Introduction

Cockapoos, otherwise known as the cock-a-poo or cockerpoodle, are the iconic mix of the fun-loving Cocker Spaniel and the elegant Poodle which dates back to the 1960’s.

The small, adorable dog is intelligent and full of life with their main goals seeming to be to live life to the full and spend every waking minute with their humans.

When the cross works perfectly, you have a dog breed that has the intelligence and spirit of a poodle and the sturdiness yet sweet temperament of a cocker spaniel, making them the perfect family pet.

As a cross breed, you must understand that the size, looks, temperament and other characteristics will vary from one dog to the next.

Cute Cockapoo lying down on grass chewing on a stick

12 - 15 Years

Lifespan

25 - 38cm

Size

5.4 - 11kg

Weight

4/5

Cold weather tolerance

4/5

Hot weather tolerance

Hybrid

Breed group

15 mins a day

Exercise

Single, Long

Coat

5/5

Dog friendly

Golden Cockapoo wearing a white and blue top running through a field with it's ears flapping

Behaviour and personality

The fun-loving Cockapoo is an adorable ball of fur who will immediately take ownership of your lap and form an instant bond with all the family.

As is the nature of all cross breeds, their behaviour and personality can differ slightly, so you may have an active dog who wants to always be playing, or you may have a more relaxed pup who just wants to snuggle on the sofa with you, but often, you will get a healthy mix of the two.

This affectionate breed is very friendly and generally just happy to be alive, so they're a pleasure to be around, and they’re very good with children, other dogs, and strangers.

Their intelligence makes them easy to train using positive reinforcement techniques.

Ideal owner / home

Apartment

House

Family

Children

The Cockapoo is adaptable and small so they can live a good life in an apartment, but they do fair better when they have a small garden to play in.

They don’t require much exercise, so a 15 minute walk a day will do, making them perfect for dog owners with limited mobility or town, or who just doesn’t enjoy long walks.

Their love of humans and company means they suffer from separation anxiety, so they don’t respond well to being left alone for long periods. If you can’t commit to not leaving the house for more than an hour or two every day, this simply won’t work for you.

Their limited shedding and dander and their lack of odour makes them the perfect dog breed for people with allergies and those who don't want their house to smell of dog or be covered in dog hair.

Small golden Cockapoo standing on its rear legs indoors looking at their owner as if asking for treats

Larger than average Cockapoo lying down next to their owner outside on a path

Grooming

Although they hardly shed, cockapoos do require daily brushing to remove tangles that so easily appear in their long coat.

Usually Cockapoos don’t require clipping, but some owners will like to give them extra personality, or flair, and that is entirely down to your preferences, but they should only ever be trimmed to two to three inches in length.

Be sure to trim the hair around the eyes regularly to help visibility or you may find your gorgeous dog bumping into everything.

Cockapoos are supposed to be odourless and non-shedding however, as they're not a pure breed, this cannot be guaranteed. If they are then they only need to be bathed when absolutely necessary, like after rolling in mud or fox poo because over bathing will result in losing their natural oils which keep the coat healthy.

Their floppy ears create the perfect environment for bacteria, so you must check their ears regularly for any sign of infection which could be redness, sores, or bad odour. Gently wash their ear with a cotton wool bud and cleaning solution, but to avoid damaging the ear canal, only clean areas you can see.

Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. If you can, daily brushing is even better to prevent gum disease.

Plan to trim their nails once or twice a month, but always bear in mind that if you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long and should be cut immediately. Not only does trimming the nails keep their paws in good condition, it also protects you, your family, and your furniture when they jump up.

Health

Generally, the Cockapoo is a healthy breed, but they are slightly more prone to certain diseases and they should usually be fed high quality dry food divided into two meals a day.

Small brown Cockapoo with cute brown eyes lying in their bed

Common health issues

Patella Luxation

Patellar Luxation is a relatively common problem that occurs when the patella is not properly lined up. This causes the Femur (thigh bone), Patella (kneecap), and Tibia (calf) to slip out of place. When this happens, the dog will generally skip or hop.

There are four grades, ranging from I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe, and patella cannot be realigned manually.

The constant rubbing caused by this issue can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease and severe levels of Patella Luxation may require surgery to avoid further issues and pain.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.

The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.

Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.

Allergies

Dogs suffer from allergies in much the same way that humans do with the three main types being food, contact, and inhalant.

As the saying goes – prevention is better than a cure.

Treatment for food allergies is as simple as eliminating certain foods from their diets.

Contact allergies can be anything from shampoos, to flea powders, and other chemicals. If you notice your pet has had a reaction, try a new product with different ingredients.

Inhalant allergies are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dust. This is a difficult one to avoid, but you can try to do so with vet recommended medications and environmental changes.

Cockapoo

Introduction

Behaviour and personality

Ideal owner / home

Grooming

Health

Common health issues

Other Breeds

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