DesignerUSA

Cockapoo

The original designer dog, since the 1960s.

Weight: 12–25 lbs
Height: 10–15 in
Lifespan: 12–15 yrs

In short

The Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, first bred in the United States in the mid-1900s as a companion dog. Adults typically weigh 12–25 lbs and live 12–15 years. They are cheerful, people-focused dogs, and their soft, low-shedding coat needs regular brushing and grooming to avoid mats.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a friendly, small family dog
are home much of the day
want a lower-shedding coat and will keep up grooming

Think twice if you…

work long hours away from home
can't budget for grooming every 6–8 weeks
want a dog that's happy without much attention

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 40–70 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10

EnergyActive7.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Soft, wavy coat
Low-shedding in many dogs, but it mats quickly, especially behind the ears and in the armpits.
02
Long, drop ears
Inherited from the Cocker; they trap moisture, so ear infections are common without weekly cleaning.
03
Size set by the Poodle parent
Toy or Miniature Poodle parents produce different adult sizes, so ask about both parents.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	15–25 lbs	12–22 lbs
Height	11–15 in	10–14 in
Lifespan	12–15 yrs
Coat	Soft, wavy to curly coat

Side profile 10–15 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Cockapoos are friendly, playful and want to be with you all the time. They adapt to city or country life as long as they have company. Many are sensitive and do best with gentle handling.

With kids

Usually great with kids who are gentle; small Cockapoos can be hurt by rough play.

With other pets

Generally friendly with other dogs and cats.

With strangers

Most are outgoing and welcoming; some are shy without socialization.

Alone time

Many struggle when left alone for long periods; teach alone time gradually.

Training

Cockapoos are eager to please and quick to learn. They respond best to praise, play and food, and shut down with harsh handling.

How often

2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

From 8–16 weeks, focus on handling, grooming tools, the sound of clippers and calm time alone. A puppy that accepts grooming early is much easier to keep mat-free.
Self-control

Teach a polite greeting (sit to say hello) to stop jumping, and a short settle in a crate or pen to build comfort with alone time.
What it works for

Food, toys and praise all work. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver for training, kept within 10% of daily calories, since small dogs put on weight fast.

Exercise

Cockapoos enjoy walks, fetch and sniffing outings. They have more energy than their size suggests, inherited from spaniel and Poodle working roots.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Brisk walks and sniff walks
Fetch in the yard or park
Short hikes

Brain work

Food puzzles
Hide-and-seek
Trick training

Best home

Apartment-friendly with daily walks; happiest with someone home much of the day.

Watch for Dry ears after swimming or baths, as wet, floppy ears invite infections.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Cockapoo (12–25 lbs) lands around 400–700 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 500–875 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 50–90 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–4 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 400–700 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 40–70 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–4 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 550–950 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 55–95 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–5 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 350–600 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 35–60 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	500–875 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	50–90 kcal	3–4 pieces
Adult Maintenance	400–700 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	40–70 kcal	2–4 pieces
Active / Working	550–950 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	55–95 kcal	3–5 pieces
Senior	350–600 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	35–60 kcal	2–3 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Cockapoos can inherit eye disease, kneecap and hip problems, and ear infections from both parents. Choose a breeder who health-tests both parents and keep ears clean and dry.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Progressive retinal atrophy	PRA-prcd DNA test	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Luxating kneecaps	OFA patella evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)

Health tests to ask for

The Cockapoo has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.

Cocker Spaniel parent

Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Hip evaluation

Full Cocker Spaniel list on OFA.org

Poodle (Miniature) parent

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Kneecap (patella) check
Hip evaluation

Full Poodle list on OFA.org

Poodle (Toy) parent

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Kneecap (patella) check

Full Poodle list on OFA.org

Grooming Low to moderate, varies by coat; mats without regular brushing

Brush to the skin 3–4 times a week, focusing on the ears, armpits and legs. Professional groom every 6–8 weeks. Clean ears weekly, trim nails monthly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1800s–1900s

The parent breeds

The Cocker Spaniel was bred as a flushing gun dog; the Poodle was a European water retriever later miniaturized.
1950s–1960s

An early designer cross

Cocker Spaniel and Poodle crosses became popular in the US in the mid-1900s, well before the modern doodle trend.
Today

A popular companion

Cockapoos are not recognized by major kennel clubs, so there is no breed standard and quality varies between breeders.

Questions owners ask

Are Cockapoos easy to train?

Yes. They are eager to please and food-motivated, so they pick up basics quickly. Keep training positive, since many are sensitive.

Are Cockapoos good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They are friendly and social with kids, dogs and cats. Supervise young children with smaller Cockapoos, which can be hurt by rough play.

How much exercise does a Cockapoo need?

About 60–90 minutes a day, including walks, play and some brain games. They have more energy than many expect.

Do Cockapoos shed?

Usually lightly, but it varies by coat, and no dog is truly allergen-free. Expect brushing several times a week and a professional groom every 6–8 weeks.

What health problems do Cockapoos have, and how long do they live?

Cockapoos commonly live 12–15 years. Watch for eye disease, kneecap problems and ear infections. Ask for health tests on both parents.

Is a Cockapoo good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes. They are a good size for apartments and easy to train. The two big commitments are regular grooming and not leaving them alone for long days.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Cockapoo needs only 2–4 pieces a day, well inside the 40–70 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Cockapoo ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.