SIZE

Size:           Size is determined by the height, rather than the weight, of the adult dog. Height is measured to the top of the shoulder                         in standing position.

COLOR AND MARKINGS:

Typical Colors:    Black, White, Buff, Cream, Apricot

Special Colors:    Any of the above with white markings, Red, Chocolate

Parti:    Two or more solid colors one of which must be white.

Phantom:    Usually a black body with brown color on legs, under tail, eyebrows, and side of face

Sable:    Black or dark brown at birth, lightening to a mix of gold, silver, red, brown, or tan; darker points in coloring, usually on the                       face and ears

Tri-Color:    parti color with tan markings over eyes, on muzzle, ears, legs and sometimes chest

Merle:    lighter colors of the base color swirled with the darker base color

Roan:    single white hairs and white patches intermingled with the base color

SPAYING/NEUTERING

Benefits of Spaying (females)

• No heat cycles, therefore males will not be attracted

• Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in auto accident

• Reduce or eliminate risk of mammary gland tumors, ovarian and/or uterine cancer, especially if done before the first heat cycle

• Reduces number of unwanted dogs/puppies

• Helps dogs live longer, healthier lives

Benefits of Neutering (males)

• Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking

• Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents

• Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease

• Reduces number of unwanted dogs/puppies

• Decreases aggressive behavior, including biting

• Helps dogs live longer, healthier lives

Adapted from article on www.spayusa.org

MALE VS. FEMALE? 

The answer is—the ONLY time gender truly matters is if you plan to breed your dog. Choosing the best puppy for your family does not have to do with gender; it has to do with the puppy’s individual personality and temperament.

Preference for a female puppy seems to be the most prevalent. Most people assume that a female will be sweet and gentle. This is not necessarily the case. There are some puppies that are sweet and gentle, and there are some that are more dominant and aggressive. These characteristics can apply to both male and female puppies and dogs, depending on individual personality and temperament.

Males and females both can be independent, stubborn, and territorial. They can both develop unwanted behaviors if not trained properly. We do our best to assure that our puppies have been trained not to be overly aggressive or territorial. We do not allow the puppies to bite us, even in play. The main influence, however, will be what takes place when the puppy joins your family.The first year is absolutely essential for proper training. We would advise you to take your new puppy to a training class (PetSmart has reasonable prices—check around with other trainers). Be consistent with your new puppy, and do not allow any bad behavior to develop, even if it seems “cute” at the time.

We find that there are generally more negative behaviors displayed in fully grown female dogs. We believe this is from the tendency to “coddle” your “little girl.” Coddling an animal when she is afraid or shows aggression toward other dogs is a sure way to cause the dog to become even more aggressive and territorial. Please learn more about training your dog properly to avoid having this happen. We highly recommend Cesar Milan’s book about dog training, as this shows more about the individual personality traits dogs tend to exhibit.

If you wish to avoid typical male problems of “spraying” or “marking” and female problems of moodiness twice a year during heats, We highly recommend getting your puppy neutered or spayed early—before 6 months of age. Contact your vet for more information.

If a dog is trained properly, he or she should be affectionate, attentive, and eager to please. Some are more playful, and some are cuddlier—this depends on personality and temperament. There are low energy dogs and high energy dogs, and everything in between. These personalities start to show around 4-6 weeks of age. We play with our puppies, so we are able to determine what type of personality each puppy has. We will do our best to match up the puppy that is best for you, based on personality and temperament.

What Food should you use?

Diet is probably the most important issue you will deal with in your dog’s life. A healthy dog will be resistant to disease and parasites and has a greater chance of living a long and healthy life. While a dog can survive (at least for a while) on a low quality commercial dog food, it will not likely thrive. There is also a greater probability that your dog will eventually experience chronic health problems.

We feed our puppies Simply Nourish Chicken and Brown Rice for Puppies. It is a 5/5 star food available at petsmart. To compare dog/puppy foods check out the Dog Food Advisor.

What We Provide

• Registration application to register your puppy with the American Cockapoo Club—you will need to fill it out online per the instructions on the form. 
• Signed guarantee from Picture Perfect Puppies—included as part of contract.
• Small baggie of Simply Nourish Puppy Food

• Stuffed animal with scent of litter mates.

• Plain Collar, if you would like to provide your own we will get your puppy accostomed to it. 
• Chew stick—keep chew sticks on hand so the puppy won’t be tempted to chew on your personal belongings. Please buy only rawhide chew sticks, and avoid anything that is pressed and has added dyes or flavorings.

Please don’t let your puppy down on the ground in an area that is frequented by other dogs, as he or she could contract parvovirus or some other deadly disease. If you are traveling a long distance to bring your puppy home, having a cardboard box or plastic tote lined with puppy papers or newspapers is a safe place for your puppy to go to the bathroom - in your vehicle.

What You Will Need

• Crate/kennel—you may want to get the 2nd or 3rd size up instead of the smallest size. However, the back half will need to be blocked off at first, as too much space will allow the puppy to go to the bathroom in the back of the kennel and cause problems with crate training. In my opinion, wire cages are the best because they allow the puppy to see what is going on, thereby feeling more a part of the family.

• More puppy food—we feed our puppies Simply Nourish Chicken and Brown Rice for Puppies. It is a 5/5 star food and you should always feed your dog a high grade food.  To compare dog/puppy foods check out the Dog Food Advisor.

• Food/water dish.

• Collar and leash. An 8” collar is the size he will be in at first. A kitten collar may work since they sometimes come in smaller sizes, but they have a pull apart safety that can be a problem. S/He should weigh about four to seven pounds when s/he comes home.

• Puppy pads or newspaper for indoor training, if desired; however, we do not recommend that option unless you purchase your puppy in extremely cold weather and/or do not have a private grassy area for him to use. Disposable underpads are available at any drugstore, and puppy training pads are available at pet stores and Target and Walmart.

• To look up your city/state licensing requirements so you do not get fined. 

You will need to schedule a vet appointment within 5 days of receiving your puppy. Bring the medical record that we provide

to make sure your vet is aware of all shots/worming that were given.