Ten Reasons Why COCKAPOOS Are The Best Designer Dogs

Simon Sez:
"I'm a young mixed breed dog, a Cockapoo.
I look a lot like my dad Spotty,
a Cocker Spaniel."

What is a Cockapoo? No, it's not a vulgar expression, but a mixed breed dog. If you mate a cocker spaniel (American or English) with a Poodle, the result is a Cockapoo. For the most part, the size of the poodle determines the size of the offspring.

According to the Wikipedia definition of cockapoo, breeders usually choose a toy or minature poodle as one parent. On average, a full-grown Cockapoo weighs 12 to 24 pounds and stands 10 to 15 inches.

Most people think designer dogs represent a recent trend that eventually will fade away. But Cockapoos have been bred since the early 1940's. Contrary to what most designer dog naysayers believe, this mixed breed dog is not a fad.

Here's ten reasons why Cockapoos are the best designer dogs:
1. They can be small dogs (toy poodle/cocker spaniel combination), but not so small you can easily step on and hurt them.
2. They are all different - one might look like a poodle, another more like a cocker spaniel.
3. They are sweet dogs. And they are truly affectionate dogs. Maybe not necessarily lap dogs, but certainly owner-loyal.
4. If you are allergic to dogs, you probably won't react to a Cockapoo pup. Their coats are hair, not fur.
5. They love people and will wiggle their butts when their owner walks in the door and when they meet people on the street.
6. They are easily housetrained (relative to other types of dogs) and obedience-trained.
7. They are extremely photogenic (and easy to photograph).
8. They are energetic and playful.
9. People have a good time guessing what mix/breed they are. Alvin is a Bichon Cockapoo and looks a lot like a Bichon Frise; that really confuses some people.
10. You meet a lot of people when you walk your cockapoo pup!

valmillsy

P.S. Here's an effective obedience training DVD for your Cockapoo puppy or dog -
It's PAWSible! Dog and Puppy Training DVD.

See my review of this training DVD.

First Steps to Finding a Designer Pup

What designer pup combo best fits your needs?

Designer pup or rescued mix breed?
The biggest difference is that you'll know the background of a designer dog purchased from a reputable breeder. You won't know anything about the background of a rescued dog (unless you know the dog's prior owners). "Mutt" is a four-letter word when you talk about designer dogs.

Got a family and small children?
A small dog may not be the best choice. Some of the smaller hybrid pups will not tolerate children and/or may be injured by a child.

Need to leave a dog home alone all day while you work?
A lot of dog people would ask "Why do you want a dog if you're going to leave him/her alone all day?" But realistically, this is the only way some dog lovers can have a dog. Get a breed that's easily trained so that your living space isn't trashed. And do take time off to train the pup!

Think you may be allergic to dog fur?
Find a designer combo that's likely to be hypoallergenic (for example, a Cockapoo or a Bichon mix). These dogs have hair, not fur.

Live in an apartment? Will the pup need to exercise?
Then get a small designer dog (not more than 10 - 20 pounds as an adult). Also, if the pup will need a lot of exercise, make sure you can find an area where the dog can run - every day. Alvin needs to run frantically in circles to release pent-up puppy energy, so we set up up a big playpen for him in the back yard.

Is maintenance an issue?
Some designer pups require little combing, brushing, and grooming but others require daily maintenance. Alvin (Bichon Cockapoo) needs to be brushed every day, else he resembles Raggedy Andy. Also, it appears he'll need grooming about every six weeks. I may learn how to groom him because it sure is expensive to use a groomer! Here's Alvin before and after grooming:





Can you handle the vet bills?
If a dog comes from a breeder, it's possible he may arrive with internal/external bugs. Make sure you're prepared for the standard vaccinations (Rabies, distemper) as well as monthly heartworm and flea/tick control. Also, some hybrid dogs, like their parents, are subject to health problems.

More about bugs later. Alvin arrived from the breeder with three types of bugs!