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Much Ado About Poo -- A Rebuttal, Part 1

© John Hopkins

Meet the oodles and the poos: Bichonpoos, Cockapoos, Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Lhasapoos, Maltepoos, Pekepoos, Pomapoos, Schnoodles, Shihpoos, Terripoos, and Yorkiepoos just to name a few. To read the article, Much Ado About Poo, you would think that these names were part of an international conspiracy. Hardly, they are nothing more than the names of a group of much loved hybrid dogs, the crosses between Poodles and other internationally recognized breeds. So what's the problem with that? Why shouldn't we be able to buy these wonderful dogs without having a stigma attached to us, or to them?

In Much Ado About Poo, its writer attempts to rebut five claims supposedly made by the breeders and sellers of Poodle-mix hybrids. This and several subsequent articles will explore and answer each of these claims, in turn.

The first claim that Poo breeders supposedly make is, "We're making a new breed. The AKC is going to recognize the Cocker-Poo real soon now." In her attempt to ridicule and discredit this claim, the writer of Much Ado about Poo makes three statements that are clearly untrue. First, "There has been no agreement among breeders even as to what a Yorkie-Poo (or other poodle-mix)* is supposed to be other than a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier (or other breed) and a Poodle."

In rebuttal I offer this statement made by the North American Cockapoo Registry, "Cockapoos will almost always show strong characteristics of both parents. They could lean a little to poodle or a little to cocker. Some may be a little curlier and some may have blockier heads, but they definitely show both parents in a unique way that is what gives Cockapoos such a special look... ." Further, the The Cockapoo Club of America states that the Cockapoo derives its extraordinary intelligence, non (low) shedding coat, and near lack of dander from the Poodle, while getting its sweet nature, patient disposition, and sturdy build from the Cocker Spaniel. Both clubs encourage breeders to selectively breed non-related pairs beyond the first generation, to further enhance the desired characteristics of the Cockapoo in succeeding generations.

Secondly, "After years of mixing these breeds, no two Yorkie-Poos (or other Poos) look anything alike... ." In response to this statement, I will simply refer the reader to a number of Web sites devoted to Yorkiepoos, Maltepoos, and Cockapoos. Comparing pictures of these hybrids between Web sites clearly shows that there are striking similarities among the members of these "breeds".