[terrym2442]

Hi dog lovers!

I've pretty much narrowed my choice for a 2nd dog to a Cockapoo, though a toy poodle is not far behind. We already have a Portuguese Water Dog who, at 2 1/2, has FINALLY calmed down. Porties are notorious for being wild child pups.

I have a few questions that I hope you experts can answer:

1. Are the puppies all as crazed as my Porties were? Is there such thing as a *somewhat* mellow puppy? How about as adults? Can they be mellow?

2. I'm studying the breed online and wow- they all look so different. What I'm finding is that many have almost a Maltese or even Shih Tzu look to them (sunk in faces). I'm hoping for a dog that has more of a classic Cockapoo look (if there is such a thing). I guess I like the longer snout of the poodle and the square look of the Cocker. So why do some have faces that look so different from either?

3. I'm researching breeders and geez, this is really difficult. I'm hoping to work with someone who has done genetic testing to ensure a healthy dog with a calm temperament.

4. I'm hoping to find a "velcro" dog- one that will really bond with me (I work from home). Does this breed tend to do that? Or...?

5. I live in Michigan- can someone recommend a good breeder? I am in conversations with a few, but I have nothing to go by other than what I'm reading on their websites.

Thanks for your input!

Terry

 

[embee]

Q1. Are the puppies all as crazed as my Porties were? Is there such thing as a *somewhat* mellow puppy? How about as adults? Can they be mellow?

A. I think the responses from Wilfiboy re the breed was spot on - they will walk, retrieve, play when called on but chill and hug up when that's what you want. At least that is my experience.

2. I'm studying the breed online and wow- they all look so different. What I'm finding is that many have almost a Maltese or even Shih Tzu look to them (sunk in faces). I'm hoping for a dog that has more of a classic Cockapoo look (if there is such a thing). I guess I like the longer snout of the poodle and the square look of the Cocker. So why do some have faces that look so different from either?

A. I think the American x's have more of the facial appearance you describe as that is a characteristic of an American Cocker. The English Cocker x's will have a longer muzzle as the head shape of an English show or working cocker is different to that of an American Cocker with a much longer muzzle. Faces will look different within a litter depending on whether they have picked up facial characteristices more from mother or father. In Flo's litter you can see Flo (on right at front) has a much shorter muzzle than her brother on the left http://ilovemycockapoo.com/photoplog/index.php?n=163

3. I'm researching breeders and geez, this is really difficult. I'm hoping to work with someone who has done genetic testing to ensure a healthy dog with a calm temperament.

A. Don't think there is a genetic test that will ensure temperament so you'll need to be guided by the parents temperament. Also training, socialising etc will impact on behaviour to a degree.

4. I'm hoping to find a "velcro" dog- one that will really bond with me (I work from home). Does this breed tend to do that? Or...?

A. Love the description. My dog couldn't be more 'velcro' and follows me everywhere, even lies by the bathroom door waiting for me to come out. However comfy she is during the evening she'll get up and follow to the point that I trip over her - but that is a lovely attribute.

5. I live in Michigan- can someone recommend a good breeder? I am in conversations with a few, but I have nothing to go by other than what I'm reading on their websites.

A. Can't help with this but there are plenty on forum who will guide you with this.

 

[kendal]

resopnded to your post in bold

Hi dog lovers!

I've pretty much narrowed my choice for a 2nd dog to a Cockapoo, though a toy poodle is not far behind. We already have a Portuguese Water Dog who, at 2 1/2, has FINALLY calmed down. Porties are notorious for being wild child pups.

I have a few questions that I hope you experts can answer:

1. Are the puppies all as crazed as my Porties were? Is there such thing as a *somewhat* mellow puppy? How about as adults? Can they be mellow?
all puppys have burst of madness, but in general all of min have been fairly calm.

2. I'm studying the breed online and wow- they all look so different. What I'm finding is that many have almost a Maltese or even Shih Tzu look to them (sunk in faces). I'm hoping for a dog that has more of a classic Cockapoo look (if there is such a thing). I guess I like the longer snout of the poodle and the square look of the Cocker. So why do some have faces that look so different from either?
it depends on the cocker used the Americancocker has a shorter nose where as the English has a longer nose, i personaly prefer the English which is what my three Eldist are but i wouldnt change Delta for the world eventhough she is they American cross.
the coat can be different all 4 of my lot are different Gypsy and Inca are more poodely, Echo is more spanial but doesnt shed, and Delta well she still has her puppy coat but she is more curly than any of them were at her age.
it also depends on what geniration you go for, 1st Gen cockerXpoodle tends to be fairly consisten in coats. 2nd gen CockapooXCockapoo can produse atleas one but more likely 2 throbacks, where you get either a cocker pup or a poodle pup or one of each, you cant tell wich will be which till they are about 3 weeks old.
then you ger people who back cross cockapoosXpoodel they tend to have a titer curl as they as they have more poodle in them.

3. I'm researching breeders and geez, this is really difficult. I'm hoping to work with someone who has done genetic testing to ensure a healthy dog with a calm temperament.
ask the breeder everything you are interested to know about them breeding or their dogs helth.


4. I'm hoping to find a "velcro" dog- one that will really bond with me (I work from home). Does this breed tend to do that? Or...?
lol our first Girl Gypsy is very attached to my mum even though i did all the feeding walking etc, Inca picked me and will falow me about, them mum wanted a black and white cockapoo, i spent the first week of her being in our house away from home so she was with my mum 24/7, but she is glued to me more than any of them. Delta is a little more attached to the other dogs but if its a choice between me and my mum she picks me, again it was my mum who realy wanted her. so yes they can be velcro dogs but maybe not to the person in the family who wants them to.

5. I live in Michigan- can someone recommend a good breeder? I am in conversations with a few, but I have nothing to go by other than what I'm reading on their websites.
sory im uk so cant help.

Thanks for your input!

Terry

 

[wilfiboy]

Terry ... you know you've already decided .. Im glad my friends saw this post first and answered all your questions lol .... but yeh I have coakapoos laying on the towel while Im in the bath, push the door open while Im on the loo, appear to be asleep but get up and follow me when I move.... I often find myself saying "im coming back !! " As i type I ve got one laid "warming my feet " , handy in January and one laid next to him... sometimes not enough room in a chair. So my advice would be if you've got big enough chairs not shy in the bathroom then go for it

 

[terrym2442]

You guys are great! Thanks for the helpful info and feedback. I didn't know the difference between the American vs the English Cockers- that will help a lot! Also, nice to know they aren't as crazed as the Porties are (fingers crossed).

I'll keep reading the boards here for more info and hopefully, breeder recommendations. I have some leads already from my research and hopefully something will work out.

Terry

 

[j maree]

My Chloe is great!

I just got my cockapoo last summer. She was easy to train. I left her to go to work confined to the kitchen.......no problems. As a puppy she will be calm or will play. She is just so smart and loves everybody. One thing I can't figure out. She has this look she gives. She tries to outsmart me sometimes. When I'm teaching tricks she does it, as if to say" what do you think I don't know this". Or she plays the potty game with me. I can't talk to her or look at her when I let her out or she will poop in the back porch. I caught on to that one. Ha Ha. Cockapoos are smart but watch out you gotta be smarter, so don't get into a battle with them over something, you will lose. Ha! Anyone find the same with their dog?

Good luck on your search, your picking a great type dog.

Chloe is F1 American Cocker Spaniel and Minature Poodle

 

[terrym2442]

Chloe sounds like a sweetheart. How did you find her?

 

[j maree]

I looked for almost a year. Again there is a website. It is ok but it is something about putting all these puppies out there when so many need to be rescued. Anyway I wanted a cockapoo so I went to a breeder. I'm not sure how good it is. Yes, I saw the parents and yes the pups were well kept. But this website is growing so big??? PA shut down all puppy mills...........but I wonder if these are the same people just monitered now.I was surfing the net and there was Chloe but she was sold. A day later I went back and she was for sale again, well I had to have her. You know about nextdaypets.com ? That is not where I got her but.........some of the same pups end up there. I don't know what is going on. You will have to decide for yourself. Unless you know somebody that sells this breed your on your own. Some of these breeders want your life to get a dog. I have a pit and I know my Pit but a breeder might not have felt comfortable about it. I saw Chloe and I went for her and that's about it Love at first sight.

 

[terrym2442]

I hear ya. There are so many breeders online and it's hard to know who to trust. There is a Cockapoo organization that lists breeders, but...?

And how come some breeders charge $1,000 and more, while others are half that price?

I would like to go with a rescue dog but had a bad experience going that route. So I will probably also go with a reputable breeder. It's just...how do you know who is reputable?

 

[Dylansmum]

I think that you can tell a lot about the temperament when you first meet the litter. A lot of people pick the pup that first runs up to them, but I've seen advice that says not to do this as this is the pushiest alpha and not necessarily the best to get. Dylan's litter were all really lively and playful except for the smallest and my daughter begged me to get the apricot girl who kept playing with her and pushing the others aside to get to her. Dylan was happy to play but not so pushy and when I picked him up was happy to snuggle without struggling to get free and I could see a calmness in him as well as the liveliness and this has been born out by his behaviour ever since.

 

[terrym2442]

How old were the pups when you met them and picked out your pup? It's fascinating! And you were right!

 

[Dylansmum]

My breeder didn't advertise until the pups were ready to go, so they were 8 weeks and we picked him and took him home then and there. I don't think she was a great breeder - she was a cocker spaniel breeder and this was her first cockapoo litter, as they were kept in a stable, but they all seemed lively and gorgeous and even though Dylan had terrible fleas when we got him, he is an amazing dog in every way so it all turned out right in the end.

 

[terrym2442]

I'm guessing that your avatar is Dylan. He is all chocolate? That's what I'm searching for- either a chocolate or a parti. Do you have more pix of him? He looks gorgeous even in that tiny one.

 

[Dylansmum]

Well I think he's gorgeous, but I'm slightly biased! He's chocolate with cream bits on his eyebrows, chest, paws and bottom. The breeder called it chocolate and tan, but I think that tan is much more red than that. Chocolate cockapoos are really hard to photograph - you just get a brown featureless blob most of the time, but they are great for muddy weather! Here are some photos and a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzBVns7zYFc

By the way I should add that one thing I didn't predict was how noisy he could be! He seems to be the noisiest one on this forum!
Happy hunting!

 

[wilfiboy]

Hi Terry, I picked both of mine when they were days old, which is nt ideal as like Helen says you dont know the temprement or infact what the coat will be like , as the curl does nt start to come through until about 4 weeks . But with Wilf my oldest dog , cockapoo s were thinner on the ground and I was all set to travel 5/6 hours to get a pup when I saw some advertised locally I could nt believe it, we had agreed that I would wait before chosing but interest was picking up and pups were being chosen so I went for it ... and then spent the nexy 7 weeks hoping that Id done the right thing and what if he wasnt curly !!!! any way all was well and again with Mabel I had been searching for about 6 months for her colouring so when I found one again I just picked her she looked like a hampster. But no regrets I do think theres a certain element of Nurture versus nature and those early days of owning the pup are just as important. I ve no regrets ..... sounds like a song ... I agree with Helen again regarding colour, Wilf takes a rubbish picture he just looks like a black blob but he's beautiful ( handsome lol )X

 

[terrym2442]

Sorry for the delay in responding. I was hunting for a puppy and...I found one! He comes home next month! A chocolate/white boy.

Dylan looks so much like my last Portuguese Water Dog- it's spooky! Here's a pix of Annie- may she RIP : (

 

[lady amanda]

Terry ... you know you've already decided .. Im glad my friends saw this post first and answered all your questions lol .... but yeh I have coakapoos laying on the towel while Im in the bath, push the door open while Im on the loo, appear to be asleep but get up and follow me when I move.... I often find myself saying "im coming back !! " As i type I ve got one laid "warming my feet " , handy in January and one laid next to him... sometimes not enough room in a chair. So my advice would be if you've got big enough chairs not shy in the bathroom then go for it

MY LADY IS THE SAME!!!! glued to my side...and with going to the bathroom if i do close the door tight...then she is sitting out side waiting for me to come out....my husband is quite jelous how attached to me she is versus him

 

[lady amanda]

Beuatiful dog...sorry he isn't around.

 

[terrym2442]

Thanks. It's been over 2 years and I miss her every single day. Our new Portie bonded with my husband- she could care less about me. Thus, the new Cockapoo addition coming next month!

 

[lady amanda]

Thanks. It's been over 2 years and I miss her every single day. Our new Portie bonded with my husband- she could care less about me. Thus, the new Cockapoo addition coming next month!

That's Great....I will stay tuned for new pics of the baby!