Cockapoo

Temperament and Personality

The Cockapoo temperament is sweet, friendly and very loving. Considered to be the first designer dog, Cockapoos are a cross between Cocker Spaniels (working or show type) and Poodles (toy, miniature or standard), so come in many different sizes. With the intelligence of the Poodle and the lively spirit of the Cocker Spaniel, it’s easy to see why they’re an incredibly popular pooch.

Being a cross breed, a Cockapoo’s characteristics will depend on the nature of each parent. F1 Cockapoos are first generation crosses (when a Spaniel is bred with a Poodle) and the personality is more consistent. When a Cockapoo is mated with a Spaniel, Poodle, or another Cockapoo, there can be less predictability.

When crossbreeding is done right though, Cockapoos are super happy, fun-loving dogs that thrive on social interaction. They love to be with their human family, whether it’s playing with toys or cuddling on the couch. Their zest for life is infectious and their smiles can light up the darkest of rooms. Although lively, active and enthusiastic, Cockapoos aren’t overly hyperactive, so they’re a calm companion for people of all ages. 

Bred for their temperament rather than a job, these pups are super smart, loyal and eager to please, making them a highly trainable dog. They also have a playful, clownish nature that lasts well beyond puppyhood, which is a huge part of their appeal. 

However, the main Cockapoo behaviour problem is they’re prone to suffer from separation anxiety, so they can’t be left alone for too long – they just love their paw-rents too much. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behaviours like chewing on furniture, whining and barking, or toileting inside the house.  

As with all dogs though, early socialisation and consistent training is key to raising a confident and well-mannered pooch. So if you’re looking for a sweet and friendly canine companion, the Cockapoo could be the breed for you.

Cockapoo paw-sonality traits

• Sweet-natured and friendly

• Happy, bouncy and fun-loving

• Thrives on attention

• Playful, jovial demeanour

• Lively and enthusiastic

• Intelligent and highly trainable

• Sociable with other dogs and people

• Very loyal to its owners

• Forms super strong attachments

• Prone to separation anxiety

• Needs moderate exercise 

• Needs plenty of mental stimulation

Cockapoo pros and cons

Are Cockapoos good family dogs?

Yes, Cockapoos are a firm family favourite, and for good reason. They’re loving, affectionate and utterly devoted to their humans. Their eagerness to please means they have no trouble slotting right into many different family setups. However, they require a lot of grooming and are prone to develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

Are Cockapoos good with children?

Yes, Cockapoos are generally good with children of all ages. They’re sweet, gentle and love to play, making them a great buddy for toddlers and teens alike.

Are Cockapoos good with other pets?

Yes, Cockapoos are a social breed and love to make as many furry friends as possible. If socialised and trained well from a young age, they can live nicely with other pets, including a family cat. They might still be tempted to chase the neighbour’s cat though!

Care Requirements

We all want our doggos to live long, happy, healthy lives, so it’s important you know how to look after a Cockapoo properly. From tasty nutritious meals to exercise, training and grooming, we’ve got it covered. 

How much exercise does a Cockapoo need?

When fully grown, these lively guys and gals need around 1 hour of physical and mental exercise a day. Cockapoos exercise needs are moderate, but they’re no couch potato! They need daily walks and plenty of fun playtime in order to be happy, healthy doggos. 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon or evening – and with lots of games in between – should ensure they get the stimulation they need.

How do you train a Cockapoo?

Cockapoos are smart cookies and love to please their owners, so they’re easy to train pups. Because of this, they make an ideal dog for first-time owners, but consistent training from a young age is key to bring out the best in them.

Unleash their potential with some fun Cockapoo training tips. 

1. Be positive. Always use positive reinforcement by rewarding good behaviour with lots of praise and high value treats, such as this Baltic Beef Jerky. Cockapoos are sensitive dogs and won’t respond well to harsh corrections, so a gentle approach is needed. They’re also known to be ‘voice sensitive’ so they pick on different tones when being given commands. 

2. Exercise their brains. These dogs are clever clogs, so give them lots of mental stimulation to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviour. Use puzzle toys, play games of hide-and-seek, or engage them in scent work to challenge their problem-solving skills.

3. Work on recall. Practice their recall in distracting environments to help improve their focus, such as busy parks, beaches or hiking trails. Being half Spaniel, Cockapoos can be tempted to follow their noses instead of commands, so it’s important you’re able to get them back when they’re off-lead. Use a long line lead and tempting treats such as these low fat Peanut Butter Probiotic Nutty Treats – a yummy reward that’ll keep them coming back for more. 

4. Get them used to grooming. Cockapoos are pampered pooches in the grooming department, so they need to get used to being brushed from a young age. Incorporate it into their daily routine from a young age and reward them when they’re calm and relaxed.

5. Do trick training. Clicker training is a great tool for teaching Cockapoos new tricks and behaviours. Use a clicker to teach them the basics as well as fun party tricks like ‘spin’, ‘roll over’ or ‘high five’ and reward them with lots of treats and praise when they do a good job.

6. Compete in canine sports. Their energetic and lively nature makes the Cockapoo a natural at various dog sports. Give their brain and body a good workout by engaging them in flyball, agility training or long games of fetch.

7. Socialise from the start. Socialisation is still crucial, even for these social butterflies. Expose them to new people, children, dogs, animals, smells, and situations from an early age to help them become calm and confident canines.

8. Be patient with their separation anxiety. While they should never be left alone for hours on end, you can help Cockapoos be more comfortable with their own company by gradually increasing the amount of time you're away from home. Start with small increments (e.g., 5-10 minutes) and make sure they have a toy or puzzle to keep them busy.

How much grooming do Cockapoos need?

Cockapoo coats vary depending on the parentage. There are straight-haired Cockapoos and curly Cockapoos, coming in a range of colours including red, white, cream, chocolate, tan and black. As Cockapoo coats vary so widely, it’s hard to predict what type of coat a puppy will develop. They could have a coat similar to the Cocker Spaniel, which may shed and have an undercoat prone to matting. Or they might have a coat similar to the Poodle which is low shedding and needs regular trimming. 

On the whole, Cockapoos are thought of to be generally low-shedding and hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for some allergy sufferers.

Here are some tips to help you learn how to groom a Cockapoo.

• Brush their coat daily to prevent their coat from getting matted and tangled.

• The best brush for a Cockapoo is a slicker brush followed by a comb.

• Prioritise behind the ears, armpits and rump as these areas tend to matt more easily.

• Trim around the eyes regularly for visibility – and so us humans can see their beautiful brown eyes!

• There are different Cockapoo grooming styles a professional groomer can do to ensure they look their best all year round. There’s the Summer Cut, the Cockapoo Cocker Cut, The Lamb Cut and the most famous Teddy Bear Cut. Professional grooming should be done every 6-8 weeks if they have a minimal shedding coat.

• Bathe after muddy walks using a dog-friendly shampoo, but don’t overdo it as too many baths can disrupt the Ph balance of their skin and cause irritation or allergies to flare up.

• Check their ears for signs of infection and clean regularly; use a soft cotton pad to gently wipe around the inner areas but don’t stick anything down their ear canal.

• Trim their nails every month if they don’t wear them down naturally. It’s important you know what you’re doing when it comes to nail trimming, so learn from a professional or let the groomers take care of it.

• Don’t forget their teeth and gums. Use a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent pongy dog breath.

• Give them a healthy dental stick once a day to keep the doggo dentist at bay!

Health and Wellness

Properly looked after, loved and cared for, the Cockapoo life span is between 12–15 years. Being a cross breed, they benefit from hybrid vigour (or heterosis). This occurs when you breed two unrelated purebred breeds that don’t share common health problems. The puppies tend to have more health benefits and longer life spans. However, they’re still predisposed to some of the same conditions as their parent breeds.

Common Cockapoo health issues

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This is an inherited condition that causes dogs to go progressively blind, and there’s sadly no cure. It’s strongly advised that breeders screen their breeding stock for this debilitating disease.

• Hip Dysplasia. This is a genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit together properly, potentially leading to arthritis and mobility issues. Those looking to bring a Cockapoo puppy home should aim to buy from reputable breeders who disclose the hip scores of the parents. Diseases of the joints can usually be managed with a combination of pain relief, anti-inflammatories, joint supportive dog food, and joint supplements.

• Cataracts. This is a hereditary condition and causes the eye lenses to harden. Cataracts can develop as early as six months old, but it’s treatable through surgery.

• Glaucoma. This condition puts pressure on the eyes due to a blockage, affecting a dog’s vision. Left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

• Allergies. Cockapoo allergies can be triggered by food or environmental factors like pollen, grass, household chemicals, dust mites or flea bites. Allergies cause itchy skin and digestive issues. If your dog is excessively scratching, rubbing their face, licking their paws, vomiting or having bouts of diarrhoea, they may be suffering from an allergy.

• Obesity. Cockapoos can easily pack on the pounds, so they need to be fed a balanced diet that doesn’t involve lots of table scraps. Obesity reduces a dog’s quality of life and puts them at higher risk of other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

• Ear infections. Cockapoo ear infections are common due to their floppy ears which trap moisture, dirt and debris.

• Cockapoo rage syndrome. This is extremely rare but it causes a dog to ‘zone out’ and launch into sudden and unprovoked acts of aggression. The dog will then snap out of it and come back to reality. It’s thought there is a neurological defect at play.
  

Food and Nutrition

Feeding your Cockapoo a well balanced diet that’s tailored to their size and medical needs is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner. From helping their coat stay healthy to improving their joints and mobility, the food you give them is so im-paw-tant! 

How much should a Cockapoo eat in a day?

The amount you feed your Cockapoo will depend on a number of factors, such as whether they’re a puppy or an adult, if you’re using dry food, wet food or a mix, their activity levels, and whether they've been neutered or spayed.

A good rule of thumb is to feed these active pooches twice a day – in the morning and evening – to fuel them for all their activities. However, it’s vital you don’t overfeed them as carrying extra weight puts pressure on this pooch’s joints and internal organs. Obesity in Cockapoos also puts them at higher risk of heart and kidney disease. 

The best food for a Cockapoo is one that’s designed with their medical needs in mind. As these dogs are known to have delicate tummies, sensitive stomach dog food that aids in digestion is a good choice to keep their bellies happy.

You'll find a handy feeding calculator at the bottom of every product page here at Pooch & Mutt, helping you identify how much of our health-led recipes are right for the age, size and weight of your dog. Take our quick quiz to find your pooch’s perfect food!

Keep your hound healthy with these preventative tips:

Feed a balanced diet

Choose a high-quality, vet recommended dog food that meets your Cockapoo’s nutritional needs. Also consider adding natural supplements to their diet such as Salmon Oil and Joint Tablets to boost your pet’s physical and mental health.

Protect their joints

To help keep the hip dysplasia at bay, consider feeding Cockapoos Joint Care Dry Food, or add Joint Tablets to their diet as an extra preventative measure. Also, puppies should never be over exercised while they’re still developing.

Monitor weight

A healthy Cockapoo weight is anywhere between 5kg and 10kg. Keep treats to a minimum and make sure table scraps don’t become a fixture in their diet though. These pooches can easily pack on the pounds, which can greatly reduce their quality of life.

Protect their skin & coat

For dogs with allergies, you might want to consider a daily care supplement like Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic. Frequent grooming will also prevent matting and tangling which often exacerbates skin irritability.

Care for their ears

Cockapoos have long, floppy ears that are prone to infection, so make sure to dry their ears thoroughly after swims or baths, and clean their ears regularly.

Check their eyes

Regular eye tests can detect early signs of cataracts, glaucoma or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and a balanced diet rich in omega-3s (found in fish) can help support eye health.

Take them to the vet

It might not be their favourite place in the world, but regular check-ups with a vet can help identify potential health issues early on.

Living Conditions

Take a look at the Cockapoo’s dream home.

Cost of Ownership

The unconditional love of a Cockapoo is priceless, but there are costs to consider if you plan to own one. 

How much is a Cockapoo puppy?

The price of a Cockapoo can cost anywhere between £900 and £2,500. The price you pay will depend on the breeder or private seller, and the pedigree of the dog. The average monthly total cost for owning a Cockapoo is between £60 to £90.

Set up costs

Primary vaccines in the UK cost between £40-£70 on average, but this depends where you live and the vets you choose. You’ll also need equipment such as a lead, collar, harness, dog tag (this is a legal requirement), bedding, food bowls, toys, and a crate if you’re crate training. If you decide to neuter your pup, the cost of the operation ranges from £110 to £300, and is usually done between six and 12 months old. Spaying costs can be higher and you should always talk to your vet about the best time to have this procedure done.

Ongoing costs

When it comes to food, these pooches need a high quality dog food packed with vitamins and natural ingredients. On average in the UK, it costs up to £60 a month to feed a Cockapoo. On top of this, you’ll also have booster vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and regular accessories like poop bags to buy.

Insurance costs

As this breed is prone to a few hereditary health problems, it’s highly recommended to purchase pet insurance should anything happen. The exact cost of insurance is based on your location, your dog’s age, breed, medical history and the type of cover you choose. Pet insurance prices vary wildly so always compare to get the right protection. (The average annual cost to insure a Cockapoo without any pre-existing conditions is around £230. This might sound a lot but you can’t put a price on peace of mind.)

Fun Facts and Trivia

Get to know the Cockapoo even more with these tidbits and tales about one of the most beloved family dogs!

• They’re often touted as the world’s first designer dog. It’s said the first Cockapoo pup was a result of a happy accident between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

• Cockapoos are the clowns of the dog world. They love to perform, act silly and make everyone around them smile. 

• Their intelligence and sunny disposition makes the Cockapoo an amazing therapy dog. They can be a personal therapy dog or used in hospitals and care homes to bring joy to those needing a boost.

• Cockapoo isn’t the only name for these adorable mutts. Some people call them Cockadoodles, and in Australia they’re more commonly known as Spoodles.

• While widely loved, they’re not an official breed in the Kennel Club books, but Cockapoo clubs are trying to change this. 

• Wondering what’s the difference between a Cavapoo vs Cockapoo? A Cavapoo is a cross between a Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 

History and Origin

These bright, bouncy doggos have only been around since the 1960s, but they’re the oldest hybrid designer dog out there. While still fairly new on the scene compared to more ancient breeds, Cockapoos haven’t taken long to melt the hearts of millions. 

They began life in the United States where they were potentially the result of a happy accident. However, they were well received thanks to the Poodle coat and intelligence, and the spritely, loving nature of the Cocker Spaniel. 

Cockapoo clubs have created breed standards and are trying to get the official Kennel Clubs to recognise them as an official breed. However, the clubs hold different philosophies about what should constitute a true Cockapoo pup.  

Either way, they’re a delightful dog that will continue to be adored across the globe! 

Choosing a Puppy or Dog

Before you bring a new furry friend into your life, you need to know you’re getting it from a reputable source. To help you navigate this decision, here are some essential tips for buying or adopting a Cockapoo.

1. Research the breed. Cockapoos are friendly, happy dogs but they can’t be left alone for too long, so you need to make sure your lifestyle is suited. 

2. Ask potential breeders for references from previous customers, veterinarians, or other breeders. This will help you get an idea of their reputation and the health of their dogs.

3. Beware of scammers. A genuine seller will never ask for money upfront before seeing the dogs, and will always offer for you to see them in person before making a commitment. Also be wary if the price is significantly cheaper than other listings. 

4. Always visit the breeder in person to see the mother with her Cockapoo puppies and to check the environment. A responsible breeder or seller will never release the pups before they’re eight weeks’ old. 

5. Watch out for people who breed multiple breeds at once. This is a sign they might not have the expertise on Cockapoos and don’t prioritise their dogs’ health.

6. A reputable breeder will provide a health guarantee for your puppy, including paperwork about their lineage, vaccinations and microchipping.

When adopting a Cockapoo, research the shelter to ensure they’re a reputable rescue organisation, and meet with their adoption specialist to discuss your lifestyle, needs and dog ownership experience. Cockapoos in shelters may have complex medical conditions or be quite senior, so you’ll need to ensure you have the time, love and dedication to give them a happy fur-ever home.