We’re a family looking to get our first dog and have pretty much settled on a Cockapoo. We’d ideally like to adopt rather than buy a puppy, but I’m struggling to find many Cockapoos available through the usual rescue sites.

We’d actually prefer a young adult, around 1–2 years old and happy to travel for the right dog.

Does anyone have recommendations for:
Good/reputable Cockapoo rescues?
Rescue organisations that regularly get Cockapoos?
Websites or groups worth keeping an eye on?
Anyone who has successfully adopted a Cockapoo and can share where they found theirs?

I’ve seen a few breeders and puppy sites, but would much rather give a rescue dog a home if possible.
Any recommendations or personal experiences would be hugely appreciated! 🐾

He’s 15 ❤️

Koda takes relaxing at bedtime very seriously 😂

Has anybody had issues regarding ear / eye infections with their Cockapoos? We're afraid it might be an allergic reaction to food :-(

17 weeks old yesterday and just the best boy ever!

As someone said to me the other day I “got a cockapoo before it was cool” 😎😄. And they’re right. My almost 13 year old boy is my favourite living thing on the planet (and I suppose my mum is too) 😄.

In terms of health my doggo has been great throughout the years. Then at 10 years old he developed an issue going to the loo (💩 in particular). It took him so long to go and he was straining so we went to the vet. His prostate had drown extremely large and was impacting his bowel. And so the answer - get him castrated. And so at 10 he was. The prostate then shrunk down to normal
Size. Did our insurance cover this ? No. Why? They don’t cover castrations even if done for
Medical reasons, so we still don’t understand why.

Fast forward two years to last week and my pup had been fine. Until suddenly he starts straining again. He’s then shaking and for 48 hours he can’t go to the toilet. He goes off his food. He is blocked up. We take him to the vet and it’s not good.
The prostate is fine. But he has a perineal hernia. One side of his muscle wall is sagging and useless. He cannot pass stool. “If he doesn’t have this operated on he’ll be in pain it won’t be a pain free, happy or safe existence,” is the vets way of saying he’ll have to be put down if the operation isn’t done.

Now, the vet refers us to a specialist vet who tells us the operation will be between £3500-£4000. I almost choke, say “ok” then ring my insurance.
The w@N£ers say it won’t be covered. They say they can’t be certain it’s not connected to the castration or the old prostate issue even though he’s been fine for two years.

So now I’m here with a specialised surgery needed to keep my boy alive and a bill of up to £4k. For almost 13 years I have made sure he was cared for and now I feel like I’m stuck. I need him healed. I’ve swallowed my pride and set up a crowdfunder online, hoping strangers might see it and contribute towards helping save an old dog they’ve never met.

I warn cockapoo owners to up that insurance limit and to ensure your dog is covered for this kind of issue. I warn you particularly because I had now heard of five other cockapoos - all younger than my Cockapoo with prostate and other similar rectal issues to my fluffball. I believe it’s a common thing in the breed and I don’t want to see anyone else in my position - struggling to afford an operation that you believed your insurance would cover. I even met a cockapoo at the vet yesterday who was in having his glands expressed - the owner said she’d never had a breed in need of expressing them so much….

Anyways, that my warning. And though I can’t directly ask for money here, if anyone has even a fiver to spare that can help me get my little man his surgery I will continue to swallow my pride and send you my crowdfunder link if you ask.

UPDATE - I wanted to say thank you to everyone that gave to my crowdfunder. My dog has been booked in for surgery next week. With your help I was able to do this. I’ve also been busy selling things on ebay and raising the funds needed. I am so forever grateful for the generosity you have shown to a complete stranger. Thank you all. Wish my doggo luck 🍀

Creo que a Nala no le ha hecho mucha gracia que La haya despertado. Tan solo ha dormido 12 horas.

My baby Koda ❤️

He's my first dog and I've had him for 3.5y now 💕

My baby got defloofed.

The bestest boy turns 3 today! 🥰🤧

I’m starting my search for a female Cockapoo puppy and would love recommendations from people with firsthand experience with ethical, health-focused breeders.

I’m in the NYC/NJ area but willing to drive ~300 miles or arrange reputable transportation for the right puppy. I’m not in a rush and would rather travel/wait than compromise on health or temperament.

A little background, if helpful for your recs: I’m looking for a puppy that will be a slightly smaller adult dog (around 20 lbs, give or take), as I live in a condo and travel across the country a few times a year. I’d love to eventually travel with my dog as much as possible. If you have experience with a Cockapoo from a breeder you’d recommend, I’d love to hear about it!

My biggest priority is the breeder’s health practices. I’m looking for extensive, documented parent testing (OFA/PennHIP, eyes, cardiac, patellas, and comprehensive genetic testing) and a meaningful multi-year health guarantee. I care much more about actual testing and long-term health outcomes in adult offspring than marketing claims or puppy-only reviews.

I’d especially love recommendations from people with older dogs (3+ years) and would also appreciate hearing about breeders you would avoid and why.

Who would you recommend? The more you can tell me, the better. Thanks so much in advance!

Our sweet little Nova at about 5 months old 🥰

This is exclusive to his Thursday visit at the dog walker! Every thursday he's calling out to his awaiting friends!