Is a Cockapoo Right for Me? Breed Pros & Cons
By Misty Layne
Updated on
Cockapoo make marvelous pets but aren’t necessarily a good fit for everyone. There are plenty of pros to owning one of these cute, silly pups, but as with all things, there are also a few cons. And knowing these pros and cons will help you decide whether a Cockapoo is right for you and your family.If you’ve been considering this breed for a new pet, keep reading. Below we’ll cover 15 pros and cons of inviting this dog into your life, starting with the many pros!
Pros of Owning a Cockapoo
Here you’ll find eight pros to having this breed as a pet!
1. Accept everyone
If you want a guard dog, this pro will be a con because the Cockapoo is not a dog that’s wary of strangers. These pups are ready to accept anyone and anything into their lives (which is excellent for families and those with other pets). And this acceptance means your Cockapoo will always have a good time as it romps and plays with everyone in the family!
2. Everyday care is easy
Another pro to the Cockapoo is that the day-to-day care of these dogs is relatively easy. The majority of daily care will be feeding your pup, which will require you to split anywhere from ¼ to ¾ cup of quality dog food into two meals a day. The other big part of taking care of your Cockapoo will be ensuring they get enough exercise each day (and since these dogs are energetic, you won’t have to do much to accomplish this). A good romp in the backyard or a daily walk should take care of that active nature.
3. Are excellent companions
Cockapoos are designed to be companion dogs and excel at that job. These canines will quickly develop a strong bond with their people and will often follow you around so they can be involved in everything you do (though this can be a con at times). But with this dog, you’ll never be alone, and you’ll always have an affectionate, playful friend nearby.
4. Comes in four sizes
Did you know that the Cockapoo comes in four sizes? It does! You can find teacup Cockapoos that weigh under 6 pounds, toy Cockapoos that weigh just under 12 pounds, miniature Cockapoos that weigh around 18 pounds, and the standard Cockapoo that weighs around 19 pounds. So, no matter the size of dog you’ve been looking for, the Cockapoo has you covered.
5. Great with kids
Being highly accepting of everyone they meet helps the Cockapoo be a big hit with the little ones, as does their sweet and energetic natures. These pups will greatly enjoy playing games with your children, and the dog’s happy-go-lucky nature is sure to entertain any kids around. Of course, you’ll need to ensure you’ve properly socialized your Cockapoo and taught children how to play with dogs gently. But a Cockapoo will make an excellent companion for your kids, no matter their age.
6. Are intelligent
Cockapoos have Poodle parentage, and Poodles are ranked as the second most intelligent dog in the world. Plus, Cocker Spaniels are ranked 20th, which means the Cockapoo ends up being quite intelligent. And this intelligence makes this breed much easier to train, which makes life simpler for you. These dogs are fast learners, so whether you’re teaching your pet to “sit” or aiming to teach it how to dance, you shouldn’t have much trouble.
7. Low Shedders
You may have heard that Cockapoos are hypoallergenic, but that’s not actually true—no dog is truly hypoallergenic. However, this breed doesn’t shed very often, so it could be a good fit for those with mild allergies. You’ll need to brush your dog frequently to help reduce any shedding that may occur (and to prevent knots and mats), but overall, the Cockapoo is an excellent option if you don’t want dog hair all over the place.
8. Are quiet
One of the best things about the Cockapoo is that it isn’t big on barking (unless you leave it on its own for a while). The breed might bark to let you know there’s someone at the door, but they’re just as likely to run and hide. So, if you live around a lot of people, this could be a great fit, as you shouldn’t get tons of complaints about excessive barking.
Cons of Owning a Cockapoo
As with most things in life, owning a Cockapoo comes with a few cons, too. Here are seven cons you should be aware of before adopting this dog.
9. Doesn’t like being left alone
The Cockapoo is a breed that does not do well when left on its own. If you’re regularly away from home for hours at a time, you’ll find that the Cockapoo becomes very anxious, which can lead to negative behaviors, such as excessive barking or destruction. This dog needs to have people around the majority of the time in order to feel safe. And if gone unchecked, this dislike of being on its own can turn into full-blown separation anxiety. So, if someone isn’t at your house more often than not, this isn’t the breed for you.
10. Requires moderate grooming
They may be low shedders, but the Cockapoo still has more grooming needs than many other breeds. How much grooming exactly will depend on whether your dog has a curly coat, but those with curly coats will require even more. For curly coats, you’re looking at a daily brush to keep coats clean and a monthly trim to keep fur from dragging on the ground. For straight coats, you should be able to get away with brushing only 2–3 times a week while still getting the monthly trim. If you don’t keep on top of brushing and trimming, your Cockapoo’s coat will get matted.
11. Potential chewer
This won’t apply to every Cockapoo, but some Cockapoos will be big chewers. And when we say big, we mean destructive. If you don’t encourage them from an early age to stick to chew toys, you could find yourself with chewed-up shoes or furniture. Another way to prevent destructive chewing? Ensuring your dog is getting enough daily exercise and mental stimulation, so it isn’t bored.
12. Prone to ear infections
All animals will have certain health problems they’re more likely to get, and one of the most significant issues for Cockapoos is ear infections. Since these pups have Spaniel ears, their ears are more prone to trapping moisture and dirt, which can result in infection. To prevent this, you’ll need to clean your pet’s ears out at least once a week and check the ears regularly for any issues.
Cockapoos are naturally friendly and accepting, but that doesn’t mean they don’t also require extensive early socialization to be fully friendly to all. If not regularly exposed to new people, animals, and places at a young age, your Cockapoo could end up being shy and nervous rather than friendly. So, don’t skip out on the early socialization just because these dogs are naturally sweet and affectionate!
14. Highly energetic
This will be a pro for the right person but be forewarned that the Cockapoo is a highly energetic dog. That means you’ll need to ensure they get enough exercise and activity a day (15–30 minutes for exercise in the form of walks or hikes and plenty of play time throughout the day). Otherwise, you’ll have a bored pup on your hands, which can lead to negative behaviors. This high energy also means that a Cockapoo might not be best if you live in an apartment or smaller space. While these dogs can undoubtedly adapt to living in smaller spaces, they need room to move about freely.
15. You might not know the spaniel breed used
This one may not be important to you, but to some, it will certainly be a con—you can’t always guarantee what type of spaniel was used to create your Cockapoo. Generally, the American Cocker Spaniel is used for Cockapoos, but that’s not always the case, as an English Cocker Spaniel could be used instead. So, make sure you’ve chosen a reputable breeder and ask them about your dog’s parents.
Conclusion
Cockapoos make delightful pets, but there are definitely pros and cons to owning one (though more pros!). This dog breed is friendly and accepting, so they make great companions for families (and get along well with children). But the breed also needs someone to be with it the majority of the time, or it will become incredibly anxious. These dogs are also super high-energy, which may not work for some.
The best way to decide if the Cockapoo is right for you is to weigh the pros and cons carefully before coming to a decision.
Featured Image Credit: Sally Wynn, Pixabay
