Cockapoo: 5 Things To Know Before Buying

The cockapoo is a popular dog best known for its gorgeous fur and affectionate nature.

They are extremely high-energy and love having playtime.

With their happy demeanor and sweet disposition, they are great for families with children.

Loyal, friendly, and observant this companion dog loves spending time with their family and can become anxious if left alone for long periods of time.

What is a Cockapoo?

The Cockapoo is a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel.

They originated in the United States sometime in the 1960s and are also known as the Cock-a-poo and the Cockerpoo.

This dog is considered to be a companion breed and makes a good lapdog. They are also super energetic and love to run around play.

You can expect a friendly dog that is very affectionate.

Whether you need a calm sitting companion or an energetic teddy bear, this breed is ready to shower you with love and affection.

  • Overview: Hybrid (poodle/cocker spaniel).
  • Purpose: Companion.
  • Weight: 10-24 pounds.
  • Size: 10-15 inches.
  • Temperament: Loyal, friendly and mellow.

Cockapoo Appearance

Cockapoo With Food

A Cockapoo can resemble both the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle.

Their beautiful furry face illuminates their large, wonderful eyes.

Their coat is similar to that of the Poodles with their floppy ears resembling a Cocker spaniel. This low shedding breed will steal a place in your heart with their soft teddy bear-like appearance.

Coat and Colors

This breed can appear in all the color combinations that are found in Poodles and Cocker Spaniels.

They range from black, white, cream, brown, and can even have red coats. Cockapoo coats are typically either curly or wavy. Their coats are on the longer side especially over the legs and muzzle area. They are a low shedding breed and typically do not produce a lot of dander.

Height and Weight

The size of your Cockapoo dog will vary depending on the size of their Poodle parent.

You can find these pups in standard, miniature, and even teacup sizes.

This means your mix can standard between 10-15 inches and can weigh between 10 and 24 pounds.

5 Fun Facts About Cockapoos

Cockapoo

  1. The American Cockapoo Club was founded in 2004.
  2. Ashley Judd and Minka Kelly both own Cockapoos.
  3. A typical litter consists of 4 to 6 puppies.
  4. They are hypoallergenic and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
  5. Well known for being extremely affectionate and friendly.

Cockapoo Personality and Temperament

Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix

The Cockapoo is one of the longest existing mix breeds which makes it easier to predict their temperament.

However you need to remember that just like with other mixes, you can never be completely sure what their temperament will be like.

We can get a better idea though by understanding their parents’ temperaments.

  • Poodle: They are known for being an intelligent breed that is active, alert and attentive to their owners’ moods. You should expect a friendly and outgoing breed that is great for families.
  • Cocker Spaniel: This is a friendly and affectionate dog that will be very playful and have a sweet temperament. They would prefer to spend time playing games with you over going on a long walk or hike.

With their inherited naturally happy disposition, the Cockapoo is a friendly and loyal breed.

They are extremely affectionate and are receptive to people of all ages (even young children).

Whether it is curling up next to you or running around playing games, this breed will be grateful to spend time with you and is able to fit into a wide variety of households.

Both the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel are working dog breeds that were bred to run and hunt so you will need to provide them with lots of mental stimulation to prevent boredom. It is important to keep your Cockapoo entertained to prevent them from causing trouble.

They are not known to be excessive barkers but they can suffer from separation anxiety which will cause them to start barking.

Due to their intelligence they are good for new owners because they are able to pick up tricks and commands easily. They are not an outdoor breed and thrive when they are surrounded by family.

Is A Cockapoo A Good Family Dog?

The Cockapoo can be a great family dog if they are properly trained and socialized.

They are great around children and are best suited for families in a home with a backyard that will give them lots of space to run around.

Caring for a Cockapoo

Cockapoo Dog

For a small dog they can be relatively demanding in terms of care.

They require a good deal of grooming to maintain their appearance and require various forms of mental stimulation to keep them happy.

As they do not do well when left alone for long periods of time, they are good for people who are able to dedicate time to them.

They enjoy having lots of space to play and will do well around people of all ages if they have been properly socialized.

Exercise Requirements

Cocker Spaniel Poodle mixes enjoy walks but the best was to exercise them is through play sessions.

When taking them on walks it is better to leave them off-leash. They are natural explorers and love walking around sniffing things they find interesting. Another way to stimulate them during walks is to go on group dog walks.

This will allow them to meet and play with other dogs.

They will also benefit from activities such as dog sports and swimming. These will give them the ability to explore new things.

  • Number of Walks Per Day: 1.
  • Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 45 minutes.

Grooming and Shedding

A Cockapoo

Most Cockapoo owners prefer leaving their coats to look relatively natural. Those with curlier coats tend to shed less, but the breed is low shedding regardless.

They need regular grooming which consists of daily brushing in-between grooming appointments. They should see the groomer every four to six weeks to prevent matting and skin infections.

Their face should be washed daily and it is important to wipe under their eyes to prevent them from getting reddish-brown tear stains from forming.

Finally ears should be kept clean and dry to prevent ear infections and their teeth need to be brushed two to three times a week for good genital hygiene.

Feeding and Diet

They need about 2 cups of high-quality dog food per day.

Remember Poodles can develop food allergies to foods such as corn, soy and wheat. You should avoid feeding your Cockapoo these foods.

Since they are small dogs they typically have faster metabolisms, so look for food designed for smaller dog breeds.

They need lots of protein in their diet so look for a food that has a protein percentage between 22-26%.

Calories Per Day:Cups of Kibble Per Day:
7002

Known Health Problems

Unfortunately Poodles and Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to certain genetic defects which can be inherited by the Cockapoo.

Common issues include:

  • Lymphoma.
  • Intervertebral disc disease.
  • Patellar luxation.
  • Liver disease.
  • Ear infections due to their floppy ears.

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How Long Do Cockapoos Live?

You can expect a healthy Cockapoo to live for around 13-15 years.

How Much Do Cockapoos Cost?

These beautiful pups can cost between $1,000 and $2000. However you can adopt an adult Cockapoo for around $300.

How to Train a Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix

Cockapoo Running

They are a sensitive breed so it is important to use positive reinforcement during the dog training.

Obedience school is a good way to expose your dog to other people/dogs at a young age.

Your Cockapoo can also benefit from crate training. This will not only give them a safe space for a nap but will also prevent accidents from happening around the house. However they should not spend more than a couple of hours in a crate at a time – they are people dogs and enjoy spending time with you.

Like Poodles, this mix will need lots of mental stimulation.

You can do this through activity feeding, as it will get them to find and work for their food as they would do naturally.

Do this by spreading their kibble across a garden, or by giving them a raw meaty bone that will force them to use their teeth to rip and chew. You could also put their kibble in a treat dispensing ball that will get them to work to figure out how to get the food out.

Ultimately this is a highly intelligent breed that will pick up tricks and potty training with easy. They benefit from being constantly trained from a young to prevent boredom.

Buyer’s Guide

ProsCons
They are low shedding.
Requires lots mental stimulation.
Good with young children and other pets.
Can suffer from separation anxiety.
Known for not barking a lot.
Susceptible to certain genetic defects.
Easy to train.
Coat needs to be groomed often.
Very adaptable to different homes.

Quick Breed Summary Table

Breed Characteristics
Size:10-15 inches
Weight:10-24lb
Lifespan:13-15 years
Coat:Curly or wavy
Color:Brown, black, white, cream and red
Do They Shed:Brown, black, white, cream and red
Temperament:Loyal, friendly and calm
Intelligence:High
Socialization:They do well if socialized from a young age
Destructive Behavior:Only when bored
People Skills:High (if properly socialized)
Good with Children:Great
Activity Levels:Moderate

Summary

This breed is great for most people but there are some things to keep in mind.

A small house or apartment may not have enough space for the standard Cockapoo – however smaller variations of this breed are suitable for apartments.

This dog is best suited for someone who will be able to spend lots of time with them.

They will need an owner who is capable of walking them a couple walks each day and give them some playtime.

More Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Poodle Mixes

Want a Cocker Spaniel mix or Miniature Poodle mix but aren’t keen on the Cockapoo? Check out these other hybrid dog breeds:

Cocker Spaniel Mixes

Miniature Poodle Mixes

About Thomas Woods 224 Articles
Thomas has been a dog lover since he was 6 years old when his parents got him a rescue Labrador. Since then his love for dogs has lead him to study Animal Behavior & Welfare. He now keeps a six year old English Bullmastiff and educates pet parents through his online publication Perfect Dog Breeds.

1 Comment

  1. Wow, Did I learn a lot about Cock-a-poo’s tonight. Things I never knew when we were raising our Sandi, who was cream colored with a brown nose. Thanks again for a great article, and keep it going my friend.

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