Why a dog / Why a Cockapoo?

Despite my earlier stated misgivings about the name Cockapoo, I have decided to keep using it just because it is the most widely used name for this type of dog.

Now I suppose for the least interesting question, why we have decided to get a dog. Everyone wants a dog. Don't they? As I have decided to write a blog, I will go ahead and answer the question. I have always enjoyed dogs, but have never had one of my own. When I was growing up my older sister got a dog. She didn't take care of it, so when I was old enough to have a pet. I got a cat. I have been waiting to get a dog for a long time. No time like the present...

Now to the second question to be answered in this post, why a dog with cock and poo both in it's name. First off, my wife is allergic to most short hair dogs and some others. This fact alone limited our choices. One choice would have been to get a poodle from the get go, but I find the miniature and toy poodle just a little too small and a standard poodle a bit large for our living arrangements. However, the hypoallergenic nature of the poodles coat was very attractive given our requirements. I had known and really liked a couple of cocker spaniels, but fears of over-breeding of cockers and getting an un-healthy or aggressive cocker was a concern.

A cross of a miniature poodle and the slightly larger cocker spaniel just seemed like a good possibility. With this thought I entered my research phase on the breed and looking for breeders. My next post will cover this.