Cockapoo

All you need to know about the Cockapoo

As a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel, the Cockapoo is an extremely intelligent dog with an affectionate, loving nature. They are a very popular choice for pets all across the United States!

Known for their happy and loving demeanor, these pups will show affection to anyone they meet. Cockapoos are extremely sociable and will also follow their owners wherever they go.

They are companion dogs so these pups will want to spend the majority of the time next to their family. These dogs will adore walks in the park where they will make friends with everybody. Cockapoo never shows signs of aggression.

Fast Facts

Group - Designer (non-official)

Weight - 20-25 Pounds (male) 20-25 Pounds (female)

Height - 14-17 Inches (male) 14-17 Inches (female)

Hair Length - Short, Medium

Shedding - Lite

Lifespan - 12-15 Years

What it Takes to be a Cockapoo

According to the North American Cockapoo Registry (NACR), a true Cockapoo "is ONLY a purposeful, planned crossing of a purebred cocker spaniel with a purebred poodle". The NACR is the "official" organization for determining Cockapoo breed characteristics. 

The NACR is founded with the belief that the Cockapoo will one day attain official status as a dog breed. This organization is highly technical in its definition and actually encourages genetic testing to get a more detailed blueprint for the breed. 

According to the NACR, the first generation of F1 Cockapoo (a direct cross between Poodle and Cocker Spaniel) is the only basis for subsequent generations of Cockapoos. Cockapoos born of other Cockapoos are designated second-generation or F2. According to the NACR then, a true Cockapoo is the offspring of an F2 Cockapoo pair.

Cockapoo Temperament and Personality

The Cockapoo's personality is very outgoing and unlike many smaller breeds, highly sociable with other dogs. Cockapoos are also great with children, although it is best that they have a single owner. They have a high activity level, but because of their size, they adapt well to apartments or small living spaces. They have a fairly long lifespan – 14 to 18 years, and in some cases, they may reach their 20s.

Cockapoos need a lot of attention, as they are bred as companions. Unlike many of the larger dogs, which are bred for specific work tasks, the Cockapoo is bred for sociability and companionship. Because of this, the Cockapoo needs personal devotion and anyone that is considering getting a Cockapoo must make sure they can spend time with the dog. 

Cockapoos don't really have any more negative personality attributes than other dog breeds. Common issues such as urination in the home or aggressive behavior can be dealt with using commonly accepted training practices that are effective for all breeds. Because of their need for companionship, lack of attention is often the root cause of all Cockapoo behavioral problems. They are very gregarious around other dogs and typically do not exhibit jealousy if there is another dog or pet in the house.

What colors does a Cockapoo come in?

Cockapoo can come in a large array of coat colors, and these can be solid or patterned. Some of the most common ones include:

• White
• Black
• Apricot
• Cream
• Silver
• Chocolate
• Red
• Merle

Of course, dogs in combinations of all these colors are available as well. Since it is a mixed breed there is no breed standard, so you can pick a pup with a coat color you like without any hesitation

Is a Cockapoo easy to train?

Cockapoos are extremely eager to please. Combine that with high intelligence and you have the perfect training partner! 

You should start with basic obedience training when your Cockapoo is eight weeks of age, but the more important part during this period will be socialization. Make sure to bring your puppy into various social situations so it can meet other people and dogs.

If you do that correctly, your Cockapoo will grow up into a well-adjusted pet. Of course, you can always sign up for socialization classes where your pet will meet other dogs in a controlled environment. 

That isn’t completely necessary because simply bringing visitors to your house and encouraging them to speak to your pup and pet will have an incredibly positive impact on its personality.

These dogs really love being praised so positive reinforcement is advised. Always have some treats available during training. 

How much Grooming does a Cockapoo need?

The single coat of a Cockapoo should be brushed every day to prevent matting. The rest of the grooming process will largely depend on the type of coat your pet has, curly or straight.

This is a low-shedding breed, so if you brush the coat of your pet Cockapoo regularly, you won’t see any hair around the house. This makes this breed the perfect pick for people with allergies, Cockapoo is considered a hypoallergenic breed!

If your Cockapoo has a curly coat it will definitely need to visit the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks. Keeping their curls in check should be a priority since mats can become a big issue.

Dogs with a straighter coat won’t need as much work with grooming. 

You should only bathe the Cockapoo when it is absolutely necessary. These pups don’t smell bad and they know how to keep themselves clean. 

Don’t forget to check the floppy ears of your Cockapoo relatively often. Their ears can occasionally trap moisture which can lead to ear infections. Remember to gently examine their ears weekly, and clean if necessary. Use a damp, soft cloth.

Cockapoos can also develop dental issues such as tartar buildup, so you should brush your pet’s teeth a few times each week. This will prevent bad breath as well, an issue that is quite common in smaller dog breeds.

Another thing to watch out for is nail trimming. You should trim them a few times each month. 

The Living Environment of the Cockapoo

Cockapoos can fit into any type of environment, even apartments. Still, if you get a larger one you probably shouldn’t be living in a tiny apartment. They will also know how to appreciate a house with a yard, making them amazing pets for all situations.

Their energy needs are moderate and they can be quite bouncy so expect to have a daily play session. However, these can only be about 15 minutes long so they won’t take up much of your time. A walk around the neighborhood should do the trick.

Once that’s done they will happily spend the rest of the day curled up next to you on the couch. They love snuggling and showing affection.

If there are other dogs living in your neighborhood that will make the perfect environment for your Cockapoo. It will make friends with them and you can also bring them to your house as playmates.

Cockapoos are quick to develop separation anxiety. However, once they are old enough, Cockapoos can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours each day without a problem.

The Health of the Cockapoo

The lifespan of a Cockapoo is about 14 to 16 years so they are quite long-lived. They are prone to certain health conditions they can inherit from their parent breeds.

• Entropion is one such condition. This abnormality affects the eyelids and can bring the hair and skin into contact with the eye. This causes inflammation and discomfort. It is usually noticed in young pups and is easily corrected with surgery.
• Familial Nephropathy is another condition that can occur commonly. It is an inherited abnormality that affects the kidney and can lead to their failure. Weight loss is one of the major symptoms and it can be quite difficult to treat.
• Quite commonly these pups can suffer from Glaucoma as well. This is an increase in the pressure within the eye that can eventually lead to sight loss. This happens because of a developmental abnormality that produces fluids in the eye too quickly. This can be somewhat managed by medication, although sometimes the removal of the affected eye might be the only solution.
• Lastly, we have Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a condition that is quite common in both parent breeds of the Cockapoo. It is a degeneration of nerves that can be found in the back of the eye and can lead to the loss of vision.

Cockapoo Societies

There are quite a few Cockapoo societies and clubs in the United States as well as Europe. While the breed is not officially recognized, these societies firmly believe that the breed will achieve official status at some point in the future. 

The largest societies are The American Cockapoo Club, the North American Cockapoo Registry, and the Cockapoo Club of America. These societies have established universally accepted guidelines that specifically define the breed and are avid proponents for the breed's official recognition.

The North American Cockapoo Registry is the self-proclaimed official Cockapoo authority. Very precise about its guidelines for the proper Cockapoo breed, it can be quite confrontational with other organizations and societies if an issue is in dispute. This causes some disagreement within the ranks of Cockapoo aficionados, but it will likely all resolve upon the official establishment of the breed.

Generally, the Cockapoo breed has been gaining acceptance as it is refined and more people are interested in keeping the lineage pure. There is no doubt that eventually, this will become a universally accepted breed. The characteristics of this dog are excellent, the lifespan is long, and as a pet it is also well suited for an urban lifestyle. It is expected that the Cockapoo will be around for quite some time.