Cockapoo: Pros & Cons

COCKAPOOS PROS VS CONS

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. It is important to do your research to make sure the breed(s) you are interested in would do well with your lifestyle.

A Cockapoo is the combination of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle (toy, mini, or standard). Did you know that were one of the first doodle crosses dating back to the 1960s? Its no wonder that these adorable little doodles are so popular!

Below we’ll discuss both the good and the bad of owning a Cockapoo, but first we’ll start off with the good!

PROS OF OWNING A COCKAPOO

Cockapoos can make the great addition to just about any home - find out why!

Great Companions

Cockapoos love to be with their people and on top of that, they can easily adapt to new environments and are relatively easy to train. Cockapoos do well with kids and other pets, but it is important to always socialize them early.

So, if you are looking for a friendly, companion dog that you can take anywhere, a Cockapoo may be a good fit for you.

Variety of Sizes

Cockapoos come in a variety of sizes:

Teacup weigh less than 7lbs and under 10in tall.

Toy weigh less than 12lbs and is around 10in tall. They are considered to have a more “sturdy” build compared to the teacup Cockapoos.

Mini weigh between 13-18lbs and are generally 11-14in tall.

Standard are over 19lbs and 15in tall.

For someone wanting a teacup to mini/medium size doodle, Cockapoos offer quite a range!

Minimal Shedding + Allergy Friendly

While Cocker Spaniels do shed, Poodles are non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Since the Cockapoo is a cross between both, they will inherit traits from both parents generally making them relatively low shedders.

minimal barking

Though Cockapoos are a high energy breed, they are surprisingly relatively quiet and don’t bark much aside from alerting their owner that someone is at the door.

Intelligent

According to canine psychologist Stanley Coren, Poodles rank as the 2nd smartest breed. Plus, the Cocker spaniel is ranked the 20th making it no surprise that Cockapoos are also intelligent.

Beauty and brains - their intelligence makes them relatively easy to train. Training should always start as soon as you bring your puppy home. Remember, consistency and positive reinforcement are key!

CONS OF OWNING A COCKAPOO

All dog breeds have their faults - here are some of the cons of owning a Cockapoo.

High Energy

You may not have expected this, but Cockapoos tend to be a high energy mix which isn’t surprising based on the fact that both parent breeds were bred to retrieve. Although they’re smaller in size and can adapt to apartment life, keep in mind that you’ll need to make sure they get the proper amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy.

grooming needs

Like the Poodle, Cockapoos will need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy. This means regular trims on top of brushing. It is important to brush your doodle often to ensure that they do not mat, especially if you like the longer, shaggy look.

If you don’t plan to do your own grooming (most don’t), then you might also add the grooming bill to the list of cons. Professional (or DIY) grooming is recommended every 6-8 weeks.

No Guarantees

Like all crossbreeds, there are no guarantees that each Cockapoo will inherit the traits you desire from each of their parent breeds. One of the most common being the shedding or allergy friendly factors. While many are low to non-shedding and allergy friendly, that doesn’t mean that all are. Be sure to do your research when selecting a breeder - especially if they claim that all of their puppies are hypoallergenic just because there’s a Poodle in the mix.

Separation Anxiety

Cockapoos are a friendly, and social breed that loves to be with you. If you are someone who’s away from home a lot and isn’t able to bring their furry companion along, then the Cockapoo isn’t the breed for you. It’s possible that they’ll develop separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time.

early socialization is key

Let’s be real, all dogs need early socialization and 3-16 weeks is a critical time period for puppy socialization development (be sure to read our blog post). However, Cockapoos are more prone to developing bad habits and/or anxiety or submissive behavior if they aren’t socialized properly. In order to be the happy go lucky, friendly dog that they are - early socialization is key and it’s important to do your research and find a breeder that truly socializes their puppies.

CONCLUSION

So, is a Cockapoo the right breed for you? There both advantages and disadvantages to owning a Cockapoo and you should consider all of these before making the final decision. Don’t forget that it is equally important to research breeders and make sure you’re choosing the right one.