Believed to be the first planned designer dog, the Cockapoo is a popular breed known for its ability to mesh well with owners of all ages and families of all sizes. These hypoallergenic dogs, also known as Cockapoodles or Cockerpoos, are great apartment dogs that get along well with people and animals. Keep reading to learn about the widely adored Cockapoo!
Breed History
Dating back to the 1960s, the Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle. While it’s more common for a Toy or Miniature Poodle to be bred with a Cocker Spaniel, occasionally a Standard Poodle is used. The Cockapoo is believed to be the first designer dog breed that was intentionally bred. This breed was created to be a hypoallergenic dog that is both friendly and small.
In 1999, the Cockapoo Club of America was founded. This club pushed to have the Cockapoo made into a purebred breed as opposed to a designer breed. This club’s mission to have the Cockapoo classified as a purebred continues today.
Cockapoo Characteristics
Appearance & Coat
The Cockapoo is a small breed that weighs around 6 to 29 pounds and stands 10 to 15 inches tall. This breed’s size depends on whether a Toy or Miniature Poodle was used in breeding. When a Standard Poodle is used in breeding, the puppies are often referred to as Maxi Cockapoos or Standard Cockapoos. Maxi or Standard Cockapoos can weigh up to 65 pounds and stand at least 15 inches tall.
With two parent breeds that come in many colors, the Cockapoo has numerous coat possibilities. Cockapoos can be red, black, white, yellow, brown, tan, or cream. Their coats are commonly made up of multiple colors and can have patterns that are bicolor, tricolor, and merle.
Dog lovers looking for a breed with very little shedding and drooling should look no further than the Cockapoo. The Cockapoo’s low-shedding and hypoallergenic coat make this breed a perfect match for dog owners with allergies.
Temperament
The Cockapoo is a friendly, loving dog that enjoys playing with its family and curling up on the couch to cuddle. This breed thrives when spending time with its family and being the center of attention. However, the Cockapoo’s need for attention can make them more susceptible to becoming velcro dogs with separation anxiety.
Cockapoos are people-oriented dogs that love spending time with their owners. Social and outgoing, these dogs will make friends with everyone they meet. Cockapoos are fun-loving, little clowns that like entertaining those around them. This breed generally gets along well with other dogs and pets, making doggy playdates and trips to dog parks great activities.
Health
Cockapoos have a long lifespan of around 12 to 15 years. The most common health issues Cockapoo owners need to look out for are dry skin and ear infections. Because they have ears that hang down, and Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to increased ear wax, Cockapoos need to have their ears checked and cleaned at least once every week. Any time this breed gets wet, their ears should be dried out to prevent moisture from creating ear infections.
Regular vet check-ups can help prevent, detect, and treat health issues like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, Type 1 Diabetes, skin disorders, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s Syndrome, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, epilepsy, and heart disease.
Caring for a Cockapoo
Cockapoo’s Ideal Home
Cockapoos are good matches for owners of all ages such as families with young children, families with older children, and the elderly. Additionally, the Cockapoo is very apartment-friendly with its minimal barking and small size. That being said, no matter where you live, your Cockapoo will need daily exercise to burn off all its energy.
The Cockapoo is not a good fit for someone who is rarely home or has limited time to spend with their dog. This breed’s ideal home is one where it’s frequently with its family and receives an abundance of attention.
Training Best Practices
Because they like spending time with their families, Cockapoos will enjoy training. Their intelligence and love of people make Cockapoos relatively easy to train. However, this breed can have difficulty paying attention for long periods of time. To keep your Cockapoo engaged in training, reward it with plenty of treats and praise.
Exercise Needs
Cockapoos are very playful dogs that enjoy being active. Although they are playful and active, the Cockapoo doesn’t require excessive exercise. Owners can expect to give this breed around 15 minutes of exercise every day. The Cockapoo’s Poodle side leads them to need mental stimulation in addition to daily exercise to burn off energy and prevent boredom.
Grooming & Hygiene
Cockapoos are clean dogs that don’t have a “dog smell.” This breed doesn’t need scheduled baths and should only be given baths when they are dirty. Bathing this breed too frequently can strip its coat of oils, drying it out.
The Cockapoo’s long, curly coat will need daily grooming to stay in good shape. Depending on how curly your Cockapoo’s coat is, you can expect to take this breed to the groomer around every 4 to 6 weeks. Like all breeds, the Cockapoo’s teeth should be brushed regularly and their nails should be clipped at least once a month.
Take Home a Cockapoo Puppy
Does the Cockapoo check all your pet-search boxes? Find Cockapoo puppies near you to meet your next four-legged best friend!