The Cockapoo – Everything You Need To Know

The Cockapoo – Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to popular dogs, they don’t get much more popular than the Cockapoo and it’s not hard to see why. With their wonderfully friendly personalities and adorable looks, they’ve become a staple on the British dog scene.

Demand for puppies increased significantly over lockdown in the UK but according to the BBC, the Cockapoo saw the third largest price increase after Cocker Spaniels and Jack Russell’s. Also known as the CockaPoodle or even Cockerdoodle, there’s lots to love about this popular designer breed.

Where does the Cockapoo come from?

Geographically speaking, the Cockapoo was first purposely bred in the United States in the 1960s.

From a biological standpoint, the Cockapoo is a cross breed dog coming from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. As the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle have been established dog breeds for a long time, cross breeding them means some health problems they can be predisposed to can be bred out.

Some of the original breeders wanted a dog that would be completely people orientated. Whereas the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle’s ancestors would have been hunters and have evolved over hundreds of years, the Cockapoo is new enough that their main job has always been mans best friend.

They also have the added benefit of taking the best qualities when it comes to their coat, another trait that’s made them especially popular. The Cockapoo has a relatively low shed coat which makes them a more tolerable breed for those prone to allergies.

How big are Cockapoos?

Like many popular dogs, they come in a variety of sizes.

• Toy Cockapoos will weigh less than 12lbs and usually be around 10inches in height when fully grown
• Miniature Cockapoos will weigh less than 18lbs and be around 14inches in height when fully grown
• Standard Cockapoos will weigh over 18lbs and usually be at least 15inches in height when fully grown

What sort of coat does the Cockapoo have?

No dog is ever 100% hypoallergenic because it’s not the dog fur that usually causes a reaction, it’s the protein found in cat and dog saliva and urine. The less fur a pet sheds, the lower the reaction you’re likely to have if you are prone to allergies.

One of the reason Cockapoos are so popular is their low shedding coats. You’ll never find a dog that doesn’t shed at all but thanks to the Poodle in the Cockapoo, they produce little dander and are a comparatively odourless dog.

The length you want to keep your Cockapoo’s coat is up to you, but you’ll need to make sure you can trim the fur around their eyes as it can easily grow to become obstructive. If you choose to let their coat grow out, they’ll need more regular brushing than if you keep it clipped, especially if your pup prefers more muddy walks in the winter.

You’ll also need to check their ears regularly because they’re floppy and can trap air and moisture, they can be prone to infections.

Are Cockapoos recognised by The Kennel Club?

Despite the fact Cockapoos have been around for over 60 years, they’re not recognised by The Kennel Club because they’re a mixed breed and not a pure breed or pedigree dog. This could change in the future but for now, this means there isn’t a ‘breed standard’ as defined by The Kennel Club.

What sort of temperament does the Cockapoo have

The idea behind the Cockapoo was it takes the best qualities of its Cocker Spaniel and Poodle heritage. Poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs, they train well and are eager to learn. The Cocker Spaniel is a fluffy ball of friendliness and loves being around their human pack. When you combine these qualities, you’ve got a very friendly dog who lives to please, is very intelligent and fits perfectly into any family willing to give the time and attention they need.

Is the Cockapoo a good family dog?

All dogs can differ and experience and even nature can influence any dog’s temperament but as a rule, the Cockapoo is one of the friendliest dogs you can find. Most Cockapoos won’t ever meet anything with a pulse they don’t want to befriend whether that’s children, other dogs or even the family cat.

They’ll be equally happy accompanying you out on a walk as they are curled up next to you on the sofa. Remember these are companion dogs, they don’t like being on their own and like many dogs, can become destructive when anxious or lonely. In some cases, a long bath can be too long for them to be separated from you so be prepared for a four-legged shadow to follow you everywhere.

As with all dogs, children should always be taught to be respectful. What your Cockapoo sees as acceptable play time, a small child could find intimidating and all puppies, regardless of breed, will use their teeth to play and understand the world around them.

This friendly nature does sometimes present challenges though as your Cockapoo isn’t going to understand not everything will be as enthusiastic to meet them. If you’re out walking your Cockapoo, never let them approach any dog on a lead without checking with their owner first.

Do Cockapoos need lots of exercise?

Like any dog, the Cockapoo needs daily exercise to help keep them healthy. Ideally, they’ll have a one hour walk a day but will happily accompany you on longer walks. Walks aren’t just about physical exercise for dogs though, it’s about training and brain exercise. By experiencing new things, smelling new smells, and being exposed to new experiences, they’re having to work hard to process all these things and it helps keep their temperament even.

Attention is just as important, if not more so, than exercise for a Cockapoo. They won’t cope well if they’re taken for their daily walk then left alone for the rest of the day.

What does F1, F1B and F2 mean?

If you’re looking for a Cockapoo puppy, you’ll see lots of adverts with F1, F1B or F2 next to them and this is signalling what generation the puppies are from their Cocker Spaniel and Poodle lineage.

• A F1 Cockapoo means they’re a first-generation cross breed and both their parents were a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle.
• An F1B Cockapoo means one of their parents are either a Cocker Spaniel or Poodle and the other parent was a Cockapoo
• An F2 means both parents are a Cockapoo

If two F2 Cockapoos are bred, their puppies will be F3 and so forth. Every time a Cockapoo is bred back to a Cocker Spaniel or Poodle, the B suffix is added.

The F type of the puppy will have nothing to do with their temperament or appearance, this is going to come from their parents (and early environment).

Any responsible breeder will be happy to give you as much information as you need about the parents and even the grandparents and great grandparents of any of their puppies. It’s very important you see the puppies in their natural environment and with the mother, ideally, you should be able to meet the father too.

Cockapoos can live for 15 years when well cared for so it’s important you’re aware of the commitment you’re undertaking if you do open your home to one of these pups. If you’ve got any questions or just want some general advice on what to consider before you get a new dog, our team will always be happy to offer any advice.