Cockapoo Breed Guide
Smart | Energetic | Playful. Although the Cockapoo is a relatively new breed of dog to the UK, it’s no wonder they’re quickly becoming a household favourite. With their energetic, playful and affectionate temperaments, this hybrid breed of dog may be just what your fur-fam needs to be complete. Today we’re going to explore the origins of the Cockapoo, their activity and grooming needs as well as their bubbly personalities and show you why these pooches are hastily being swept up by British families.
Cockapoo Basics:
Average Lifespan: 14 – 18 years
Average Weight: 5kg – 11kg
Colours: Tan, Black, Brown, Cream, White, Red
Trainability: Easy
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Shedding: Minimal
The Tale of the Cockapoo Tail:
Cockapoos, or Spoodles as they’re called in Australia, are a cross-breed of dog. They are the hybrid of a Cocker-Spaniel and a Poodle and although being a relatively new breed of dog in the UK, having arrived here just 10 years ago, they’ve been bred in the US since the 1950s, making them one of the oldest known planned cross-breed of dogs.
What do Cockapoos look like?
As with all types of cross-breed dogs, their appearances can differ slightly from pooch to pooch. Generally, they are the result of breeding a British Cocker Spaniel or American Cocker Spaniel with a Miniature or Toy Poodle, giving them a short statue of 36-38cm. Depending on what parent breed’s gene is most dominant their fur can also vary between straight, wavy and curly, often giving them a teddy bear-looking coat.
Cockapoos have become super popular amongst families as they all tend to inherit the low-shedding ability of their poodle parent making them a low-maintenance pooch. This also makes these pups great cuddle partners at all times even when you’re wearing black! They tend to produce little to no odour, perfect for even the cleanest of households.
Smarty Paws and a Heart of Gold
Cockapoos are adored across the world for their loving and affectionate personality. Although their parent breeds the Cocker-Spaniel and Poodle were bred for working, hunting or retrieving, the Cockapoo was primarily cross-bred as a companion dog.
They are highly intelligent, making them easy to train and often respond best to reward-based training due to their love of everything food. We find that using natural delicious dog treats is the best way to practice reward-based training through positive reinforcement.
Due to their love for their hooman companions, Cockapoos are prone to separation anxiety and hate being left alone for long periods. Therefore they’re well suited to families or individuals that can spend plenty of time with them or work from home. As tempting as it is, Cockapoos are definitely a dog that you don’t want to instil bad habits in at a young age such as sleeping in bed with you as this can further exaggerate their separation anxiety.
How Much Exercise Do Cockapoos Need?
Cockapoos have loads of energy and require a moderate amount of exercise. Make sure to set aside at least an hour a day to exercise your Cockapoo, ideally in two 30-minute slots in the morning and afternoon. As descendants of Cocker-Spaniel hunting dogs, Cockapoos often love to unleash these primal instincts by fetching balls or Frisbees, so pick up some options for them to let out pent-up energy.
Do Cockapoos Shed?
As Cockapoos are half Poodle, many tend to inherit their low-shedding quality. However, as Cockapoos are cross-breeds, it’s not always a given which genes they will inherit from what parent so this is not guaranteed. Generally speaking though, most Cockapoos shed very little. If you have a Cockapoo make sure to groom them regularly at least once or twice a week to prevent matting of their fur and keep it looking sharp. Feeding your Cockapoo a high-quality complete dog food is also essential for maintaining healthy skin and a strong coat.
How much do Cockapoo's cost?
Cockapoo's can cost anywhere between £400 to £2250 for a healthy kitty from a safe home.
Don't forget to check out rehoming charities for floof's in need of a loving home!
Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Most unfortunate hooman souls that are allergic to dogs are actually allergic to a dog’s dander or dead skin that attaches itself to a pooch’s fur.
With dogs that don’t shed much like the Cockapoo, this dander stays on the dog and isn’t released as much onto couches, flooring and into the air making it less common for allergic reactions. However if an allergic hooman was then to pat a Cockapoo, this dander would be carried onto their hand causing some sniffles and sneezes.
Some hoomans are also allergic to the dog fur itself or to their saliva so it’s very difficult to say which dog is best for more sensitive people. The best way to see if a Cockapoo will work for your family is to spend some time with one before adding it to your furmily.
Feeding a Cockapoo
Cockapoos are known for loving everything food so it’s impawtent to feed them a nutritious and complete dog food in the correct amounts. Using a dog feeding calculator is a great way to find out how much food and calories your Cockapoo will need on a daily basis to keep them looking Cockapoo-fect.
At Scrumbles, all of our dog food is made with 100% natural and sustainably-sourced ingredients. Plus we put digestive health at the forefront of our brand ethos, packing in gut-loving prebiotics or probiotics to all of our recipes. If you’re thinking about changing your Cockapoo’s food, make sure to do this slowly over a period of 7-10 days to prevent digestive upset.
In the enchanting world of dogs, Cockapoos reign supreme as the perfect blend of love, smarts, and charm. These pint-sized wonders have stolen the hearts of countless dog lovers worldwide. From their irresistible looks to their fun-loving personalities, Cockapoos are the epitome of canine charisma. So, if you're searching for a loyal, playful, and adorable companion, the Cockapoo is the answer.
