Cockapoos - Toy and Mini Standard

(Hybrid American Cocker Spaniel and Mini or Toy Poodle)

Characteristics of the Cockapoo:

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Cockapoo Hybrid American Cocker Spaniel and Mini or Toy Poodle Cockapoo, as the name indicates, are a cross (hybrid) of pure Cocker Spaniels and Poodles. They have been bred informally for many decades, and have been noted for their wonderful dispositions, long lives and lower incidence of genetic defects than in the parental breeds. This type of cross breeding results in "hybrid vigor" in which the best qualities of each breed manifest in the offspring. This, however, assumes that one is not breeding from defective or impure Cockers or Poodles. It also creates a wider gene pool, thereby lessening the likelihood of the more prominent defects of each breed from being reproduced. Continued out-breeding (i.e., not breeding related pairs) enlarges the gene pool even further.

Many Cockapoo's are first-generation (the direct offspring of a Poodle and Cocker). We encourage breeders to continue, as many have, to selectively breed down the generations of non-related pairs. This further enhances the desired characteristics of the Cockapoo in the succeeding generations. Breeders are being encouraged to produce successive generations and to keep detailed breeding records that will be able to stand the scrutiny required for an upcoming registry. Either breed can be the sire or dam, but the American Cocker is usually used as the dam.

The Cockapoo derives from the Poodle its extraordinary intelligence and non-shedding coat. (Realistically no dog exists that does not shed, so a better term would be low-shed.) When combed and brushed, some hair does come out, but it is not likely that you will find dog hairs on the carpet, etc. Because the Poodle is commonly referred to as non-shedding, this term will be used. Likewise, there is very little dander, which is the main culprit in allergies to dogs. This makes the Cockapoo an ideal choice for those who have problems with allergies.

The Cockapoo's sweet nature, patient disposition and sturdy build come from the Cocker Spaniel. The resulting personality is unparalleled in its ability to relate to people and children. They are famous for being loyal, affectionate, open and friendly, nondestructive, eager to please, easily trained, vigorous, clean, healthy and long lived (18-22 years). The dog's flexibility and range of sizes makes it ideal for a number of special situations.

Standards for the Cockapoo:

Colouring:The Cockapoo does come in a wide range of wonderful colors, black, black-white, white, buff, apricot, red-apricot, chocolate, cream, brindle, silver, silver-black, sable, black-tan-white, parti (white - with one other color).

Size:

TYPE OF COCKAPOO	HEIGHT AT WITHERS	WEIGHT AT FULL MATURITY
Toy	less than 12 inches tall	less than 12 lbs.
Mini	more than 12 inches tall and less than 16 inches	less than 12-18 lbs.
Standard	more than 16 inches tall	more than 18-35 lbs.

Grooming:Like that of both parents' dogs the Cockapoo does have a wonderful long coat if allowed to grow without cutting. Potential owners must be willing to take time to groom and brush the coat of the Cockapoo without this attention the coat will mat up and require cutting and trimming. So if you know that you do not, or will not groom your Cockapoo, then we suggest that you get a puppy cut on your Cockapoo, which does not need to be brushed everyday. But you should brush it at least twice a week, as this is good for your puppy or adult Cockapoo, and most do not mind it if you are gentle with them. When we groom our Cockapoo dogs we like to make the body short but leaving the beard and the hair on the ears long, but tidy. The hair around the eyes is always trimmed a wee bit so that it does not irritate the eyes, this is the reason that most poodles have the weepy stains on the face near the eyes, if the hair were trimmed more often then there would be less tear staining. Washing the beard every week will help keep it tidy looking. This also helps with the removal of any dog food, or anything else that may cling to the beard. To wash the face use a damp face cloth; you really don't need to use soap unless the beard is very dirty, in this case try to use a mild soap, and make sure that you rinse it well. As with both of the parent breeds you do need to care for the ears of the Cockapoo. Keep in mind that if they get wet from bathing or swimming it is very important that you use a drying solution in the ears to help avoid the Cockapoo from getting an ear infection. This care with the ears you can talk to your veterinarian about, please follow this advice, as it is very uncomfortable for the Cockapoo when suffering an ear problem.

Life Expentancy:Cockapoos can live for 18-22 years. If provided with:

• good source of nutrition or well balanced diet
• regular vet visits (at least once a year)
• regular dental care (every 16 months)
• heart and worm prevention (is a must)
• flea protection (Most Cockapoos are very sensitive to flea bites, which causes many irritations to the animals skin and loss of coat. Not to mention how would you feel if you had these little flea bites on your body? So prevention is worth a pound of cure, thus making you and your Cockapoo or any doggie happy and flea free.)

Shihpoo Toy

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(Hybrid Shihtzu & Toy Poodle)

Characteristics of the Shihpoo:

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The Shihtzu derives from the Poodle its extraordinary intelligence and non-shedding coat. (Realistically no dog exists that does not shed, so a better term would be low shed.) When combed and brushed, some hair does come out, but it is not likely that you will find dog hairs on the carpet, etc. Because the Poodle is commonly referred to as non-shedding, this term will be used. Likewise, there is very little dander, which is the main culprit in allergies to dogs. This makes the Shihpoo a wonderful choice for those who have problems with allergies. Along with the wonderful intelligence and non-shedding coat, that is derived from the poodle, it still has a luxurious flowing coat.

The Shihpoo still has the endearing personality and humorous temperament that is commonly favored by women and children.

Standards for the Shihpoo:

Unlike its parent dog, the Shihtzu, the Shihpoo should have a much longer muzzle thus making it much easier to breathe. This is a common problem with the parent Shihtzu dog being known to have very narrow nasal passages which makes the dog struggle to take in air. Not all Shihtzu have this trouble with breathing, they just snuffle and snort; this is just part of this breed, some Shihpoo also snuffle and snort. The teeth of the Shihpoo should be a nice scissor bite or level bite, unlike that of the parent Shihtzu dog, that tend to have the undershot jaw. In many cases it is hard for the animal to eat, as the teeth don't meet up in a nice way to help with the chewing of the food that they eat. This is the main cause of bad teeth and bad breath in the parent dog Shihtzu. Most Shihtzu's will need to have dental work done by 2-3 years old.

Colouring:All colors (solids and parti colors)

Size:Height at withers like that of the parent Shihtzu dog - the Shihpoo is 9-10 inches tall; a mature dog is about 8-15 lbs.

Grooming:Potential owners must be willing to take time to groom and brush the coat of the Shihpoo everyday. Without this attention the coat will mat up and require cutting and trimming. So if you know that you do not, or will not groom your Shihpoo, then we suggest that you get a puppy cut on your Shihpoo, which does not need to be brushed everyday. But you should brush it at least twice a week, as this is good for your puppy or adult Shihpoo, and most do not mind it if you are gentle with them.

Life Expentancy:Shihpoos can live for 12-16 years. If provided with:

• good source of nutrition or well balanced diet
• regular vet visits (at least once a year)
• regular dental care (every 16 months)
• heart and worm prevention (is a must)
• flea protection (Most Shihpoo and Shihtzu are very sensitive to flea bites, which causes many irritations to the animals skin and loss of coat. Not to mention how would you feel if you had these little flea bites on your body? So prevention is worth a pound of cure, thus making you and your Shihpoo or any doggie happy and flea free.)

Lhasapoo Mini

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(Hybrid Lhasa Apso & Toy-Mini Poodle)

Characteristics of the Lhasapoo:

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The Lhasapoo derives from Poodle its extraordinary intelligence and non-shedding coat. (Realistically no dog exists that does not shed, so a better term would be low shed.) When combed and brushed, some hair does come out, but it is not likely that you will find dog hairs on the carpet, etc. Because the Poodle is commonly referred to as non-shedding, this term will be used. Likewise, there is very little dander, which is the main culprit in allergies to dogs. This makes the Lhasapoo a wonderful choice for those who would like to have a small dog, but one that is a bit bigger than the Shihpoo, with the same loving and entertaining temperament, it is also a great choice if you have problems with allergies. Along with the wonderful intelligence and non-shedding coat that is derived from the poodle it also a luxurious flowing coat without the "doggie smell" that some dogs have. The Lhasapoo still has the endearing personality and humorous temperament that is commonly favored by women and children and men tend to like them as they are bigger than the Shihpoo, thus filling a need for some men that don't want a little dog but mom and kids do.

The Lhasapoo is a small dog but with great spirit and they tend to think that they are bigger than they are.

Standards for the Lhasapoo

Unlike its parent dog, the Lhasa Apso the Lhasapoo should have a much longer muzzle which makes it much easier to breath. This is a common problem with the parent dog Lhasa Apso, who are known to have narrow nasal passages (not as much as the Shihtzu ) which makes the dog struggle to take in air. Not all Lhasa Apso have this trouble, they just snuffle and snort. This is just part of this breed, some Lhasapoo also snuffle and snort. The teeth of the Lhasapoo should be a nice scissor bite or level bite. Lhasapoos are full of life and make the most out of whatever household they are in, adapting their daily routine to the space they are allotted. Lhasapoos are recommended for families who like to lavish attention on their dogs.

Colouring:All colors - solids and parti. We also like to see nice dark tips on the ears of our pups.

Size:Height at withers like that of the parent Lhasa Apso dog - the Lhasapoo is 12-16 inches tall; a mature dog is about 12-17lbs.

Tail:Yes - it should be carried over the back with a slight curl at then tip. Never cut the hair on your Lhasapoo's tail. (This is always left long, as with the beard even when given a puppy cut or shorter hair cut in the summer time.)

Grooming:Potential owners must be willing to take time to groom and brush the coat of the Lhasapoo everyday. Without this attention the coat will mat up and require cutting and trimming. If you know that you do not, or will not groom your Lhasapoo, then we suggest that you get a puppy cut on your Lhasapoo, which does not need to be brushed everyday. But, you should brush it at least twice a week. This is good for your puppy or adult Lhasapoo and most do not mind it if you are gentle with them.

Life Expectancy:Lhasapoo's can live for 12-16 years if provided with:

• good source of nutrition or well balanced diet
• regular vet visit (at least once a year)
• regular dental care (every 16 month)
• heart worm prevention (is a must)
• flea protection (Most Lhasapoo and Lhasa Apso are very sensitive to flea bites, which causes many irritations to the animals skin and loss of coat. Not to mention...how would you feel if you had these little fleabites on your body? So, prevention is worth a pound of cure, thus making you and your Lhasapoo or any other animal in your home happy and flea free.)

Pekeapoo Toy

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(Pekingese Hybrid Toy-Mini Poodle)

Characteristics of the Pekeapoo: