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Post by gladys on Apr 1, 2013 14:15:11 GMT
I took the term 'hobby breeder' to mean that they don't have litters very often. That they may have one breed or two and they know all about the breeds that they have such as breed standard, health issues and run health tests themselves. They either don't show or only show occasionally (mix breed probably not) and only produce a limited amount of puppies. But thats just my view. smokeybear might be able to tell you more on that one. Be strong and go see them, it will give you an idea on what to look for in the future. What age are your two now?
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 1, 2013 14:22:27 GMT
That's kind of what I was taking it to mean too. Her listing certainly seems like she knows what she's talking about as she's listed all the health tests that the parents have been through.
Pepper is 4 this year and Ellie will be 3, so I'm thinking maybe waiting another year or so would be better?
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Post by gladys on Apr 1, 2013 14:30:57 GMT
Everyone who I knew who had a second dog told me not to leave it after Cooper was 3 but I think over the last year he has changed and grown up a bit more and now would really want another dog around. He was 4 in January so he will be at least 4 and a half before we bring a puppy home if not older. I think the next 12 months would be perfect timing for you to bring a pup home in regards to the girls ages, but I guess its more important what you feel is right.
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 1, 2013 14:34:50 GMT
Well, I think Pepper is a bit more grown up now, and Ellie is not quite. However, I do wonder if having a puppy around would help Ellie learn to play without terrorising the other dog. At the minute, she's started barking and chasing dogs when we're out on walks and I don't want her to carry on doing that, I just don't know the best way to stop her. Yesterday we met a young Labrador, and she just kept running at him and growling/barking, and he was so nervous of her. She hasn't always been like that though, so I don't quite know how to manage it and like I said, I wonder if a young puppy would help things or make them worse I'd hate for her to pass that behaviour on to the pup.
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Post by gladys on Apr 1, 2013 14:42:10 GMT
Yeah Cooper gets a bit over excited when he meets very hairy dogs as he remembers his friend from our first training class, they would jump in each others faces and Cooper would swing from her hair and she would roll him over with her nose!!! I think having a play friend at home will stop him getting over excited when meeting dogs out and about. I also like your idea of doggy day care to help puppy learn from other sources and learn to cope for themselves around other dogs. I think that if you do the correct dog training you could stop pup picking up bad habits from Ellie and also it might be a good way of Ellie getting a bit more training as you do exercises with the puppy. May be you could do some lead training with her while out on walks??
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 1, 2013 14:50:11 GMT
Aww, haha, bless him! I bet not every hairy dog is as happy to see him though. Yes, definitely. I would imagine he'd soon get used to not jumping on his playmates.
I would hope so. It's bad enough that we've got two nervy dogs, I wouldn't want three.
Possibly, yes. I'm going to have to do something. I'm almost positive that it's a learned behaviour from Oscar, the JRT we walk with. He started barking at other dogs when his leg was bad, and has continued doing it now that he's recovering. Ellie only started doing it fairly recently and at times she's fine with other dogs, but if Oscar starts barking, so does she. I don't want to stop going for walks with Oscar, but I need to stop her from copying him.
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Post by SarahHound on Apr 1, 2013 15:39:50 GMT
Sarahhound - I'd love to get a rescue one, but I'd also love a puppy so I'm a bit torn. I think I'd like to do the whole socialisation thing myself. Ah that's the bit I hate, I can't stand puppies! I hate the thought that whatever that dog turns into will be due to me, and I overthink and worry I can see how the majority of people want that though. At least with rescue dogs, if there's anything I can't solve, I can say to myself that its not my fault.
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 1, 2013 15:56:40 GMT
Haha, that's fair enough! I love puppies. They're hard work, but I do like seeing them grow up. We got Pepper as a puppy, but as she was kind of (and I mean this in the best way) thrust upon us, we didn't really enjoy her as much as we should have.
We do also have experience of a rescue dog though, who we're still working with to overcome some of her issues.
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Post by charlottte on Apr 2, 2013 7:47:13 GMT
It's a sad day when cross breeds sell for more than or the same as good quality pedigrees. You can get good quality Poodles for around the same price as a poor-average bred spaniel/poodle cross. I have nothing against cross breeds, just infuriates me how Poodles are getting hammered to within an inch of their existence just because a lot of people want to make a quick wad of cash. I personally would never buy a Poodle x, although I might rehome and give a needy dog a home. I'd feel like I was cheating on Jasper lol! Also she should only be breeding once a year (if not longer) from her dogs. Each dog should have a clear season between litters although some people choose to wait longer and it might depend on the breed. When I was a kid we had a cross that my parents bought for £25. She had alsorts in her but looked like a Fluffy Manchester Terrier. Now she would have been given a designer name rather than 'Heinz 57' and be selling for hundreds of pounds. The reality is, people want a hypoallergenic dog with the temperament of a Cocker. But only very few Poodles truly DON'T shed at all, it's just not well known by people. Yes they shed a lot less but then you have the problem of mixing a wool coat with a thick double coat - a grooming nightmare. Ive also seen quite a few aggressive Spaniel/Poodle crosses as Poodles arent always the nicest of dogs lol! Not trying to put anyone off, it's just the reality. We get a lot of Cockerpoos in and the breeders haven't even mentioned grooming to the owners so when they come in at 7/8 months for their first cut mattedl, the owners are guttered when we tell then there's no way we can salvage the coat without hurting the dog so it'll have to be clipped off. We've also had to show some owners how to brush their dogs properly because the breeders just haven't done it (this doesn't specifically relate to Cockerpoos, any mixed/wool coated breed). They're then not so keen when they get stung with a £40+ grooming bill either. Good, legitimate breeders will answer any questions honestly and will emphasise grooming requirements. They should also interrogate you as well to make sure you're suitable for one of their puppies. I'd be looking at the Club of England as like others have said, their Code of Conduct will be of a high standard. I'm not sure what its like for cross breeds but breeders I know with good quality dogs often have a waiting list for pups. Rant over look forward to possible puppy news
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 2, 2013 20:25:13 GMT
It's a sad day when cross breeds sell for more than or the same as good quality pedigrees. You can get good quality Poodles for around the same price as a poor-average bred spaniel/poodle cross. I fully agree! It's one of the things that is stopping me from buying a puppy (of any breed). I honestly don't care whether a cockapoo sheds or not - it's not like I'm not used to dog hair being all over considering that Ellie sheds a lot, despite being short haired! That's definitely not why I'd want a cockapoo. I love the look of them and their size is good for our house. If I ever get one, I'll certainly be asking for grooming advice! I can deal with matts in Pepper's coat, and try to prevent them as much as possible, but I expect it would be different with a cockapoo. I think I may have to look into getting onto a waiting list if I really want a cockapoo. I've seen a few breeders who have them and their pups look like quality pups. The litter I've been looking at only has one available pup now, so I'm definitely not getting one any time soon as I think I'd rather be able to pick from a few than just settle for the last pup of a litter (not that there's anything wrong with the last pup of course!).
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Post by charlottte on Apr 2, 2013 20:43:48 GMT
Lol! Good point. You probly wouldn't notice any extra hair lol! And they are nice dogs, the ones I've met anyway lol And I'm jealous of everyone looking at puppies... I'd e the same though, would much rather a pick of a litter than the last one. Unless of course the last one was the perfect dog
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 2, 2013 21:02:59 GMT
No, I definitely wouldn't lol. Although since doing the grooming bit of our bronze test last week, Ellie hasn't shed as much! The ones I've met are lovely too. Well, if it helps, I'm jealous of people getting puppies. I might be looking, but I can't buy Haha, well yes that's true. But I'd hate to go to look at the last puppy and fall in love with one of the others.
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Post by caz2golden on Apr 2, 2013 21:04:11 GMT
I actually like the ones which are more cocker than poo!! What I mean by this is the ones with the silky coats of a cocker but have that scruffy face look of the cross. I actually like this cross myself and would consider having one but like others have put, would refuse to pay the crazy prices. Shedding does not worry me cos I also used to having house full of fluff!
On the beach where I walk regularly there are a few with poodle coat that don't shed and have to be clipped (but they also take an age to dry if they want to go for a swim), then there is one which you would think is a pure cocker spaniel till you look more carefully as it has a slimmer face.
I also prefer the labradoodles which look like labs with wiry whiskers!! Of course these shed big time!! Is it true that a labradoodle should not be trimmed in its first year as it can damage how the adult coat develops?
I agree Charlotte the doodles and X-poo's seem to be having a detrimental affect on the poodle yet it does not seem to impact as bad on the X i.e cockers, labs, goldens etc.
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Post by orpheous87 on Apr 2, 2013 21:15:25 GMT
I know what you mean Caz - I like the ones whose coats aren't quite as curly as a poodles most. I do like the scruffy look they have.
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Post by charlottte on Apr 3, 2013 6:23:42 GMT
No puppy should be cut until at least 7-8 months of age as it can damage the puppy coat. Only the adult coat should be cut as clipping a puppy coat is like the equivalent of shaving a babies head lol. So you were pretty much spot on Caz I can appreciate a nice Cocker but we only get in Cocker Coated ones at work, which seems to have missed the point if the people wanted a low caster. They also take forever to dry off even with a blaster if they're kept long. And I think it's because gun dogs are generally accepted to be more as 'family dogs'. Poodles have had their time and only have a select following which is getting smaller and smaller with new designer crosses. Seems like Bichons are goin the same way as they're being crossed with all sorts. The thing I don't understand is when I question people about Poodle x's. They always say they would have the gundog/toy breed, but would NEVER ever own a poodle. I sit there thinking 'what? You already OWN half a poodle!' Haha
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