Dog Breeds 101: Cockapoo

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The Cockapoo is a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle and is known to be a happy, affectionate and loving dog to its human family. These dogs should weigh less than 30 pounds and their coat should be somewhere between fluffy and scruffy which comes in a variety of colors and markings. Adult Cockapoos still has a puppy-like charm making them great pets. [1] The Cockapoo is a crossbreed so it does not “breed true”, meaning the puppies won’t have consistent predictable characteristics. Some pups might look more like a Cocker Spaniel while other may exhibit more Poodle traits. Smaller dogs tend to live longer and so the Cockapoo has a longer life span of 14 to 18 years. [2]

This breed is popular since the 1960’s due to the dogs’ intelligence and low-shedding coat. They are said to have the intelligence of their Poodle forebears and the affectionate nature of the Cocker Spaniel. The first breeding might have been accidental but many would surely agree that it produced great results. They need early socialization and training to make them ideal pets. Several Cockapoo clubs were established in an attempt to create a breed standard but all of them have differing philosophies. Some make multigenerational crossing while others prefer the basic Poodle/Cocker Spaniel cross. [3]

This is not an active breed and only requires moderate exercise. However, Cockapoos doesn’t want to laze around all day and enjoy going on short walks or engage in 15-minute play sessions. They also need the exercise for them to maintain a healthy weight. They love to be with their family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. The breed’s popularity has increased over the years and is well on its way to becoming much more than a “designer breed”. [3]