Cockapoo Breed Guide

Dog Breed:

Cockapoo

Breed Group:

Designer dog, mixed breed, hybrid

Characteristics:

Comical, friendly, happy, intelligent, affectionate

Height:

Teacup Cockapoos=Less than 10 inches; Toy Cockapoos=A maximum of 10 inches”; Miniature Cockapoos=11-14 inches; Standard (Maxi) Cockapoos=A minimum of 15 inches

Weight:

Teacup Cockapoos=Less than 6 pounds; Toy Cockapoos=Less than 12 pounds; Miniature Cockapoos=13-18 pounds; Standard (Maxi) Cockapoos=Greater than 19 pounds

Life Span:

12-15 years

Coat Colors:

Black, chocolate, apricot, red, white, blonde, tuxedo, phantom, tri colour, sable, parti, roan

Area of Origin:

United States

Best For:

First time dog owners

Adult Food:

Best Dog Food for Cockapoos

Puppy Food:

Best Puppy Food for Cockapoos

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

The charming Cockapoo is more than just a cute face. A dog breed of exceptional intelligence; in addition to its smarts, this pooch also has personality to spare. The Cockapoo delights in entertaining its owners and is much loved for its comical ways. Considered to be the original hybrid that launched the designer dog movement, the Cockapoo traces its roots to the United States in the 1960s.

Though the first breeding between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle was accidental, the resulting puppies were so delightful that demand for more of the same type of dogs began to grow. In subsequent pairings, breeders sought to produce dogs with an intense attachment to their families coupled with a low shedding coat and soft, forgiving temperament.

The Cockapoo is known by a number of different names including the Cockapoodle, Cockerpoo, and the Cock-a-Poo. The breed is characterized by its open affection for all people, whether friends, family, or complete strangers. A breed that loves children, the Cockapoo makes an excellent family companion.

A dog type that approaches life with enthusiasm and zeal, the Cockapoo is up for any adventure. This dog enjoys the company of other animals, making it well suited to life in a multi-pet home.

The Cockapoo’s grooming requirements are far less than either of its parent breeds, a positive for many families.

The ideal Cockapoo inherits the innate intellect and spunk of the Poodle with the drive and stability of the Cocker Spaniel. In addition to this, the desired coat type is low to no shedding, making this dog an excellent choice for families with allergies. Unfortunately, as with all cross breeds, sometimes instead of inheriting the best traits of each parent, the dog will inherit the worst. This, however, can also happen with purebred breeds of poor genetic makeup.

It is important to note that the Cockapoo is created by breeding an American Cocker Spaniel to a Poodle. When an English Cocker Spaniel is bred to a Poodle, the puppies are referred to as Spoodles, an entirely different hybrid.

The Cockapoo is a happy, devoted family companion that is well-suited to first time dog owners. They are relatively easy to train and enjoy every opportunity to learn with their owners.

Available in four different sizes, the Cockapoo adapts well to all lifestyles. However, the Standard or Maxi Cockapoo is not always well-suited to apartment living. This can be managed so long as sufficient activity is provided on a daily basis to meet the breed’s needs.

The Cockapoo led the brigade of the current trend of designer dogs. Developed in the United States in the 1960s, this happy little breed continues to gain in popularity year after year. It has been reported that the first mating between an American Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle was entirely accidental. However, this initial breeding produced puppies that far outreached all expectations with pups that were affectionate, loving, intelligent, easygoing, and with low shedding coats.

Today, breeders of the Cockapoo are working to create a breed standard. This is the first step towards receiving official recognition as a purebred breed with the leading kennel clubs. One of the most important things Cockapoo breeders are trying to achieve is a more uniform appearance and temperament in the puppies they produce. This is a critical component of being able to establish a written standard.

Cockapoos have earned the distinction of being one of the few cross breeds that have very low surrender rates at shelters. This is likely attributed to the fact that the Cockapoo is very sweet by nature and makes an excellent family companion.

The Cockapoo Club of America was founded in 1999 with the intent of encouraging consistency in the breed. This club works tirelessly to encourage the breeding of multigenerational Cockapoos, an important component of achieving litters that are more reliable in appearance, temperament, and personality.

The Cockapoo is available in four different size variations. The Teacup Cockapoo measures less than 10” at the shoulder and should weigh less than six pounds. By comparison, the Toy Cockapoo is also designed to weigh less than 10 pounds but offers a far more substantial physical frame. Its maximum weight is just under 12 pounds.

The Miniature Cockapoo stands 11 to 14 inches tall and rings in at 13 to 18 pounds. The largest of Cockapoo family is the Standard or Maxi Cockapoo, a breed that is a minimum of 15 inches in height and weighs 19 pounds or more.

A happy little breed, potential owners of Cockapoos should be prepared to devote space on their lap to their new family friend as the Cockapoo bonds deeply to its people. Cockapoos are not known to have any habits owners must be prepared to deal with. They are generally laidback, loving, and fun.

The joy-filled Cockapoo makes an excellent family companion. A dog that has never met a stranger, the Cockapoo’s happy demeanour makes it a treat to be around. The Cockapoo enjoys the company of people and all animals, making it well-suited to family living.

The Cockapoo was bred to possess the intelligence of the Poodle while retaining the sweetness of the Cocker Spaniel. Early socialization to novel events, items, and people can help support the natural curiosity of this breed.

A dog breed that prefers the company of its family above all things, the Cockapoo will not thrive if left alone for long periods of time. Since the breed bonds deeply with its people, it can suffer from separation anxiety if isolated from them.

The Cockapoo loves to learn new things. Positive reinforcement is the most effective training technique for this soft people pleaser. The breed’s innate intelligence makes it well suited to many different activities including agility, obedience, and Rally.

Happy, friendly, and full of fun, the Cockapoo is a delight to live with, wanting nothing more than the affection and attention of its owner. The breed has moderate activity requirements that can be easily satisfied by a daily walk.

Cockapoos are not known to be tremendous barkers, a trait that makes them an ideal choice for apartment dwellers. They adapt well to any living condition, be it in the city or the country.

Because the Cockapoo forms such a strong attachment to its people, the Cockapoo should live indoors with its family. However, the breed can happily play outside in both hot and cold weather.

The Cockapoo is not particularly prone to wandering, but a securely fenced yard is still an excellent idea. Dogs that favour the Cocker Spaniel’s portion of the genes may be prone to following birds into the field if given opportunity.

Cockapoos are exceptionally gentle and loving with children. For the safety of both the dog and the children in question, all interactions between the two should be carefully supervised. Children should also be taught to handle the dog with care and respect its boundaries.

A breed that enjoys the company of other dogs, the Cockapoo is a natural fit in a multi-pet home. To help integrate a new dog into a home, it is a good idea to introduce the Cockapoo to its new family members on neutral territory such as at a local park or a veterinary clinic.

Though much has been said about hybrid vigour, this, unfortunately, is a myth. Hybrid vigour is the belief that breeding together two purebred breeds to create a new prototype will move the offspring of the parents away from a predisposition to already established hereditary illnesses. If the breeding stock utilized to produce the Cockapoo was previously health tested and found to be sound, the offspring should be healthy.

There is no documented evidence showing that hybrid breeds are healthier than purebreds. In fact, since most of these breeds are new and still in their developmental phases, it is largely unknown what specific diseases and conditions may befall them.

However, it has recently been established based on the health conditions which could plague the parent breeds which genetic conditions may be problematic for the Cockapoo. These include cataracts, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, allergies, liver disease, and ear infections.

The Cockapoo’s coat consists of one layer. It grows to be quite lengthy and can display a number of textures ranging from straight to curly. However, the breed should never display a kinky coat.

To keep the Cockapoo’s coat in good condition, it should be clipped regularly by a groomer. Breeders recommend that the coat never be taken shorter than two to three inches in overall length. The hair around the eyes should also be removed to allow for proper vision. Daily brushing is recommended to prevent knots and mats.

Because this is a cross breed, not every coat on every dog will be ideal. The desired coat is one that is low to no shedding and that emits no odours. Bathing can be done on an as needed basis.

The floppy ears of the Cockapoo should be cleaned at least once weekly to maintain good health and prevent infections. A veterinarian can teach the proper way to clean ears.

Nails should be trimmed once weekly.

Regular dental care is an important part of maintaining good health. Experts recommend brushing the Cockapoo’s teeth several times each week and visiting a veterinarian for a dental checkup at least once per year.

The Cockapoo should not shed much, especially if the dog is brushed regularly. However, failure to keep the coat free from mats can lead to the coat having to be shaved to lower than what is ideal.

A dog breed with moderate activity requirements, the Cockapoo is not prone to obesity. However, it is still a good idea to measure all food and monitor all intake.

The Cockapoo is not known to be a drooler.

The Cockapoo is eager to please, making it a fun companion to train. This breed is soft of heart and is best motivated by treats, praise, and positive reinforcement techniques.

The Cockapoo is not known to be particularly mouthy. However, it is very important to teach all dogs that teeth on skin is never allowed. The easiest means to do this is to direct the dog’s attention to something more appropriate for biting or chewing such as a toy.

Though both of the breeds behind the Cockapoo excel in the field, this dog type is not particularly prone to wandering. Still, to keep the dog safely contained, a fenced yard is recommended.

The Cockapoo is not known to be a big barker.

The Cockapoo has moderate activity requirements. A happy little breed, the Cockapoo will eagerly join its family on their adventures. However, it is important to walk this dog for at least 30 minutes each day to keep the dog mentally and physically satisfied.

Cockapoos are very playful by nature.

If you are looking for Cockapoos for adoption near you, we highly recommend the following comprehensive resource:

Cockapoo Rescue GB

http://www.cockapooclubgb.co.uk/cockapoo-rescue-gb.html