Snout Girl Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) Hi all A workmate (and friend) of mine is looking in to purchasing another dog. For the past 2 months I have been scouring books and the internet trying to find the right breed for her as she is leaning towards purchasing a cocker spaniel x poodle (from a 'breeder'). at first she was really interested in a bichon frise (sp?) and we even looked up breeders, but then she got this damn DD book (grrrrrr ) and now she has her heart set on a cocker spaniel x poodle. a little info about her she lives with her partner and adult son. there are no small children in the house. she has a large suburban block of around 800m2 which has high fences and a large backyard. she and her partner both work full time, but different shifts so usually there is someone at home the majority of the time. they already have a dog, a 10 year oldish sibe who is socialised and fine with other dogs. they are very active and fit people, and walk their dog at least once a day for over an hour. what she wants: a small/medium sized breed something that doesnt shed a great deal a dog that can be active she doesnt like terriers, as i have suggested west highland white terrier and she said 'no terriers' she doesnt want a purebred poodle as she thinks they look 'too foofy' (her words, not mine). have suggested a labrador retriever, she thinks they destroy things. can anyone suggest a breed i could suggest to her? i am doing my damndest to talk her out of a cocker spaniel x poodle but my job has been made difficult with all the DD books out their making it seem they are legimate breeds as well as websites of people who sell these crossbreds spouting about how they are members of this and that organisation, making them seem like legit breeders anyone got any suggestions? ;) Edited January 12, 2010 by bertandsally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) What will she do if her Cocker/Poodle cross ends up looking like a poodle? That happens. Does she understand that the 'foofy' look is a hair cut.. which her dog will need? Does she understand that these DDs need to be clipped and groomed like a poode is? She can have a poodle in a sporting clip. Or she could have a Whippet! She needs to do her homework on health testing and the importance of buying a dog from a responsible breeder. No one, I repeat, no one is responsibly breeding the cross she is looking for. Pups of that cross don't come from PRA tested parents and both breeds suffer from it. Does she want a dog that's blind at 5? Tell her to ask any DD 'breeder' if they test their dogs for PRA. I'd challenge her to find one that can produce certificates of proof for their dogs PRA status. Edited January 7, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 English cocker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snout Girl Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 What will she do if her Cocker/Poodle cross ends up looking like a poodle? That happens. Does she understand that the 'foofy' look is a hair cut.. which her dog will need? She can have a poodle in a sporting clip. Or she could have a Whippet! She needs to do her homework on health testing and the importance of buying a dog from a responsible breeder. No one, I repeat, no one is responsibly breeding the cross she is looking for. Pups of that cross don't come from PRA tested parents and both breeds suffer from it. Does she want a dog that's blind at 5? Tell her to ask any 'breeder' if they test their dogs for PRA. I'd challenge her to find one that can produce certificates of proof for their dogs PRA status. Hi pf the problem lies in the websites she has been looking at of "breeders" that produce these crosses. they have all sorts of claims including pictures of the 'standard' and "pedigree" lines and claims of health tests they do (which is really just a check up at the vet). to the average joe, which she is, it all appears legit. when i try and explain about puppy farms etc she closes her ears and says no no, this place isnt like that, they welcome inspections etc. sigh. you and i both know she's playing russian roulette of what the cross will look like, unfortunately these stupid websites claim they have a standard. if only someone had the power to shut down the websites of these bybs, tho that would be against freedom of information i guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BooBooBear Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Yes what about a Cocker Spaniel? Lhasa Apso? not sure about the shedding, I just know that the man who cleans our carpets (he visits alot ) swears they are the best dog he has ever had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Lagotto? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snout Girl Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Lagotto? hmmm a lagotto. never heard of them. am off to google now to get some more info. thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Daisy Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Having been a groomer for 12 years I can tell you that "spoodles" and "cavoodles" NEVER have the same coat type. Some cute fluffy puppies end up with horribly sparse patchy fur. Some of them never grow hair on their muzzle and will end up looking like a cocker with a shaved face. Normally the one comment I had from DD owners was they didn't like the shaved face of the poodle or pure cocker. This is easily fixed, don't get the groomer to shave their faces. They can have a pure bred cocker and let it grow out in a teddy bear clip. Most people end up getting their DD shaved off anyway then it just looks like a shaved cocker or a shaved poodle, why not start out with a purebred then? Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 lagotto. Or google some images of a poodle with a pet cut and show her those. Yes - some breeders have done poodles a great diservice by not showing how un-froo-froo a poodle can look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemma Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Maybe ask in the rescue thread someone there might know of one waiting for a home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austerra Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Maybe talk to a local groomer and see if they could organise a meeting with a couple of their regular clients who have poodles in basic puppy clip (or even with Cocker x Poodle owner before the dog is clipped!!) Where are you in Victoria? If outer east I may be able to help on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlemum Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 lagotto. Or google some images of a poodle with a pet cut and show her those.Yes - some breeders have done poodles a great diservice by not showing how un-froo-froo a poodle can look Not always the breeders fault, though, the "continental" clip is the common show coat - I would LOVE to see poodles shown in "sporting" or "lamb" clip - they look like REAL dogs. THIS is not a "fooffy" poodle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roundhill Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 If they don't like the cocker spaniel then maybe suggest a Whippet or Italian Greyhound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snout Girl Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Maybe talk to a local groomer and see if they could organise a meeting with a couple of their regular clients who have poodles in basic puppy clip (or even with Cocker x Poodle owner before the dog is clipped!!)Where are you in Victoria? If outer east I may be able to help on this one. hi that is a good idea, definently somethign to look into. unfortunately we are not anywhere near the outer east, we are in the northern suburbs, but thanks for your kind offer. have googled lagottos, i think we may be onto something sounds like what she is after, and they even look similar. i knew there had to be people on here that knew a wider variety of breeds than me ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snout Girl Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 lagotto. Or google some images of a poodle with a pet cut and show her those.Yes - some breeders have done poodles a great diservice by not showing how un-froo-froo a poodle can look Not always the breeders fault, though, the "continental" clip is the common show coat - I would LOVE to see poodles shown in "sporting" or "lamb" clip - they look like REAL dogs. THIS is not a "fooffy" poodle thanks for the photos, you have some beautfiul dogs there will show her those pics when she is back at work on monday, they are very different from the ones she has been viewing herself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) Does this look foofy to anyone? Or this? B&S, if your friend is closing her mind to the puppy farm issue, you may be fighting a losing battle. You can only raise issues like how important it is to get pups from health tested parents and how dogs bred in non-domestic situations often have behavioural issues for life but if she doesn't want to listen then wash your hands of her. They'll always be 'breeders' happy to take her money. You could tell her to join here and talk to Deshonko Kennels.. they'll have what she wants. They thrive on providing pups to people who don't do their homework and don't stop to consider what the picture of cute pups on the internet will turn out like. People who dont' care about the lives the parents of their pups lead are money in the bank to Deshonko Edited January 7, 2010 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snout Girl Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Does this look foofy to anyone? Or this? B&S, if your friend is closing her mind to the puppy farm issue, you may be fighting a losing battle. You can only raise issues like how important it is to get pups from health tested parents and how dogs bred in non-domestic situations often have behavioural issues for life but if she doesn't want to listen then wash your hands of her. They'll always be 'breeders' happy to take her money. You could tell her to join here and talk to Deshonko Kennels.. we'll have what she wants. We thrive on providing pups to people who don't do their homework and don't stop to consider what the picture of cute pups on the internet will turn out like. People who dont' care about the lives the parents of their pups lead are money in the bank to Deshonko You also have lovely dogs You could possibly be right and I might be flogging a dead horse, but I figure until she actually buys the puppy i am still in with a chance. i am a leo, what can i say i am stubborn i'm probably having a blonde moment, but deshonko kennels? ;) i figure its a joke but i havent heard of it before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 i'm probably having a blonde moment, but deshonko kennels? i figure its a joke but i havent heard of it before ;) Deshonko Kennels thread Enjoy! I wish Troy would let me have another DOL identify.. Deshonko could be very instructive to those who want an insight into commercial dog breeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappiemum Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 A finnish lapphund ticks all those boxes for your friend. And they come in all colours of the canine rainbow - these are pics of my three, but there are lots of other colours and markings too. And they are not over the top, non-stop spitzes - but are more than happy to do whatever activities their owners want to do. BTW - And have you directed her to Leo's story??? If in the end she does get her DD, at least get her to ask the so-called 'breeder' for all the health testing for BOTH breeds - hips, eyes, elbows, any genetic testing - esp if she is going to be spending big $$$$. Oh, and to have paperwork for it all, signed by a vet. I know that these puppy farmers have their own 'tame' vets, but at least she will have some come back if/when it all goes south. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranVT Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Yeah, a lappie! :laugh: They are awesome and not too "foofy" - not that our poodles ever were either though. PS. lappiemum good work sneaking your gorgeous pics into another thread I just noticed little Princess in your sig too! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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