear 'from the horses mouth' what it's like to deal with the various people.

Thanks for the search suggestions, I'll look them up now. (I really MUST get on with my Christmas card writing.... later!!! )

 

[Turi]

No worries - I hope you manage to find a puppy. I was searching for MONTHS, no joke. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone on the forum got fed up of my moaning

Let us know how you get on

Turi x

 

[Mogdog]

Hi and welcome. My second cockapoo, Bess, is from Jukee Doodles who I would highly recommend, although I see you would like a puppy quite soon.

The only thing I wish I'd known when choosing is that colour doesn't really matter (you'll love it whatever colour) and that choosing for temperament is more important. Also important to see the puppy's parents, particularly mum.

Good luck with your search.

Sue

 

[Laura(L)Izzie]

Hi & welcome!
I'm the laura(L)Izzie that Turi kindly mentioned
I have two girls from Anzil, & my oldest sounds like the colour you are looking for?
She is cream & absolutely beautiful I couldn't recommend Anzil's enough, I will attach a picture of my girls for you to look at. I don't think Anthony (Anzil) keeps a waiting list either as you never know how many pups you'll have & so he doesn't want to get anyones hopes up when he isn't sure, although I know some litters have a lot of interest before they are born, so try get in there early if you decide on one of his pups haha

Good luck with your search & let us know what you decide on!

This is Izzie my cream girl (14 months old)

& this is Poppy my dark apricot girl (3 months)

 

[Blaablaa]

Thanks again folks. It's encouraging to get a genuine recommendation.

Turi, yes I can see that it could take a while. I hope you're happy with your eventual choice. As for type, for me it's between the two English types of cocker, so if anyone has any comments.....? I suppose I want one that is fairly relaxed (obviously with some personality) as there are no kids in my house to run around with it - in fact there's just me.

Sue, yes, I'm coming round to that conclusion about colour. I guess the reason I'm kind of stuck on the apricot-ish idea is that the first Cockapoo I met was that colour and it was love at first sight! But I'm sure any colour is just as lovable.

Laura, thanks for the gorgeous pics - awwwwwwwwwwwww!
Here's a question - at what point does apricot become golden? (Or vice versa.) Just out of interest, was Poppy any lighter or darker when she was born?

 

[Laura(L)Izzie]

Laura, thanks for the gorgeous pics - awwwwwwwwwwwww!
Here's a question - at what point does apricot become golden? (Or vice versa.) Just out of interest, was Poppy any lighter or darker when she was born?

Thanks & no worries.
Erm well when we got Izzie she was golden, but we were told by the breeder when we got her so we did expect it (as her dad was mainly cream - exactly Izzie's colour pretty much with the apricot ears) & we love the colour
Although generally they don't get darker I don't think... Poppy was maybe a little darker when she was born, then she started coming through much lighter & then started to come through darker again on her back after a few weeks, so tbh we have no idea what colour Poppy will turn out when she is older...

I forgot to mention as well, my two are English show cocker x miiature poodle & people do say that show cockers tend to be less lively, although I don't think you can ever kow 100% with a crossbreed what you'll get.

 

[Mogdog]

The apricots and pale colours are good because you can see their features more clearly, but not so good because you can see the mud more clearly! Usually, apricot tends to get lighter in colour as they grow up.

Maisie as a puppy:

older puppy:

and adult:

 

[Turi]

Turi, yes I can see that it could take a while. I hope you're happy with your eventual choice. As for type, for me it's between the two English types of cocker, so if anyone has any comments.....? I suppose I want one that is fairly relaxed (obviously with some personality) as there are no kids in my house to run around with it - in fact there's just me.

You will have a great personality whether you get a Cockapoo from English Show lines or English Working lines. There are a few threads on here regarding the differences:

http://ilovemycockapoo.com/showthread.php?t=5005&highlight=show+working
http://ilovemycockapoo.com/showthread.php?t=1753&highlight=show+working+strain

When my boyfriend Marcus and I were researching the difference between a Cockapoo from show and a Cockapoo from working lines we found it helped to do some internet research on the difference between Cocker mothers. These links might be of interest:

http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/lookingforapuppy.htm
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=53253.0
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090115065451AAzFdKE
http://www.particolouredcockers.co.uk/cockertypes.htm

What you might have noticed from these threads is that there are sometimes conflicting messages... not meaning to confuse you, just trying to illustrate that at the end of the day regardless of how much research you do you might not be 100% sure of how our puppy will turn out but as everyone on here will say, you will love it unconditionally.

If you are going to be the sole carer of a puppy and want a chilled one then my advise would be to speak to a breeder about the temperament of the parents... I personally think going by their temperaments and energy levels is a better guage than choosing specifically working or show lines.

My boyfriend Marcus and I chose Broadreach dogs because
- we wanted a breeder who did all the necessary health checks
- we wanted our puppy to be raised in the hub of the house
- we knew we wanted a puppy from Broadreach
- we wanted to be able to visit as much as possible so distance, for us, was important.
- we wanted a breeder who’d be happy to speak to us about any issues.

Oh, and we're signed up for an apricot/golden boy!

I hope this helps!

Turi x

P.S. I know that Broadreach have a litter that are due to leave in January and Marley Doodles do too.

 

[ali-s.j.]

Visit the breeders you like the look/sound of, be prepared to travel and be prepared to wait for the right puppy

 

[Blaablaa]

Thanks Laura and Sue, very interesting and lovely pictures, thanks.
BTW I've just come back from a friend's house - she had a young Jack Russell and it was flippin' mental! It just wouldn't stop flying about and jumping all over me and to be honest it kinda got on my nerves. Are all puppies like that?

 

[Blaablaa]

Sorry, I missed your post Ali, thanks for that too (and any others I've inadvertently missed - well, I am new here!)

 

[Mogdog]

Thanks Laura and Sue, very interesting and lovely pictures, thanks.
BTW I've just come back from a friend's house - she had a young Jack Russell and it was flippin' mental! It just wouldn't stop flying about and jumping all over me and to be honest it kinda got on my nerves. Are all puppies like that?

No, not all puppies are like that. All are playful, some are very exuberant and some are calmer and more laid back. Jack Russells are very feisty little dogs though! Don't let it put you off cockapoos.

 

[Blaablaa]

That's reassuring, thanks.

 

[Blaablaa]

Sorry Turi, I was in a bit of a hurry earlier. Your links were very useful, thanks. And I agree with all your reasons for choosing Broadreach, they are on my shortlist actually, but unfortunately the only thing against them for me is distance - it's not impossible but tricky if I wanted to go more than once or twice - and there are others nearer.
How exciting that you've signed up for your puppy - well done you!

 

[JoJo]

Hi there .. great to hear you are doing your research before getting a puppy .. please keep us all posted when you do find your breeder and of course your cockapoo puppy

 

[Turi]

Sorry Turi, I was in a bit of a hurry earlier. Your links were very useful, thanks. And I agree with all your reasons for choosing Broadreach, they are on my shortlist actually, but unfortunately the only thing against them for me is distance - it's not impossible but tricky if I wanted to go more than once or twice - and there are others nearer.
How exciting that you've signed up for your puppy - well done you!

No worries!

Hmmmm, yes. Yorkshire is quite far to Cambridge!

Who else is on your shortlist?

Turi x

 

[Blaablaa]

Well, as I said, JukeeDoodles really impressed me with their website and a VERY informative and friendly chat on the phone with Stephen.
Already mentioned Broadreach.
Also looking at Sylml and have spoken on the phone. Sounds good and it's much more reachable for me.
Same with Anzil but further away.
There are a few who I'm sure are great but just don't happen to have what I'm looking for available at the time that I'll be ready.
I have considered Rosedale, who are also within reach but, I don't know, something about the large scale and loads of different breeds...... just not sure. Anyone had experience of them?
Plus, I have been looking at a private first time breeder from their own pet. They seem very lovely people and the pictures and description of the parents are very favourable, but I'm just concerned that it may be slightly too much of a leap in the dark for me. I'm not that experienced with dogs and I feel that I would like to have the safety-net of the after sale backup that the more dedicated breeders seem to offer. I may not need it at all, but it would be good to know that advice is there should I do so.

Any comments, anyone? Am I being too cautious?

Having said all that, I have yet to actually visit any in person - can't wait to do that but it's that busy time of year, isn't it!

I really want to find somewhere I have complete confidence in.

By the way, it's the most BEAUTIFUL day here today, I hope all you Cockerpoo people are out making the most of it!