A woman in Shrewsbury says a dog she bought as a miniature cockapoo has grown into a 22kg animal of a different breed and left her facing substantial veterinary bills and ongoing medical care costs.
Charlotte Fallowfield, 55, paid £800 for the puppy, named Waffle, in 2019 after responding to an online breeder listing. She said the initial meeting raised concerns: the seller wanted cash, would not show the puppy’s mother and pressured her to complete the purchase quickly. Fallowfield, who described herself as more of a cat person and said she had a joint condition that made her want a smaller dog, took Waffle home despite the warning signs.
Problems emerged soon after Waffle arrived. He arrived with parasitic infections that took months to diagnose and treat, and Fallowfield said she contracted Campylobacter from the puppy, a bacterial infection that can cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. Waffle has since developed chronic gastrointestinal problems described by his owner as a form of "doggy IBS," multiple allergies including to grass, and a yeast overgrowth that requires special shampoos.
Two years after bringing Waffle home, Fallowfield commissioned a DNA test that she said confirmed what she and her partner had suspected: Waffle is not a cockapoo. The test results showed 47% toy poodle, 35% springer spaniel, 14% cocker spaniel, 2% standard poodle and 1% field spaniel. Veterinary assessments have described him as a sproodle — a springer spaniel-poodle cross with some Bichon Frise traits — rather than the first-generation miniature cockapoo the couple had sought.
Miniature cockapoos are typically around 10kg when fully grown; Waffle measures about 44cm at the shoulder and weighs about 22kg. Fallowfield said his size has created practical and safety difficulties: he has pulled her over and injured her, and she cannot lift him unaided.
Waffle’s health needs have also led to substantial veterinary interventions. In the past six months he has required Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy surgeries, procedures to address cruciate ligament injuries that typically involve removing the ligament and fitting plates to stabilize the joint. Fallowfield said each TPLO would have cost around £7,000 without insurance. She reported submitting about £15,000 in insurance claims in the past six months and currently pays roughly £250 a month toward ongoing care.
Fallowfield and her partner, who do not have children, told the Daily Mail they are financially able to afford the care but warned that others might not be. She said the dog’s conditions have affected family plans: holidays have been cancelled because Waffle could not be kenneled or left with sitters due to his medical needs.
Despite the expenses and the surprise about his breed, Fallowfield said she and her partner adore Waffle. She described him as well behaved, affectionate and gentle with children, and said he provides emotional support to her 83-year-old mother who has dementia. The pair appeared on ITV’s This Morning in June to discuss their experience.
Fallowfield said the experience has left her critical of unscrupulous sellers and determined to warn prospective buyers to research breeders carefully. She urged would-be owners to buy from licensed breeders, check credentials on breeders’ own websites rather than generic online marketplaces, consult the Kennel Club and be prepared to wait and pay more for a reputable puppy. "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is," she said.
Cockapoo-type dogs grew in popularity during lockdown, in part because of their "teddy bear" appearance and a common perception that they shed less than other breeds. Animal welfare groups and veterinary organisations have routinely urged buyers to verify breeder credentials, meet the puppy with its mother where possible, and request health clearances and documentation.
Fallowfield said she would consider getting a sproodle again in the future but would carry out more thorough checks on the breeder to avoid a repeat of the problems she and Waffle have experienced. She said she hoped sharing her story would help others avoid unexpected medical costs and the emotional toll that can follow an ill-bred or poorly raised puppy.