An adorable dog with the personality of a big clown, the Cockapoo is one of the first crossbreeds he is not a "pure" dog breed, and the Cockapoo dates back to the 1960s so there is solid long history around the Cockapoo, unlike the mass of crossbreeds now appearing over the last year or so.

The Cockapoo is completely people-oriented, they are intelligent and very easy to train, very loving and forgive quickly and are so affectionate that you'll never feel alone. You might even have to shut the bathroom door for a minute of privacy as they do follow you around everywhere. They are happy running around showing off their tricks to everyone, cuddling up on the sofa, or as a therapy dog, or just hanging out with his family. They become a lovely family dog.

The last time we read some statistics, the Cockapoo was one of Britain’s most popular family dogs, and when you own one, you will soon see why.

The Cockapoo is a hybrid dog, the offspring of the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel known as the Cockapoo, he's an utterly adorable little dog with a face that could melt a heart of stone.

They are affectionate and accepts everyone, from the elderly to children and all other pets, from cats, to house rabbits! He's also of an easy size, being small enough to cuddle and big enough to romp with bigger dogs.

Cockapoos have an infectious zest for life that spreads to everyone around them, that essential joie de vivre that makes every day a celebration.

So why the Cockapoo instead of a Cocker Spaniel or a Poodle? 

It's that, in some ways, the Cockapoo represents two ideals: first, what the Cocker Spaniel is, a sweet and stable temperament and second, the Poodle's full of personality non-moulting coat. Furthermore, Cockapoos don't require the level of grooming that Poodles do.

When the cross works as intended, you get the intelligence and spirit of the Poodle with the sturdiness and spirit of the Cocker.

The true Cockapoo is bred with the goal of a healthy, hypoallergenic dog with a good temperament.

Average Lifespan – 12-16 years

• The Cockapoo is not known to be a barker. Some, however, will bark when they see someone approaching their house, or when they're left alone for long periods of time.

• The Cockapoo should be a low-shedding dog with low or no doggy odour to the skin and coat. He will require his hair trimming when he reaches about 6 months old. Cockapoos are usually good for people with allergies since they produce low amounts of dander and hair.

• Cockapoos were developed to be a companion dog and are usually friendly and extraordinarily happy. They can do well with other dogs, pets & children.

• The Cockapoo is so intelligent that he's easy to train with positive reinforcement.

• Cockapoos have a moderate energy level but still need daily exercise. Expect to give him at least 15 minutes per day and offer a variety of activities, such as games of fetch, walks, and good runs.

• Cross breeds also called hybrids, aren't true breeds — they're crosses of two specific breeds. If you're interested in buying a Cockapoo puppy, understand that his looks, size, and temperament aren't as predictable as those of purebreds, since you don't know which characteristics from each breed will show up in any given dog. This is why you should go to a breeder with a history so you can see the look and coat type that is typical to their lines of breeding.

History

Once the Cockapoo became better known, it grew in popularity. There are Cockapoo clubs, but they're unaffiliated because of their differing philosophies. This leads to conflicting advice, and by the time you have done your research you are left utterly confused.

Breeding philosophies aside, the Cockapoo's popularity hasn't just held steady — it has increased over the decades. With the help of responsible breeders and national organisations and clubs, the Cockapoo, in one form or another, could be on its way to becoming much more than a crossbreed, known now as one of Britains most popular family dogs. 

Size

The Cockapoo is bred commonly in three different sizes.

• The Toy Cockapoo can reach 10" in height. These are bred from the toy poodle. This size is like a Shitzu size dog.

• The Mid Size Cockapoo ranges between 12 and 15" to the shoulder. This is bred from the Miniature Poodle. This size is typically cocker spaniel size and below the knee.

• The Standard Cockapoo is at least 18" & over in height, this is a breed from a standard poodle. This size is like a labrador/golden retriever size or taller.

We only breed the mid-size Cockapoo, from the miniature poodle and the English Show Cocker spaniel, F1 Cockapoos. Our English show cockers have the most lovely settled nature and we prefer the Cockapoo that comes from this mix, we don’t breed from the working cocker, it is just our preference, we find the show cocker nature is perfect for families, the working cocker still gives a super Cockapoo, but one who needs much more exercise and constant work to keep it stimulated.

Personality

Intelligent and easy to please, the Cockapoo was established as a true companion dog, friendly and happy, happy, happy. They have an outgoing nature and usually gets along with everyone.

They have the high intelligence of the Poodle but also the sweet disposition of his Cocker Spaniel. Please understand, if the parents don't have the loving quality that is expected in a Cockapoo, then their offspring won't either.

Like every dog, the Cockapoo needs early socialization, exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Cockapoo puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

They prefer to be with their family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a Cockapoo, they can achieve exceptionally high levels of obedience with time and patience.

Care

Most Cockapoos have a moderate level of energy, but that doesn't mean they'll laze around all day. They enjoy a good walk — and need it to keep them from becoming overweight. The best type of exercise, though, is a good play session in the back garden.

The Cockapoo is an adaptable breed. They can live in an apartment, though the smaller varieties seem to do better there than do Standard Cockapoos. None of them should live outdoors or in kennels, since they've been bred to be companion dogs. They thrive when with their family and can suffer from separation anxiety when left for long periods of time

Cockapoos are people dogs, and they aren't meant to spend their lives locked up in a crate or kennel. You will have a very sad dog on your hands and a companion breed is not for you.