Cockapoo Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- Cocker Spaniel & Poodle
- Breed Nickname:
- Cockapoo
- Size:
- Medium
- Height:
- 10 to 15 inches
- Weight:
- 6 to 19 pounds
- Life Span:
- 12 to 15 years
- Coat Colors:
- Silver, cream, white, black, brown, and red
Cockapoo Characteristics
About The Cockapoo
What Is A Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix called?
The offspring born when a Poodle is bred with a Cocker Spaniel is called a Cockapoo. They are also sometimes referred to as a Cockapoodle or a Cock-a-Poo, although these names are much less common.
These dogs are incredibly popular among the mixed breed world thanks to their winning personalities and friendly demeanors.
They can be bred with Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles, although the smaller Cockapoos tend to be the most popular.
Are you looking to welcome a Cockapoo into your family? Let’s learn more about this lovable breed right now.
Cockapoo Breed History
First bred in the 1960s.
Efforts are being made to make this a true breed.
Low surrender rates in kennels.
The Cockapoo is well known as one of the first mixed breeds, with an accidental inbreeding session in the 1960s leading to their creation.
Their sweet personality and cute looks saw this dog gain popularity instantly. Combining the Poodle’s hypoallergenic coat with the Cocker Spaniel’s easygoing nature gave owners the best of both worlds!
Now, 60 years later, the Cockapoo is still incredibly sought after. So much so, in fact, that efforts are even being made to establish enough breed standards to make the Cockapoo a recognized true breed. This can’t be said about many other mixed breeds!
There are many clubs for Cockapoos across America, although these are unaffiliated with each other due to their different beliefs.
The Cockapoos Club of America was first founded in 1999 in an attempt to keep Cockapoo breeding consistent. This club has a breed standard that stretches across multiple generations of Cockapoo. They believe in breeding multigenerational puppies.
The American Cockapoo Club is a newer club, founded in 2004, and they don’t breed different generations of Cockapoo together.
Their goal is to create Cockapoos that can be traced back to American Kennel Club Poodles and Cocker Spaniels.
Unlike many other mixed breeds, Cockapoos have always had very low attendance in kennels. This is because owners don’t surrender these dogs, likely based on their calming temperament and intelligence.
Cockapoo Personality & Temperament
Extremely happy and social dogs.
Great with children and other dogs.
Can suffer from separation anxiety.
Cockapoos are known for being very friendly and happy dogs. They’re clever and eager to please, making them trainable for many. They love doing anything with their owners – so long as they get to spend time with you!
They are great companion dogs as they love getting outside for some fresh air as well as cuddling up on the couch.
They’re very sociable and get along well with anyone they meet, including strangers and other dogs.
Like many other dogs, the Cockapoo is known for suffering from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
They are excellent with children, so work well with large families or single-person households. Cockapoos work well in any family dynamic, just as long as you have enough time to spend with them!
Cockapoo Health
Often benefit from hybrid vigor.
Common issues to look out for include ear infections and eye issues.
Life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Many Cockapoos benefit from hybrid vigor, which is when a new bloodline is brought into the breeding circle.
It makes the offspring less likely to suffer from inherited health issues as the different breeds don’t bring the same diseases to the breeding pool.
While mixed-breed dogs are less likely to suffer from as many health issues as their parent breeds, it’s still worth noting the following concerns when owning a Cockapoo:
- Cataracts
- Patellar Luxation
- Hip Dysplasia
- Allergies
- Liver Disease
- Ear Infections
Like any other dog, Cockapoos should be seen by a vet regularly to keep them in good health. These will usually be scheduled once a year, so don’t miss this appointment!
Your vet will be able to diagnose any issues early to prevent them from turning too sinister.
Cockapoo Training
Often very trainable.
Early socialization is vital.
Respond best to positive reinforcement.
Cockapoo training is often simple enough for novice owners to handle. These dogs are very eager to please and intelligent, making them a trainer’s dream breed.
Just make sure that you are using positive reinforcement and giving them plenty of patience as they learn new tricks.
Cockapoos will benefit from early socialization with strangers, dogs, and children. This will ensure that they grow into sociable adults.
Many people love this breed solely for their social nature, so early interaction with people and animals other than their owners is essential.
Cockapoo Exercise Requirements
Often very trainable.
Early socialization is vital.
Respond best to positive reinforcement.
Cockapoos need around 30 minutes to an hour of exercise a day. They love all sorts of activities, from walking to hiking and running errands to playing fetch.
They would suit anyone with enough time to give them plenty of outdoor time and mental stimulation. Many seniors get on well with Cavapoos!
Cavapoos can live in apartments, although they wouldn’t say no to a yard to run around in!
These dogs are very clever so they need regular bouts of mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent them from getting bored. This could be in the form of training sessions, puzzle games, or treat cages.
Cockapoo Diet & Feeding
Look for food formulated for Cockapoos.
Alter their food intake depending on their weight and exercise level.
Cockapoos need to be fed a diet formulated for medium dogs with moderate energy. Although, if your Cockapoo is on the larger side, it might need food for a larger dog.
As this breed is so popular, there are some specialty foods marketed for Cockapoos.
Dogs are always growing and changing their food intake needs. This could be due to their age, weight, or exercise level.
It’s important to take your dog to their routine vet appointment every year to check their weight. You can then use this to alter their food consumption to avoid overeating.
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Cockapoo Cost
Costs between $800 and $2,000.
Only use a reputable breeder.
Ongoing costs include grooming, food, vet bills, insurance, and more.
Cockapoos are very popular dogs, so expect their price range to be between $800 and $2,000.
While it might be tempting to choose a breeder offering a lower price than this, we wouldn’t recommend opting for anything but a trusted breeder.
Without using a reputable breeder, you run the risk of buying a dog that has different attributes to the classic Cockapoo that we all know and love.
