What is a Cockapoo?

The Cockapoo is a happy, loving teddy bear who’s full of beans. They’re generally healthy, but can inherit conditions from both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, their parent breeds. Their coat requires quite a lot of maintenance, but as clever dogs they’re eminently trainable.

A guide to owning a Cockapoo

A cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle (usually a miniature or toy Poodle), our good friend the Cockapoo is a very popular hybrid breed. These teddy bears are intelligent, affectionate and joyful, making them great companions for families and individuals alike.

As with all breeds, it’s good to do a bit of homework before you commit to a Cockapoo. Here we’ll look at the need-to-knows, such as their common health issues, temperament, exercise and grooming needs.

Are Cockapoos good family dogs?

Yes, they certainly are. They’re friendly and affectionate, and with early socialisation, should get on fabulously with children and other pets.

Cockapoo size and appearance

Cockapoos are small-to-medium sized, with a charming teddy bear appearance. They have dark expressive eyes and a sweet, endearing face. Their size usually varies depending on whether the Poodle parent was a toy or miniature. They tend to vary between 25-38cm in height at the shoulder, with a weight between 5-10kg.

Cockapoos generally have a soft, curly or wavy coat that comes in a wide range of colours, including:

• Cream
• Black
• Apricot
• Chocolate
• Various combinations or patterns

What were Cockapoos bred for?

Sometimes known as a Spoodle, Cockapoos were bred to be companion dogs. Specifically, the breed was intended to be intelligent, active and low-shedding compared with breeds of a similar size.

What is the Cockapoo’s temperament?

The Cockapoo’s personality is:

• People pleaser: They love human interaction and being part of family life. They usually form very strong bonds with their humans.
• Quick to learn: Their Poodle heritage makes them intelligent, and pick things up very quickly.
• Playful: The Cocker Spaniel in them, on the other hand, makes them outgoing, active and bubbly, with a very playful streak.
• Loyal: The Cockapoo will be your firm friend for the long haul.

Can Cockapoos be left alone?

Cockapoos can usually be left alone for a few hours. But no dog should be left alone for over four hours. Also Cockapoos are social dogs which love interaction, so leaving them alone for extended periods can make them bored and restless. This risks unwanted behaviours.

If you do have to leave your Cockapoo alone for any length of time, make sure they have access to fresh water, and familiar, comforting items such as their favourite toys and blankets.

How much exercise does a Cockapoo need?

As you might expect from a breed which is part Cocker Spaniel, Cockapoos are full of energy. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep them healthy and happy. So this means a couple of daily walks, plus interactive playtime. You can help keep that big ole brain ticking over with puzzle and training games, plus agility exercises. It’s also a good idea to take them to new places regularly, so they have new environments to explore.

Be aware that, without enough activity, Cockapoos can become bored. This can lead to unwanted behaviours such as barking or chewing. Provided they’ve had enough exercise, a Cockapoo should be calm and content during your downtime.

Can Cockapoos swim?

Yes. Both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles are generally good swimmers, which Cockapoos largely inherit. Their comfort around water will always be down to the individual though, so make sure they’re supervised, and introduced to the water with small steps and positive reinforcement.

A classic crossbreed and family favourite, Cockapoos can inherit health issues from both sides. Joint issues include luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps), hip dysplasia and sometimes elbow dysplasia. For these dogs, early onset arthritis and even surgery are to be expected.

Eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye), and progressive retinal atrophy (a gradual, inherited form of blindness) can affect vision. Their soft, floppy ears can trap moisture, making infections more likely, especially in dogs with allergies. This can lead to otitis (inflammation) or an ear flap haematoma.

Cockapoos may have allergies affecting their skin or digestion, they also have sensitive stomachs and a tendency to gain weight. Good-quality food and portion control are important.

Heart murmurs can be found in puppies, and older dogs can develop heart disease. Signs include coughing, low energy, and fast breathing.

Rage Syndrome is an extremely rare form of epilepsy with sudden aggression. Although Rage Syndrome has been reported in both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, the likelihood of a Cockapoo—or indeed any dog—developing it is extremely low. Most are just as sweet and clever as they look, one reason the breed is so loved.

Dr Nicole Olewinski BVSc MRCVS

Meet our pet experts

How long do Cockapoos live?

As a healthy breed, the average lifespan of a Cockapoo is around 12-15 years.

What are the common health issues for a Cockapoo?

Generally speaking, Cockapoos are healthy dogs, living between 12-15 years. Sometimes more. But as a mixed breed, there’s a chance they could inherit health issues from either of their parent breeds. They’re fairly prone to ear disorders, whether that’s the flap, inner ear or ear canal. Grass seeds, parasites, allergies or infections are all common culprits. Keep an eye out for your Cockapoo shaking their head, flapping their ears or scratching using their hind legs.

Other common conditions include hip dysplasia and luxating patella. Both are hereditary conditions, which can be quite painful, but are treatable. Hip dysplasia can be managed with painkillers and a well-thought-out exercise regime, but surgery may be necessary in extreme cases. With luxating patella, surgery is often recommended when the dog is still quite young. It’s a pretty common orthopaedic procedure, with good results in the right patients.

Top 3 pet insurance claims for Cockapoos

These are the three conditions most commonly claimed for, according to Petgevity data:

• Gastroenteritis (inflammation of stomach and intestines)
• Poisoning
• Allergies

Based on Petgevity pet insurance claims, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2024.

Cockapoo grooming and hygiene

Whether it’s loose waves or tighter curls, the Cockapoo’s coat is one of its most appealing features. And with that comes maintenance. You’ll need to brush them several times a week to prevent their fur from matting. Owners frequently opt for professional grooming, usually every 6-8 weeks. If you’re a new dog owner, you may need to get on top of booking a groomer regularly, as more popular ones can sometimes be booked out months in advance.

Regular ear cleaning is also important, as their floppy ears can be prone to infections. Nail trimming, dental care and eye cleaning should all be part of your regular grooming routine as well.

Do Cockapoos shed?

All dogs shed. And while Cockapoos are often said to be low-shedding or hypoallergenic, as a crossbreed, their grooming needs can still be very variable. People with allergies should not assume their Cockapoo will grow up to be a low shedder.

Are Cockapoos hypoallergenic?

No dogs are truly hypoallergenic, but Cockapoos are a comparatively allergy-friendly breed. Their shed of both hair and dander (dry skin) can be – but isn’t always – pretty low. People with allergies may still experience problems either because of variation among Cockapoos or the sensitivity of their allergies.

How to train a Cockapoo

Cockapoos are eager to please, which makes them highly trainable. They pick up basic commands quickly, and enjoy learning new tricks. But you’ll still need to be patient and consistent.

Here are a few pointers:

• Like so many dogs, Cockapoos respond well to positive reinforcement. This means plenty of rewards for being a good girl or boy, including treats, praise and play.
• Early socialisation is the key to helping them grow into confident, well-mannered adults. Introduce them to a variety of people, places and ideally other animals during their early months.
• Don’t use harsh discipline with your Cockapoo.
• House training them should be largely straightforward. But with all puppies, accidents will happen, so be patient.

What insurance do I need for my Cockapoo?

The level of dog insurance you choose for your Cockapoo will generally come down to your specific circumstances and budget. If you want to know exactly what you’re getting for your money, check out our guide to whether pet insurance is worth it.

We believe all dogs deserve the most comprehensive level of cover as possible. That’s why we only sell different types of lifetime cover. We could also cover your Cockapoo for any pre-existing conditions they may have with our Lifetime Plus policy, subject to acceptance*.