Black Cockapoo Pictures, Facts, And History
By Beth Crane
Updated on
The Cockapoo is one of the most popular designer breeds in the world, and it’s easy to see why. They’re attractive, active, and incredibly sweet. With the beautiful mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, they bring the best of the breeds together.
Whether a toy Poodle and an American Cocker Spaniel made the mix or a standard Poodle and an English Cocker Spaniel, you can count on a bright, active, and gentle pup to captivate and delight the family.
While the Cockapoo comes in several colors, the black Cockapoo is one of the most popular colors of the breed. Their dark, shiny, and glossy fur makes them stand out.
The Earliest Records of Black Cockapoos in History
There are reports of the Cockapoo being either intentionally bred from Poodles and Cocker Spaniels or being a happy accident. However, the consensus is that the Cockapoo first appeared in the USA in the 1950s.
Eventually, the breed exploded in popularity across the United States and Australia (where they’re more commonly referred to as “Spoodles”) and the UK within the last 15 to 20 years.
Several groups are dedicated to the breed, such as the American Cockapoo Club and the Cockapoo Club GB. These groups advocate for responsible breeding and provide information to Cockapoo owners.
How Black Cockapoos Gained Popularity
The Cockapoo was an instant hit as a family-friendly, hypoallergenic dog. Their intelligence and friendliness were almost instantaneously identified as a perfect match for the skills of a service dog, and other doodle crossbreeds, such as the Labradoodle, are solely for this purpose.
Cockapoos have spread across the globe, becoming popular pets everywhere. In 2021, they were the most popular dog to own for New York and Chicago residents, and they remain undisputed as the top dogs in the UK.
That isn’t surprising since the Cockapoo is easily trained as a working dog. They’re the hybrid of choice for guide dogs, support dogs, and dogs that help the disabled.
The History of The Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel
The two breeds that create the Cockapoo have long and detailed histories. Both breeds have been around for a long time. The Poodle was developed in Germany in the Middle Ages, and the Cocker Spaniel’s lineage dates back to the 14th century.
Poodles were originally bred as water dogs, retrieving gunned-down waterfowl for their masters and bringing them back unscathed. For that reason, the Poodle’s curly coat was fashioned into the fancy continental clip. As the chest fur and tufts on the legs keep them insulated from the cold water, the shaved portions allow them to move quickly in the water.
The Cocker Spaniel has two distinct breed types: American and English. The American Cocker Spaniel is more common, and their lineage can traced back to a single dog, Champion Obo II, who came to America in 1879.
Top 7 Unique Facts About Cockapoos
1. Black Cockapoos (in fact, all Cockapoos) will lose some of their colors and change colors throughout their lives.
Cockapoos inherit the fading gene from their Poodle parent, and most Cockapoos (not all) will change color throughout their lives. For black Cockapoos, the puppies are very dark (almost inky black), and from around 6 months to 3 years, they go through lighter and lighter shades until the coat resembles a soft gray or blue. However, that isn’t the case for all dogs.
2. There are several Cockapoo colors, but Black is one of the most popular.
Cockapoos have many coat colors, with apricot taking the top spot and black coming in hot on its heels. Black Cockapoos can be a solid color or a pattern, with other colors intermixed with the black. This can be seen in Tuxedo coat colors (black with a white patch on the chest), Phantom, Sable, or Roan.
3. Cockapoos are hypoallergenic.
Cockapoos inherit their gorgeous curly coat from their Poodle parent and the softness of the fur from the Cocker parent. The two characteristics converge into an intriguing point: Cockapoos are hypoallergenic and don’t produce much dander.
4. They are known as one of the friendliest dog breeds around
Often cited as the most family-friendly dogs, cockapoos are renowned for their sweet and temperate temperament. They get their intelligence from the Poodle side and their happy and perky enthusiasm from the Cocker side, so it’s no wonder they make friendly pets.
5. Cockapoos live for a relatively long time…
Cockapoos can outlive most other breeds of their size in longevity; the top range is 20 years, and the average is 12–15 years. Most medium-sized canines live 10 to 13 years, but the size of dogs seems to correlate negatively with their expected lifespan, with the bigger dogs living shorter lives than the smaller ones.
6. May inherit some health issues.
Just like any other breed, Cockapoos can suffer from health issues. Since they’re a mixed breed, they are generally considered healthier than pure-breed dogs and inherit fewer genetic conditions.
However, they’re vulnerable to cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, luxating patella, and hip dysplasia.
7. Cockapoos can be big or small depending on the type of Poodle they’re bred from.
A standard Poodle weighs 44–71 pounds, medium Poodles weigh 33–42 pounds, a miniature Poodle weighs 26–31 pounds, and a toy Poodle weighs a minuscule 14–17 pounds. With this vast size difference, you can see how a standard Poodle and a miniature Poodle bred with the same Cocker Spaniel can produce puppies that vary significantly in size.
Does A Black Cockapoo Make a Good Pet?
Cockapoos are friendly, good-natured animals that aren’t particularly difficult to care for. They have a moderate need for exercise (hailing from their waterdog and gundog background), but they’re playful and energetic.
They don’t usually grow beyond 60 pounds, so you don’t have to purchase jumbo bags of dog food. They require frequent grooming to maintain their curly coats, but they’re easier to groom than a purebred Poodle. Cockapoos are not known for barking, digging, or separation anxiety as long as they’re socialized well, given enough exercise, and treated like a loved member of the family.
Conclusion
Black Cockapoos are one of the most popular dogs to own worldwid. They’re sweet, gentle, and all-around cute pups that don’t seem to leave puppyhood with their playfulness. They have the style of a Poodle with the energy of a Cocker, and the intelligence of both gives this cross breed an excellent disposition and affinity for service work.
See also:
- Lha-Cocker (Lhasa Apso & American Cocker Spaniel Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
- Chabrador (Chow Chow & Lab Mix): Breed Info, Pics, Facts, Traits
Featured Image Credit: Kimberley Rennie, Shutterstock
