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Hill’s Brand Horizon

Cockapoo Dog

dog Breed Profile

Cockapoos are friendly and affectionate little comedians with a sweet temperament and a zest for life.

Attributes

Odorless coat, curly or wavy hair, non-shedding

Size

Weight

Miniature: 12-19 lbs. Maxi: 20-65 lbs.

Miniature: 12-19 lbs. Maxi: 20-65 lbs.

Height

Miniature: 15 in. or less Maxi: 16 in. or more

(at withers)

Miniature: 15 in. or less Maxi: 16 in. or more

Coat

Length

Short to long

Color

Black, tan, red, brown, sable, cream, white, beige, black and white, merle

Care

Exercise

15 minutes/day

Energy level

Moderate

Longevity

12-15 yrs.

Needs

moderate

Traits

Barking

Low

Snoring

Low

Drooling

Low

Digging

Low

Grooming Needs

Moderate to high

Social Needs

moderate

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Not recognized

UKC Class.

Not recognized Designer Breed Registry

Prevalence

Common

Cute cockapoo puppy laying on carpet next to toy.

About the Cockapoo Dog

Cockapoos are friendly and affectionate little comedians with a sweet temperament and a zest for life.

Cockapoo Dog personality

Cockapoos are bred more for temperament than for appearance, and they tend to inherit the sweet, loving and friendly natures common with both parent breeds. They are highly intelligent, easy to train and also typically inherit the poodle's enthusiasm and tendency to be little jokers.

These dogs tend to be extremely friendly and thrive on social interaction. They hate to be left alone and can develop separation anxiety if left solo for long periods. They get along well with other pets and children although, due to their high energy and enthusiasm, they tend to do better with older children and should be supervised around young children.

What to expect

Cockapoos do well in apartments, although maxi cockapoos may be less well-suited for small living spaces than their smaller counterparts. They don't bark a lot, although they will let you know when someone's at the door. They have a moderate amount of energy and can be quite bouncy, but they're also happy to curl up in a lap or next to you on the sofa. They generally require about 15 minutes of exercise a day, which can be achieved by playing in the backyard or with a quick walk around the block.

Although their coats don't require regular cutting like a poodle's, they do need to be brushed regularly — and some cockapoo owners do like to keep the coat trimmed to a certain length. Their floppy ears are prone to infections and should be cleaned and inspected on a weekly basis. Signs of an ear infection include an unpleasant odor coming from the ear, redness or swelling, itching, and constant head shaking.

While cockapoos tend to be healthy and hardy dogs, they can be prone to the same genetic predispositions to health conditions that affect either of their parent breeds, including cataracts, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, allergies and liver disease. When considering a cockapoo puppy, it's important to do your research and seek a reputable breeder who is happy to answer any questions you have about the parents and their health, disposition and purebred status.

History of the Cockapoo Dog

The earliest of what has become known as designer dogs, cockapoos were first created by accident in the United States in the 1960s. Impressed by the sweet and intelligent nature of the puppies combined with their odorless, low-shed coat, enthusiasts began intentionally crossing poodles with cocker spaniels in an attempt to recreate these results. This crossbreed has only gained popularity over the decades.

Cockapoos make excellent companion dogs and family pets. The American Kennel Club does not recognize cockapoos as a true breed, but considers them a mixed-breed dog. However, efforts are underway by cockapoo breeding organizations to get the cockapoo recognized as a true breed.

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