Spoodles??

[StarMumma]

Hi,
Just wanted to get some advice re: SPOODLES.
DF an I are thinking of getting one for our family.
Are they good with kids? Our friend has one and she's great with the kids, no nipping, just jumping.
Do they need lots of exercise?
We have a decent size back yard and a park across the road.
Are they diggers? I don't want to spend my days running around looking for an escaped doggie!
Take car travel ok? We'd be wanting to take it with us on trips away

Any stories/tips/advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers :)

[bambino]

Hi there :wave:

We don't have a Spoodle but I did own a Poodle (sadly now in puppy heaven).

Poodles on their own are great. He was so much fun and very very intelligent.
He didn't really need lots of exercise as we had a big backyard but he sure did enjoy his walks.
They are very clean as they have wool not fur therefore they do not shed their coats each season and are good indoor dogs too.
They are very reliable and make great companions for all ages.
He loved the car, didn't dig holes, didn't jump on people (but liked to jump into your lap to snooze)

His name was Sooty, he was my best friend. Sadly he was put down due to a few illnesses (going blind and deaf, athritis and a few more internal things).
He did have a good innings though, 15 years !

But maybe you could google Spoodles or talk to your local Vet. They may have more info for you about the breed.

:)

[StarMumma]

Hi there :wave:

We don't have a Spoodle but I did own a Poodle (sadly now in puppy heaven).

Poodles on their own are great. He was so much fun and very very intelligent.
He didn't really need lots of exercise as we had a big backyard but he sure did enjoy his walks.
They are very clean as they have wool not fur therefore they do not shed their coats each season and are good indoor dogs too.
They are very reliable and make great companions for all ages.
He loved the car, didn't dig holes, didn't jump on people (but liked to jump into your lap to snooze)

His name was Sooty, he was my best friend. Sadly he was put down due to a few illnesses (going blind and deaf, athritis and a few more internal things).
He did have a good innings though, 15 years !

But maybe you could google Spoodles or talk to your local Vet. They may have more info for you about the breed.

:)

Oh, I am so sorry about Sooty - he sounds like he was a wonderful part of your family!
I've googled and read stuff, but was more interested in getting a personal account - which is what you gave me - THANK YOU :hugs:

[trinitylee]

I dont have a spoodle either but i have had 2 English Springer Spaniels (i think thats what a Spoodle is??)
They were both amazing dogs....Very loyal and both lived to be 16.
As puppies they were very naughty but, digging and barking, so they need alot of attention.
And cause they are water hunting dogs they love water!!!

Not sure if that helps any as im not sure its the right type of breed, but i enjoyed talking about my too Springers!!

[trinitylee]

ok i'm wrong!!! they are a Cocker spaniel cross....SORRY!!!
I just found this for you anyway-----> Spoodle link (http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/2000/archives/2000/roadtests/dog_breeds/spoodle)

[shelby67]

Hi 2boysforus!,
We don't have a spoodle, but we do have a poodle. She is great with our DS, very clean dogs as mentioned as they don't have fur. I suppose the only down side is that they do require clipping every 2 months or so. You can learn to do it your self, or there are plenty of groomers around. If you go to a groomer its about $40 for a clip, some cheaper, some more $$$..... I wouldn't really call it a down side though, the "no fur/no malting/no hair " feature is fantastic. By the way I am allergic to cats and dogs, but cause our dog has the no hair thing, Im fine.
Hope this helps,
Shelby.

[shed]

Hi mate,

I had a spoodle in one of my puppy classes a while ago (I'm a teacher) and he was pretty cute and didn't have any problems.

I get a lot of "oodle" type puppies in my classes and the spoodle has got to be the cutest one by miles, although I think the schnoodles are also pretty cute (schnauzer x poodle).

I am not a big fan of cocker spaniels but with the right training and socialisation they can be allright.

Go to a breeder if you can, rather than a pet shop.

[Jodiee]

HI

Just wondering, why not get a spaniel or a poodle?
When you buy an "oodle" or any cross bred dog, you dont know what your really buying until it is an adult, sure, they are all cute as puppies, but heay, it would be cheaper, to buy a pure dog than a 'designer' one.
You get the gnentic problems of both breeds, iykim? at least with a poodle, for example, you can go back through the lines from the breeder, and see if there are any genetic problems, that your pup may get, where as with a cross-bred dog (and thats what a designer dog is), you dont know the lineage, no matter what the breeder (and I use this term losely) says. ALL dd's are from backyard breeders, there is NO health guarantee, there is no hip testing, eye testing etc, etc..

I absolutely love the cocker spaniel, they are gorgeous, and a fantastic dog!! Wish I had one, in fact. I can promise you, it will work out half the price in the long run to buy a pedigree, pure dog.

Ooh, and also, there is no such thing as a spoodle, its actually a spaniel x poodle, they arent a registered breed, no matter what anyone says, and who tries to convince you other wise, they are called that, just to sound good, and to up the price.

I can give you a link if you like to a fantastic place which will help you to understand why you shouldnt encourage designer dogs. PM me if you are interested, please.
cheers, Jodie

[Harlequin]

Make sure when you buy it that you don't pay a fortune because of the 'designer breed' label, after all it's a crossbreed.
And do research on the 'breeder' to make sure you aren't purchasing it from a puppy farmer. :(
As Jodie mentioned, you won't get any health assurances with a crossbreed/DD because they are all bred in backyards and there is no regulation.

Iirc you can't really know what the general temperament of a crossbreed is going to be like, unlike purebreds I don't think there's a standard. I mean you can be pretty sure that a King Charles Cavalier is going to be really good with children but you can't say the same when you are talking about two crossed breeds. You just don't know what you are going to get.

Also in regards to digging, the best way to prevent that is by training the dog and taking it for plenty of walks so it doesn't feel the need to entertain itself by digging up your yard :D

Check out the dogzonline forums if you want loooads of information on designer dogs. You might not like what you read though :/
Dogz Online (http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php)

[liah]

Thankyou jodie for saying it so I didn't have to :thumbsup:
Go to www.saynotoanimalsinpetshops.com.au and visit the gallery. This is where the majority of designer dogs come from. If you want an oodly dog go to the pound or a shelter there are plenty there.

[liah]

YAY for the link to dogz online! :smiliedance:

[3boys1girl]

My sister has a spoodle and he is a great dog! He is unusally large for a spoodle, he is about the size of a border collie. He is so great with the kids, would never bit or hurt them. If he did then it would be totally a play mistake and he would know he has done wrong. He is very intellegent and almost human like qualiaties to him. He is great with my 20 mth old but because he is bigger when he gets excitited to see her, sometimes he can knock her over trying to kiss her. Great dog, u wont regret having one!

[StarMumma]

Thank-you everyone for all your advice, stories and links!
After doing a bit more research and spending some time with a mates cocker spaniel, we have decided to go with a Cocker Spaniel.
Does anyone know of a reputable breeder in Victoria?

[tickle]

You might find some info here. (http://www.vca.org.au/index.asp)

[Harlequin]

First of all good on you for doing the research 2boysforus! So many people don't bother.

You can find breeders puppy notices here for the Cocker Spaniel:
http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/cocker-spaniel.asp

And here for the American Cocker Spaniel:
http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/american-cocker-spaniel.asp

There are a few in VIC and as far as I know dogzonline doesn't advertise any disreputable breeders.

Also be prepared for having to groom the cocker spaniel quite a bit.

[StarMumma]

Thanks for the links to dogzonline and the VCA - both very informative! Lots of advice and breeders too.
I'm also looking at the shelters, to see if there is an animal we can help.
I'll post some pics of pur dog, once we've selected one!
Once again, a big thank you! It's great knowing that BUBHUB is there for help with any issue!

[Jodiee]

ooh, yayayyayayayay!!

Im so happy you have decided to go that route!
Dogzonline is the link I was going to give, but wasnt sure if I was allowed to.!!

There is always hundreds of oodles in the rescue section, see cordelias, she is fantastic!!

Im so glad you have decided to not line a backyard breeders pocket!!! woo hoo

You should be so proud of yourself for reading and researching the DD problem we have!

From Jodie

[Lizzie0808]

Cockers are great! Completely mad, but great! And if you keep them clipped, they aren't too hard to groom.

Good luck finding a lovely breeder!!