Searching for a summer puppy

Chintzy said:

Hello,
I am new to this fabulous forum. We finally decided that a cockapoo is the dog for us. Very exciting but daunting too. I've read lots of really useful information about what to look for in a breeder and looked at all the breeders online and made a short list to call. Phew! I think we would like a working or show cocker with wavy curly coat. Ideally chocolate but it seems so hard to actually track a puppy down that probably the coat colour choice is a luxury. We really would like a breeder that is experienced and can help us afterwards as we are first time dog owners. However I think we have read Gwen Baileys book 3 times already. I only work very part time and mostly from home. As I work for a children's magazine I only work during term time so I am always home for children and hopefully a dog too if we are lucky. We would ideally love a puppy in July or early August do you think it's likely. Also can someone let me know the email address for topmac cockapoos? The website doesn't look right from my apple computer and I can't find the email address anywhere. I think that we won't be in luck there but you never know. I'm going to try Marley, broad reach, jandaz, colnevalley,cupschas, castle cockapoos, maple spring and doodle pets. Do you think that is OK? We live in Oxfordshire on Berkshire borders. Would love to join in the cockapoo gatherings if we do manage to get a puppy? It sounds like we could be waiting until 2013. Looking forward to hearing from you.

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Basically with the amount of breeders out there you could have one tomorrow - but finding the right dog from the right breeder may take you a little longer to find.
We are advocates of putting in the research - and you'll find no end of useful reading on the following websites - The Cockapoo Club of GB / the Cockapoo Owners Club / JoJo's blog "My Dog's Life" and on here.
A brief scan of your short-list would show that Castle offer F2 - you may need to do some more info searching as 99% of first-time Cockapoo newbies are really looking for F1 (there is more to consider with an F2 - potentially) - I also note that MapleSpring only state British Veterinary Association (BVA) testing - when I'm sure everyone on here will say a minimum of one parent PRA DNA tested Normal / Clear - so again could do with some research / advice.
As for the others on your list - I would only personally be able to recommend Anne at Broadreach - as we have heard nothing but good reports and the website is very clear - I'd also suggest Anthony of Anzil could be worth a call.

In answer to your question - doesn't look like Topmac do have an e-mail link - looks like you have to fill the on-line form in and press send.

This is a great forum and you will get heaps of advise - but we totally suggest looking to visit at least two different breeders and we would certainly advise you not to take a cheque-book - best go and visit initially as a fact finding tour.

I fully support your ethic - finding the right dog is worth the wait and opposed to finding a dog right now !

A very useful trick is to "Google" any breeder you are looking at - that way you get to read things that they have no editorial control over x

Stephen xx

Hi there!

Welcome to the forum :welcome:

My name is Turi. My partner Marcus and I are getting our first Cockapoo from working lines in less than two weeks :jumping:! She’s an apricot girl and from Broadreach Dogs in Cambridgeshire. I couldn’t recommend Anne enough – her breeding stock is health tested, she only uses mums and sires with fantastic temperaments, her puppies are whelped inside and she’s very supportive. Only thing is, I don’t think she has had any browns to date though I may be wrong.

Of the breeders you have mentioned:

Topmac don’t have an email address – you can only fill a form in on their website. I filled it in three times and still heard nothing! They specialise in English Show and America – do a search for Weller and he is from there.

Marley Doodles’ bitches are apparently 50/50 working and show lines so a good compromise! Thirza chooses the puppy for you and so far this seems to have resulted in some very happy customers. Do a search for Oakley, Benji and Whynny.

Broadreach – as above.

Jandaz do all three ‘types’ of Cockapoo – there are lots of Janice’s Cockapoos on here. Do a search for Bo – she’s very cute!

Colne Valley – I don’t know much about Joe bo a search for Lolly – she’s from there and is absolutely gorgeous.

I’ve never heard of Cupschas, Castle Cockapoos or Maple Spring?! Where did you find them?

Doodle Pets use a Toy Poodle so you’d need to ensure that he is tested for luxating patellas as well as hip and eye tests.

There are other commercial breeders out there – Anzil, Syml, Jukee Doodles (they ‘do’ beautiful chocolates!). I also wouldn’t rule out a hobby breeder – there are many out there that do all the relevant testing and the added bonus is that they will probably only have one litter so they’ll be well socialised. We went to meet a lovely couple in Kent who specialised in working Cockapoos. Ian and Claire Smith – their Cockapoos are primarily dark apricot/red.

Regarding meets I’m organising a meet in Bushy Park, Middlesex for Sunday 25th March – I know you won’t have a puppy by then but there are lots of people going and it would give you a chance to meet some adult dogs before making a decision on what you want!

Good luck and let us know how you get on : )

Hi Turi, thanks for the very in depth reply. I spoke to Anne this morning and I know exactly what you mean. Very lovely. She doesn't operate a waiting list so I need to call back in a month or three. The length of time for waiting lists is a bit daunting but definite for the right dog. The Jukee doodles look absolutely amazing but am a bit out off by the huge number of people already registered. Would I ever get to the front of the queue? They do look like a very very caring breeder though so maybe the year wait would be worth it. We would be very flexible on colour for the right dog. SO glad you are getting a dog from Broadreach. V jealous in fact! Castle cockapoo is a small hobby breeder, she has one litter a year and she's very informative. She did have a pra affected cockapoo from someone so she was heavily into testing. Unfortunately no litters this year. Would you be able to send me a few more of your leads, now that you have found your lovely pup. It's a bit forward of me I know! I'm a bit of an OCD freak myself. I was even trying to explain the whole recessive dominant gene cross thing to my daughter this morning. Desperately trying to remember biology A level? Probably failing. I've got my key questions to ask. 1. BVA testing certificate, 2. PRA gene testing for at least one parent. Need to be clear. 3. Both parents need to be kc registered. 4. Need to see mum and puppy together . 5. Bred for temperament. Am I on right track?

You’re more than welcome!

Anne doesn’t operate a waiting list until the puppies are born which I think makes sense. Best thing to do is to make a note to call her each month.

I’m not sure about Jukee Doodles’ waiting list – it’s worth giving them a call to find out more. They’ve always very helpful and totally transparent about their breeding plans.

More leads… to be honest I can’t think of many more commercial breeders and I wouldn’t know about the hobby breeders out there. I’d check out Breeders Online for up and coming litters. Have you called Ian and Claire in Kent? I know they were definitely planning a litter for the summer!

The wait for a healthy, well-raised Cockapoo is getting longer and longer but equally, the number of home breeders having litters from their untested pets is increasing. I know the wait is frustrating – anyone on here will testify to how impatient I’ve been! – but it’s well worth it.

Re your criteria, I never asked about KC Registration! Otherwise you’re on the right track!

Some hobby breeders are using studs who have been hip scored and also the dam tested for FN. Luxating patella is not so commonly tested for but I would certainly try and go for more than the minimum one parent clear of PRA if possible. HD and LP does exist in Cockapoos. The other thing I would consider is how do you want your puppy raised in the first 8 weeks before it comes to you? Do you want it bought up in a home environment where there may be children around and everyday noises such as hoovers etc? It is worth considering. I am not being negative about commercial breeders but it is good to consider all types of breeder, chat, visit and think about what you are happy with.

A new initiative has been started by the KC and Dogs Trust to give puppies the best start in life. It is a step by step puppy socialisation program that starts with the breeder. It is being trialed by the KC assured breeders but could be adopted by ANY breeder. It is certainly something I would like to see in place in the future especially with the commercial breeders where puppies are raised in kennels.

You can read more about it here. http://www.thepuppyplan.com/

JoJo said:

There are some smaller breeders out there that take much pride in their breeding and their dogs, plus take health testing very seriously and the way in which puppies are raised ...
There are a couple of home/hobby breeders on here MandyM and Katie.
You may like to read my puppy buying guide on My Dogs Life which may help you find a good breeder and the perfect puppy for you
Enjoy your search and dont ever be worried about asking breeders questions ... many breeders have websites and you can read much info there

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I totally agree with JoJo - it does not matter whether you look to visit a small home breeder, a Hobby breeder or a larger licensed breeder - though follow your gut instinct who to rule out or not.
In reality you can get good and bad in all arenas of breeding - so it should boil down to the breeder that you are impressed with most - and if you have to wait then I'd certainly stand by my comment "now get the right puppy" far outweighs "get the puppy right now" !

Most reputable breeders are likely to be in demand and possibly have a waiting list - so be prepared to wait if need be - there are some on here who find that bit as much fun as the searching bit !

Health testing is only one side of the coin - and you should certainly look for the breeder who is going above and beyond what you find should be the minimum. I'd rate PRA DNA Clear results over a BVA test anyday - and Hipscored Poodles can be a plus point to.
Equally as important is the temperament and suitability of the parents used - always make sure you meet and play with the mum (if you like her - you are likely to like her offspring) - meeting Dad is a bonus too - but not many Home or Hobby breeders actually own their own Dad - though with the increase in health testing requirements being pushed for by people and sites like this then it looks to be the way forward.

As for bigger breeders / licensed breeders - they would normally have their own websites and again they should be viewed with an open mind - some can paint lovely pictures with words but it can only be skin deep - read testimonials (though some can be written by the breeder themselves !) - most of all - go on a Meet or two - that way you get to meet the Poos in the fur and word of mouth recommendation is very valuable.

Not all dogs will be whelped in a home environment - it is not a licensed breeder only thing - some Hobby breeders with Workers will kennel them - it's not unusual at all - what would be a concern of mine (heightened more following the CCGB training day at Wood Green Animal Shelter) it can be more stressful for an otherwise kennelled bitch to be bought indoors to whelp - it is vital that the bitch is whelping in an environment she is totally comfortable with. So when visiting ask to view where the breeders dogs live on a daily basis - how are they kept and where are they exercised.

JoJo's blog / the Cockapoo Owners Club and the Cockapoo Club of GB ALL offer good honest grounded and sensible information for someone looking for a Cockapoo - all worthwhile reads !

Happy Hunting.

Stephen xx