If you are thinking of bringing a new dog into your home, there are lots of things that you will need to consider before you choose a breed. One of the breeds that you might have come across in your search is the Cockapoo, and this is the breed that we are going to be focusing on in this article.
Cockapoos are brilliant dogs that are known for living for a long time, and they certainly have a personality that you will grow to love. However, there are some things that might not be what you are expecting, and it is important to be aware of these things before you commit to this dog.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about the Cockapoo breed, so you can be as prepared as possible for life with this dog. We are going to look at everything from their temperament to their health and everything in between in this ultimate guide to the Cockapoo breed.
Cockapoo Key Facts
Before we get into all of the things that you will need to prepare yourself for when it comes to owning a Cockapoo, there are some important things that you will need to consider first, which we will explain below.
Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Cockapoo is between 13 and 15 years, so you can expect them to be around for a very long time. Cockapoos are a long commitment, so you will need to be sure that this is the right dog for you. The American Kennel Club also estimates that these dogs can live for up to 20 years in some cases.
Minimum Exercise (Per Day)
Cockapoos are a breed that don’t require lots of exercise as they don’t have as much energy to burn off as other dogs. However, they will still require a good 15 minutes of exercise per day, and this should be varied between walks, games, and other activities.
Coat Length
An adult Cockapoo can grow a coat that is around 15cm long, which means that you will need some grooming knowledge to keep their coat healthy. Due to the fact that they have long coats, they will need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed once every two months or so.
Minimum Cost (Per Month)
You can expect to pay at least $60 a month to care for your Cockapoo, but it is important to know that it could cost more. This monthly cost of this breed will depend on their food, insurance, and other things that they might need throughout the month. You will need to ensure that you can account for at least $60 a month to spend on your dog.
Appearance
These dogs can have either a straight, wavy, or curly and long, medium, or short coat, depending on what they inherit from their parents. They are small to medium sized dogs that have a sturdy and square-built appearance, and their eyes are almost always brown in color.
Size
Cockapoos can range between small and medium when it comes to their size.
Average Height
The Toy Cockapoo can reach 10 inches in height but has a sturdier build, the Miniature Cockapoo will be between 11 and 14 inches tall, and the standard or Maxi Cockapoo will typically be at least 15 inches in height.
Average Weight
Toy Cockapoos will usually weigh under 12 pounds, the Miniature Cockapoo will weigh somewhere between 13 and 18 pounds, and the standard or Maxi Cockapoo should weigh more than 19 pounds.
Temperament
Cockapoos are both intelligent and easy to please, and they were originally established as a companion dog. They are typically friendly and happy as can be. They are often known for their outgoing nature, and they usually get along with everyone. Depending on their temperament, they can either be active or enjoy snuggling up on the couch with you instead.
They inherit their intelligence from their Poodle heritage, but they also get their sweetness from their Cocker Spaniel ancestry.
If the parents do not have the loving quality that is expected of the Cockapoo, it is likely that their pups won’t either.
Just like any other dog, the Cockapoo will require early socialization, involving exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they are young.
Socialization is something that can help to ensure that your Cockapoo puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. They typically prefer to be with their families, which is why they can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long.
These dogs can also be easy to train, but this will depend on what they inherit from their parents.
Apartment Living
The Cockapoo is an adaptable breed, which means that they can do well when living in an apartment. However, the types of Cockapoo that usually do the best in apartment living environments are the toy and miniature variations.
Maxi or Standard Cockapoos can thrive in apartments, but they may not always adapt to the situation.
Good for Novice Owners
Cockapoos can be a great first dog, but you will need to ensure that they are receiving the right training and care, like making sure that they get the right amount of socialization and exercise.
However, you should be prepared for the fact that some of their behavior traits can cause challenges for their owners if they are not prepared for them.
Sensitivity Level
Cockapoos are also sensitive to their owner’s moods, and they will understand when you are feeling low, which can then influence their mood and behavior. As well as this, they are sensitive to scolding, which is why you should avoid telling them off harshly.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a Cockapoo, and they respond really well to this. They can achieve obedience over time with some extra patience.
Tolerates Being Alone
These dogs can be left alone for some time, but they do not respond well to being left alone for long periods of time. Cockapoos are well known for their tendency to develop separation anxiety when they are left by themselves, and this is something that can lead to destructive or out of character behavior.
They should be left alone for longer than 4 to 5 hours at a time.
Tolerates Cold Weather
Cockapoos can be quite sensitive to the cold in the winter, especially if they get wet. However, they do love to play in the snow and should be fine as long as they are not left outside.
Tolerates Hot Weather
Cockapoos love to relax in the sun when the weather is warm, but you will need to keep an eye on them to ensure that they are not outside in the sun for too long. Try not to let your dog over exert themselves, as the heat can easily become dangerous.
Affectionate With Family
Cockapoos are highly affectionate dogs when it comes to the members of their families, but you should know that they will usually only show affection on their own terms, rather than yours.
Kid-Friendly
Thankfully, Cockapoos are great for families that have small children and they will get along well with them.
They have a friendly and loving nature that makes them the perfect family dog. However, proper training and socialization are needed to make them the best companions possible for family members of all ages.
Dog Friendly
Cockapoos are generally very good with other dogs as they just love to be in the company of other animals and people. They were originally bred to be companion dogs, which is the main reason why they usually get along well with other dogs.
Friendly Toward Strangers
Cockapoos are one of the most friendly dog breeds that there is, and they usually do just fine with strangers because of this. However, if they are not properly socialized, this can lead to them being anxious around strangers.
Health And Grooming
Now that you know everything that there is to know about the personalities of the Cockapoo, you might be interested to learn more about their overall health and grooming routines.
There are lots of things that you will need to keep in mind, and we will explain more on this below.
Shedding
All dogs will shed to some degree, but Cockapoos are among those that shed significantly less than most other breeds. They will also have a puppy coat that will fall through when they get older. The amount that they shed will depend on the traits that they inherit from their parents.
Drooling
Cockapoos are not typically known for drooling, but they can drool at times when they are excited or burning off some energy. Excessive drooling in Cockapoos can be a sign that there is something wrong, so it could be worth getting this check out by a vet.
Grooming
The grooming that is required for your Cockapoo will depend on their coat. If they have a flat coat, then they are likely to require much less maintenance. They are more similar to a Cocker Spaniel with their low shedding coat that doesn’t really need to be clipped. They will usually need to be brushed around 2 or 3 times a week.
For Cockapoos with a straight coat, they will require medium maintenance. They typically have low to medium shedding, and their coats will require frequent brushing and clipping around three to found times a year.
If they have ringlets or a tight and curly coat, they will be much more high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Cockapoos will still moult twice a year, even though they don’t shed their fur.
This is why it is important to groom them, to prevent their fur from matting. The best way to do this would be line-grooming, which involves working with wet, conditioned fur and removing the dead fur with a bladed detangler and a flexible slicker brush.
With ringlets and tight curled coats it is recommended to brush their fur every single day, and you should also take them to the groomers at least once every three month.
To make maintenance easier, you might prefer to keep your dog’s curls short.
No matter what type of coat your Cockapoo has, it is really important to brush and trim the hair around their eyes, so they can see better. Cockapoos also have floppy ears, which is why they will need to be regularly checked for infection and redness.
They will also need to be cleaned with a cotton pad and a vet recommended solution.
You should absolutely never put any cotton buds inside of your dog’s ears, as this can cause severe damage to the ear canal and only cause further blockages.
As with the majority of other dog breeds, you should avoid over bathing your dog, as this can lead to dry skin and the drainage of necessary oils from their coats.
General Health
Cockapoos are generally regarded as healthy dogs without many serious health problems, but there are certain health conditions that are more likely to affect this breed than others. We will explain some of the most common health issues for Cockapoos below.
Cockapoo Common Health Problems
Cockapoos are not typically subject to many health conditions, but one condition that they are more prone to is luxating patella. This causes the knee to become loose and wobble. It can be treated with surgery, but it is important to make sure that the parents of your dog have been screened for this condition in order to prevent it.
Cockapoos can also be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, which is when the retina will deteriorate over several years. This is a disease that can lead to vision difficulties and blindness. Proper breeding is essential for preventing this condition.
As we have previously mentioned, Cockapoos are known for their soft and floppy ears. While they look cute, these types of ears can lead to different ear problems like ear mites, bacterial infections, and yeast infections.
You will need to clean their ears on a weekly basis to avoid this. Simple treatments for ear infections are available from the veterinarian.
Some Cockapoos can also go on to develop hyperthyroidism, or underproduction of the thyroid hormone. Some of the symptoms to look out for are lethargy and extensive hair loss. The treatment for this involves oral hormones.
Potential For Weight Gain
With a healthy and balanced diet, your Cockapoo is unlikely to become overweight. However, they can gain too much weight if you are feeding them leftovers on a daily basis and not regulating their treats.
Trainability
Thankfully, Cockapoos are really intelligent dogs, which makes them really easy to train. They will pick up on their training fairly quickly, and are likely to learn obedience over time.
Intelligence
Cockapoos are very intelligent, which is why they are often really easy to train. You will be able to teach them lots of different tricks and they are able to learn most things without too much difficulty.
Potential to Bite
Cockapoos are generally super friendly dogs, which means that they are not likely to bite anyone. However, this can be a behavior that develops if it is left unchecked when they are puppies, and if this is the case, you will need to teach them that biting is bad.
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Cockapoos don’t typically howl, but they are well known for barking and being one of the more vocal dog breeds out there. Unfortunately for some, they are very clever and will know how to use their full vocal range in order to get attention from humans or get something that they want.
History
Cockapoos, also known as Cockerpoos in some areas, or Spoodles in Australia, originated in the United States, and they have been a highly popular mixed-breed dog ever since. They first came about in the early 1960s, although it may have been slightly earlier than this.
The American Kennel Club does not recognize this amazing breed as a breed group, but there are some dog clubs that are carefully breeding consecutive generations to eventually establish cockapoos as a recognized breed.
Costs
You can expect to pay anywhere between $800 and $3000 for a Cockapoo puppy. They typically cost more than other dog breeds as they are not pedigree dogs. Instead they are classed as designer dogs.
Other factors like the breeders, the location of the breeder, the colour of the pups, and the parent dogs can also influence the cost. You will also need to consider the ongoing costs, like food, insurance, toys, treatments, grooming tools, and more.
All of these costs can easily add up over time, so it is important to keep a budget in mind for these costs, just to be on the safe side.
Cockapoo Fun Facts
- They are great for those with allergies as they are low-shedding
- Their coats can come in a variety of colors and types
- They live for a long time
- They have lots of energy
- They are highly intelligent dogs
- They are classed as a designer breed
