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Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel & Poodle Mix) Info, Pictures, Facts, Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

close up image of roan cockapoo dog

Height: 9 – 15 inches
Weight: 12 – 24 pounds
Lifespan: 13 – 15 years
Colors: Black, cream, apricot, red, white, and chocolate
Suitable for: Families, children, apartments, and large homes.
Temperament: A fun-loving dog that’s extremely affectionate and friendly.

The Cockapoo is one of the original designer breeds, dating back to the 1960s. It’s a mix of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. The size and shape of the Cockapoo breed are difficult to predict and are dependent on not only the parents but also which parent the dog takes after. While most breeders mix the Cocker Spaniel with a Miniature poodle to create the Cockapoo, some use toy poodles or standard poodles, which will affect the result.

The breeder in the United States accidentally created the Cockapoo in the 1960s. It quickly caught on due to their high intelligence, and lack of odor or shedding.

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Cockapoo Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The quality of the parent dogs, as well as the breeder’s skills, will affect what you end up paying for one of these pups. Location, and whether the breeder performed any testing to detect any possible health defects will also affect the price. Standard Poodles and Toy Poodles will also fetch different prices, which will affect the cost of the offspring.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cockapoo

1. The term “designer breed” originated with the Cockapoo.


2. Efforts are currently underway to get the Cockapoo recognized as a standalone breed.


3. The Cocker Spaniel parent is the smallest sporting dog.

The parent breeds of Cockapoo
The parent breeds of Cockapoo: Left – Cocker Spaniel (Kajetan Sumila, Unsplash) | Right – Poodle (chili71, Pixabay)

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Cockapoo 🧠

The Cockapoo has a good temperament built into its genes. They are loving, friendly, and make great companions. They thrive on being part of the family and can get upset if you leave them alone for too long. If they develop separation anxiety, they can get into mischief.

They have the Poodle’s intelligence, but trainability will depend on which side of the family they take after. Some dogs may be too interested in playing or acting silly to sit for a training session.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Cockapoo is a fantastic family dog. Its comical nature and desire to entertain makes it a huge hit with children. They are also loyal and protective of their owners. They will stay with you on long walks and will learn your habits to become better companions. They also don’t require extensive exercise, so they’re good for families on the move.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Cockapoo gets along extremely well with other dogs and will often try to make friends with any others it meets. It’s usually too busy making a clown of itself for a family member to chase animals in the yard, and it doesn’t bother with cats or birds.

cockapoo
Image Credit: mountaintreks, Shutterstock

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Cockapoo

Here are some things to consider before you purchase a Cockapoo.

Food and Diet Requirements 🦴

The Cockapoo is a smaller dog that doesn’t require much food. Most adult dogs will need between ¼ and ¾ of a cup per day. This breed can easily become overweight, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any weight changes.

We recommend purchasing a brand that has a high-quality protein, like beef, lamb, or chicken, as its first ingredient. We also recommend looking for foods with high-quality vegetables Like broccoli, and carrots, while staying away from harmful foods like corn, soy, and chemical preservatives. Antioxidants, omega fats, and probiotics are also things to look for in your dog food.

Daily Exercise Requirements 🐕

The Cockapoo breed likes to play and is considered bouncy. It gets a lot of exercise on its own, and you won’t need to do more than 15 minutes per day to keep your pet healthy. Walks are good if you can train them to stay with you, or a house with a yard allows you to play catch and other similar games to get exercise.

white cockapoo dog panting
Image Credit: Brian Lasenby, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

The cockapoo breed is intelligent and easy to train. You can teach your pet to use the litter box and many other tricks. Training is a good way to keep your pet from becoming bored, and it helps you bond. Training is easier if you begin at a young age, but you can teach any dog if you have patience. Positive reinforcement works best, which means to offer a treat or praise when your pet does as you wish.

Position yourself in front of your pet, getting their attention with a treat.  Repeat a specific command and coax your pet to do what you want it to do. When it succeeds, award it with a treat or scratch behind the ears.

Grooming ✂️

The cockapoo code can grow quite long, so it will require some skills with trimming and grooming. The straighter coat is easier to maintain and only require brushing two to three times a week. The curly poodle type coat will require brushing nearly every day to keep it free of tangles and mats. It will also be necessary to trim the hair on occasion or need to take it to a professional groomer.

Nails will need trimming every two to three months to make it more comfortable to walk and to prevent damage to any surfaces and furniture. We also highly recommend regular toothbrushing to prevent tooth decay and improve breath.

black cockapoo wet
Image Credit: Dale Towers, Shutterstock

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cockapoo is considered a healthy animal, but like all animals, they are susceptible to some health problems.

Minor Conditions
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Ear Infections
Serious Conditions
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Liver Disease

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Both the poodle and Cocker spaniel parents of the Cockapoo are prone to progressive retinal atrophy. This degenerative disease affects the rods and cones in your pet’s eyes and can lead to blindness. Routine eye exams may be able to detect the early onset of progressive retinal atrophy. In many cases, the only symptoms are night blindness and sometimes a loss of peripheral vision.

Ear Infections

Because the Cockapoos ears are floppy, they tend to hold moisture and are extremely susceptible to infection. If your pet has an ear infection, you may notice a foul odor coming from their ears. Other symptoms you may see include head shaking, scratching, itchiness, or pain.

You can prevent ear infections by carefully cleaning out the ears with a soft dry cloth regularly. In most cases, ear drops and time will heal the condition.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is a condition that affects many small breeds, including the Cockapoo. This condition causes the kneecap to slide out of place. Slipping out of place causes the tendons to loosen, which allows the kneecap to slide out of place more often. This condition doesn’t seem to cause the dog much pain, but it does affect the leg’s ability to bear weight. Patellar Luxation can lead to arthritis and permanent damage if not treated.

Liver Disease

Liver disease has been growing in regularity in the parent breed Cocker Spaniel, and it could easily transmit to your Cockapoo. Signs of liver disease include loss of appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, and yellowing of the eyes. If not diagnosed and treated early, liver disease can cause brain problems. Surgery, medications, supplements, and diet changes can help improve your dog’s health.

Divider 5Male vs Female

As long as your Cockapoo has been spayed or neutered, there is no noticeable difference between genders. The males seem to enjoy affection more than the females, and they seemed to stay puppies for longer. Females tend to be slightly more independent and often hump things to ensure dominance over them.

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The Cockapoo is an intelligent animal that is very entertaining and will make you laugh more times than you can count. It’s great for Connie apartments and large homes. It’s friendly to strangers and other animals and doesn’t make a lot of noise. You’ll want to train these dogs early because they’re very smart and can get out of hand, and they don’t like being left alone for a long time, so this isn’t the best breed for someone who lives alone and works a lot.

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Featured Image Credit: KBarber84, Shutterstock

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