How long have you been a breeder?
We've been raising dogs since 2001. Our puppies have gone all over the United States and to Greece.
Do you provide references?
Yes, but only to serious prospective buyers. We are grateful to those happy customers who have volunteered to act as references on our behalf, and do not want to over-tax them with casual inquiries. We have also added a reference page to our website. I would also check out my Facebook page, as many of my puppies families are on there.
Which makes a better pet, a boy or a girl?
So many people, when they set out to find a puppy, are looking for a "sweet little girl." For some reason, in a smaller dog, "sweet little" seems to match a female rather than a male. However, we find that either sex makes an equally good pet.
Many times people find that males are more eager to please, as well as more motivated by treats, which can make them easier to train. Females are usually more independent. However, the boys can also be more easily distracted, looking for any new opportunity to play, whereas the girls may stay more focused. Between pets, it is actually the females, rather than the males, that may exhibit dominant behavior, such as mounting or fighting over the food dish; in nature, it is the females that determine pecking order.
As far as displaying secondary sexual behavior such as marking or mounting, if you get your little boy neutered by around 6 months old, you will never see this. And it costs about half as much to get a boy neutered as it does to get a girl spayed.
So, as stated above, we really believe either sex makes an equally good pet. Whichever you choose, you will find that your puppy will love to play, then simply melt in your arms when you're ready for some loving!
How big do your cockapoo puppies get?
Our puppies, when full grown, range in size from 8 - 25lbs. We will soon be starting Standard Cockapoos that will be between 30-45 lbs.
How many litters do your mamas have each year?
Our girls normally have 1 litter a year, sometimes 2, but they always get a break . Our Girls normally only have 4 litters in there life time and are spayed by the age of 5. There are exceptions to this but the health of our girls is most important.
Will my new puppy get along with my cat?
Yes! The pups are all young enough to adapt to any new situation they are exposed to. Depending on your cat, the new puppy may become its best friend, or your cat may stay completely aloof but accepting of the new pup after the introductory period.
If I have put down a deposit on a puppy, but do not like the choices I have when it comes my turn to choose, can I pick a puppy from the next litter?
Yes! All deposits are transferable. If you do not pick a puppy from the original litter for which you put down a deposit, you can always choose from the next litter.
If I have put down a deposit on a puppy and do not want to pick up the puppy as soon as it is ready to leave its littermates at 8-10 weeks old, will you hold the puppy for us?
If you make arrangements with us ahead of time, we are willing to hold your puppy up to 2 weeks. We charge 50.00/week to cover cost after the puppy is 10 weeks old.
What else should I have ready to bring my new puppy home?
We encourage crate-training. So a crate just big enough for your puppy to lie down and stand up in comfortably is perfect. Plus a leash & collar, food & water bowls, and toys to round it
What form of payment do you accept?
If you are putting down a deposit on a litter, we will accept either a money order, cashier check, or PayPal, which gives you the option of using a credit card. When coming to pick up your puppy from us, we ask you bring cash or pay the full amount ahead of time using PayPal.
Visiting Us
Due to the prevalence of and easily spread Parvovirus we are no longer accepting visitors to our home to see the puppies until they are at least 6 weeks of age and the visitor has placed a deposit on a puppy. We require you place a deposit on a puppy before visiting because many families will kennel hop when they are puppy "shopping". I understand you may want to look for that perfect puppy before committing however I will not put my puppies at risk. Parvo virus is transferred through the contact of fecal matter from an infected dog. It can be carried in on your clothing, shoes, hands, and even vehicle tires. Parvo is extremely harmful and often deadly to puppies under 1 year of age whether treated or untreated.
It would be irresponsible of us as breeders to allow people to come, and play with our puppies and possibly infect puppies that have already been sold, so when you visit my home you will only see available puppies. All other puppies will be kept in our Nursery.
*Children must be supervised by their parents at all times. They must be seated when holding the puppies. Only pups not already spoken for from the litter you are choosing from may be handled.
If you are purchasing a puppy as a companion for your family and a family pet, please know ahead of time if your pet gets along well with other animals. Most dogs are kind to puppies but a few are not. We do not allow other dogs on our property. A "getting to know you" type of situation could result in a puppy being harmed. In addition, we are very careful not to have any diseases brought to our home by another dog/pet.
Like most breeders, we do not allow visitors to tour our kennel facility or nursery, because it can be very upsetting to the adult dogs to allow a stranger into their own space, and because it is too easy to introduce germs to our kennel. However, We are more than happy to show off our proud parents, We normally have the parents of our puppies running around the house or yard.
THERE ARE NO BATHROOM FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Please stop in town before coming to my home.
Underbites in the Cockapoo
Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle have underbites in the bloodlines. You never know where in a pedigree of a Cocker Spaniel as many breeders would "band" the teeth so that they would grow correctly. There are approx 7 or 8 different genes that cause an underbite. YOU ONLY NEED ONE to have this issue. Most underbites are purely cosmetic meaning that they will NEVER have an effect on the lifestyle of your dog.
Urinary Tract Infections
UTI (Urinary Tract Infections) are very common in mainly female puppies. Since we raise Cockers also, we have had a lot of experience in this area. Many Cocker females have a tilted vulva. This causes bacteria to sit at the base and not be able to be flushed out with the passing of urine. Sometimes it would be best to wait until after the first heat cycle to spay as that will expand the vulva area. If not, then you can have your vet expand the vulva for you at the time of spay. UTI are easy to treat with antibotics but may continue on and off until such time as spay or first heat.
Giardia
Giardia are protozoans, tiny, one-celled parasitic life forms with the potential to cause serious illness. Some dogs are carriers who show no symptoms, but others get sick and need treatment.
If the dog has an immature (puppy) or overburdened immune system, the trophozoites continue to multiply by dividing and can cause loose stool.
Suffice to say, however, that Giardia is an equal opportunity disease that infects several species of animals. It is said to be a water based parasite.
Example: Your dog drinks from a puddle of rain water (oops, it now has Giardia)
Very common and DO NOT PANIC.
96% of the time your dog's immune system can fight it off. Sometimes not as puppies.
Symptoms: Produce feces that are soft, light-colored, and greasy.
Treatment: In a recent study, Panacur (Fenbendazole), which is approved for use in treating dogs with roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm, has been shown to be effective in treating canine giardiasis. Panacur is safe to use in puppies at least six weeks of age.
*We, at Regal Cockapoos, believe in prevention! We have all of our puppies on Panacur (small doses) for a 7-10 day period before going to new homes. This is an excellent source for worming as well as prevention of this issue. *
Does this mean your puppy will not get Giardia? No. It just means we have done everything in our power to prevent it.
Coccidia
Another of those fun parasites that puppies can get.
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. They cause disease most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).
As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia.
A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within the young animal's intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines.
What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases.
Most infected puppies are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia.
What is the treatment of coccidiosis?
Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of one to three weeks are usually required.
Anywhere fecal matter is, Coccidia can be present. Vet Hospitals, Dog parks, Neighborhoods, etc.
Flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another.
The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.
Again DO NOT PANIC! This is something mainly due to the immune system of the puppy not being fully developed.
These are just some of the reasons we want our puppies on NuVet vitimans. NuVet helps the development of the immune system.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia definition:
Hypoglycemia is a sudden fall in the concentration of blood glucose (sugar) levels in the bodies blood volume below normal levels The body uses glucose as its primary energy
source.
“Puppy Hypoglycemia”
Is seen in toy breed dogs less than 5 months of age. These dogs have more brain mass per body weight compared to other breeds and therefore need more glucose for brain function.
Signs of hypoglycemia:
The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are similar regardless of the cause.
Confusion, disorientation, becoming drowsy at unusual times, shivers, and/or staggers about. Lethargy (lack of energy), weakness, head tilting, hunger, restlessness, stupor,convulsions, seizures, or coma and even death.
The occurrence of the above signs depends on how far the blood glucose has dropped and on how fast the blood glucose drops. Hypoglycemia reactions are thought of as "mild," "moderate," or "severe." If untreated, the early mild symptoms of hypoglycemia can become moderate or severe. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is imperative, as recurrence of, or prolonged attacks, can cause permanent damage to the brain.
Treating Hypoglycemia:
If you see one or more signs of hypoglycemia in your dog. Feed it immediately. The first priority is to get its blood glucose back to a safe level. If the dog will not take food then try giving it a quickly absorbing source of sugar such as syrup, honey, or jam by mouth.
Be Prepared:
Always have corn syrup available or maple syrup that can be absorbed quickly into the dogs bloodstream. Give one teaspoon of syrup to a small dog, and one tablespoon of syrup to a large dog. The effect of syrup does not last long, but it works quickly to reverse a low blood sugar situation.
If your pet is unconscious Rub the syrup on the gums and under the tongue.
If your pet is not unconscious and can swallow you can give the sugar with a needleless (no needle) syringe. Keep on hand a filled 1mL syringe (no needle) with corn syrup, and carry it on trips in case it is needed. If your pets blood sugar drops it may also begin to suffer with hypothermia, so you'll need to help keep your dog warm with a hot water bottle and blankets. A milk jug filled with steaming hot water makes a good hot water bottle in a pinch. This treatment can also work with puppies who are failing to thrive.
Do not pour the syrup into the dog's mouth. Simply lift one side of the dog's lip and rub the syrup into that area.
Additional information: If you own a toy breed dog you should feed 3 small meals a day to help avoid hypoglycemia. Some owners mix Karo syrup in the drinking water, if you do this the water should be changed daily to avoid bacteria growth. Hypoglycemia is very dangerous and can kill if left without treatment. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian is imperative.
