Breed spotlight: Cockapoo

characteristics.

The Cockapoo typically stands at 13-16 inches to the shoulder, if the Poodle parent is classed as a miniature Poodle; if the Poodle parent is a toy Poodle, you can expect Cockapoo puppies to be slightly smaller than this range. The average weight of a Cockapoo is between 5-10kg depending on genetics.

The Cockapoo is intelligent and has a fun personality, they have moderate-high energy levels so will need regular exercise and strict training to ensure their energy does not affect this.

coat & grooming.

Cockapoos inherit their wavy / curly coats from their Poodle parent. A reason that Cockapoos are highly desired, is due to their coats being hypoallergenic, as Poodles don’t tend to moult, if they do, it would be a very small amount. This makes the Cockapoo ideal for allergy sufferers, even more so if they are an F1B Cockapoo. The F1 Cockapoo is a first-generation cross between the Cocker Spaniel and a miniature/ toy Poodle, whereas the F1B is a cross typically between a Cockapoo bitch and a Poodle Stud, meaning the puppies are 75% Poodle and have thicker and curlier, lower-shedding coats.

As advantageous as their low-shedding coats can be, there comes some hardship with owning a Cockapoo or any Poodle cross. Due to the texture of their coats, Cockapoos can be prone to matting, especially as young puppies whose adult coats are starting to grow through. It’s important from a very young age that Cockapoos are groomed every day or every other day, for around 10-15 minutes to help keep them knot-free.

Cockapoos benefit from being taken to the groomer every 6-8 weeks to maintain the condition of their coat; you can also safely trim around their eyes and bottom with baby scissors if necessary. Cockapoos can be bathed every 2 weeks, but this is the minimum time advised to wait between bathing to prevent the natural oils being dried out of their coat.

The typical colours for a Cockapoos coat are black, brown, cream, sable, and apricot.

lifestyle & healthcare.

The average lifespan of a Cockapoo is 13 + years; because of their moderate-high energy, the Cockapoo will fit well into a household who like to spend plenty of time outdoors. They need to be exercised at least once per day, through a game of fetch, a brisk walk, or a good run, preferably off the lead. You should not let your dog off the lead until they have mastered recall training and only when you are in a remote, secured area.

Due to their personality traits, it is not advised to leave a Cockapoo on their own for extensive periods of time, as Cockapoos can suffer from separation anxiety which can lead to future training problems if not addressed properly. Besides, Cockapoos are bred to be companion dogs so they will not suit living with anyone who cannot commit to giving them the time and attention they need.

Cockapoos can be prone to health conditions such as cataracts, hip dysplasia and ear infections, which is why it’s important to regularly have a Cockapoo’s ears trimmed when they visit the groomer. You can also keep on top of ear hygiene by gently cleaning the membranes of their ears with specialised cleaning pads. Dog breeds with longer and curlier coats are more susceptible to ear infections as the hair traps debris, which is good for prevention of infection, but can also make it difficult for bacteria to escape the ear canal.

Cockapoos will generally require two meals once fully-grown, one for breakfast and one for dinner time. Always refer to the guidelines provided with the type of food you wish to feed your dog; each breed requires a different amount and quantity of food. You can include a variety of treats in their daily food allowance, especially as Cockapoos enjoy learning new commands.

training a cockapoo.

The Cocker Spaniel is highly obedient, being a working dog, and the Poodle is a very smart breed, eager to learn, making Cockapoos extremely intelligent. This combination of the parent breeds’ intellect along with their personality traits, makes the Cockapoo ideal for training.

Cockapoos are loyal dogs and will want to please their owners by learning tricks and commands at a fast pace. This can be enforced by a lot of praise, encouragement and, of course, treats! It’s important to make sure that high energy dogs like Cockapoos are sufficiently exercised before training sessions, as their excess energy may cause issues when trying to gain their focus.

ethical breeding & what to look out for.

All dog breeds are prone to certain health problems and things can become more complicated when looking after a crossbreed like a Cockapoo, as there are two breeds to think about when approaching a breeder. The Cockapoo is a highly desired dog, and the need for them has surged ever since the start of lockdown. This has unfortunately led to an increase of unethical breeders selling puppies, so it’s crucial to find out everything you need to know before bringing a puppy home. This includes being able to view the puppies through regular video calls and pictures, or going to see where the puppies are being reared. You’ll also want to at least meet the mother of the pups and the father if possible. Any reputable breeder will happily oblige when you ask for copies of the parent’s up to date health checks.

Finally, the breeder should provide you with their license number with no hesitation and they should willingly answer any questions you may have to put your mind at ease. Do not feel that you can’t query the breeder, if they are unable to provide a license number, walk away and listen to your gut instinct if you have any reservations. Here you can find out exactly what to look out for when sourcing an ethical breeder.

pros & cons of owning a cockapoo.

There are many advantages to bringing a Cockapoo into your world. Firstly, Cockapoos are very fun, affectionate, and loyal. They are always striving to learn more and are intelligent and are easy to train. Cockapoos are always happy to go for a nice long walk, run, or day out with their owners, and like to have a snuggle on the sofa. Their curly, hypoallergenic coats make them ideal dogs for allergy-sufferers as they are virtually non-shedding, not to mention their adorable looks!

There are, however, some drawbacks to the Cockapoo. Due to their doting personalities, they are quite reliant on human company, so can suffer from separation anxiety when spending time apart from their human companions. If separation anxiety isn’t tackled appropriately, it can lead to poor mental health and destructive behaviour.

Even though their curly, bouncy coats are gorgeous to look at, they are harder to maintain in comparison to smooth, flat-coated dogs. Any Poodle-cross will need grooming on a daily basis, along with frequent trips to the groomers. If you are unable to keep to a strict grooming regime, dogs just like Cockapoos can develop a complex and matted coat, which may require clipping.

Keeping up with their high energy levels can be challenging depending on your personal circumstances and living situation. Cockapoos will not just settle for a short walk during the day. If you are unable to commit to at least half an hour of exercise with your dog each day, then a Cockapoo probably is not the right breed for you.

feature on our blog.

Overall, Cockapoos are smart, savvy, and warm-natured dogs with heaps of energy! Sticking to the topic of Cockapoos, you can check out these gorgeous Cockapoos with their lovely owners, featured on our ‘office dogs’ blogs. Meet

orla & tara


bronson & lea

beans & robbie

We love sharing stories of wonderful people around the country with their four-legged family members and what it means to bring them to their workplace. If you would like to share some facts about yourself, your career, and your dog and would like your office pooch featured on our blog, please email your answers to the questions shown on the blogs, along with your photos to olivia.kennaway@pawsinwork.com.

Use the heading “office dogs: PUP NAME & YOUR NAME”. Please include a few pictures of you and your dog together too, we look forward to reading your stories!