Cockapoo

Cockerpoos are often sold as great pets for young families. 

If you get them from a breeder that pays close attention to their temperament, and you make sure your dog has everything they need, they can be great with children.

They’re an active bunch! So, parents of young children need to have a good think about whether they have time to meet their needs. 

Cockerpoos don’t always cope when left home alone; families that are out for school and work would find this challenging. 

Like all dogs, they should be closely supervised around children to prevent any accidents or inappropriate interactions.

Cockerpoos love to show you their love. They’re touchy-feely and want to be around their people as much as they can.

If you live a busy life and can’t commit to their emotional needs, a Cockerpoo may not be right for you. 

Their affectionate nature makes them ideal four-legged friends for people who work from home or those who are retired but active.

Yes, Cockerpoos are incredibly playful. They come from two retrieving breeds, so they love to chase their toys. 

Their Cocker Spaniel and Poodle ancestors have impressively strong noses, meaning Cockerpoos like playing scent games.

This breed lends itself well to families with children old enough to join in with their playtime. They wouldn’t be happy in a home that doesn’t have enough time to entertain them.

Cockerpoos are known for trying to keep their toys to themselves. So, when it’s playtime, make sure they know how to play politely and let go when asked. They might also be protective of other things, like food.

These adorable dogs also need to learn to only play with appropriate toys. If left to their own devices, they’ll likely pinch a tea towel or a pair of socks to play with!

Both Cockers and Poodles know how to use their voices, so it makes sense that Cockerpoos do, too. 

They are quite small, but they make up for it with their mighty and high-pitched bark, which can be irritating for some people.

Cockerpoos tend to bark when they want something or feel they need some attention.

Because they’re alert, they tend to bark first and ask questions later. So, if you live in a busy area with lots of people and other dogs walking past your home, your Cockerpoo may be barking a lot.

Cockerpoos get their high energy, intelligence, and overly affectionate nature from their mix of breeds.

They don’t tend to like being on their own. It’ll take time and patience to teach them to cope home alone for even a few hours.

They’re also a vocal breed. This can get out of hand with attention-seeking and nuisance barking if they find themselves at a loose end.

If they don’t get what they need to live their best lives, they can develop behaviour issues. For example, this little breed can get bored easily, which is when destructive behaviours show. 

They’re prone to stealing items, partly to get their owners attention, but also because both the Cocker and the Poodle are natural retrievers, so having something in their mouth feels rewarding. 

These behaviours are annoying for owners, but in some cases, they can turn into a much bigger problem. They may get defensive when people go near their favourite things (known as resource guarding). You might not think such a cute ball of fluff would bite their owner, but it can happen.

Owners really need to meet their Cockerpoo’s needs to avoid or minimise these behaviour issues. 

Cockerpoos need a home that offers them training and exercise. Otherwise, they won’t be happy or fun to live with. A family with school-age children who love the outdoors and playing together would be ideal.

This breed doesn’t suit a home where they need to be left for a full working day, five days a week. Their need for love and attention would show up as frustration and distress at being alone so often.

Since they know how to use their voices, living in a flat may lead to noise complaints from close neighbours.

If introduced in the right way to other animals, Cockerpoos can live with dog friends and share their lives with cats, too.

They’d love a garden to enjoy bounding around at playtime, too!

Cockerpoos may have little legs, but they need a whole lot of exercise! 

Their ancestors, Cockers and Poodles, are fast and busy breeds. They’ve passed down the need to run and play to Cockerpoos, who also like to swim and splash in water like their Poodle family.

An hour of free running and playing twice a day is needed, and Cockerpoos need to work their minds, too.

Cockers have a great brain, and Poodles are one of the brightest breeds on the planet, so it’s no surprise that Cockerpoos are little clever clogs.

To help tire your adorable dog’s brain and body, try activities like:
- obedience training
- trick training
- activity toys
- puzzle feeders

If you don’t feel you have enough time to dedicate to the physical and mental needs of a Cockerpoo, you should continue your search.

All puppies need to learn how to be around people, pets, and other dogs, in a calm and polite way (known as socialisation). They also need help to feel calm, comfortable, and confident in everyday situations like travelling, the sound of traffic, and being in busy places (known as habituation). This is essential to prevent tricky behavioural problems in the future, and you'll be off to a great start with your ongoing training.

Yes! Along with their intelligence, Cockerpoos are motivated by both food and toys and love to please their human. 

But because they learn fast, they need very consistent help with getting used to the world, meeting other animals/people, learning basic training, and using life skills from puppyhood right through to adulthood.  

If they aren’t being guided to learn good behaviours, they’ll absolutely excel at learning the naughty ones!

Bored and under-trained Cockerpoos might particularly show:
- excessive barking
- destructive behaviours
- stealing
- being defensive or aggressive around their favourite things (called resource guarding)
- problems with people groomed or handled.

You may have heard the rumour that Cockerpoos don’t shed much… but it’s not always true!

Depending on how much Cocker or Poodle is in their genetics, a Cockerpoo’s coat will either be straight, wavy, or curly. Some coats are single, others are double, so how much they shed will vary from dog to dog.

Whatever the coat type, they need a lot of grooming! A Cockerpoo’s coat can get very matted, so expect to give them a daily groom. If mats are left, grooming can become uncomfortable or even painful for them. 

Cockerpoos will also need regular trimming and clipping by a professional groomer. So, factor this cost into your decision about this breed.

As a cross between two different breeds, Cockerpoos can be prone to health problems that affect both the Cocker and the Poodle.

These include conditions of the heart, eyes, kidneys, ears, teeth, spine, hips, and kneecap (patella).

Other conditions include:
- autoimmune disease (when the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body)
- Addison's disease (a lack of important hormones)
- epilepsy
- lymphoma (a type of cancer)

This looks like a long list, but a good breeder will not breed from dogs that are affected by any of these conditions. You pay more for a puppy from a breeder that does health testing, but it’s worth it. 

A good diet, a healthy lifestyle and regular vet health checks will help keep your Cockerpoo feeling tiptop