Buying a Cockapoo Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding, to include gonioscopy (includes checks for multiple inherited eye diseases and physical issues such as distichiasis)
- gonioscopy tests for primary glaucoma – a progressive eye disease leading to blindness
- Distichiasis
- extra misplaced eylashes that rub the eyeball
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Chronic pancreatitis
- recurring inflammation of the pancreas causing pain and vomiting
- Ear infections
- more likely in dogs with long, hairy ears
- Luxating patella
- abnormal kneecap causing pain and lameness
- MVD (mitral valve disease)
- leaking heart valve (usually only in old age)
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- AMS – Acral mutilation syndrome
- dog attacks its own paws causing damage
- FN – Familial nephropathy
- early onset kidney failure
- PRA – Progressive retinal atrophy
- eye disease leading to blindness
Some testing panels will also include other rare genetic diseases; different tests are relevant to dogs with different parent breeds.
Other Tests
- Putnam scoring for patella luxation
Further Information
Although Cockapoos are not a KC registered breed, responsible breeders will still health test their dogs.