Cockapoo

At a glance
The Cockapoo is a hybrid cross breed between the Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Poodle. These dogs stand at 14-15 inches and weigh 6 lbs to 19 lbs. They were bred for the purpose of creating a dog that possesses high intelligence and almost no shedding. They are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Summary

  • Names – Cockapoo, Cockerpoo, Spoodle
  • Group – not available
  • Size – small to medium
  • Life expectancy – 15 to 18 years, though many can reach 20 years of age
  • Cost of ownership – medium
  • Ease of ownership – high
  • Aggressive tendency – low
  • Amount of Exercise – low
  • Amount of Grooming – high
  • Ease of Training – medium
  • Obedience level – high
  • Suitable for Children – high
  • Amount of Care Required – medium
  • Susceptibility to Health Problems – medium

Appearance
A standard cockapoo look has not yet been achieved, as some cockapoos have a higher resemblance to cocker spaniels, while others exhibit more poodle traits. Due to the fact that there is no standard, this creates a range of cockapoo appearances and temperaments.

In general, the hair on these dogs range from straight to curled. The brown eyes are large, round and well-set. The ears vary in length from medium to long. The teeth have an aligned bite with neither an over or under bite. Overall, the body has a compact, square build.

Weight
dog/bitch

  • Toy – 11 pounds or less as a general rule (5 kilos or less)
  • Mini – 12-20 pounds (5.5 to 9 kilos)
  • Standard – 21 pounds or more (9.5 kilos or more)

Height
dog/bitch

  • Toy: 10 inches or less at shoulder height (25 cm or less)
  • Mini: 11 to 14 inches (28 to 35.5 cm)
  • Standard: 15 inches or higher (38 cm)

Coat

  • Color – typical colors include black, white, buff, cream, apricot, red, chocolate; any of these colors may appear with white markings; other colors are Parti, Sable, Tri-color, Merle, Phantom (usually a black body with brown color on legs, under tail, eyebrows, side of face), and Roan (single white hairs and white patches intermingled with the base color)
  • Coat – odorless and little-to-no-shedding; wavy hair is not as tightly curled as that of the poodle, nor absolutely straight like some cockers.
  • Shedding – zero to low
  • Allergies – no
  • Causes Allergies – no

Character
The cockapoo has a calm and mellow disposition and an optimistic and enduring nature. Other traits he possesses include loyalty, friendliness, intelligence, good health, sturdiness and stamina. Some breeders believe that the intelligence displayed by cockapoos is a characteristic passed down from their poodle genes (as the poodle has consistently ranked among the world’s smartest dogs) than from the cocker.

  • Separation Anxiety – high
  • Barking tendency – low
  • Aggressive tendency – low
  • Compatibility Other Animals – high
  • Suitable for Children – high
  • Watchdog suitability – medium

Temperament
Cockapoos are noted for their positive dispositions and great tolerance for children as they enjoy rough-and-tumble activities. Furthermore, they are recognized for their very understanding nature.

Cockapoos are very receptive of training due to their keen intelligence. They are naturally inquisitive, and they are ready to entertain and perform.

Training
Despite the fact that hybrids enjoy the best traits of their parent breeds, they are prone to defects too. An untrained and neglected cockapoo may develop undesirable behaviors, such as possessiveness over furniture, constantly begging owners to pet or play with them or refusing to come when called. To prevent these unwanted traits from occurring, the canine requires the appropriate training that helps him behave properly.  He must be taught to trust and accept you as his leader. Moreover, they like knowing their place in your family and participating as an active member.

Most house dogs will either take up a neutral or submissive role at home. Owners, however, need to be aware that some dogs are capable of testing their owner’s dominance. A safe method to re-assert control is to get the dominant dog to work for his necessities, e.g. food. The presence of an owner that is a strong leader, plus the clarity of the role the dog has at home, gives it a feeling of greater security.

  • Obedience – high

Exercise required
The Cockapoo has low exercise demands. As long as he has a small yard where he can run freely, a daily walk and indoor playtime, he will be happy.

  • Energy – medium
  • Amount required – A10-minute walk per day will suffice

Care
As is the case in most long haired and floppy-eared breeds, the ears, eyes and face hair deserve special notice. Clean the ears and pluck hair growing inside the ear canal. To alleviate any event of tear staining, keep face dry and cleaned daily using a clean damp cloth and tepid water.

Food
The dog’s breeder is a good source of reliable recommendations regarding an adequate dog diet. The breeder is likely to suggest following his or her diet plan for the first week or so after you have brought your pup home. Following this period, the dog owner can slowly change the dog’s diet towards a new plan, which may consist of a good quality dry dog food or raw diet.

A raw food plan involves some careful planning and purchase of meat, and the diet itself will usually consist of raw meat, bone and offal. Some owners also give their dogs 4 to 5 raw eggs a week and Salmon Oil almost every day. You will need to carefully determine how much your canine needs to eat, but the general rule is to feed the equivalent of 2% to 3% of the dog’s total body weight.  Portion adjustments can be made later if necessary.

Grooming
Grooming a cockapoo is quite simple, because they really only require basic brushing and combing to maintain a well groomed look. A brushing every few days will suffice.

  • Ease of grooming – medium
  • Amount of grooming – low

Breeding
Cockapoos can be bred in different sizes. The most common cockapoo is the miniature variety, which is 15lbs on average. A teacup poodle and a toy cocker could produce a 2 lb cockapoo, while a standard poodle and large cocker have produced a 65 pound cockapoo.

A dog is considered a true cockapoo if he is the result of a crossbreeding between a purebred cocker and a purebred poodle, with nothing else mixed in along the way.  True cockapoos are also those that result from breeding two cockapoos together that have no additional poodle or cocker added back.

Cockapoos will always display the stronger features from their parents. Thus, for example, sometimes dogs will appear a little curlier, while others may have blockier heads.  It is in second generation cockapoos that the most number of puppies will resemble either parent breed.

With regard to the parents, the cocker has the most laid back attitude towards life as well as the marked ‘sweetness’. Poodles are noted for longevity–as are hybrids–giving the cockapoo a double dose of life expectancy.

  • Litter size – average of 5; range of 4 to 7

Health
The Cockapoo has been popular in the United States since at least the 1950s. It has become so common that many, if not most, Cockapoos on the market today are the result of breeding male and female Cockapoos rather than of a direct cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle.

The Cockapoo is still under development. Strictly speaking, the Cockapoo cannot yet be described as a dog breed because it does not ‘breed true’. In breeders’ terms, ‘breeding true’ means that, when two specimens of the same breed are mated, the puppies have consistently predictable characteristics and will resemble their parents, rather than exhibiting random characteristics of the dog breeds in their parents’ ancestries. Furthermore, the breed standards of breeds-under-development are invariably freer, more open to interpretation and cover more observable types than those of established or kennel club recognized breeds.

In fact, because cockapoos are a mixed breed, they may be less susceptible to genetic ailments than purebred dogs. Purebreds are more likely to share similar genetic diseases, whereas mixed breeds, such as the cockapoo, have greater diversity in their genes and are less likely to inherit two copies of an undesirable recessive gene. Several studies suggest that mixed breed dogs are less prone to genetic illnesses.

  • Life expectancy – 15 – 18 years or higher
  • Susceptibility to illness – low
  • Common health problems – dental problems, heart failure.

Ownership
Cockapoos are good companions for single owners as well as with families with young children. They are very people-oriented, outgoing and happy dogs.

Thus, for people wanting a low to no-odor and minimal to no-shedding, highly intelligent dog that is easy to train and absolutely wonderful for children of all ages, playful and energetic, easy to care for,  and is long lived, the cockapoo is an ideal dog.

Living conditions
They adapt well to apartments and homes, but would also be happy living on a farm. They have a moderate activity level and are not meant to be outside dogs. The Cockapoo is a good breed for an apartment or condominium.

  • Good with Children – The Cockapoo is generally a good dog for children and is patient and loving. Nonetheless children need to be taught how to properly interact with the dog.

History
Cockapoos have existed in the United States since about 1950. Cockapoos have also become very popular in other countries. In Australia they are usually called spoodles, and in Sweden they are called a cockerpoo. They can be the result of mating either the American Cocker Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel with a poodle, or of breeding successive generations of spoodles.

  • County or origin – United States
  • AKA KC name and group- ACHC, DDKC, NACR, CCA, ACC (American Cockapoo Club)

Trivia
Did you know…

  • Famous Cockapoo dog owners include:
    • Actress Ashley Judd has two cockapoos: Buttermilk and Shug
  • The Cockapoo is a very popular hybrid is quite healthy and is often a good choice for dog lovers who suffer from allergies.