Cockapoo – A Complete Guide To The Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix

A Cockapoo is a mixed breed dog with one Cocker Spaniel parent and one Poodle parent.

Their size will depend on whether the spaniel parent is an American or an English Cocker. And on whether the Poodle parent is a Standard, Mini, or Toy Poodle.

But regardless of size the Cockapoo is a generally friendly and active companion, suited to a variety of different households.

Let’s take a look at what you can expect from a Cockapoo dog, and how well one might fit into your life.

Quick Stats: Cockapoo

Common Cockapoo Questions:

Follow the links to find out more!

Pros And Cons of Getting A Cockapoo

What Else Is In This Guide?

• History of the Cockapoo
• Fun facts about the Cockapoo
• Training and exercising your Cockapoo
• Cockapoo health and care
• Rescuing a Cockapoo
• Finding a Cockapoo puppy
• Raising a Cockapoo puppy

History and Original Purpose of the Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

The Poodle parent can be a Standard, Miniatureor Toy size.

The other parent is an English or American Cocker Spaniel (American or English).

It doesn’t matter which breed is the mother, and which is the father.

Both Poodles and Cocker Spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs. Poodles were used to retrieve from water, and Cockers to hunt and flush game from undergrowth and then retrieve it.

This means both dogs were bred to be intelligent, and highly trainable.

Poodles have a bit of a reputation for being aloof with strangers. And Cockers are known for their warmer, more overtly friendly nature.

The two breeds were crossed in the 1950s, in an attempt to combine the Cocker’s personality with the Poodle’s tight, low shedding coat.

The mix really took off in popularity in the 1960s. Making it one of the oldest ‘designer mixes’ around.

Fun Facts About Cockapoos

Celebrities are clearly not immune to the Cockapoo’s charms.

For example, Lady Gaga, Ashley Judd, Minka Kelly and Harry Styles are all regularly spotted with the same sidekick: their beloved Cockapoo dogs.

This mix is popular partly because they look like big teddy bears!

Cockapoos are sometimes called by other names, including:

• Cockapoodle
• Cockapoo
• Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix
• Spoodle
• Cocker Spaniel Poodle
• Cocker Poodle
• Cock-a-poo
• Cock-a-doodle

Whatever you choose to call your Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix, the Cockapoo is a cute dog.

Cockapoo Size and Appearance

Cockapoo size varies widely depending on the size of the parents, and on random chance.

At the tiny end of the scale, the teacup Cockapoo will weigh less than 6 pounds.

The toy Cockapoo will weigh less than 12 pounds at adulthood, and a mini Cockapoo will weigh in at anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds.

At the other end of the scale, a maxi Cockapoo, with a standard Poodle parent, will weigh 19 pounds or greater.

Cocker Spaniel Poodle mixes tend to have a broader head the average Poodle. Their fur varies between long and scruffy and tight curls, and comes in the same huge range of colors that Poodles do.

Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

The “designer dog” craze was started by a man named Wally Conron.

He began crossing breeds in an effort to produce a hypoallergenic guide dog, for a blind woman whose husband was highly allergic to dogs.

But Conlon couldn’t find a single purebred dog that fit the bill. So, he crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle.

This is where the “Labradoodle” was born. However, even this dog wasn’t truly hypoallergenic.

This is because allergies are caused by pet dander. And all pets, regardless of breed, produce some dander.

Certain dog breeds shed that dander less readily, however. And this may be beneficial to owners with allergies to dander.

Do Cockapoos Shed?

All dogs shed to some degree. The Poodle’s tight coat is low shedding. But the Cocker Spaniel’s is not. A Cockapoo dog can have either coat type, or something in between.

And unfortunately, you cannot predict which coat they will inherit. So they may be less likely to trigger allergies. But they may not.

If a breeder tells you their litter will be hypoallergenic, walk away.

It’s a sign that they don’t understand the mix, or that they are misleading people.

Cockapoo Temperament

The typical temperament of a mix breed can be hard to predict. It can be any combination of the parent breeds’ temperaments.

It is important to make sure that both parents are friendly, when you buy a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix.

In general, Poodles are friendly, if a little ‘standoffish’ with strangers. And Cocker Spaniels are loving and very loyal. Both breeds are clever and active.

As a result, the Cockapoo’s personality, is usually a happy, fun-loving, energetic, and sociable.

Cockapoo Barking

Any dog has the capacity to bark. And may bark more if they discover barking is in some way rewarding.

But Cockapoos are a little more prone to barking than average. This tendency comes chiefly from their excitable Cocker Spaniel parent.

It’s important not to reward Cockapoo barking. And to make use of resources like this one if you need to train your cocker spaniel mix pup not to bark.

Training and Exercising your Cockapoo

The good news here is Cockapoos as a whole are people-centric and eager to please.

Your Cockapoo will likely want to be where you are, doing whatever you are doing.

These dogs are social and people-oriented.

So, the closer your bond is, the easier Cockapoo training will become.

Throughout training, positive reinforcement will be your key to success. Cockapoos are particularly sensitive to punishment, so avoid this at all costs.

Exercise Needs

Cockapoos are active, intelligent dogs. They need daily exercise, and regular training to stimulate their minds, too.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean a walk, it can be training or retrieving practice for example. The important thing is to keep your Poodle Spaniel mix busy.

Remember that young puppies have much lower exercise needs than adult dogs. A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of structured exercise, such as walks, per month of their age, per day.

At the end up the day they will still want to cuddle up on your lap, as long as they’ve spend enough energy!

Cockapoo Health and Care

The health problems your Cockapoo may suffer will depend on whether their Poodle parent was a Toy, Mini, or Standard size. And on whether their spaniel parent was an American Cocker (known just as a Cocker in the USA) or an English Cocker (known just as a Cocker everywhere except the USA!).

Cockapoo Heath Risks To Be Aware Of

Heart Valve Disease

Cocker Spaniels are liable to develop leaky heart valves as they grown older. This allows blood to flow ‘backwards’ in the heart, which make the heart less efficient.

In the early stages medications will help extend life. But in the later stages the dog develops heart failure, a leading cause of Cocker Spaniel death. Sadly operations to repair heart valves are not yet commonly performed on dogs.

Von Willebrand’s disease>

All Poodles are at risk of von Willebrand’s disease. A blood clotting disorder that causes excessive bleeding. There is a DNA test for von Willebrand’s, which all breeding Poodles should have.

Epilepsy

Cocker spaniels are prone to epilepsy and seizures. These can often be treated with medication.

It’s possible that this risk is passed onto their Cockapoo puppies.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, is an inherited condition. Both Poodles and Cockers are prone to this disease, which causes blindness.

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There is a test readily available, that will show if your puppy’s parents carry the PRA gene and can pass the disease on to their puppies.

Hip Dysplasia

Cocker spaniels and standard poodles are prone to hip dysplasia. A condition where the hip socket doesn’t form properly, and the joint doesn’t develop in the correct shape.

Hip dysplasia causes pain. It affects the movement and function of the hip joint. Some cases are improved by surgery. Without surgery it can severely limit your pup’s quality of life.

Your puppy’s Cocker and standard Poodle parents should have their hips ‘scored’ by a veterinarian.

Hip dysplasia is caused by multiple factors so it’s worth reading up on how to exercise your young Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix safely, too.

Patella Luxation

Toy and Miniature Poodles are among a number of smaller breeds that can suffer from Patella Luxation. This is a kneecap that ‘pops’ out of joint easily. It may require surgery.

General Health of Cross Breeds

A Cockapoo puppy can inherit heath conditions from either parent, or from both.

Where a condition is only common in one of the parent breeds, the puppy’s risk should be somewhere in between the two parents’ risks.

So the problem will be less likely than it is for the ‘at risk’ breed, but still more common than average. Exactly how likely each problem is, depends on a number of unpredictable factors.

You can follow these links to find out more about health risks for your puppy’s parents:

• Miniature Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• Standard Poodle
• American Cocker
• English Cocker

Both parents should have all the usual health checks and tests before being bred. Even when breeding for cross breed puppies.

Only use breeders who test both parents for all the diseases relevant to their respective breeds.

General Care

Cocker Spaniels have long ears, and need help keeping these clean to reduce ear infections. Most Cockapoos will need similar maintenance to keep their ears in tip top health.

You’ll also need to trim your pup’s nails on a regular basic, with clippers or a nail grinder.

Coat Care

Regular grooming is essential to keep the Cockapoo coat in good condition. The best way to keep this simple is to establish a daily routine of brushing for five minutes.

Remember to pay particular attention to the areas around the ears, anywhere their harness sits, and their ‘trousers’.

What is the Cockapoo Lifespan?

The life expectancy of a mixed breed dog is largely determined by the average lifespan of the parent breeds.

The average lifespan of a Cocker Spaniel is 11.5 years, while the Miniature Poodle can live up to 14 years or more.

The average life expectancy of a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix is about 13 years. Mixes that include mini Poodles or English Cockers tend to live a little longer than those between American Cockers and Standard Poodles.

You can help your Cockapoo to have the best chance to a long healthy life, by making sure they eat a suitable diet, aren’t overweight, and get plenty of regular exercise.

Do Cockapoos Make Good Family Pets?

A well-bred, well-raised Cockapoo can make a wonderful addition to most families.

It’s important to meet the parents before choosing your puppy. This is because nice dogs generally produce nice puppies.

Once your pup comes home, socialisation is key. Make sure you have lots of visitors, and introduce your puppy to lots of different sights and sounds. This will maximise your chance of having a friendly, confident, adult dog.

Cockapoos are intelligent dogs, and older children will love helping to train them.

They are social dogs, and will be happiest when there is lots of company. This means they aren’t ideal for people who out of the home for a lot of the day.

Rescuing a Cockapoo

Cockapoo rescue can be tremendously satisfying.

You are giving a relinquished dog a loving forever home – what could feel better?

Plus, your costs will likely be quite a bit lower, even with adoption fees and possible spay/neuter fees.

Of course, there are also some trade-offs in pursuing a rescue Cockapoo.

Firstly, there is no guarantee that you are getting a pure cross-bred Cockapoo.

Even if the dog you are considering looks and acts like one, you can’t be sure.

Secondly, you won’t likely know much if anything about your new companion’s parents or background. Your new Cockapoo dog may have bad habits that take a while to undo, or have been poorly socialized. It’s important to understand these risks and to do your research before taking on a rescue dog.

Finding a Rescue Center

There are relatively few rescue centers that specialise in Cockapoos. However, it’s worth contacting your local rescues, to see if they have any Cockapoo dogs in. And specialist Cocker Spaniel and Poodle rescues will often take in mix breed pups too.

   

Cockapoo Breed Rescues

If you know of a rescue that’s missing from our list, just let us know in the comments.

Finding a Cockapoo Puppy

If you’re buying a puppy it’s always important to make sure you use a reputable breeder.

The breeder should be happy for you to meet and spend time with both the parents, and be able to provide results for all the relevant health tests for both breeds. They may be able to provide references from previous customers.

They should start your puppy’s socialization, and be able to talk to you about how they are doing this. And be happy for you to see where the puppies are being kept.

Look for clean puppies, and friendly parents!

Where to Avoid

Make every effort to avoid buying from puppy farms. Make sure to read our article on ‘How To Spot A Puppy Farm’.

Be wary of anyone who has several litters available at the same time, or who is keeping their puppies outside, away from the family house.

Cockapoo Price

Cocker Spaniel poodle mixes can cost from between $1000 to $3000, depending on demand in your area.

Cheaper puppies without the relevant health checks can seem very tempting, but will often end up costing more in the long run. Both in vets bills, and in heart ache.

Don’t forget to factor in ongoing costs like kibble and good quality pet health insurance, when budgeting for your new friend.

Raising a Cockapoo Puppy

Raising a puppy in the right way is not a small job. It requires some knowledge, and a lot of time.

Fortunately, we’ve got lots of free guides to help you along the way.

You may find some of these articles helpful:

• Feeding a Cockapoo Puppy
• Cockapoo Grooming
• How To Train A Cockapoo
• Puppy Crying At Night
• Potty Training Schedule
• Puppy Care Guide

And if you’d like some more support in the early days, take a look at our Dogsnet Puppy Parenting course, created by Happy Puppy Site founder, Pippa.

Cockapoo Products and Accessories

Life with a dog is always easier when you’ve got the right kit:

• Best Harness for a Cockapoo
• Top Cockapoo Toys
• Best Shampoo for a Cockapoo
• Cockapoo Brushes
• Best Food for Cockapoos

Similar Breeds

Torn between two different cute mixes? We can help!

Check out these direct comparisons between Cockapoos and similar breeds.

• Cockapoo vs Maltipoo
• Cavapoo vs Cockapoo
• Cockapoo vs Labradoodle

And you can find out more about some other similar breeds here:

• Miniature Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• English Cocker Spaniel
• Yorkie
• Yorkipoo
• Maltese
• Lab Pointer Mix

You can also find lots more Poodle mixes in this complete guide to Poodle mix breeds. Or check out our small dog breeds page.

The Cockapoo: Summary

Cockapoos are clever, active, loyal little dogs, with a lot to offer a family.

They do need regular grooming, and may object loudly to being left alone. They are best suited to home that can provide lots of physical activity and mental stimulation.

If you’ve had a Cockapoo in your life, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

About The Author

Shannon is a parrot, tortoise, and box turtle mama. She is also doting auntie to a standard wirehaired dachshund named Flash Gordon. Shannon runs a popular pet blog and has authored two pet books. She is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals.

For more information about Happy Puppy Site authors, visit our About Us page.

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