Cockapoos: The Ultimate Guide

In the last few years the adorable teddy-bear like cross breed has quickly become a top choice for a family dog. Cockapoos were first bred in the USA in the 1950’s and are one of the oldest known planned hybrid dogs. They are a cross between two well-known hunting dogs: the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. Cockapoos aren’t a recognised dog breed but are one of the most popular poodle cross breeds. Their sweet nature and gentle temperament makes them the perfect family pet, as well as the hypoallergenic coat. If you are preparing to bring a new Cockapoo home with you, then you make sure you read this guide to learn everything you need to know about Cockapoo’s as well as everything they will need to feel right at home.   Cockapoo Features Breed  Cockapoo  Breed Group  Hybrid  Breed Size  Small - Medium  Height   25cm - 38cm / 10" - 15"  Weight   5kg - 11kg  Coat  Long and Curly  Colours  Red, cream, black, blue, white, gold, yellow, brown & chocolate  Lifespan  10-12 Years   How Big Does A Cockapoo Get? Cockapoos vary in size due to being a cross breed so it’s hard to generalise just how big they will grow to. On average they grown to around 10-15 inches when standing but this can massively vary depending on whether the poodle parent is a toy, miniature or a standard variety of Poodle. Being small- medium sized dogs we usually recommend a large in L&L products but always check the individual product listings size guide or our customer service team are always happy to help you find the perfect fit.    What Do Cockapoos Look Like? Being crossbreeds Cockapoos come in all shapes and sizes, there’s no ‘breed standard’ so there’s plenty of variation to choose from. Most commonly Cockapoos have luscious curls which come in chocolate, red, black, blue, cream, and white, as well as multi-coloured and patterned coats. Their floppy Cocker Spaniel ears frame their gorgeous teddy bear-like faces. How tight your Cockapoo’s curls are depends on their parents, they can have tight curls, waves or ringlets or a more shaggy coat. They are great dogs for people with allergies due to being low shedding.    Are Cockapoos Easy To Train? Cockapoos are very smart thanks to their Poodle heritage but they can have a short attention span at times due to the Cocker Spaniel in them. They are loyal dogs who love to both please and be near their owner. This desire to be near to you as their owner means they can be susceptible to separation anxiety which is why training them from a young age is key. Crate training is a great way to get your Cockapoo used to being on their own for short periods of time and the crate makes a great safe space for your Cockapoo.  Due being eager to please you as their owner Cockapoos will thrive off positive reward training and as with all dogs consistency is key when training your Cockapoo.   Cockapoo Health Issues Learning about any potential health issues early on is a great idea, it allows you to put any preventative measures in place and pick up on any warning signs early on. Below we’ve listed the main health issues that Cockapoos are prone to but if you have any concerns we always recommend to speak with your vet.  Being floppy-eared dogs, Cockapoos are susceptible to ear infections. Make sure to clean their ears weekly with a solution such as the Wahl Easy Ear Cleaner or the Bugalugs Soothing Ear Cleaner to help keep infections at bay. Keep your eye on your dog’s ears and go to your vet if their ears become red, itchy or have discharge. Cockapoos can be prone to eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hereditary Cataracts, Glaucoma and Corneal Ulcerations. It’s important to watch out for the signs and catch them early so your vet can diagnose and treat them as soon as possible.  Other health issues to watch out for with your Cockapoo include allergies, dental disease and anaemia.   How To Groom A Cockapoo Cockapoo cute curls take a lot of maintenance to keep them that way. We recommend daily brushing of their coats to prevent matting, a slicker brush like the Rosewood Salon Slicker brush or the Ancol Ergo Universal Slicker brush are great for brushing out their curls. If their curls do get a little knotty why not try either the PetPlex Curl Perfector spray to help brush them out? Cockapoos are relatively odourless so don’t need bathing too regularly, we recommend bathing only when they are dirty or smelly so that their coat can retain all the essential oils to help them stay soft and shiny. For curly haired dogs we love PetPlex Curl Perfecter Shampoo; for summer the TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo Maximum Strength is perfect for keeping bugs at bay! Straight scissors are great for trims in-between grooming sessions, it means you can keep the hair out of their eyes. Why not wipe away any tear stains with the Tropiclean Tear Stain Remover? We recommend getting them groomed professionally every 4-6 weeks depending on how curly their coats are, this will help keep them crazy curls in check.   How Much Exercise Should A Cockapoo Have? What dogs don’t love a walk? Well coming from two hunting breeds, the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, Cockapoos are energetic dogs so require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. We recommend around an hour a day for fully grown Cockapoos and for puppies we always recommend 5 minutes of walk time a day per month of age. You can split the walks into two shorter walks to keep them active throughout the day. Being such intelligent dogs Cockapoos can require a lot of mental stimulation, enrichment activities such as the Nina Ottosson Interactive Toys are great for this – the sniffing and problem solving is sure to wear them out.  Make sure you have a good and sturdy harness for them to be walked in, as well as a lead. RuffWear Harnesses and leads make the perfect solution. The harnesses are comfortable and robust, providing you with additional support when they start to pull, without causing any restriction to your dog’s airways. Plus, they come in some great colours along with matching leads. Some walks are wetter and muddier than others, and for these, it is important that you are prepared for home time. Your dog should be dried thoroughly after a walk, and so drying mitts and a drying coat are excellent things to have on hand. These allow them to get dry in their own time and in a more relaxed way.   Best Bowls and Food For Cockapoos Every puppy needs food and water dishes, and you should always ensure that they are the right size. Their water bowls should be full at all times to keep them hydrated, and if they are a messy drinker, it is possible to buy placemats to prevent damage to your floor. Our favourite Cockapoo bowls are: Beco Travel Bowls are perfect to pack in the car when you first bring your puppy cockapoo home - especially if you have a long journey ahead. The super handy pop up design is easy to stow away and ensures your pup can have water wherever you are on your travels. It's also not breakable - drop to as you're getting out of the car and it'll just bounce! Medium Size Beco Bowls are a great choice for Cockapoos. They are made from eco-friendly materials, just like the travel bowls and come in matching colours too. Buy at least two for dry food and water and a third for wet food if you wish. Tarhong’s Wood Grain Ceramic Stoneware Pet Bowls are gorgeous ceramic bowls, the neutral colour means they will look lovely in any home. The heavier weight of a ceramic bowl is great for stopping mischievous dogs who love to pick their food bowls up to play with. They’re also super practical as they dishwasher safe. Here at L&L we love the James Wellbeloved food, it’s a great grain free option and they have both wet and dry food which will follow your beloved Cockapoo from puppy to adult to senior.    Best Toys For Cockapoo Puppies Every dog, regardless of age, needs a few toys to play with and chew on. It’s great mental and physical stimulation, but also allows them to develop a deeper bond with you. Here are some of our favourite toys for Cockapoos – all of which can be found on our website: Puppy Teething Toys Puppy Soft Toys Puppy Chew Toys Puppy Throwing Toys Puppy Activity Toys Best Crates, Beds and Bedding for your Cockapoo  Your Cockapoo needs and deserves a comfortable place to sleep, especially after a long walk or exciting day. One of the places that dogs often feel safest in is in a crate. Not to mention that crate training new puppies is a great way to help settle and start their development from the moment they come home. It provides them with their own space where they can relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the home. We have great Dog Crate and Cover sets that also come with a comfortable cushion for them to sleep and relax on. When your puppy first comes home, you could buy a cosy & calming puppy box bed and place puppy pads in the other half. Then as they grow older and become home trained, you can swap to a full size cushion. Snuggly and enclosed, it provides the perfect space for them. The crate in a size large is ideal for your cockapoo from puppy to adulthood.  We also have a great range of beds for Cockapoos that will look great in the home and still offer your dog the comfort they need to get a good (and well-deserved) rest.   Cockapoo Shopping List Hopefully this guide will have given you some ideas of the key things to buy when getting ready for your new Cockapoo. Oh and if you want to treat yourself why not get our Cuddlesome Cockapoo tea towel or oven glove? Or a Wagging Tail Cockapoo Dog Clock by the Labrador Company? For even more suggestions, visit our Cockapoo Breed Page which has some must-have items for all Cockapoo owners. If you need any help or advice with your order don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re always happy to help as best we can.

By Megan Willis