9-10-22: I have retired from breeding. I will maintain this website for my Atlas Families, and for other Cockapoo lovers to have as a reference. I utilized a fantastic stud for my litters, Sebastian, who was health tested and a quality Cockapoo.
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As a hobby breeder growing my business, I currently utilize stud services when selecting my dam’s mates. Eventually, a male will be added to our family as a permanent stud, but waiting affords us the opportunity to:
seek a quality poodle or cockapoo breeder to purchase from
Find (& afford) a male with Champion bloodlines & quality health testing
Raise a male from puppy-age within our home, allowing for optimal training & bonding
Since Atlas Puppies operates without a permanent male in our home, we seek studs that fulfill the requirements and expectations that we put forth for our females. Mates should express not only great physical health, but should also be raised in a loving home and be well socialized. Previous mates to our girls have been fantastic, and have produced gorgeous, happy, healthy puppies.
What breed of male do you use?
Purebred moyen/miniature Poodles resulting in F1b Cockapoo puppies (75% poodle, 25% Cocker Spaniel)
or
Cockapoo males (F1, F2, F3, etc) with genetically superior predecessors in it’s purebred line.
Where do you find studs?
It depends! Our previous mates have been located in central Virginia, which has been quite convenient. However, there have been breeders from across the east coast who have reached out with high-quality mates. We are always willing to travel to utilize stud services and meet fellow breeders if it means quality puppies. We encourage breeders to reach out to us if they are interested or have questions regarding breeding (email form below). A lack of communication about quality breeding tends to isolate breeders, perpetuate poor breeding standards, and discourage healthy genetic exchange between quality breeding lines.
When are you getting a male?
Soon, we hope! Currently, our home is full with three dogs! Max, Kona, and my senior Golden Retriever (and first dog as an adult) Roxy. These three loves are plenty enough for now, especially with litters throughout the year. We are also hoping for a long happy life for Roxy (11 this year!!), and she is fit as a fiddle. So three is keeping us happy for now!
The goal will be to move to a larger location with enough property for a 4th (a male). However, we would also like to raise a male from a puppy, meaning his sexual maturity will come much later. Therefore, finding quality studs will be a necessary part of the process for the next few years.
My Cockapoo Breeding System:
It is important for breeders to understand the genetic implications of their mating pair, especially if operating with multiple generations within one business. Only Master breeders with great understanding of their genetic strengths and weaknesses of their breeding dogs will confidently inbreed.
My business operates via an Outcrossing system, in which no closely related Cockapoo is bred. Although I have known both Kona and Max’s parents and grandparents, we have not bred them back to a close ancestor. Instead, Kona and Max are examples of first generation (F1) hybrid vigor. Optimally, they will breed with either a purebred Poodle to create and F1b (First Generation Back) litter, where 75% of one parent breed is genetically involved) or they will breed to an F1 Cockapoo Male, creating a litter of F2 Cockapoos (2nd generation). There are many pros and cons to the various breeding methods. By Outcrossing my mating pairs, I am introducing new genetic information to each litter, this resulting in less predictable litter outcomes. However, this is why I do genetic & health testing on my Cockapoos and require the same of any sire I choose as a stud/mate. This increases the likelihood of my Cockapoo puppies of having optimal genetic health, while gambling with their overall appearance.
Cockapoos are the oldest “designer hybrid dog”, beginning their popularity in the 1960’s. However, since it is not fully recognized as a breed, the “breed standards” usually outlined by a large organization such as the American Kennel Club do not exist for Cockapoos. Some standards have been enforced by newer Organizations such as the American Cockapoo Club. Currently, Cockapoo breeders operate in one of two manners: Breeding a purebred Poodle to a purebred Cocker Spaniel to result in a first generation Cockapoo (F1), or breeding two cockapoos to result in a second generation Cockapoo (F2). Additionally, a Cockapoo may be bred back to a purebred Poodle or Cocker Spaniel, resulting in an offspring with 75% one breed and 25% the other, known as a First Generation Back (F1b).
As complicated as this may seem, the reason it is all important when deciding on adopting a Cockapoo puppy, is that Cockapoo breeders must understand their role in actualizing the Cockapoo as a breed itself. In order to do this, many breeders are regulating Cockapoo breed standards by breeding only First generation and second generation Cockapoos. This increases the reliability of hybrid breeding by reinforcing positive genetic traits, while avoiding the potentially hazardous genetic depression seen in inbred/line-bred dogs.
