Outgoing, fun-loving, affectionate
The Cockapoo is a popular mixed breed dog crossing a Cocker Spaniel (American Cocker Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel) with a Poodle – usually a toy or miniature poodle.
The outgoing, affectionate characteristics of the cocker spaniel are combined with the low-shedding qualities of the poodle. This hybrid dog is also known as a Spoodle or Cockerdoodle!
The Cockapoo – Temperament
This intelligent, sociable and easy-going dog is easy to train and has a low to non-shedding coat. Like the cocker spaniel they can remain acting ‘puppy-like’ well into their senior years.
They make a wonderful family pet as they are good around children, however the puppy can be very boisterous so care should always be taken and the puppy, as any dog, should never of course be left alone with a child.
They are also a great companion dog being very affectionate and loyal. A great choice for first time dog owners due to their kind, loving nature and intelligence – they get this from their parents!
The Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there and the Cocker is super clever too so the Cockapoo will be easy to train if you are new to dog ownership.
It should be noted that the Cockapoo thrives on human company though and shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time. This can lead to separation anxiety, so they may be better in a household where there is someone at home, or maybe with another dog.
Cockapoo
The majority of Cockapoos like water and love swimming, so if you live in an area near water they will be in their element! Do of course take care near dangerous waters, be especially careful with a puppy who may want to leap in, and of course as with any other dog never go near a cliff edge. .
Having lived in North Cornwall, United Kingdom, we are very aware of this, and dogs that have been off the lead near the cliff edge have run off and sadly been lost.
Cockapoos are good watchdogs and will let you know if a stranger is about. However they are prone to be ‘barkers’ so it’s important to train the young puppy not to bark all the time, otherwise excessive barking can become a problem.
History of the Cockapoo
The Cockapoo is one of the original hybrid ‘designer’ dogs and were first bred in the United States in the fifties, and were introduced into the United Kingdom about 10 years ago. It is not certain if the first Poodle/Cocker Spaniel was bred on purpose, but the breeder obviously liked the result and it took off from there!
The first mating of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle produces an F1 Cockapoo which is thought to the better and most stable breeding of the 2 purebreds.
The Cockapoo is not a recognized breed, however in 1999 the Cockapoo Club of America was formed with an aim of producing a breed standard. This club prefers owners to breed cockapoos rather than the first Poodle/Cocker Spaniel cross to try and maintain consistency.
However a further Club was founded in 2004 – the American Cockapoo Club which discourages the cross breeding of Cockapoos and prefers the breeding of Poodles/Cocker Spaniels! So you can see there are many ways to breed a Cockapoo.
But with some sort of standards in place breeders are producing litters with similar characteristics.
Vital Statistics
Average Height: 10-15 ins.
Average Weight: 12-24 lbs.
Size can of course vary depending on the size of the poodle.
Average Lifespan: 14-18 Years
Colors
Can be a variety of colors but the most common are:
Red, Blonde, Chocolate, Black with Spots (a Tuxedo!), Brown, Black, Tan, Sable, Cream, White, Brindle, Roan, Merle, Beige
Ease of Training The Cockapoo Puppy
The Cockapoo is a very energetic dog with bundles of energy, so to be a truly happy dog they will need the right amount of exercise and to be mentally stimulated.
They will love agility activities and games and being highly intelligent, you will find they pick up things really quickly so are easy to train. There is no limit to the things you can teach them!
Without enough exercise the Cockapoo can easily put on weight – a trait found in some spaniels too – this can impact their health later in life.
Grooming
The coat of a Cockapoo can vary – some may have the curly coat of a Poodle, others may have the straighter, longer hair of a Spaniel. The shedding rate and whether the dog has a hypo-allergenic coat can vary too from dog to dog. However they definitely shed less than a Cocker Spaniel.
Anyways your Cockapoo is going to need a bit of grooming!!
We recommend buying a FURminator to keep your dog in shape!
FURminator deShedding Tool
We have found that the absolute best way of grooming any long haired dog breed is to use the FURminator grooming tool! We highly recommend this unique brush from Amazon to keep your dog in tip top shape. Click on the image below to find out more…
It is just as important to brush a Cockapoo’s teeth as its coat. Dogs that do not have their teeth brushed regularly may feel tooth pain, and are at risk to cavities, as well as mouth infections.
By brushing a dog’s teeth, you remove plaque, prevent tartar buildup, and help freshen up their breath. It’s recommended that these dogs have their teeth brushed at least 2-3 times a week.
Clipping your dog’s nails is a necessity. If a dog’s nails become too long, they may become uncomfortable, even painful.
A good way to tell if their nails are too long is by listening to them clicking against the ground as they move. If you hear clicking, it may be time to break out the clippers.
Health Considerations
Like people, dogs can get sick, and can be affected by all sorts of health issues. It is important to know about the possible health risks a dog faces when buying one, as well as provide the proper health care. Just because a condition is associated with a particular breed does not mean that your dog will be afflicted with the disease.
The Cockapoo can have a long life span and it’s common for them to live between 14 – 18 years. However there are certain illnesses that they may be prone to.
- Luxating Patellas (loose knees)
- PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Eye infections
- Ear infections
- Hip Dysplasia
- Retinal Dysplasia
Purebred poodles and cocker spaniels can suffer from a condition called luxating patellas (loose knees) so before breeding, an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) is recommended to check for this.
As the Cockapoo can be prone to PRA, a DNA test for this should be done before breeding, so it is important to use a reputable breeder to ensure these tests are done.
Eyes should be cleaned regularly and also the fur around the eye kept clean to prevent infections. Similarly their ears must be kept clean and dry, as with all floppy eared dogs!
In Conclusion
It is important to purchase a dog from a reputable breeder, especially when one is looking for a very popular breed such as this.
If you are looking for a loving, affectionate, loyal, fun-loving dog, do consider the Cockapoo – you will not be disappointed! With this adorable dog you will never feel alone. The Cockapoo is a real ‘people pleaser’ and will just want to make you happy!
Resources and Further Reading
We highly recommend researching before you choose your breed (or crossbreed!) of dog – the books below are great reading for the Cockapoo lover/owner! Click on the images for more information.
