A small cute dog with the personality of a big clown. The Cockapoo may be the first of the designer dogs (not a pure dog breed), dating back to the 1960s rather than only a few years earlier.
Breeders combined the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle to produce a dog that is completely people-oriented, sufficiently intelligent to be easily trained, shedding very little, quick to forgive and so affectionate that you will never feel alone. You may even have to close the bathroom door for a minute of privacy.
Your Cockapoo companion will also enjoy going for walks, showing tricks to people present, being petted as a therapy dog or simply snuggling on your lap. By the way, your lap belongs to them.
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Main characteristics of a Cockapoo
- This breed loves company and is a true family dog
- The average size is 35 to 38 cm
- The weight of an adult Cockapoo will be about 10 kg
- They come in different colors
- The dog has a curly coat (generally suitable for people allergic to dogs)
- The average lifespan is about 14 years
- The breed originates from the United States
In addition, these small dogs have:
- A sturdy back
- Strong kneecaps
- a long tail
- and are free of hip problems
That the Cockapoo is a popular breed is evident from the fact that this cross has been bred since the 1960s. With this breed, you get the best of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle at home.
Good qualities of the Poodle
- They are very intelligent
- Their beautiful hypoallergenic curly coat requires little maintenance
- Poodle behavior
Good qualities of the Cocker Spaniel
- A true family dog
- small size, yet nevertheless with great qualities
- Lively temperament
Hypoallergenic dog
Wally Conron is responsible for the designer dog trend. He crossed several breeds to create the ideal guide dog. Wally did this for a blind woman. Her husband was highly allergic to dogs.
As he could not find a purebred dog matching this criterion, he crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. That is how the Labradoodle finally appeared.
This inspired many other breeders to create a hypoallergenic working dog. At some point the Cockapoo was then born.
The Poodle is a breed of dog that produces (much) less dander. In contrast, the Cocker Spaniel produces (more) dander. By adopting a Cockapoo, you are therefore not guaranteed to have a hypoallergenic dog. However, they shed less than other breeds. It also depends on the severity of the person’s allergy to dogs.
Cockapoo behavior
A healthy Cockapoo is an energetic dog leading an active life. That’s why it’s important to adjust its diet accordingly.
Veterinarians recommend feeding the Cockapoo twice a day with a high-quality diet. The exact amount depends on:
- The dog’s age.
- The dog’s size.
- The dog’s daily activities.
- The dog’s build.
Learn more about this breed
The Cockapoo is the result of planned crossbreeding. It comes from the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel. Also known by the names Cockapoodle, Cockerpoo, or Cock-a-Poo. It’s a small, extraordinarily cute dog, with a face capable of melting a stone heart.
He is affectionate and accepts everyone: the elderly, children, and other pets. He also has an easy-to-live-with size, small enough to cuddle and big enough to romp with larger dogs. Cockapoos have a contagious zest for life that spreads around them, that essential zest for life that turns every day into a celebration. These dogs are simply happy to be a part of it.
But what is the reason to choose a Cockapoo, rather than a Cocker Spaniel or a Poodle? It’s that, in some respects, the Cockapoo represents two ideals. First, what the Cocker Spaniel used to be: an affectionate and steady temperament, before the breed’s popularity exploded following Lady and the Tramp. Second, the Poodle, oriented toward humans, as opposed to the Cocker which prefers to follow its nose in the fields.
Furthermore, Cockapoos do not require the same level of grooming as Poodles. Of course, you can also clip a Poodle less closely to achieve a labradoodle look .
Naturally, there is a world of difference between the deliberate breeding of carefully selected purebred dogs and a cross with a Poodle, because no one truly knows its origins.
The Cockapoo was bred to produce a healthy, hypoallergenic dog with a good temperament. Note: because the Cockapoo is still not a pure breed, not all puppies will grow up the same way. A puppy with more Cocker genes may closely resemble the Cocker and therefore not be hypoallergenic at all. If the puppy has more Poodle genes, it will be hypoallergenic. Your dog’s groomer will also play an important role in the appearance of your Cockapoo. Does the groomer trim the muzzle short or leave a nice beard? That changes the look of your dog. We, as Cockapoo breeders, believe that the dog’s health and temperament are the most important.
Highlights
- The Cockapoo is not considered a barking dog. However, some will bark if they see someone approaching their home, or if they are left alone for long periods.
- The Cockapoo should be a dog that does not shed its hair, with a slight canine odor on the skin and coat. It should be brushed regularly and sometimes trimmed or clipped.
- Cockapoos are generally suitable for people with allergies, as they produce low amounts of dander and hair.
- Cockapoos were developed as companion dogs and are generally friendly and exceptionally cheerful. They can get along well with other dogs, pets, and children; however, older and more attentive children are generally preferable.
- Although the Standard or Maxi-sized Cockapoo does not adapt to apartment living as easily as its smaller counterparts, it can do very well there if it receives enough exercise. The ideal situation is a house with a small fenced garden. If you don’t have a garden but are devoted to your dog, you can of course walk them in a public park. That’s just as enjoyable for your Cockapoo! You don’t have to maintain that garden: this way you have more time for them.
- The Cockapoo is so intelligent that it can be easily trained using positive reinforcement.
- Cockapoos have a moderate energy level, but still need daily exercise . Plan to devote at least 15 minutes per day to them and offer a variety of activities, such as fetch games, walks, and good running sessions.
- To obtain a healthy dog, you should never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder or a pet shop.
To find a responsible breeder, visit the breeder in person. You will immediately be able to tell if they are a good breeder. - Designer dogs, also called hybrids, are not true breeds: they are crosses of two specific breeds. If you are interested in a Cockapoo puppy, understand that its appearance, its size and its temperament are not as predictable as those of purebred animals, because you do not know which characteristics of which breed will show up in any given dog.
Cockapoo for sale
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History
When people talk about designer dogs, the Cockapoo is an older hybrid, popular since the 1960s. The first breeding may have been accidental, but the happy result was a litter of intelligent, almost odorless puppies with a coat that is not prone to shedding. And additionally, they displayed the easygoing and affectionate temperament of the Cocker Spaniel. These puppies became popular and the Cockapoo line began.
Today, efforts are underway in the United States to establish breed standards and put the Cockapoo on the difficult path to becoming a true breed, a breed that produces offspring with consistent characteristics. They are one of the few designer breeds that, even today, are not bred on a large scale, and many breed enthusiasts attribute this desirable situation to the Cockapoo’s intelligence and affectionate nature. It has become a very popular family dog.
As the Cockapoo became better known, its popularity continued to grow. Some Cockapoo breeders aim to establish the Cockapoo as a breed and carry out crosses over several generations, while others prefer the basic Poodle / Cocker cross.
The Cockapoo Club of America was founded in 1999 and created a breed standard with the goal of bringing consistency to breeding. The club promotes breeding multi-generational Cockapoos together rather than creating new first generations, because this technique aims to help puppies retain desired traits that do not appear in all first-generation dogs.
Size
The expected size of a Cockapoo falls between that of a miniature Poodle and an English or American Cocker:
In other words between 28 and 38 cm.
Weight: 6–12 kg
Personality
Intelligent and easy to please, the Cockapoo was developed as a companion dog. It is friendly and very cheerful. It has an outgoing nature and generally gets along with everyone. Depending on its temperament, it can be active or simply curl up comfortably on the sofa next to you.
It has the intelligence of its Poodle ancestors, along with the gentleness inherited from its Cocker Spaniel origins. If the parents do not have the affectionate quality expected of a Cockapoo, their descendants will not have it either.
Like any dog, the Cockapoo needs early socialization – exposure to many different people, places, sounds and experiences when young. Socialization helps ensure that your Cockapoo puppy has a good foundation for social life.
They prefer to be constantly close to their family and may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Therefore it is important to accustom your puppy to being alone regularly. They can be easy to train, although this depends on the parents’ temperaments. Positive reinforcement is the best method for training a Cockapoo. With time and patience, they can reach a high level of obedience.
Care
Most Cockapoos have a moderate energy level, but that doesn’t mean they’ll laze around all day. They enjoy a good walk and need exercise to avoid gaining too much weight. However, the best kind of exercise is a good play session in the garden. Expect that they will need at least 15 minutes of physical activity per day.
The Cockapoo is a flexible breed. It can live in an apartment, although the smaller varieties seem to adapt to it better than Maxi or Standard Cockapoos. None of them should live outdoors or in a kennel, as they were bred as companion dogs. They thrive within their family and may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. Separation anxiety can cause excessive barking and destructive behaviour. To prevent boredom, we recommend the educational games for dogs .
Crate training is beneficial for every dog and is a kind way to make sure your Cockapoo doesn’t have accidents in the house or gets up to things it shouldn’t. A crate is also a place where it can retreat to take a nap. Crate training from a young age will also help your Cockapoo accept being confined if it ever needs to travel in a vehicle or be hospitalized.
However, do not leave your Cockapoo in a crate all day. It is not a prison and it should not spend more than a few consecutive hours in it, except at night when it is sleeping. Cockapoos are companion dogs and they are not meant to spend their lives locked in a crate or kennel.
Feeding
Recommended daily amount : 1/4 to 3/4 cup of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals.
NOTE: The amount your adult dog eats depends on its size, age, body type, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, like human beings, and do not all need the same amount of food. Needless to say, a very active dog will need more than a sedentary one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference: the higher the quality, the more it nourishes your dog and the less you’ll need to put in their bowl.
Keep your Cockapoo in good condition by measuring its food and feeding it twice a day rather than free-feeding. If you’re not sure whether it’s overweight, do the visual and hands-on tests.
Look at the dog first. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on its back, thumbs along the spine, fingers pointing downward. You should be able to feel the ribs without seeing them and without having to press firmly. If you cannot, it needs less food and more exercise.
Coat color and maintenance
The Cockapoo has a single-layer, long coat that can range from straight to soft curls, but it should not be wiry. Cockapoos come in all the colors and color combinations found in both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle — a wider variety of coat shades than is usually seen in many other breeds.
The Cockapoo is generally left natural, but many owners like to trim the coat. However, it should only be shortened to a length of 5 to 7 centimeters. The hair around the eyes should be cut to allow good visibility. The coat should be brushed daily; see dog coat care.
Although this varies from Cockapoo to Cockapoo, it is assumed that a puppy from a multigenerational breeding is odorless and does not shed (although ‘hypoallergenic‘ is an illusion, since every dog on the planet sheds at least a little). To preserve the coat’s oils and health, it should only be bathed when absolutely necessary.
Because its long Cocker ears block airflow, you should check and clean the ears weekly to prevent ear infections. Gently wipe away earwax — only the visible part — with a cotton pad soaked in a cleaning solution recommended by your veterinarian. (Do not insert cotton swabs or any other object into the ear canal, as this may damage it.) Your Cockapoo may have an ear infection if the inside of the ear smells bad, looks red or seems sore, or if it frequently shakes its head or scratches its ear.
You can also, from time to time, brush your dog’s teeth, even if it isn’t strictly necessary. You can also give it a bone specially developed for dental hygiene.
Check once or twice a month that the nails are not too long. Trim them if necessary if your dog does not wear them down naturally to avoid painful tears and other problems. If you hear them clicking on the floor, they are too long. Dogs’ nails contain blood vessels and if you cut too short you can cause bleeding. Your dog may not cooperate the next time he sees the nail clipper. So, if you have no experience trimming a dog’s nails, ask a veterinarian or a dog groomer for advice.
Accustom your Cockapoo from puppyhood to being brushed and examined. Brush its paws regularly — dogs are sensitive about their paw pads — and look inside its mouth. Make grooming a positive experience, full of praise and rewards, and you will lay the groundwork for an easier vet visit and an enjoyable grooming session when it is an adult.
During grooming, check for ulcers, rashes or signs of infection, such as redness, tenderness or skin inflammation, around the nose, mouth, eyes and paws. The eyes should be clear, without redness or discharge. Your attentive weekly check helps you detect potential health problems early.
Children and other pets
The Cockapoo gets along well with children, although it generally prefers families with older, more attentive children. It can also get along with other dogs and pets.
As with all breeds, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interaction between dogs and young children to prevent either party from biting or pulling ears or tails.
Teach your child never to approach a dog while it is eating or sleeping, nor to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, however friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.
