The Ultimutt Cockapoo Handbook

Believed to have originated in 1960’s America, these pooches were bred to harness the best traits of both Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. They come in several sizes, primarily because Poodles come in several sizes (Toy, Miniature, Standard). Whilst these pups weren’t developed by traditional breed standards, under specific conditions recognised by major kennel clubs, breeders have sought to maintain consistency in temperament and physical traits by following careful breeding practices. They have enduring modern appeal as a designer breed. Their sweet nature and adaptability make them wonderful family dogs - plus their low-shedding coat makes them an ever-popular choice amongst allergy sufferers.

Countless quirks make up the Cockapoo breed, largely in part due to their mixed heritage. Often Cockapoos are referred to as ‘Velcro Dogs’, as they love to be near their owners. They have high levels of energy and love to play, whether that’s fetching a stick or simply running after their owners (they love to be involved in everything!). This strong attachment can lead to separation anxiety if they’re alone for longer periods. 

Whilst their curly or wavy coat has low-shedding properties, it does still require regular grooming - they can easily get mats in their fur, and hair can grow over their eyes. Alongside that, Cockapoos love to engage other traits seen in some other breeds - namely ‘zoomies’, when they get a sudden burst of energy, as well as tilting their head when they’re trying to understand something new.

Like many breeds, Cockapoos are prone to some health conditions. These are rare but it’s good to look out for them. These are often inherited from their parent breeds (the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle). A genetic condition called Hip Dysplasia, whereby the joint doesn’t fit properly into the hip socket, can cause discomfort and ultimately arthritis over time. The symptoms of this are limping, or difficulty getting up or down. The best way to alleviate this risk is to maintain a healthy weight in your Cockapoo (and in severe cases, surgery).

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative eye disorder inherited from both parent breeds that causes blindness. Whilst it progresses slowly and is unlikely, there is no cure. Look out for your Cockapoo bumping into any objects and diagnose early, as this can slow progression.

Cockapoos are very energetic dogs; providing them with adequate exercise is essential for their physical and mental well-being. As a mixture of two intelligent and active parent breeds Cockapoos need plenty of stimulation. They typically need 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise daily - though this will vary depending on their age, size and general energy level. 

The general rule of thumb for young Cockapoos is an additional 5 minutes of daily exercise per month of age, twice a day (i.e. a four month old Cockapoo should exercise for around 20 minutes a day, twice a day). Cockapoos will benefit most from at least two walks a day to burn off energy and prevent restlessness. Indoor or outdoor games like fetch or tug-of-war provide great outlets for energy. 

There’s a high chance your Cockapoo will love swimming, particularly after their parent (the Poodles) affection for it. As Cockapoos are intelligent, they love learning new tricks or commands. Short training sessions (10-15 mins) combined with positive reinforcement will help engaged their minds whilst giving them a workout.

Due to their Poodle heritage, Cockapoos have curly, hypoallergenic hair, combined with a straighter coat from the Cocker Spaniel side. To keep the coat tangle-free, brush your Cockapoo 3-4 times per week to prevent matting. Their fur is prone to knots. A slicker brush or metal comb will work best, and a detangling spray or a dematting tool can help for tougher matting. Pay special attention to the chest, behind the ears and under the legs as these areas are more prone to matting. 

With regards to haircuts, every 6-8 weeks is advisable (depending on how fast your pups hair grows and how long you want their fur to be). A professional groomer is advisable if you’re not familiar with cutting furry coats. Keep in mind that a shorter coat is ideal for warmer weather. If and when you bathe your Cockapoo, don’t do it any more regularly than 4-6 weeks. Ensure mild, dog-specific shampoo is used to avoid drying out their coat or skin. Finally, with floppy ears, Cockapoos can be susceptible to ear infections, so regular cleaning of their ears (with a dog-specific ear cleaner) can remove trapped moisture that may otherwise lead to infections.

As with all dogs, a balanced and nutritious diet is key to health, energy and longevity. A high-quality dog food is essential, and ingredients to look out for include animal protein (meat, poultry or fish), healthy fats (such as fish oil or flaxseed), carbohydrates from wholesome sources (sweet potatoes, quinoa etc.) and any fruit or vegetables on top of that. Cockapoos can digest grains, but if your dog shows signs of grain sensitivity then you can choose a grain-free option. 

When you’re feeding your Cockapoo puppy, 3-4 times per day is advisable. Frequent meals will help support their rapid growth. Adults should be fed twice a day, with meals evenly spaced. Into their senior years, older Cockapoos may require smaller, more frequent meals to help with digestion. Cockapoos can be prone to obesity, especially if they aren’t exercised enough. Ensure proper portion control - small Cockapoos (under 10kg) need around 300-400 calories per day, and medium Cockapoos (10-15kg) need around 500-700 calories per day. If in doubt, use our Tuggs dog weight calculator via our website to check the specifics for your pup.