“When selecting a dog, a potential pet parent should consider their personalities, those of their family members including children and other pets, and lifestyles to find the ideal dog right fit for them,” says Alison Gerken, DVM.
So, let’s find the perfect pet for you. Cockapoo Dogs are best for you if you need an intelligent toy breed. These breeds are one of the most established crossbreeds. A cross between a Cocker Spaniel (show type or working) and a Poodle (Toy or Miniature). For buyers the American Cocker Spaniel is also used on a large scale.
Let’s start our journey with the most basic question: What is its origin and history?
Cockapoo Dog Origin & History
In the 1960s the first international breed between a cocker spaniel and a poodle happened. A Cockapoo is considered to be the first designer dog breed. Dog lovers wanted a small “hypoallergenic” dog with a loving temperament, so breeders developed the Cockapoo. The popularity of cocker spaniels, meanwhile, was partly due to Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp,” released in 1955, starring a dignified cocker named Lady.
Cockapoos are excellent companion dogs and family pets. Though the American Kennel Club doesn’t regard cockapoos as a unique breed of dog, it does view them as a mixed breed of dog, cockapoo breeding organizations are working towards getting the cockapoo recognized as a real breed. Cockapoo dog owners can customize unique PVC Patches like pet name tags for their dogs.
Cockapoo Dog Breed Information
The Cockapoo is a hybrid breed between the cocker spaniel and the poodle. It was bred in the 1960s. This cute little to medium-sized crossbreed has curly locks in a wide range of colors. Their size varies between small if they possess a parent toy poodle, medium if they have a parent miniature poodle, and large if they have a standard poodle parent.
The Cockapoo dog has a teddy bear-like face, is the right size, and has a coat that is great for allergies. It is one of those breeds that fit about any family style, from busy professionals living in the city to growing families in suburban areas and almost anyone in between.
Personality & Characteristics
The sweet, affectionate, and gregarious traits shared by both parent breeds are passed down to Cockapoos. They usually acquire the poodle’s enthusiasm and propensity to be little jokers, and they are quite intelligent and easy to teach.
“Overall, Cockapoos tend to be social dogs,” says Emily Zinn, owner of Sugar and Spice Cockapoos near Columbia, South Carolina. “Simply put, cockapoos want to be part of daily life along with their people.”
- These hybrid dogs inherit the best characteristics of both parent breeds.
- From poodles, they get their intelligence, their playfulness, and their hypoallergenic coats.
- Co-cocker spaniels are where these dogs get their affectionate, people-pleasing personalities. Of course, it makes them respond well to whatever life throws their way-from movie nights snuggled up on the couch to yard romps with kids (under control, of course).
Appearance of Cockapoo Dogs
The face of a Cockapoo dog can make anyone smile. They are born as real-life teddy bears and raised into quite the dapper dogs, with their cutest and most positive smiles they can attract anybody. They come in many sizes, a toy poodle will breed Cockapoo of 6-12 pounds and in height less than 10 inches. The miniature Cockapoo, with miniature poodle parents, weighs 18 pounds and is between 11-14 inches in height. Standard, maxi Cockapoo is bred from a standard poodle, their weight is more than 19 pounds, and grow at least 14 inches tall.
| Official Name | Cockapoo |
| Common Name | Cockapoo |
| Height | 10 to 15 inches |
| Weight | 6 to 19 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Temperament | Friendly, Outgoing, Playful |
| Breed Group | Hybrid |
| Colors | black, blue, brown / chocolate/liver, cream, gold / yellow, red, white |
| Patterns | bicolor, merle, tricolor |
| Other Traits | apartment-friendly, cold weather tolerant, easy to train, good for first-time pet owners, hot weather tolerant, hypoallergenic, loves water, strong loyalty tendencies |
Health Issues With Cockapoo Dogs
These cute and intelligent Cockapoo dogs are prone to eye conditions and health issues. As a pet parent, you should consider purchasing pet insurance before bringing your puppy home. As they may need surgery sometimes. There are some common health faced by these pups let’s go through them:
- Cataracts
Cocker Spaniels and Poodles are susceptible to cataracts. Your Cockapoo dog, therefore, may develop an eye issue. The eyes of dogs affected by this become cloudy due to lenses that hinder a dog’s vision completely.
- Glaucoma
Cockapoos also suffer from glaucoma. It is brought about by blockage in the eyes, leading to pressure build-up. Glaucoma usually affects a dog’s vision. Its effects will be the destruction of your Cockapoo’s sight if it goes untreated for long.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
When the retina starts deteriorating, cockapoo dogs have a partial form of inherited progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. There is no known cure, and pet parents who have Cockapoos with PRA will have to help their dogs get accustomed to living without the slightest amount of sight.
- Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia-a genetically inherited deformity causes the hip joint not to fit together and become loose. Though most dogs are born with hip dysplasia, small breeds like the Cockapoo may be more silent carriers and exhibit symptoms as they age.
- Obesity
Cockapoos tend to get a bit too chubby so an adult version of this breed should be fed a balanced diet and shouldn’t eat a lot of table scraps. Obesity in dogs reduces Cockapoo lifespan and increases their chances for many other conditions including high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or diabetes.
Why Do Cockapoos Die Early?
The next question as a pet parent you must be thinking about is What do Cockapoos usually die from? Let’s answer your question with some valid points:
- Blood Complications and Cancers: These conditions have been shown to shorten a Cockapoo’s life expectancy.
- Eye defects – Various defects of the eyes, including but not limited to corneal ulcers, glaucoma, and cataracts, which shorten the life of a Cockapoo. Although it is harmless in the beginning, it eventually leads to real blindness, which causes preterm death.
- Ear infections – Cockapoos get ear infections because exudate typically builds up at the back of their ears and eyes.
Cockapoo Dogs : How to Take Care of Them ?
To make your dog happy and healthy all you need to do is regular care which includes exercise, grooming, and training. Let’s understand it one by one:
(A)– Exercise
Cockapoos are energetic dogs who benefit greatly from regular exercise, such as energetic walks, energetic backyard fetch sessions, or visits to the dog park to interact with other puppies. Depending on the demands of your particular dog, aim for 20 to30 minutes of exercise each day, but allow for flexibility.
(B)- Grooming Guide
1) Skin Care
Other than an occasional bath every few months, Cockapoos don’t require special skin care. However, if you suspect the presence of external parasites or fleas, bring your dog to the vet immediately.
2) Coat Care
No matter what color and texture may turn out on your Cockapoo dog, you will need a professional groomer to come in every 4-6 weeks to keep hair from getting too long and matted. Between grooming sessions, brush the coats.
3) Ear Care
Cockapoos have droopy ears, which have to be cleaned frequently because water and debris get trapped in them. Look into your Cockapoo’s ears weekly or even after daily bathing swimming or any exposure to direct water.
4) Eye Care
As Cockapoos are prone to a few eye-related disorders, their owners have to look out for their eyes regularly. Check if there is watery discharge, swelling, bulging of eyeballs, redness, or cloudiness.
5) Teeth Care
Pet owners should brush the Cockapoo dog’s teeth every day so tartar does not form in their mouths and slow the advancement of dental disease.
(C)- Training
Cockapoos are good for first-time pet owners. Their blend of intelligence and desire to please makes them simple to train using positive reinforcement that may be achieved using teeny rewards, playtime, and effusive praise.
Like all other dogs, Cockapoo puppies need socialization early in the process so that they can be exposed to a wide range of people, places, animals, and situations. Enroll your pup in obedience classes as soon as possible and introduce them to as many new things as possible. Cockapoos love to learn, and you may even want to add trick training and advanced obedience classes as they mature.
Nutritional Requirements For Cockapoo Dog
- This can comprise a combination of chicken, beef, turkey, fish, or even lamb as the high-quality protein source, and it must make up about 22-28% of cockapoo daily calories.
- They also maintain a healthy and bright coat on a Cockapoo. An appropriate diet for a Cockapoo would contain around 14-18% fat, which should include sources like fish oil and flaxseed.
- While not necessary, carbohydrates provide a dog with good fast energy and fiber. Fiber is very beneficial for general digestive health. Good healthy carbohydrate sources for Cockapoos include sweet potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal, and vegetables.
- A well-balanced diet must provide all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a Cockapoo. Such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Calcium, and Phosphorus.
- But arguably the most essential nutrient for any living creature, including Cockapoos, is water. It regulates the body temperature, aids in digestion, and facilitates flushing out of toxins in the body. Make sure your Cockapoo dog always has clean, fresh water available.
Fun Facts!
- Cockapoos are people-oriented, thrive on attention, and are surrounded by their family. They are extremely adaptable, and love meeting new people, young or old.
- No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but Cockapoos shed very little dander and hair, making them the perfect pet for allergy sufferers.
- They are very intelligent and easy to train. Further, they inherit the poodle’s quick wit and tend to be little tricksters.
- These cheerful animals can’t keep you sad for long! The Cockapoo is probably the best-known creature for its loving personality, so be prepared for its energy to ooze over onto you. Give them a little attention and love and they’ll love you forever.
Where & How to Buy Cockapoo Dogs?
You should have no trouble selecting a cockapoo to take home because they are very popular puppies. You must go through different local animal shelters and online databases, at pawNpets you can get all types of help to adopt your beloved pet.
In 1999, the Cockapoo Club of America was established to officially establish this breed as a purebred with a breed standard. The organization promotes breeding generations of cockapoos rather than the original cocker-poodle combination for the sake of determining a more predictable appearance and temperament. Today, there are multiple clubs dedicated to furthering the cause of cockapoos as their breed.
Cockapoo dogs are the ideal choice if you’re looking for a pet that will be both your best friend and a family pet. Get your cherished pet right now !
Note: The average price of a Cockapoo DOG in INDIA is: 50,000 to 1.2 lakh rupees
