New dog

I love my dogs one is a pedigree large dog (dying out uk breed) the other is a small crossbreed. They are very different in every way. A friend has a cockapoo who is very clever and bursting with energy but suffers horrendously from separation anxiety and the noise he makes can be ear piercing - i've heard this is common with Cockapoos.
My thoughts would be get something that suits your ages and lifestyle, mixed breed or not, puppy or not. I was once told that the best dog to suit 'seniors' is a minature Schnauzer as in general they are easy to train, loving and loyal, not too big, don't shed much. Hope your DH comes round.

Caleo

Dog breeders profit from puppies . What happens to the poor little brood bitches at the end of their breeding capability?

We adopted a four year old chocolate Labrador brood bitch when she was retired by the breeder.
Lots of people advised us against this saying that they aren’t house trained, often have very bad teeth because of the lack of calcium etc, etc.

We went ahead and we are so happy we did. Coco is eleven now and is the most wonderful, loving and happy dog we have ever had. She’s slowing up now due to arthritis but she’s still an absolute joy and I wouldn’t hesitate to adopt another should the opportunity ever arise again.

Dog breeders profit from puppies . What happens to the poor little brood bitches at the end of their breeding capability?

You can’t replace one dog with another they are all individuals so don’t feel guilty at all. Cockerpoo is a spaniel cross poodle both proper dogs. Poodles were originally bred as retrieving dogs for game. Same as Labradors (albeit less biddable than a working lab) but that’s the standard version the miniature is different in personality but still lovely. Just beware of puppy farms but if that’s the cross you want try to find a first generation cross from known bloodlines from a genuine breeder preferably someone who simply wants one from their own do, go for calm biddable well loved parents. Best of luck and enjoy your new friend.

I had a Labradoodle, who died 18 months ago from cancer. He was 10 years old. Utterly divine. Utterly handsome (in my eyes!). He was such a good dog. I have owned Poodles and Labradors,, so know the traits. |Mine was reasonably well bred and I saw the parents. But why are breeders asking over £1,000 for what is, basically, a mongrel? And why are idiots paying this? Am I missing something?

I would love another one but am put off by the current fashion trend. I saw one advertised the other day which was a Retriever and toy poodle cross. The mind boggles!

Does anyone know anything about Large Munsterlanders? Next on my hit list. I have read everything on the breed website and spoken to the breed secretary but just wondered if anyone had any personal experience.

Eithan Your comment sounds like a post on the 'Make a sentence' game thread.

Cockapoo feels fit for beach walks.

Is he hoping to have more holidays maybe?
Please hear him out.
He may not really want another dog at all...

Please be careful if you do choose a cockerpoo cross breed. They more often than not need the same amount/frequency of grooming and clipping that a poodle does, and of course they are a mix of two crazy breeds, often making them really lively. And, as has already been mentioned, a lot of the breeders are just in it for the money and probably won't do health checks on the parents.
Disclaimer: I have three standard poodles and they can be hard work - I clip them myself every 4 or 5 weeks as a trip to a groomer is around £60 each, and of course they are very clever, so not actually simple to train as they think for themselves rather than just follow instructions! We wouldn't have any other breed now though!

sodapop In my experience a rescue mixed breed often has all the fun, love, energy and spark of two (or more) 'proper dogs' in one gorgeous package.

I agree Churchview definitely something that needs to be agreed.
My two rescue mixed breeds take exception to not being considered 'proper dogs'.

In my experience the personality and traits of a dog matter more than the breed. We've had everything from JRTs, Heinz 57 to German shepherds. We adopted them all because they seemed like gentle, intelligent, happy dogs who responded well to us and their needs matched our lifestyle, not for particular breed traits or a look.

Having a dog in your life is a total joy but, as you know OP, it's a huge responsibility too. I think both you and your husband need to be ready, in agreemen and to have fully recovered from the loss of your old pup before you get another.

It does seem an ideal time of year to get a puppy, but 9 weeks isn't actually all that long maybe? My DH wanted a puppy very soon after we lost our lovely spaniel. Left to myself I would have waited a few months, but DH was so devastated, he didn't eat properly for weeks, so that's what we did & it worked out fine.
Spaniels, labs & cockerpoos are all delightful breeds imo, cockerpoos may be newfangled but they are very "doggy" characters, proper dogs, just not shedding the doghair that gets everywhere.
If you want one from a reputable breeder who rears them in a home environment, you may have to wait few months anyway - could you persuade DH to start looking into this?

You need to have a proper discussion about the when, why and what.

Labs aren’t always the easiest - they’re gorgeous, I love my boy whose obedience and responsiveness are good. He’s a sensitive soul though who needs careful handling -I now know labs can be sensitive. They’re also big strong dogs. Ours pulled my husband over on the beach when excitement got the better of him as an adolescent.

Cockerpoos can be fit, happy little dogs but it’s hard to find responsible breeders. They look like Disney designed them and are cursed with being over popular. Hobby, back street, puppy farms put any old spaniel with any old poodle and make a fortune. Spaniels are very sensitive, poodles very clever. Yiu don’t always get the best of both breeds.
So big decisions - talk things through and decide together

Would you like a puppy or an older dog ?
I wouldn't go for a cockerpoo, they have a lot of health issues .
Talk it over with hubby why he's holding back .
Perhaps he's worried about the responsibility of owning another dog .

It doesn’t seem so,
But what do we know, really?

Communication is key.
Ask your husband why he (seems to be) stalling.

Is it the cost of one of these very popular dogs?
Is he reluctant because of your own ages?
Could he be reticent about dog maintenance costs? Grooming, food, pet insurance etc all add up!

So many factors.
Chat together and decide?

No one’s business but yours and your husband but just for conversation I d want a ‘proper’ dog too I don’t like these modern expensive mixed breed dogs They were mongrels in my day and often the best but being bred for this effect or that effect is unnatural and often not good for the animal, it’s a fad with a funny name, and a big price tag