Cockapoo (original) (raw)

Cockapoos are related to poodles and cocker spaniels. Both of those breeds love to swim so it’s no surprise cockapoos are excellent swimmers!

The cockapoo is known for its sweet temperament and intelligence. These dogs are good with kids and very loyal.

The history of this unique dog goes back to the 1960s. They were bred in the United States to be companions for their owners. This variety is a cross between a poodle and an American cocker spaniel. There are two types of cockapoos namely the mini and the maxi. According to the size chart, the mini cockapoo weighs up to 19 pounds while the maxi cockapoo weighs as much as 65 pounds full grown.

Despite the popularity of this breed, they aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club. They’re simply known as hybrids. No matter what, these clever, playful dogs continue to be a favorite in many families!

The 3 Different Types Of Cockapoos And Cockapoo Mixes

There are some mixes of the cockapoo including:

3 Pros And Cons of Cockapoos

Pros! Cons!
Low-maintenance grooming routine: This dog sheds very little and is considered hypoallergenic. It needs to be brushed just one time each week to maintain a soft coat. Separation anxiety:These dogs like to be in the company of humans. They sometimes become destructive in a home if left alone.
Low level of barking: They do very little barking. Can be costly:Many breeders charge a high price for their puppies. However, there are rescue organizations where someone can adopt a dog for little to no cost. The people who run rescue organizations are expert at finding forever homes for dogs!
Good with kids:Socialized dogs are gentle and friendly with children. Ear infections:This dog is prone to ear infections. But cleaning its floppy ears can help to prevent them.

white Cockapoo standing on a couch

Socialized cockapoos are gentle and friendly with children.

©Maria Bell/Shutterstock.com

Size And Weight

This is a medium-sized dog with males and females growing to an average height of 16 inches at the withers. Males and females weigh up to 65 pounds fully grown. An 8-week-old dog weighs around 8 pounds. These dogs are considered full-grown between the ages of 9 and 12 months. Consider this size chart:

Height (Male): 16 inches
Height (Female): 16 inches
Weight (Male): 65 pounds, fully grown
Weight (Female): 65 pounds, fully grown

Common Health Issues

black cockapoo standing

Cockapoos are prone to hip dysplasia and cataracts.

©Kimberley Rennie/Shutterstock.com

These dogs have a mixture of genes from poodles and cocker spaniels. So, they are prone to many of the health issues of those two breeds. One common health issue of a cockapoo is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the femur moves away from the hip joint. Inflammation and arthritis are the results of hip dysplasia. A dog with this condition may limp or move awkwardly.

Cataracts are another common health condition of these dogs. Cloudiness in one or both eyes is a sign of cataracts. They affect this dog’s vision but don’t cause pain. Cataracts are more common in older dogs. Ear infections are another common health issue of these dogs. A cockapoo’s ears hang down. As a result, water can become trapped in the ear and lead to an infection. A dog with an ear infection may shake its head or scratch its ears.

The most common health issues of cockapoos include:

Temperament And Behavior

cockapoo

Cockapoos love spending time with their families and were bred to be companion dogs.

©Lee Ph/Shutterstock.com

Playful perfectly describes the personality of this variety. These dogs love to spend time with their family, run around with the kids, and even take a dip in the swimming pool. They have a gentle temperament and are good with other dogs.

These dogs were bred to be companions to people, so they’ll become agitated if left alone for too long. One of the most endearing traits of this dog is its loyalty. Whether it’s on an energetic walk in the neighborhood or sitting on the sofa watching television, cockapoos love to be around people.

How To Take Care Of Cockapoos

Learning as much as possible about the health issues, dietary needs, exercise requirements, etc. of cockapoos can help an owner take better care of their pet. Not surprisingly, a puppy needs a different level of care than an adult dog. Discover more about this dog breed.

The Best Dog Food For Cockapoos

white Cockapoo standing on a couch

Protein is an important part of the Cockapoo’s diet and helps to maintain strong muscles and a healthy coat.

©Maria Bell/Shutterstock.com

Puppies and adults need different combinations of nutrients to maintain good health. Consider these factors in a cockapoo’s diet:

Cockapoo puppy food: Protein is an important nutrient in the diet of puppies. Protein builds muscle and helps in the development of healthy tissue. Fat is another essential in a puppy’s diet. A limited amount of fat supports the development of the brain and supplies a puppy with energy for exploration. Fat also supports healthy vision. This builds up their defenses against cataracts. Vitamin E contributes to the strong development of the immune system and vitamin D helps strengthen a puppy’s bones. Be sure to make water available to puppies at all times. Water helps with proper digestion.

Cockapoo adult dog food: An adult dog needs protein in its diet as well. Protein helps a full-grown cockapoo maintain strong muscles as well as a healthy coat. Calcium keeps bones strong which can prevent hip dysplasia. A limited amount of carbohydrates gives an adult dog energy while not adding excess weight. These dogs are prone to obesity so monitoring the intake of fat is a smart idea. Omega-3 fatty acids support brain power and good vision for this active, intelligent canine. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help maintain the health of joints. Providing water is necessary for hydration and proper digestion in an adult cockapoo.

The hands-down best dog food for Cockapoos, according to A-Z Animals, is Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Deboned Turkey Freeze-Dried Kibble with High Protein Natural Dog Food, Filler Free.

This raw blend formula offers a high concentration of nutrients for Cockapoos’ full-body well-being, such as taurine, vital for long-term heart and eye health. It’s rich in glucosamine and omegas for the joints. Alongside other antioxidants, the omega fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon lead to hearty immune support to minimize and fight off ear infections.

Try out Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Kibble with High Protein, available on Chewy and Amazon.

[lasso id=”429562″ link_id=”1764233″ ref=”wellness-core-rawrev-grain-free-original-recipe-with-freeze-dried-turkey-dry-dog-food”]

Maintenance And Grooming

cockapoo headshot

This dog sheds very little and is considered hypoallergenic. It needs to be brushed just one time each week to maintain a soft coat.

©Lee Ph/Shutterstock.com

How much do cockapoos shed? Well, some people think cockapoos are hypoallergenic. This isn’t precisely accurate. These dogs do shed, but they shed very little. They have a curly coat like a poodle that needs to be brushed just once a week to keep them looking healthy.

A slicker brush is a great tool for a cockapoo’s delicate, curly hair. Be sure to find a slicker brush with plastic tips on its bristles. These plastic coverings protect the skin of a cockapoo as it’s being brushed. A basic comb can also help to keep the mats and tangles out of this dog’s coat.

An owner should look for any red, irritated patches of skin on their pet. These rough patches of skin can mean the dog has a food allergy or is allergic to something in the environment.

Cockapoos are prone to ear infections so it’s best to include ear cleaning in the grooming routine. A soft cloth and ear-cleaning solution specially designed for dogs can help to keep their ears clean.

Training

The intelligence of these dogs is part of the reason why these pups are so easy to train. They are also eager to please! It’s best to conduct obedience training in short sessions with lots of praise and dog treats.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel and Labradoodle are two other intelligent dog breeds that are easy to train.

Exercise

While the cockapoo doesn’t need much exercise, they should get at least 15 to 20 minutes each day.

©srw-photo/Shutterstock.com

These dogs need a low to moderate amount of exercise. Specifically, they need about 15 to 20 minutes of exercise per day. This can be accomplished by taking a cockapoo for a walk. Playing ball or chase in the backyard can also be great exercise.

Taking this dog to a dog park is another way to give it some exercise. Cockapoos are laid back and get along with most other dogs.

The mini cockapoo is a good choice for someone living in an apartment. This dog’s size makes it adaptable to living in a smaller space. Alternatively, a maxi cockapoo is not a good choice for apartment living. An adult maxi cockapoo can weigh up to 65 pounds.

Puppies

tan cockapoo standing in the grass

Many breeders charge a high price for these puppies but there are rescue organizations where someone can adopt a dog for little to no cost.

©mountaintreks/Shutterstock.com

Anyone who wants to buy a puppy should make sure they deal with a reputable breeder. A responsible breeder will take pains to nurture a reputation of excellence as a breeder. In fact, there are badges an individual can earn to qualify them as a breeder of excellence. Someone who’s dealing with a breeder of excellence can rely on the high standards of the person’s breeding operations.

Cockapoos And Children

This variety is known for interacting well with children as well as adults.

Dogs Similar To Cockapoos

Some dog breeds similar to cockapoos include the Cavapoo, Labradoodle, and Yorkipoo.

Famous Cockapoos

This hybrid breed of dog is a favorite among many celebrities in the entertainment field today.

Popular names for cockapoos include:

View all 336 animals that start with C

A cockapoo is part poodle, part American cocker spaniel. The breed originated in the 1960s and became popular as a companion dog for kids and families. Its curly coat, intelligence, and fun-loving nature all play a part in making this breed a favorite today.

The yearly veterinary costs for this breed range between 200and200 and 200and500 depending on the overall health of the dog.

Food costs for this dog are from 20to20 to 20to50 per month depending on the dog food brand chosen by the owner.

Yes. These dogs are known to be good with children.

The lifespan of a cockapoo is 12 to 15 years.

Yes. Many families own cockapoos and really enjoy having them as part of the household!

Cockapoos are prone to ear infections. Hip dysplasia and cataracts are other health issues of this canine.

No. These dogs do not bark very much. However, they will let you know when a stranger is at the door.

The key differences between Cavapoos and Cockapoos are parent breed, size, personality, energy, coats, and grooming.

Goldendoodles are bred with golden retrievers and poodles, while cockapoos are bred with cocker spaniels and poodles. Read all of the differences between these two dogs here!

Havapoos and Cockapoos mostly differ in their breed mixes and genetic heritage. The Havapoo is a cross between a Havanese and a poodle, while the Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a poodle.