Cockapoo: Your Complete Guide
Cockapoos have quickly become a cute and cuddly face that many people love and cherish. As a mix between poodles and Cocker Spaniels, these dogs inherit the best traits that both breeds have to offer. You get the unmatched intelligence of a poodle paired with the excitable and curious nature of the Cocker Spaniel. What’s more, these are often small dogs due to the most common version of the poodle used for this breed being the toy poodle. Unlike some more aloof breeds, cockapoos are known for being loyal, friendly, and even outgoing. Therefore, they can be great in any home, and a good choice for most first-time dog owners.
That said, there is a lot to learn about this breed before you run off to the nearest adoption agency. Fortunately, that’s where we come in. This article takes you through everything you need to know about a cockapoo to help you determine if they’re the right breed for you and your family. We cover information about their size, personality, and even their health. Read on to learn everything you need to know about cockapoos.
Quick Look at the Cockapoo
Learn more about what makes a cockapoo a unique dog breed that you’ll come to love in our chat below.
| Weight/Height | 14-15 inches, 12-24 pounds |
| Coat Type | Short, wavy, wiry curly, loose |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Smart, loyal, affectionate |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Cockapoos?
Cockapoos haven’t been around for a long time. Like most mixed breeds, they came to exist after poodles and Cocker Spaniels were long-established breeds. In fact, many people believe that the creation of the cockapoo line was an accident that happened in the 1960s when a Cocker Spaniel and a poodle were accidentally mixed. From there, people fell in love with the appearance and personality of this family-friendly breed. Even though the first version of this breed may have been an accident, people became increasingly creative and ended up mixing Cocker Spaniels with poodles of all different sizes – the breed has been going strong ever since.
While cockapoos are a more recent breed, several clubs have been created to ensure that breeding practices remain consistent. The first iteration was the Cockapoo Club of America, but today it’s known as the American Cockapoo Club, which has been around since 2004. People continue to push for the cockapoo breed to be more than a hybrid breed.
What Do Cockapoos Look Like?
Cockapoos are a mixed breed, so their appearance depends on the traits of the parent breed. Therefore, many cockapoos have a unique appearance from head to toe. That said, there are some common colors, coat lengths, and hair types that you’ll come across. For example, cockapoos are usually black, brown, cream red, fawn, and white. In fact, some cockapoos may even have a combination of these colors in their coat. Additionally, it’s important to note that some cockapoos don’t have the same coat type or color as they age. For example, some cockapoos may start off with a black coat that turns lighter as they age.
Coat color aside, cockapoos also have some distinctive facial features. They usually have flat snouts that are rounded and puffy around the edges. When paired with their big, floppy ears it gives them an appearance that’s a little on the goofy side. As for their eyes, cockapoos usually have small, black eyes. When this is all paired with their small size and short, curly coat, you get a cute little puffy dog that fits right in your lap.
What Size Is a Cockapoo?
Cockapoos come in a wide range of sizes due to the mixed nature of the breed. What’s more, since some Cocker Spaniels are mixed with miniature poodles, their sizes can vary greatly. For example, toy poodles mixed with Cocker Spaniels won’t be taller than 10 inches, but a Cocker Spaniel mixed with a standard poodle can result in a cockapoo the size of a labrador retriever. For this reason, you should expect an average height that fluctuates but usually ends up in the middle at 14-15 inches at the shoulder. There are extremes on both sides, so keep this in mind, and don’t be shocked if you run into a 20-inch cockapoo.
What Is a Cockapoo’s Coat Type and Length?
A cockapoo inherits its coat length and type from the parent breeds. This means that there can be some variation in the type of coat. That said, most cockapoos have short and curly coats that are soft to the touch. Some other coat types that you might encounter with a cockapoo include loose and wavy coats and straight coats. It’s also important to note that you won’t always know what coat type you’ll end up with until after about five months.
What Is a Cockapoo’s Temperament?
Cockapoos have a personality that depends on their parents, which means you can’t stamp a generic personality on them like some other dog breeds. What’s more, cockapoos are a more recent breed, so not as much is understood about how these dogs act and why they may act the way that they do. For this reason, it’s usually hard to know how a cockapoo will behave until they get older. However, you can usually expect a cockapoo to be playful, easily excited, and eager to learn new things.
That said, most cockapoos will have some personality traits consistent with poodles and Cocker Spaniels. For this reason, most cockapoos have a lot of energy and love to play, but they also get some inherent curiosity from their poodle genes.
Are Cockapoos Good With Kids?
Cockapoos are great with kids of all ages. They don’t get too aggressive when playing and won’t harm anyone over light pulling, wrestling, or tugging. This makes them a safe choice in homes that have toddlers and adolescents. Still, you should keep an eye on them when they’re playing with your child. While cockapoos don’t usually lash out it’s possible for them to get defensive if they feel threatened. Therefore, you should always watch how they behave with young children, especially if they’re puppies, and teach your children to safely interact with your dog.
Are Cockapoos Good With Other Animals?
Cockapoos are good with other animals and can usually exist peacefully with other dogs and cats. That said, they may inherit a prey drive from their poodle genes. Cockapoos with a strong prey drive might chase smaller animals or bark at other small animals outside. This can cause problems when you’re out for a walk, especially if they’re not properly trained. Luckily, early socialization and training prevent problems from developing due to a prey drive.
Are Cockapoos Aggressive?
Cockapoos are not known for being an aggressive breed. They’re usually calm and won’t make others feel uncomfortable unless they feel threatened. The only time that a cockapoo may act out is if they feel that they’re in danger or if their human companions are in danger. Otherwise, you won’t have to worry about cockapoos being aggressive with you, other animals, or strangers. Still, they will have to warm up to strangers over time and can act reserved around them until they feel comfortable.
Do Cockapoos Bark?
All dogs bark, so it’s not uncommon for your cockapoo to bark if something is wrong. Thankfully, they’re not the type of dog to bark for hours if they see a single squirrel outside. Cockapoos also don’t have a loud bark, so they can usually do well in pet-friendly apartments or in emotional support animal (ESA) situations.
Are Cockapoos Affectionate?
Cockapoos are affectionate dogs. Most cockapoos love their companions and will even protect their families when faced with danger. Toy and miniature cockapoos are also known as lap dogs, and they will sit in your lap or cuddle with you at any chance they get. Additionally, larger cockapoos will also cuddle with you, and it’s not uncommon to have them jumping into your bed at night.
Are Cockapoos Intelligent?
Cockapoos are intelligent dogs. They inherit most of their intelligence from their poodle parents, who are known for being one of the smartest dog breeds on the planet. Cocker Spaniels are also smart dogs, so it’s not uncommon for them to have intelligence that surpasses your average poodle or Cocker Spaniel.
Still, their intelligence can vary based on the dog and their genes. For this reason, you may come across cockapoos that love to learn new things and complex commands or cockapoos that are a little more simple-minded.
Are Cockapoos Energetic?
Cockapoos are energetic dogs, especially as puppies. If you adopt a cockapoo that’s less than one year old, you should play with them for at least one to two hours per day. Otherwise, you’ll find that they keep you awake at night. While cockapoos have a lot of energy, don’t be too rough with them when they’re young. They’re prone to hip and joint problems as they age, and if they go too hard during playtime as a child, it can cause lasting injuries.
While cockapoos still need to exercise when they get older, you don’t have to commit to one or two hours of play. Instead, you can settle for a 30-minute walk or two 30-minute walks depending on how much energy your cockapoo has left at night.
Are Cockapoos Easy to Train?
Cockapoos are smart dogs, so it’s no surprise that they’re easy to train. Due to their poodle genes, you shouldn’t have any problems teaching most cockapoos complex commands. They can remember a wide range of commands and won’t give you any problems if you use positive reinforcement training. One tip we have is for you to focus on socialization training from a young age; this will make all types of training easier later in life.
Are Cockapoos Good Watchdogs?
Cockapoos aren’t the best watchdogs. They can alert you to danger outside, but they’re often too small to see out windows if they have nothing to climb. Additionally, they don’t bark often and may bark inconsistently at animals or people. Therefore, you don’t always know if the person outside is the mailman or someone dangerous.
Are Cockapoos Good Service Dogs?
Cockapoos are not the best service dogs for physical tasks due to their small size. However, cockapoos are good service dogs if you use them as therapy dogs or psychiatric service dogs. Psychiatric service dogs are great for helping with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Plus, cockapoos are easy to train and have good emotional intelligence to recognize when someone needs help. They can even provide deep pressure therapy or get help if you’re having a panic attack. Cockapoos also make great emotional support dogs (ESDs). Therefore, if you are looking to adopt an ESA they can be a great choice.
How to Care for a Cockapoo
Caring for a cockapoo isn’t challenging and only requires a few hours of your time each day. Make sure they have enough space and help them get plenty of exercise and playtime to remain healthy. Feed them a diet that’s high in macronutrients but cut back on the carbs later in life. As for their health and grooming needs, this depends on their genes. Cockapoos with wiry or curly coats require more grooming than cockapoos with straight coats, but you should consult with a professional groomer to work out a schedule.
Do You Need to Groom a Cockapoo?
You do have to groom a cockapoo. Focus on brushing their coats a few times per day to get out any knots, but you could also get by with brushing one to two times per week if they have straight coats. You should bathe them and have their hair trimmed monthly, but you don’t have to bathe them often if they’re not playing outside, due to the natural oils in their coat. When it comes to their nails, most cockapoos will wear their nails down by playing outside.
Do Cockapoos Shed?
Cockapoos shed, but it’s typically not as bad as some other dog breeds. You may notice an uptick in shedding in the fall and spring months, so keep this in mind and clean your home. You can prevent hair and fur from getting on furniture by keeping them off it. Brushing them a few times per week can also help you get through shedding seasons.
What Health Problems Do Cockapoos Have?
Cockapoos are a healthy breed, which is true for most mixed breeds. However, that doesn’t mean they’re invincible, and cockapoos can be susceptible to a plethora of health problems. Fortunately, you can avoid many of these health problems with routine trips to the vet, at least once per year, and a healthy diet that prevents obesity as they become older and less active. Still, you should keep an eye on some of the health problems we cover below.
The first health problems that may appear include issues with their joints. Unfortunately, it’s common for cockapoos to have problems with their hip and knee joints as they get older. In old age, these joints can start to deteriorate and run against the bones and cartilage surrounding the joints. While this problem can’t be prevented, you can get them medication to ease the pain and tone down the playing a notch or two in old age.
Another common health problem that cockapoos face is glaucoma. Other retinal conditions, including retinal atrophy, are also common in cockapoos. These conditions usually come into play later in life, but a healthy diet can help you keep them at bay. Additionally, there are treatments available for glaucoma and other health problems.
Some other minor health problems that can become serious if ignored include dental issues and obesity. Clean your cockapoo’s teeth regularly or use some type of dental treatment to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
How Long Do Cockapoos Live?
Cockapoos have a wide range in their lifespan. This range usually depends on the size of the cockapoo. For example, some cockapoos that are a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a miniature poodle can live for 12-15 years, while Cocker Spaniels mixed with toy poodles can live even longer. On the other hand, larger cockapoos, like Cocker Spaniels mixed with standard poodles may only live for 8-10 years. The parents’ genetics also play a factor in how long a cockapoo will live.
What Should a Cockapoo Eat?
Cockapoos should eat a diet that’s high in protein and carbohydrates. You can feed them more carbohydrates if they’re active, but you might want to cut back on them and favor a diet that’s high in protein and fat as they grow older. This can ease inflammation around sore joints and prevent obesity later in life. As puppies, you can feed cockapoos three times per day, but you should cut this to two times per day as they get older. Also, make sure you choose a dog food that’s perfect for their size. Smaller dogs should eat food that’s formulated for small dogs and vice versa, and all cockapoos can enjoy healthy treats from time to time.
Is a Cockapoo the Right Dog for Me?
Cockapoos can be a great addition to any loving home. While they can fit right into any family, you must give them the right environment to thrive. Make sure you live somewhere where you can take them for walks and play with them frequently. If you have a backyard you don’t have to worry, but if you’re in an apartment in the city, make sure there is a dog park nearby. Thankfully, due to their small size and calm temperament, cockapoos can fit into almost any size apartment, and they won’t usually bother your neighbors with frequent barking.
Cockapoos are also a great fit for families who spend a lot of time at home. Some cockapoos are known for having separation anxiety, so being around them can help ease their mind and prevent destructive behaviors.