Is a cockapoo or cocker spaniel-poodle mix right for you?

Getting a new dog is exciting for any family, but how do you know that a specific breed — like a cockapoo — is right for you?

What is a cockapoo? The cockapoo, like a cavapoo, is a poodle mix. More specifically, the dog is a designer breed or mixed breed created by combining a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Also known as a cockerpoo, cockapoodle, or cock-a-poo, the dogs have been crossbred for many years and tend to weigh less than 30 pounds.

They typically live for about 15 years and make great family dogs.

This designer breed looks like a Teddy bear, primarily when the cocker spaniel is bred with either a toy poodle, miniature poodle,  or mini-poodle. The dogs are one of the most popular doodle breeds.

If you love the look of these dogs but aren’t sure whether one is right for you, consider the following points as you make your decision.

Cockapoo health issues

One of the most significant points to think about is the risk of potential health problems. Some breeds are more prone to certain illnesses than others, which can lead to heartache and spiraling vets bills, too.

The good news is that this type of dog isn’t particularly prone to any specific health problems. Perhaps the biggest recurring issue is around eye defects such as progressive retinal atrophy. Like cocker spaniels, the dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, so it’s essential to maintain your dog’s healthy weight. 

If you have young kids, then it is probably going to be especially important to you to get a pet that lives a long and healthy life.

Cockapoos tend to live up to 15 years or so, with some getting close to 20 years.

Cockapoo exercise needs

For a lot of people, this breed offers just the right activity level in terms of exercise needs. A cockapoo will happily go out for a long walk or go swimming in the river, although they aren’t too demanding.

Having said that, if you want a dog that sits at your feet all day long, then a cockapoo isn’t likely to be the solution. These pooches like to work up a bit of sweat now and then, rather than taking it easy all the time as some dogs do.

In terms of keeping them company, this can be the trickiest issue of all for potential cockapoo owners. This because it is a breed of dog that doesn’t like being alone. If you spend all day at home, then he will love it, while if you are out at work all day every day, then he isn’t going to be too happy about being alone for so long.

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Cockapoo grooming issues

You will need to put some time into grooming him, but this isn’t the trickiest breed in this respect. How much grooming your cockapoo needs will vary depending upon the type of coat that he has.

These dogs are a cross between cocker spaniels and poodles, with some having tighter curls than others. The dogs have minimally shedding coats. Like its parent breed, the cocker spaniel, the cockapoo comes in a variety of colors including black, buff, red, brown, and parti-color, which is a coat of two or more solid colors. 

All in all, a cockapoo will give you less work than many other breeds, but you will still need to brush and trim his coat occasionally. Be sure to buy a good brush. And unless you plan to hire a professional groomer, you’ll need to purchase clippers, too.

Is a cockapoo hypoallergenic?  You might see them described that way; they aren’t. But the fact that they shed less hair than other breeds means that they are more suitable for people who are worried about allergies.

Why do the dogs often look so different from each other? Because both cocker spaniels and poodles come in multiple colors, including black. 

Finding a dog

If you plan to buy a cockapoo puppy, work with a responsible cockapoo breeder and not a puppy mill. You also can search for cockapoos using Petfinder or cockapoo rescue groups like Cockapoo Rescue or Poo-Mix Rescue.

Read more from Michael Payton on cockapoohq.com.

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