Cockapoo breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About Cockapoos
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Cockapoo breed
Cockapoos started to be deliberately bred in the United States in the 1960s, and are one of the earliest “designer” crosses. They were initially a cross between American cocker spaniels and miniature poodles, but now come in many more cocker spaniel and poodle crosses. Some cockapoos have both parents as cockapoos.
Although not a recognised breed, they are very popular, well-known and well-loved.
Cockapoos, (even in the same litter!) can look quite different to each other, as some take on more spaniel and some more poodle traits.
They are widely known for being loving, friendly, full of energy and a great family pet. They generally love playtime, walks and plenty of cuddles! Their high level of intelligence and work-ethic from their gun dog roots, also makes them excellent assistance dogs.
Weight, height and life expectancy
Most cockapoos weigh between 7-11kg but this depends on what cross they are.
They have a height of between 23-46cm, again depending on the cross. Checking out the size of mum and dad can give you a bit more of an idea on what height they will be.
Their lifespan tends to be between 12-16 years depending on the health of the individual dog. The oldest recorded cockapoo is reported to have lived for 23 years!
What is the temperament of a Cockapoo like?
Cockapoos are very friendly and personable. They are often described as one of the happiest breeds of dogs.
If socialised with them at a young age, they enjoy the company of children and other animals.
They are often thought of as a good first dog, as they are amenable to being trained and easy to handle.
Some people have cockapoos that don’t make a peep, and others have ones that have a lot to say. So whether they bark a lot or not, can be quite individual. In general cockapoos are happy to use a woof or a bow wow to get your attention.
As cockapoos love company so much they can get a bit upset when left alone. But like with any dog, appropriate training can help to prevent separation anxiety, or working with a dog behaviourist if your dog already has this issue.
Our Cockapoo Community
"We walk Ruby a Cockapoo, 1-2 times a week. She is adorable and we've introduced her to our 2 grandsons, who love to help to walk her. Ruby's owner is pleased that she is getting used to children. It's been a wonderful experience and given us such pleasure, without the responsibility of owning a dog."
Ruby’s borrower, Christine from Brighton
"We met Heidi and immediately fell in love with her bubbly personality. We walk her a couple of times a week and she also comes for sleepovers, we spoil her rotten with treats and belly scratches. My boyfriend and I would love a dog of our own but due to work commitments, it just isn't possible at the moment."
Heidi's borrower, Emma from Merseyside
How much exercise does a Cockapoo need?
On average, an adult cockapoo needs about 1 hour of exercise a day, split into two 30mins walks, but a lot of them will happily walk further.
Puppies should get less than this and a basic guide is 5 minutes per month of age.
Cockapoos can be full of energy, and also very smart, so as well as the physical exercise they get on walks, they need plenty of mental stimulation.
To engage their brains, why not make your cockapoo our DIY Spin Bottle Dog Toy?
Need an extra hand exercising your Cockapoo? Find a local borrower today.
Do Cockapoos need a lot of grooming?
Cockapoos come in over fifteen different pawsome colours. These include cream, apricot, red, black and chocolate. Any of these solid colours can have white markings too. They can also be roan (even mix of white and colour), merle (dappled), sable (lighter coloured hair, with black tips) and tri-colour (solid, with white and tan).
Their coats can be soft, tight curls, looser waves or even a straighter coat.
Cockapoos are often thought to be hypoallergenic, and usually shed a low amount of hair. Some allergies us humans have though, can be to the dog’s skin cells and not the hair, so borrowing a cockapoo first before adopting can be a helpful idea before adopting your own!
How much grooming cockapoos need depends on their coat type. However regular brushing and visits to the groomer approximately every 3 months can be beneficial for them. Some will need more regular haircuts.
As with all dogs, as they don’t sweat, unless they have a specific skin condition and are advised to do so by your vet, only bathe cockapoos when they’re dirty. This can be more often than other breeds as they love water and muddy puddles!
Some people recommend plucking the hair from the ears of cockapoos, but it is often not needed in a dog with healthy ears. But all dogs are different, so your vet and/or groomer can advise in your dog’s individual case.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are Cockapoos easy to train?
Cockapoos are smart which means they can be easy to train, as long as they are kept engaged and also get plenty of breaks so they don’t get tired and frustrated.
They love to please so will be very keen to show to their beloved owner their skills.
They also love attention and treats so both can be useful training rewards.
Their great sense of smell, means scent work can be a great fun area for training and games. It can also mean they are easily led astray, so keep them engaged.
They love to retrieve things, sometimes the challenge can be getting that thing back, but with training they can be very good at giving what they ‘find’ to you.
Want to experience spending time with a Cockapoo to decide if this breed is right for you? Borrow a Cockapoo near you.
What do Cockapoos eat?
Adult cockapoos should eat a balanced diet twice daily. They can also have occasional treats, but like any dog, watch out for the extra calories. Puppies should initially eat four times a day, then down to three, then to two at six months old.
For most cockapoos you can make the change from puppy to adult food gradually at between 10 and 12 months old. Your pet food supplier and/or vet can advise in individual cases.
Although not the worst breed for weight gain, cockapoos can get overweight relatively easily. You should be able to comfortably feel your pup’s ribs, but not count them, when they are standing normally. They should also have a nice neat waist when you look from the top, and then should have a bit of a tuck from their chest up to their tummy. If you are worried your cockapoo could be a bit overweight then contact your vet practice for advice.
Some cockapoos have food intolerances or allergies. In some cases this can be seen as an upset stomach, but with a lot of dogs signs like itchy skin and ears, can be caused by food allergies! Your vet can advise on specific diets if they think this could be happening to your cockapoo.
Cockapoos love a good treat as a reward, but like any dog, this should only make up a maximum of 10% of their daily calorie intake. Whinnie, the cockapoo, loves our banana and peanut butter yoghurt treats, so why not try to make them for yours?
Are cockapoos healthy?
Cockapoos were bred to be healthier than cocker spaniels and poodles individually, but they are still at risk of some of the conditions recognised from each of these breeds.
These can include problems with:
Joints
Luxating patella - this is when a dog’s kneecap moves out of where it should normally be.
Hip Dysplasia - a condition where the thigh bone and pelvis do not sit together properly at the hip joint.
Skin
Allergies - when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and usually results in skin irritation.
Eyes
Progressive Retinal Atrophy - over time the back of the eye becomes damaged which can reduce your dog’s vision, eventually leading to blindness.
Glaucoma - the pressure of the eye becomes too high which can damage the eye.
Cataracts - this common condition leads to clouding of the lens of the eye, which can lead to blindness.
Always make sure to have your dog insured, so you don’t get caught out with any unexpected vet bills.
Vet top tip
Get cockapoos used to grooming at a young age, even if you just start with a soft brush when they’re puppies. Particularly those with curly poodle coats, might need regular trips to the groomer, and making them see early that grooming is fun and filled with rewards is a great way to make groomer trips less stressful.
Cockapoo names
The most popular name for a Cockapoo on BorrowMyDoggy is Teddy.
Here's the top 20 most popular names:
1. Teddy
2. Poppy
3. Bella
4. Alfie
5. Milo
6. Bailey
7. Buddy
8. Coco
9. Lola
10. Luna
11. Charlie
12. Ruby
13. Rosie
14. Molly
15. Barney
16. Daisy
17. Archie
18. Ted
19. Bertie
20. Ralph
Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive.If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
