Adopting a Cockapoo or Cavapoo in Birmingham: rescues, costs and health

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Cockapoo listed with us in Birmingham and within about 25 miles, with a link to the rescue that has each dog. Cavapoos have their own page, and the poodle and doodle page lists every poodle cross. The count is often very short, and on some days empty. That is the honest picture for doodles here, so the national rescues below are where most Birmingham adopters will find one.

Dogs Trust describes a Cockapoo as a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, and its Cavalier guide a Cavapoo as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crossed with a Poodle. Neither is on The Royal Kennel Club's Breeds A to Z, so neither has a breed standard, and its crossbreed guide says it is often "difficult to predict what the puppies will look like or what their temperament will be".

Rescues often list both simply as poodle crosses, and a label on a listing is a best guess. For an adopter that matters less than it sounds: an adult dog's size, coat and character are already known to its foster carer.

Battersea says people can underestimate the time and training Cockapoos need, "which is why they're often given up", and that they're "not the low-maintenance family dog they're sometimes pictured as". Doodle Trust says "many of the myths that made them popular are the same reasons so many end up abandoned".

The biggest myth is allergies. Doodle Trust says "No dog is allergy friendly", and that a puppy's coat can change in adulthood, while Battersea says Cockapoos are not hypoallergenic. If someone at home has allergies, ask whether you can spend time with the adult dog before you commit: it is one of the clearest advantages of adopting over buying a puppy.

A rescue fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and many rescues add a few weeks' insurance. At Birmingham Dogs Home the fee includes neutering, a microchip, flea and worm treatment and four weeks' free insurance. Small Dog Rescue asks donations from £350 upwards, depending on breed and the vet treatment the dog has needed.

A bought puppy leaves that vet work to you, and Blue Cross puts the puppy itself at £400 to £3,000. Some charities charge less for older dogs: Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. Whichever route you take, price insurance and a groomer first, because Battersea warns that ear, skin and digestive problems can mean ongoing costs for medication and specialist food.

A cross can inherit problems from either parent, so The Royal Kennel Club's crossbreed guide says breeders should consider the health tests for both breeds. A rescue doodle's parents may never have been tested, so ask what the rescue's vet has found.

• Cockapoos. Battersea says ear infections are common, that itchy or sore skin is often linked to allergies, that Cockapoos are more likely to have long-term digestive issues, and that they can inherit progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an eye condition that causes gradual sight loss.
• Cavapoos. On the Cavalier side, PDSA calls heart conditions, most often mitral valve disease, "a big problem", and also lists syringomyelia, a painful condition of the spinal cord near the brain. Ask whether a vet has listened to the dog's heart.

Battersea says Cockapoos need around an hour of exercise a day plus daily mental stimulation, and that separation anxiety is common. If you commute into the city, tell the rescue honestly how the dog's day would be covered: DoodleAid asks on its application how long you would leave a dog alone and how often.

Many of the local rescues also ask about your garden and home. Birmingham Dogs Home asks for a secure garden with at least 4ft fencing and your landlord's permission if you rent, and Small Dog Rescue won't rehome to a flat.

Rescue doodles are adopted, not sold. You apply, the rescue picks the home it thinks suits the dog best, and you pay its adoption fee. Puppies do reach the doodle rescues, but you can't plan on one, so be open to an adult.

If you decide to buy, Battersea says demand has fuelled puppy farming and poor breeding, and to choose a breeder who health-tests both parents. Dogs Trust's breed guides, such as its Poodle guide, suggest asking your vet about a pre-purchase consultation, and The Royal Kennel Club runs a "Find a puppy" service. Report a suspected scam advert to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).