Cockapoo Breed Information
Cockapoo puppies are a crossbreed that is created by mixing a Cocker spaniel and a Poodle (mini or toy). These dogs inherit every amazing aspect of their parents. They are intelligent, sweet, and non-aggressive pets that fit well in any household.
One of the most popular things about the amazing Cockapoos is their unique appearance. They are small, gorgeous dogs that combine features from both Cockers and Poodles. Their cute ears are floppy, and they can charm anyone with their adoring gaze. They can come in a myriad of superb colors and have low-shedding, hypoallergenic coats that make them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Doodle Hybrid / Poodle crossed with a Cocker Spaniel
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Determined
TEMPERAMENT
Outgoing, Intelligent, Friendly, Loving, Active
ADULT WEIGHT
12-25 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
10-15 in
LIFE SPAN
13-16 yrs
Characteristics
- The Cockapoo is a mixed breed of dog that results from crossing a Mini or Toy Poodle with a Cocker spaniel, both purebred
- Cockapoo puppies inherit their looks and temperament from their parents
- Highly intelligent and easy to train, Cockapoos can be a great first pet for novice owners
- The breed’s sweet temperament and kind behavior make these dogs ideal pets for families with small children
- Hypoallergenic Cockapoos make a great choice for allergy-suffering owners
- The Cockapoo’s size can range from 12 to 25 pounds in weight and 10 to 15 inches in height
- With its energetic personality and adventurous nature, the Cockapoo dog is a great fit for an outdoorsy owner
- As a mixed breed, the Cocker Poodle mix benefits from enhanced health, also known as hybrid vigor
Appearance
The Cockapoo is a beautiful mixed breed between the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, which means that certain features may vary even in puppies from the same litter. Most Cockapoos inherit a balanced combination of features from both parents, but there are some that may appear with more features from one parent and less from the other. Gorgeous features that are common in the Cockapoo breed include adorable floppy ears, dark, round eyes, a solid or multi-colored coat, and a medium-sized muzzle. Some features that may not be as common in the breed include blue eyes, a merle coat, and a larger size.
The typical size for a full-grown Cockapoo ranges from 10 to 15 inches in height with a weight of 12 to 25 pounds. Cockapoo puppies that are bred by crossing a Toy Poodle with a Cocker spaniel may be smaller than those bred by crossing a Miniature Poodle with a Cocker spaniel.
The coat types of the Cockapoo are also a mix between those of its parents, which means that some Cockapoos will have the curly Poodle coat, some will have the straight to wavy coat that Cockers do, and some will come in a combination of the two. The colors Cockapoos come in are many. They can come in solid-colored coats, parti, or multi-colored ones. Some of their most common colors include cream, brown, chocolate, red, sable, white, black, beige, and merle.
Temperament
Cockapoos are one of the most popular doodle designer dogs in the world and for good reason. They are not only incredibly smart but also have an ideal personality that fits well with any type of owner.
Cockapoo dogs find the biggest joy in being with their humans. They are quick to bond and form strong attachments that last their entire lives. Being surrounded by their humans and joining in every fun game or activity that goes on around the house is what they crave most. They also love spending their time playing with the children in the family.
Cockapoos like to be around people and need a lot of attention from their owners. They do not like being left alone for long periods of time, so they make excellent pets for working parents or retirees who live alone.
The temperament of Cockapoos can vary depending on which of their parent breeds they take after, but most are kind-hearted dogs that have no aggressive instincts or shyness. Because of their well-balanced temperament, Cockapoos are one of the best dogs for small children.
Care
Grooming
Cockapoos are typically low-maintenance dogs that don’t need endless hours spent on their coats. Because they are a mixed breed and can inherit the coat type of either parent, brushing requirements can vary depending on the length and texture of their coats. For most Cockapoos, daily brushing isn’t necessary. Their coats can easily be maintained tangle-free with a few brushings a week.
Baths should be done monthly to keep the Cockapoo looking and feeling its best. For baths, it is beneficial to only use dog shampoo, lukewarm water, and products that are specifically designed for dogs.
Other parts of grooming your Cockapoo include trimming their nails when they grow (every 4 to 5 weeks), cleaning their ears regularly, and brushing their teeth daily if possible.
Exercise Needs
Cockapoos are moderately energetic dogs that love to be active. Although they don’t require long hours of exercise each day, they do enjoy and benefit from being on the move. Exercising your Cockapoo is important for their physical and mental health. Daily walking, playing games, going on adventures, or interacting with others are all ways to keep your pup happy and healthy. For Cockapoos, the ideal routine should include at least two daily walks of 10 to 20 minutes each, and a few fun indoor activities that can provide mental stimulation.
Health
Cockapoos enjoy very good health thanks in part to their purebred parents and to crossbreeding. Because they are a cross between two carefully selected purebred dogs, Cockapoos benefit from enhanced health and hybrid vigor. They are likely to live longer, healthier lives than the breeds that make up their parents.
There are some issues that all dogs can suffer from, regardless of their breed type. Among these health problems are allergies, eye issues like cataracts and glaucoma, dental problems, and ear infections.
Lifespan
The average Cockapoo lifespan is 13-16 years. But some Cockapoos can live up to 18-20 years. Like their parents, these dogs enjoy a long lifespan, and with proper care and nourishment, can even exceed their life expectancy. High-quality dog food and regular exercise also have a say in how long a Cockapoo will live.
Training
Cockapoos are very smart dogs that more often than not, almost train themselves. They are eager to please their owners, which means they will be easy to train. The best way to train a Cockapoo is through positive reinforcement. This means rewarding them for good behavior and not punishing them for bad behavior. It is also important to teach your dog basic commands like sit, stay, come, down, shake, and leave it. These commands will help your Cockapoo grow into a very well-mannered dog, especially around others.
One lesson Cockapoo puppies need to learn while they are still young is how to become independent. Because they get overly attached to their owners, they often end up suffering from separation anxiety. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to leave them alone for small periods of time, multiple times a day during the puppyhood stage.
Socialization is also important for Cockapoos, even though they are renowned for their friendliness. It is ideal to expose them to different environments with sounds, people, and pets until they are comfortable in any setting. This is best done after they have mastered their basic commands in both low-distraction and high-distraction areas.
History
The Cockapoo is a modern crossbreed that combines an amazing set of characteristics from Poodles and Cocker spaniels. The breed was first developed in the United States during the 1960s and is believed to be the first crossbreed of its kind. The Cockapoo is a pioneer when it comes to hybrids and designer dogs. Their creation inspired more than 100 crossbreeds since the 60s.
The original Cockapoo breeders who were first to breed the hybrid puppies set out to create a new breed of dog that not only combined physical features from different breeds but also had hypoallergenic coat qualities and enhanced health. The new hybrid dogs were quick to exceed all expectations and soon rose to popularity. Since then, Cockapoos have been and still are one of the most popular designer dogs in the world.