
We bought tiny ‘Cockapoo' puppy but it grew to HUGE 7-stone hound after breeder crossed it with 5ft Bernese Mountain Dog
Laura McFarlane, 43, and Jamie Griffiths, 51, adopted Bobby from an animal rescue in November 2022 and were reportedly told he was the popular cocker spaniel-poodle crossbreed.
13
13
13
Being a small breed, the couple expected him to end up weighing less than two stone - so they were shocked when he grew to almost four times the size.
Laura says they first realised there was something unusual when Bobby was not even fully grown, but already the biggest dog at the cockapoo socials they were attending.
The couple decided to carry out genetic testing that revealed that there was no trace of Cocker Spaniel in Bobby and that he was a Bernedoodle - a mix between Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a large breed originating from the Swiss Alps that were bred for such tasks as pulling carts due to their power and size.
But Laura says they have "no regrets" about adopting Bobby - who now weighs the same as a 13-year-old child - and that there is just "more of him to love".
Laura, from Pontypridd, South Wales, said: "We were told that he was a cockapoo. We expected him to grow to a maximum of 12kg.
"Once he'd had his injections, we started taking him to cockapoo socials.
"He was the biggest dog and he just got bigger.
"Everybody kept saying to us that they thought that he was a labradoodle.
"We sent for a DNA test for him and it came back that there's no Cocker Spaniel in him.
He's a Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle - so not a small dog.
"He was so big by that point compared to what we thought he would be.
"I don't regret adopting him, there's just more of him to love.
"He's my best friend. He's a lot of fun, he's extremely cheeky. He's extremely fun and he's got lots of doggy friends."
Regional sales manager Laura says the 45kg beast is served up three meals a day and even joins in with the couple and has a full English breakfast or Sunday roast on special occasions.
Laura said: "We feed him three times a day - he's always hungry anyway but we're quite strict with his food because he does have a sensitive stomach.
"He has three feeds a day so if we can do him a Sunday dinner or a breakfast we'll do him a little one as well because he likes to join in.
"We don't like leaving him at home on our days off because one of us is always working from home.
"We just take him everywhere. He's done everything - he's been on speed boats, been camping.
"He lives the life of Riley."
Laura now wants to encourage other prospective dog owners to adopt rather than buying from a breeder - and would advise them to ask questions in order to avoid the same doggy blunder.
Laura said: "Ask as many questions as possible - if you're going to a breeder then get their backstory maybe.
"I would always encourage adoption over going to a breeder and buying a puppy.
"That's the second dog we've had from a rescue. We had our first dog for 10 years and we've had Bob for three so I would [recommend adoption] because there's just so many dogs there.
"We can't live without a dog really.
"Bobby is no trouble to us."
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
East Grinstead pond oxygen crash sees up to 200 fish die
Residents of a town say a "total lack of care and maintenance" of a pond caused scores of fish to be washed up dead in the Pond in East Grinstead, West Sussex, suffered an oxygen crash on Friday, leading to the death of up to 200 White said the dead fish had caused a "revolting" smell and claimed proper maintenance would have avoided the problems.A spokesperson for Mid Sussex District Council, which maintains the pond, said it was "committed to maintaining and improving the condition of our green spaces". Mr White said: "Families come here to picnic and was a thriving place during the Covid-19 pandemic for people to exercise."A lot of generations have watched it go through its best times but now it is going through one of its worst times. "There's a total lack of care and maintenance. If that was followed we would have avoided this catastrophe."An oxygen crash occurs when levels of oxygen in a body of water rapidly deplete, leading to the death of fish. 'Woefully inadequate' Mr White said he first reported the problem on Friday and had returned to the site each morning since.A council spokesperson said officers first visited the pond on Thursday, when it was found to be in a "good condition", but had since heard from residents about the dead council added that contractors had since removed the dead fish and cut back EA spokesperson said fish had died due to "decaying weeds" causing oxygen levels to Sussex councillor Julie Mockford said she was "disgusted" by the incident and called current maintenance "woefully inadequate".An Environment Agency spokesperson said it was "continuing to provide guidance" to the council.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Newcastle alleyways strewn with litter a day after cleaning
The sight of rubbish strewn across alleyways just 24 hours after they were cleared has been described as "disheartening" by refuse City Council said a number of back lanes in the city centre were filled with rubbish less than a day after they were cleaned by show the alleyways littered with discarded items and council said the "unacceptable behaviour" is unfair on staff and people who take pride in their neighbourhoods. A council spokesperson said while the vast majority of residents and businesses dispose of their waste responsibly, there is a problem with a "small minority who blight our neighbourhoods through fly-tipping and littering". The authority said it had increased bin capacity, adjusted street sweeping schedules and worked with local businesses to improve waste storage practices to tackle problems in the city's back lanes. "We've also identified issues such as 'bin raiding', where individuals rummage through bins, and improper waste disposal by some residents," the spokesperson added. "Our local services teams and enforcement officers are working together to tackle these environmental crimes to ensure our communities feel clean, safe and respected." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Fire service hero 'chuffed' to receive empire medal honour
A stalwart of Scotland's fire and rescue community has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for six decades of (Jim) Burns Smith joined the Glasgow Fire Brigade in 1962, aged 20, and spent years battling major blazes across the city, including the fatal factory fire at James Watt Street in 1968 that killed 22 later developed a historical archive for the fire service and co-authored a book on firefighters in 83-year-old said he was "surprised and chuffed" to be given the honour at the city chambers. Jim's career started at Soho Street fire station in Glasgow, which was said to be one of the busiest in western was previously recognised with the firemaster's certificate of congratulations for rescues at a major building collapse and he became an advocate for fire safety, working closely with schools, businesses and the retiring as staff officer to the firemaster, he worked as a civil service security manager in the Scottish government and then as a volunteer librarian with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).It was while there he developed their archive, unearthing logbooks dating back to 1823, wartime records, and personal service documents – many of which are now preserved at the Mitchell his other later achievements were supporting Strathclyde University's librarian course, co-authoring the book Tinderbox Heroes and helping to create the Glasgow heritage fire trail. His work was also been instrumental in the creation of Everyday Heroes, a book chronicling the first 30 years of Strathclyde Fire Brigade. Jim said: "I was so surprised and chuffed to receive this award. I've always been in touch with the fire service in one way or another after I retired as a fire fighter. "I felt compelled to not only document and share my own experiences but those of others in the service. These are stories that should not be forgotten."He was joined in the city chambers by his wife Grace, three sons and four grandchildren. He also thanked also made special mention of Graeme Kirkwood, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Heritage Museum in Greenock, for helping with his Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, praised Jim's dedication and tireless efforts during his said: "His dedication ensures that vital records and experiences are remembered, and future generations can learn from the past, and honour the bravery of those who came before."