Two Cockapoos running

Cockapoo Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Take the intelligence of a Poodle and the spark of a Cocker Spaniel and what do you get? Meet the Cockapoo: probably the most successful hybrid in history.

With that gorgeously curly coat, this guy definitely knows how to make a first impression; but be prepared for regular appointments with the groomer! Cockapoo’s love meeting new people, learning new tricks and spreading happiness wherever they go. So if you’ve got space for a smart, friendly and energetic character new family member, the Cockapoo could be just the pooch to fill it...

Cockapoo Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Crossbreed
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Lifespan
13 - 18 years
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Size
Medium
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Weight
5 - 15 kg
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Height
25 - 38 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Energetic, loving, intelligent
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Exercise
40 - 60 mins per day
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Grooming
High maintenance

Is a Cockapoo Right for Me?

Cockapoos are “people dogs”; they thrive on companionship - but can get agitated and restless if they don’t get it. So if you’ve got the time to devote to your buddy, this could be the breed for you. On the other hand, if your Cockapoo’s going to be left alone for long periods, prepare for some serious crate training to help your buddy get over their separation anxiety.

Cockapoos love any excuse for a play, so they tend to get along nicely with kids. If fun and games and long rambling walks are your thing, you and a Cockapoo could be a great match.

Cockapoo puppy in a field

What Are Cockapoo Puppies Like?

Cockapoo puppies are lively and playful. They can be destructive if they get bored so make sure your puppy always has toys to keep them entertained. They’re affectionate and quickly become attached to their owners. This can lead to separation anxiety when they are left alone, which will result in howling or destructive behaviour. This breed is best suited to an active household.

They’re outgoing and enjoy socialising with other dogs or people. Their intelligence makes them a pleasure to train, which is also a great way to keep them entertained and to burn off some energy.
 

Cockapoo sitting patiently like a good dog

Life with a Cockapoo

While a Cockapoo is more than content to sit back and chill with you, he’ll get cabin fever if there isn’t enough mental and physical stimulus. With this in mind, agility could be a good idea: it’s a great way of keeping your buddy in shape, it keeps their mind active - and it means quality time together.

On the whole, these are not easily agitated or noisy dogs. The big exception can be where a Cockapoo has been left alone for long periods - which can cause excessive barking and destructive behaviour. Rather than leaving your buddy alone all day out of the blue, one of the best ways to deal with this involves gradually increasing the amount of time you’re away from the home. This should help your Cockapoo understand that heading off to the office doesn’t mean going away forever.

Caring for Your Cockapoo

Although these guys don’t tend to be greedy eaters, to ensure your buddy stays strong and trim you should weigh out their food using the feeding guidelines on the food packaging. Feed your dog two times a day, or 3-4 if they are a puppy. This will keep their hunger satisfied and prevent any tummy upset.

It is common for Cockapoos to be fussy eaters and to turn their nose up at food. In most cases, persistence pays off – feed them at the same time every day and only keep their food down for a limited time. Don’t let them graze all day as this encourages fussy eating habits.

If your Cockapoo has inherited wavy Cocker Spaniel hair, it will need to be brushed two to three times a week. Tight-curled Poodle hair is especially prone to dirt build-up and matting, so a daily brush is needed. While brushing, check inside your dog’s ears for dirt build-up and clean as necessary. Redness is a sign of infection and should be reported to the vet.

Unless your buddy has been exploring in the mud, a bath every four to six weeks is enough; more than this risks stripping away the natural oils that keeps the skin moisturised. Professional grooming, trimming and clipping three or four times a year makes regular grooming much easier.

If you want a dog that’s easy to train, you need that dream combo of intelligence and an eagerness to please. Good news: with Cockapoos, both of these traits are in plentiful supply.

On the house-training front, these guys tend to grasp what’s expected of them quickly. Furniture chewing can be an issue with youngsters, but again, throw some chew toys into the mix and make it clear that the sofa is out of bounds, and your buddy should soon get it.

Exercise is the other part of this. Around 40 to 60 minutes each day should do - and try to split it into two or more sessions if possible. Quality of exercise is important, too. So where possible, allow some off the lead time, a game of fetch and some time to explore. Remember; it’s all about giving mind and body a satisfying workout.

Cockapoo Insurance

Smart, friendly and the energy that needs 40-60 minutes of exercise a day, Cockapoos need some keeping up with. Well while you look after their wellbeing, Everypaw can cover Cockapoo insurance for you. Our Lifetime Dog Insurance has a range of cover levels to choose from (the top two are Defaqto 5 Star rated), and all come with a range of additional benefits like 24/7 access to vets and vet nurses with Petcall.

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Common Cockapoo Health Problems by Vetstream

Cockapoos have less chance of developing health issues commonly seen in Poodles and Cocker Spaniels because the combination of genes can make for a hardier breed. Vet experts Vetstream have pulled together the following common conditions that may affect Cockapoos.

Hereditary cataracts are passed on from the parent dogs to their puppies. It can be present from birth or develop later on. Cataracts are a disease that affects the lens of the eye, turning it opaque or white. This blocks the light from entering the eye and reaching the retina and affects the vision. Severe cases can lead to blindness.

A specialist can surgically remove the lens and break up the cataract to treat the condition. Prognosis is good following regular check-ups and post-surgery care, which involves daily eye drops.

Retinal Dysplasia is when there is abnormal development and growth of the retina. This causes retinal folds, rosettes and sometimes retinal detachment. It is mostly an inherited condition that affects dogs from birth. In severe cases, retinal detachment occurs in the first 6 months.

There is no treatment for this condition, but most dogs adapt well to any vision loss.

Hip Dysplasia is a common joint disease where the ball-and-socket joint doesn’t fit together properly. This causes the surfaces of the joint to rub together resulting in damage. Most affected dogs won’t show signs until they develop arthritis in middle-older age. Severe cases will show hind leg weakness and lameness when young.

It is caused by a genetic tendency, but the severity can be affected by diet, growth rate and exercise. An overweight dog is more likely to suffer due to the added pressure on their joints.

In severe cases, surgery is required to either remove the rough joint surfaces or hip replacement surgery. Anti-inflammatory drugs will be required for when the dog develops arthritis in later life.

Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy or GPRA is a group of inherited eye disease that leads to progressive blindness over months or years. It is most commonly seen in Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, but any dog breed can be affected.

Early signs of the condition include nervousness in low lighting, reduced vision, increased eye shine or dilated pupils. It typically affects middle-aged dogs (3-8 years old) but has also developed in later life.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment, and the affected dog will eventually go blind. But dogs adapt well to vision loss and with help from their owner can lead a happy life.

Quick Cockapoo Q&A

Cockapoos have a life expectancy of 13-18 years with the right diet, exercise and regular health checks. Even dogs with health conditions can meet this life span if the condition is treated/managed from an early stage.

Cockapoos are minimal shedders thanks to their Poodle parent, but their fur is prone to matting so will need brushing 2-3 times a week. Keeping their coat short with regular trims will also help prevent matting.

The size of a Cockapoo varies depending on their parents - most are 25-38 cm and 5-15 kg. Miniature and toy Poodles bred with a Cocker Spaniel will produce smaller Cockapoos.

No dog is fully hypoallergenic, but Cockapoos are less likely to affect allergy sufferers due to their minimal shedding habits. Saliva and dander are the main allergy triggers, so if you suffer from allergies, it is best to spend time with a Cockapoo before bringing one home.

That’s All You Need to Know About Cockapoos

Cockapoos thrive on companionship, and the more that’s going on the better! With their boundless energy they’re suited to an active family life. They definitely don’t like being left home alone for very long. They’re intelligent and easy to train so puppy training should be a breeze. They can suffer from a couple of inherited health problems that you need to be aware of, but treatment is usually possible if they’re caught at an early stage.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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