What do you get when crossing a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle? You get a Cockapoo! It’s one of the most popular hybrid dog breeds because of the playful personality it inherits from the Cocker Spaniel, along with the energy and hypoallergenic coat from the Poodle.
Before you get one for the family, look at what to expect from this hybrid dog breed.
Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix Breeds History
The Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix has two well-known parent breeds: The Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. That’s why the mixed breed is just as popular!
It isn’t clear when the Cockapoo was first bred, but it wasn’t recognized by major kennels until the 1960s. Because they’re not purebred dogs, major kennel clubs don’t recognize them as official breeds.
However, there is an American Cockapoo Club, which started when the hybrid dog came to be. So, there is a breed standard breeders must follow for the ACC to recognize the Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix puppy.
I have tackled the Poodle History in another blog post, with the breed originating in Germany to work as waterfowl retrievers and truffle sniffers.
Is’s been said the Cocker spaniel was brought to the United States by the Mayflower in the 1620s. It has become popular since the 1930s to 1940. As the name suggests, these dogs were bred for their ability to hunt and flush out prey from the undergrowth.
Attributes of the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel Mix Breed
Cockapoos have a distinct look because of their teddy-bear appearance.
The Cockapoo is a small to medium-sized dog, though the Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix’s size largely depends on the parent breeds. Cockapoos may grow bigger if they come from a Standard Poodle or smaller if they have. Toy or Miniature Poodle as their parent. On average, the Cockapoo stands between 10-15 inches tall, weighing 12-24 pounds.
A cockapoo has a well-proportioned body with an athletic and strong frame. It also has a round head with brown eye and a black muzzle. Its ears tend to hang down making the Cockapoo/Poodle mix even cuter!
As for their coat, the Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix can inherit three types. Depending on his genes, he may take on a tight, curly coat like the Poodle or a flat coat like the Cocker Spaniel. You might even get a Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix with a mix of both having a medium curl.
Regardless of the breed, most dogs shed their coats multiple times throughout the year. Therefore, cockapoos are closer to being hypoallergenic than other dogs.
As for their coat colors, the Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix can come in solid, part, tri-color, or phantom patterns. The range of colors include:
- Black
- Red
- Tan
- Brown
- Apricot
- Chocolate
- Merle
- Sable
Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix Temperament
Cockapoos are energetic dogs with high activity levels. They love spending their time outside exercising. Because of that, Cockapoos make excellent additions to an active family who love to run or hike.
The Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix also takes on the Poodle’s love for swimming and mental stimulation, so you should spend time swimming and playing games with their favorite toys. The parent breeds’ intelligence and energy are eager to please and easy to train, making them fun agility and flyball partners.
But because the Cockapoo inherits the hunting genes both his parents have, you’ll have to be careful when outdoors. That’s why socialization and obedience training early on will fix any aggressive behavior.
Families won’t need to worry about overaggressive behavior with a socialized and trained Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix. This dog has a loving and friendly personality, happy to curl up next to his loved ones after his daily exercise. They love attention and people, especially loving children and sometimes strangers!
That said, Cockapoos are very vigilant and observant, so they tend to bark when they suspect something’s off. Cockapoos might also bark when bored, which is why you should give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. You should also avoid being away for long periods, as the Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix, like Poodles, can suffer from separation anxiety. When you leave your dog for too long, it can result in destructive behaviors.
Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix Health Issues
Cockapoos have a long lifespan, and with proper care, they can live for 14-18 years!
Because they are a mixed breed, Cockapoos are less susceptible to their parent breeds’ health problems. However, you can’t dismiss the fact that there’s a chance a Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix can get sick!
These are the conditions to watch out for:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy – Also known as hereditary cataracts, this condition affects the retina of the eye, causing blindness. It’s caused by a mutation in the RPE65 gene, which is carried by the Poodle Cocker spaniel mix. If this happens, the vision loss could occur gradually or suddenly.
- Degenerative Myelopathy -A progressive disease of the spinal cord that can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in your dog’s legs. It’s also called degeneration or aging of the spine. The condition usually starts with back pain but it can be caused by other problems as well.
- Patellar Luxation – A condition where the kneecap slips out of place. It’s most common in puppies and young dogs, and it’s often associated with hip dysplasia. Patellar luxation can cause lameness, pain, and stiffness. Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is a condition where the ball joint at the end of the thigh bone doesn’t fit properly into the socket of the hipbone.
- Ear Infections – The most common cause of ear infections is the presence of bacteria in the external auditory canal. The EAC is a narrow, tubular extension of the external ear canal that contains hair and mucous membrane. It extends from the tympanic membrane to the eardrum and functions as an air-conditioning system for the middle ear.
You must monitor your dog and take him to his vet for regular checkups to catch any health concerns to treat it early. It’s also possible to vaccinate your dog from common poodle health issues and conduct a health screening to know what conditions he’s susceptible to learn how you can prevent it from occurring.
Besides regular vet checkups, do talk with your Cockapoo’s doctor regarding his food intake. The vet can recommend the correct type of dog food your Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix should eat based on his size, age, and specific diet requirements.
Usually, an adult Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix will require 600 calories a day, approximately two cups of dry food. Make sure you choose nutritious dog food made of high-quality ingredients without any fillers or artificial ingredients.
How to Care for a Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix
As mentioned, Cockapoos have such high energy levels, so they have higher exercise needs than other Poodle mixed breeds. You will need to exercise your Poodle Cocker Spaniel mix for at least 90 minutes per day.
That sounds like a lot of time, but you can break that into multiple exercises within the day. Some owners exercise their Cockapoos for 30 minutes, thrice a day, whether it’s a walk outdoors or playing fetch indoors.
Besides daily exercise, training sessions are a must. They require mental stimulation and training can achieve that, or they get bored and frustrated, taking it out on your couch.
Start with obedience training and housetraining with positive reinforcement as your primary training method. Reward-based training is also good to follow, providing a lot of treats and verbal praise after a successful training session. You must give your dog proper training and socialization at an early age are necessary to prevent your Cockapoo from feeling anxious or misbehaving.
With their exercise and training needs, experienced dog owners and active families will love Cockapoos.
As for the Cockapoo’s grooming needs, they have high requirements, just like their training and exercising. Because Cockapoos have thick coats, they require daily brushing and frequent grooming.
If you can’t brush their coat daily, it’s best to keep their coat clipped short through regular trips to a professional groomer. A Teddy Bear cut works best for this dog for better maintenance and a cute appearance.
Besides frequent grooming, they need baths every 4-6 weeks, along with weekly ear and eye cleaning. Cockapoos will also need their teeth brushed, and nails clipped a few times a week. Doing all these will prevent any skin or dental conditions and infections detrimental to their health.
Given their regular grooming, first-time dog owners will need to learn more about caring for a Cockapoo. Improper grooming can lead to mats, tangling, and even sicknesses!
Is the Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix an Excellent Family Pet?
The Cocker Spaniel Mix is perfect for families who have time to exercise and train their dogs. The Cockapoo is also suited for experienced dog owners with large yards for them to run around!
That said, huge yards aren’t an absolute necessity, as long as you can take your dog out for daily walks to the park and play indoor games. While first-time dog owners may have a difficult time raising a Cockapoo, it’s still possible through learning all about the Cockapoo’s needs, how to train and groom them, and by giving your dog as much time and love you can provide.
Provided that you can free your schedule to accommodate your Cockapoo and that you’re willing to learn how to raise one, then you have an excellent family pet with plenty of energy and love to give.
How Much is Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mixes?
If you believe that the Cockapoo is for you, you can purchase one from a reputable breeder. However, Cockapoos is a designer breed, so expect a high price. That is because Cockapoos are difficult to breed and are high in demand. The average price of a Cockapoo ranges between $800 to $2,000! Though it’s pricey, it’s worth purchasing from a responsible breeder than from a backyard breeder at a lower price. You should ask for proof of health clearances and certifications from the parent breeds.
If ever the Cockapoo is too expensive, then you can contact your local shelter or rescue organization. There might be a Cockapoo out there waiting to enter his forever home. Note that there will be an interview and screening process, along with a minimal adoption fee.