Cockapoo
The Cockapoo crosses a Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle and is the oldest of the deliberate poodle crosses, dating to the 1950s in the United States — decades before the doodle boom.
It is a crossbreed rather than a breed, though some American registries have attempted to standardise it.
It typically stands 25 to 38 centimetres and weighs 5 to 11 kilograms, living twelve to fifteen years. Coats vary from tight curls to loose waves, and only the curlier ones shed little. Temperament is generally cheerful, sociable and biddable — both parent breeds are people-oriented working dogs — and the cross has a deserved reputation as a good family dog when properly bred.
- Origin
- United States, 1950s; the oldest deliberate Poodle cross
- Size
- 25–38 cm; 5–11 kg, variable
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Tight curls to loose waves; shedding varies
- Temperament
- Cheerful, sociable and biddable
- Health
- Ear infections, PRA, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia
Related: Cocker spaniel · Poodle
3 cockapoo photos, newest first
Living with a cockapoo
The coat is the underestimated cost. A curly cockapoo needs professional grooming every six to eight weeks and brushing to the skin several times a week; neglected doodle coats mat solid and have to be shaved off under sedation.
Ears are pendulous and hairy from the Cocker side and infect readily. Clean weekly and keep the hair trimmed inside.
Ask about PRA testing on both parents, plus hip scores and patella checks.
No puppy can be promised hypoallergenic — coat type varies within a litter, and allergens come from dander and saliva as well as hair.
They are sociable and need company, exercise and mental work; both parents are working breeds.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
Worth reading alongside this
More dogs by breed
Every dog breed somebody has posted a photo of.
- Labrador retriever18
- Afghan hound3
- Airedale terrier3
- Akita3
- Alaskan Klee Kai3
- Alaskan malamute3
- American bulldog3
- American eskimo dog3
- American hairless terrier3
- American pit bull terrier3
- Aussiedoodle3
- Australian cattle dog3
- Australian shepherd3
- Basenji3
- Basset hound3
- Beagle3
- Belgian Malinois3
- Bergamasco sheepdog3
- Bernedoodle3
- Bernese mountain dog3
- Bichon frise3
- Biewer terrier3
- Black and tan coonhound3
- Bloodhound3