Dog
Group:
Sporting 
Pronunciation:
(kok-a-poo)
Breed Description:
The Cockapoo breed of dog is not a recognized breed of dog. Instead it is a cross of one of the varieties of Poodle (Toy, Miniature or Standard) and an American Cocker Spaniel. This makes it a hybrid dog or a designer dog. The difference between a designer dog and what people commonly refer to as mutts or mixed breeds is the fact that designer dogs are usually bred intentionally. The parents are purebred dogs, often registered. They may even have been health-tested. The ancestry of the designer dog is known, unlike with most mutts and mixed breed dogs. The breeder is trying to produce a certain kind of dog for some reason.
The Cockapoo breed of dog may combine traits of its Poodle and Cocker Spaniel parents or it may resemble one parent more than another. It’s also possible for a breeder to breed two dogs that are Cockapoos together. This means that the dogs are the result of previous breedings of Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. However, the puppies may still resemble either Poodles or Cocker Spaniels.
If you are interested in a Cockapoo breed of dog then you should gather information about both the Poodle and the American Cocker Spaniel. There’s no way to tell exactly how the puppies will turn out or to what degree they will resemble which parent.
In the case of the Cockapoo breed of dog, these dogs have been bred in the United States and elsewhere for at least the last 50 years. Some breeders continue to breed first generation Poodle-Cocker Spaniel crosses while other breeders are trying to create a Cockapoo breed by breeding Cockapoos together. As yet Cockapoos do not breed true. That is, when you breed two Cockapoos together they can still produce puppies that resemble either Poodles or Cocker Spaniels instead of Cockapoos.
When it comes to the appearance of the Cockapoo breed of dog they may have a curly coat like the Poodle or a wavy coat between the Poodle and the Cocker, or they can have a coat that is almost straight, similar to the Cocker Spaniel. They are generally considered to be a low-shedding dog because of the Poodle influence but it can vary from dog to dog. They have long ears. The size of the Cockapoo can also vary depending on the size of the Poodle used in the cross. They can range from near-Toy size all the way up to the size of a large dog, like the Standard Poodle. Virtually all colors are seen owing to the Poodle colors in the cross.
Temperament:
The Cockapoo breed of dog is usually friendly, intelligent, easy to train and devoted to their family. They are good with other pets and with children. They need good socialization like all dogs but they usually make very good family dogs. This is one of the first “designer dogs” and one of the most successful.
Height:
The height of the Cockapoo breed of dog will depend on the variety of Poodle used in the cross. Typically the Cockapoo will stand up to 15 inches tall at the shoulder.
Weight:
The weight of the Cockapoo breed of dog will depend on the variety of Poodle used in the cross. Typically the Cockapoo will weigh up to 30 pounds.
Exercise:
The Cockapoo breed of dog is usually quite an active dog and needs regular daily exercise in order to maintain good health and to avoid developing behavior problems. A small fenced yard or a long daily walk are necessities. These are usually very intelligent dogs and they need toys and activities to keep them busy or they can become destructive.
Life Expectancy:
The Cockapoo breed of dog has a lifespan up to about 17 years.
Grooming:
The grooming requirements for the Cockapoo breed of dog will depend on the individual dog’s coat. Many owners choose to keep their Cockapoo in a Poodle pet trim and they will need to have the dog clippered every four to six weeks. If the dog has wavy or straight hair you will need to brush the coat regularly to keep it from matting. Clean the ears regularly to prevent ear infections.
Origin:
United States, Australia, Great Britain, Switzerland. The Cockpoo breed of dog became very popular in the 1950s and breeders have been breeding them ever since both in first generation crosses and by breeding Cockapoos together to try to create a new breed. So far Cockapoos are not breeding true but there are still ongoing efforts to create a Cockapoo breed.
Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
