Cockapoos are the first type of designer dogs that are a mix of poodles and cocker spaniels.
This friendly, hypoallergenic dog breed is a popular choice and a great addition to family life.
Cockapoos date back to America in the 1950s. The idea was to breed a dog that was intelligent, non shedding and was a great companion to its owner. With a mixture of an active cocker spaniel and the intelligence of a poodle the Cockapoo became the perfect dog that required less coat care than other breeds of a similar size.
The cockapoo – also known as ‘sproodles’ in some countries, however is still not a recognised breed by the American Kennel Club or any other international kennel club found worldwide.
Cockapoo puppies are widely available and can be found in a variety of colours and sizes, depending upon the mix of breeds.
It is always good practice to meet the parents of any puppy you are looking to take home. This will give you a good idea of what your dog may look like as an adult.
For instance a cockapoo puppy with a standard poodle parent will be a lot bigger than one with a toy poodle parent.
It’s not hard to see why these tiny teddy bears are so popular, but it is important you choose a reputable breeder to make sure your pup has the best start in life.
This breed can be left alone for short periods of time but it is important they receive early socialisation training to help them grow their confidence.
Regular dog training as well as teaching social skills are key in the first 12 months of a puppy’s life to ensure any unruly behaviour is kept at bay.
Cockapoos are generally classed as a healthy, hardy breed.
As with most dog breeds, a cockapoos health risk is linked to the genetics of their parents. As they age they can become susceptible to the issues poodles and cocker spaniels have, but as they are a combination of these breeds, the risk is a lot lower.
Some issues they could face include:
Getting your dog checked yearly by a professional vet will help ensure your dog is in full health and any issues that start to arise can be dealt with swiftly.
A cockapoos coat and colour can range dramatically and can be often different from its litter mates. As they are a combination of two breeds the colour of their coats come in a variety of colours from light cream to black.
It is also worth noting coat colour can change as it gets older. Brown cockapoos often turn lighter as they grow and black cockapoos can get hints of grey and silver as they mature.
A cockapoos coat texture can range from being tight and curly to flat and shiny. Flat coats are lower maintenance and are low shedding whereas tight and curly needs a little more attention but is completely non shedding. Ideal for people who have allergies to dog hair and dander.
The need for dog grooming does vary depending on coat type.
All cockapoos should all be brushed daily to prevent matting and help natural oils regulate on their skin. Their belly, armpits, feet and under the ears are specific spots that can become troublesome if not maintained properly.
Tighter curled coats should be groomed every 6-8 weeks to keep their coat and skin happy and healthy. Having their fur cut short regularly will help maintain their cute teddy bear appearance.
Dog grooming for a Cockapoo at Bruce’s doggy day care starts from just £40. As well as hair cutting and bathing they also offer nail trimming as well as ear cleaning and teeth cleaning.
1 – How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
Cockapoos need to be fed a specific amount of calories per day depending on their age and size. They should be fed twice a day to keep hunger at bay. The below guide gives you an idea of how much you should feed them per day.
| Dog Weight | Calories | Amount of Food per Day |
| 2 – 2.5 KG | 386 | 56 grams |
| 2.5 – 3.5 KG | 480 | 75 grams |
| 3.5 – 4.5 KG | 395 | 80 grams |
| 5.5 – 6.5 KG | 536 | 120 grams |
| 6.5 – 7.5 KG | 541 | 126 grams |
As your dog grows into its senior years it will require less food. This will ensure your dog does not put too much weight on.
The recommended daily amount for senior dogs is:
| Senior Dog Weight | Calories | Amount of Food per Day |
| 7.5 – 8.5 KG | 465 | 96 grams |
2 – Why Is Puppy Food Is Important
If you have your dog from a puppy ensure you are feeding high-quality, low-calorie puppy food until they are 12 months old. This will give them the best start in life and provide the extra nutrition they need to grow at the right rate.
3 – Keep An Eye On Weight Gain
Remember all dogs are different so the amount you feed your dog may differ slightly. Their age, size, metabolism and activity level all play a part. Keeping a close eye on your dog’s weight is the perfect way to make sure you are feeding them the right amount of food. If in doubt you can always ask a vet.
Cockapoos are a friendly breed that love games of chase and spending time with their loved ones. They do tend to bond with one member of the family more than others but this doesn’t mean they are not a great family pet.
These highly intelligent, energetic dogs love socialising on their daily walks and can be easily trained as they like to please. Their energy levels will ideally need two walks a day. Socialisation training is key to stop any unwanted behaviour when out and about.
They can become bored and anxious when left alone so leaving them with plenty of interactive toys to play with will help keep them entertained. It may be also worthwhile considering doggy day care if you will need to leave them alone regularly as this will keep them busy whilst you get on with your day to day activities.
Putting some time and energy into teaching them right from wrong at an early age will allow them to grow into a well rounded, happy dog.
Due to their high energy and intelligence Cockapoos thrive in a doggy day care environment. At Bruce’s doggy day care we have over 280 Cockapoos that use our services regularly. They love being able to run around our secure fields with their doggy friends as well as getting fully involved in the enrichment games that are set out for them each week. If you have or are looking to get yourself a Cockapoo come why not visit one of our local centres and see first hand how much fun your dog could have by enrolling with us. Here are some pictures to give you a sneak peak.
Cockapoos are classed as hypoallergenic as they have low / no shedding fur. They get this trait from the mix with Poodles who have a low dander count. This makes them great choices for people who suffer from dog allergies and asthma.
Cockapoos on average live between 12 – 15 years of age which is above average for dogs. This is always dependent on the lifestyle they live and their genetic makeup. It has been known that some Cockapoos live as long as 20 years old.
Cockapoos can be classed as high maintenance as they need for plenty of exercise, attention and regular grooming. If you are planning to get a Cockapoo you will need to understand what you are getting. As long as you put the time in, these great dogs can become a perfect part of your family.
If a Cockapoo doesn’t seem to be the dog for you why not check out some other dog breeds:
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