By Mambo Dogs teamEditorial review pendingSuggest a correction

Crossbreed · United States

Cockapoo

Also called Spoodle, Cockerpoo

Part spaniel, part poodle, the Cockapoo is a sociable, playful companion with a coat that never lets you skip grooming.

The Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, usually a Miniature or Toy. It is typically affectionate, playful and easy to train, but size, coat and temperament vary more than in a purebred dog, and almost every Cockapoo coat needs regular brushing and professional grooming.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

5 to 11 kg

11 to 24 lb

Height

26 to 40 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Cockapoo

Every Cockapoo owner eventually learns the same lesson: that soft, teddy-bear coat is a commitment. Most Cockapoos have hair that sheds little but grows continuously and tangles easily, especially behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits. Brushing several times a week and a trip to the groomer every six to eight weeks are simply part of life with this dog.

The cross itself dates to at least the 1950s in the United States, where breeders began pairing Cocker Spaniels with Poodles to produce a friendly, low-shedding companion. Popularity took off in the UK and Australia (where it is often called a Spoodle) in the 2000s and 2010s. Because it is a crossbreed, there is no single standard. A Cockapoo with a Toy Poodle parent might weigh 4 or 5 kg, while one from a Standard Poodle can pass 15 kg; the common Miniature cross weighs about 6 to 9 kg.

Generation matters too. An F1 Cockapoo is a first cross between a Cocker and a Poodle, an F1b is an F1 bred back to a Poodle (usually curlier and lower shedding), and multigenerational dogs come from two Cockapoo parents. The English Cocker is the usual parent in the UK and the American Cocker in North America, which affects head shape, coat and size.

Temperament is the big draw. Most Cockapoos are affectionate, playful and sociable, keen to be involved in family life and quick to learn. They inherit a spaniel's nose and energy and a poodle's brains, so they need more exercise and mental work than their cuddly looks suggest.

What stands out

Grooming

Brush the whole coat three or four times a week, working in sections with a slicker brush, then comb down to the skin with a metal comb. Mats start behind the ears, under the collar or harness, in the armpits and on the legs. If the comb snags, tease the tangle apart with your fingers and a detangling spray rather than pulling it.

Read the full grooming guide

Illustrative grooming schedule based on our editorial coat-care score. Adjust it to the individual coat and professional advice.

Brushing
4 to 5 times a week
Bathing
Every 3 to 6 weeks
Shedding
Light
Nail trim
Every 3 to 4 weeks

A great match for

families with children
first-time owners willing to learn training basics
people who prefer lower shedding (not guaranteed)
homes where someone is around much of the day

Think twice if

grooming costs every 6 to 8 weeks
matting during the adolescent coat change
ear infections in hairy, floppy ears
distress if left alone for long
wide variation in size and coat

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Cockapoo eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	8 kg	440 kcal	120 g (1.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	8 kg	510 kcal	135 g (1.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	9 kg	560 kcal	150 g (1.5 cups)
Male, very active	9 kg	700 kcal	190 g (2 cups)

Full Cockapoo feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Cockapoo

Feeding5 cups, split into two meals. Smaller and larger dogs need proportionally less or more.Read more Puppy growthCockapoo puppies usually reach adult height at around 8 to 10 months and full weight at about 12 months, with larger crosses taking a little longer. Weight predictions are rough, because each litter mixes two breeds; the parents' weights are the best guide.Read more ExerciseMost adult Cockapoos need 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day, with larger, spaniel-heavy dogs needing more. They enjoy walks, fetch, swimming, scent games, and sports such as agility and hoopers, a low-impact course of hoops, barrels and tunnels.Read more TrainingCockapoos are usually eager to please, food motivated and quick to learn. Reward-based training in short, fun sessions suits them well, and many love learning tricks.Read more HealthAs a cross, the Cockapoo can inherit conditions from either parent. These include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and familial nephropathy, a kidney disease known in English Cockers.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Deliberate crosses between Cocker Spaniels and Poodles were being bred in the United States by the 1950s
2In the UK the Cocker parent is usually an English Cocker; in North America it is usually an American Cocker
3Size depends on the Poodle parent, from toy crosses under 5 kg to larger crosses over 11 kg
4The change from puppy to adult coat, between about 7 and 12 months, often brings a wave of matting
5An F1b is a first-generation Cockapoo bred back to a Poodle, which usually gives a curlier coat
6Both parent breeds can be DNA tested for progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)

Cockapoo questions

Are Cockapoos hypoallergenic?

Not in the strict sense, since every dog produces some allergens. Many Cockapoos shed little, especially curly-coated F1b or multigenerational dogs, and some people with mild allergies cope better with them. But allergens are also in saliva and skin, and coat type can vary within a single litter. Spend time with the breeder's adult dogs before committing if allergies are a concern.

What is the difference between F1, F1b and multigen Cockapoos?

An F1 is the first cross between a Cocker and a Poodle, usually with a wavy coat and moderate shedding. An F1b is an F1 bred back to a Poodle, usually curlier and lower shedding. Multigenerational Cockapoos are bred from Cockapoo parents, and when breeders select carefully they tend to give more predictable coats and sizes.

How big will my Cockapoo get?

Size depends mostly on the Poodle parent. Toy crosses often stay under 5 kg, miniature crosses usually weigh 6 to 9 kg, and larger crosses with a Standard Poodle can exceed 11 kg. The best guide is the size of both parents. Most reach adult height by about 10 months and full weight by around a year.

Why is my Cockapoo matting so much?

Mats often appear between 7 and 12 months, when the puppy coat changes to the adult coat. Friction points such as the collar, harness, armpits and ears are worst. Brush and comb down to the skin several times a week, dry the coat thoroughly after wet walks, and consider a shorter trim. A groomer can safely remove tight mats you cannot comb out.

Do Cockapoos bark a lot?

Most are moderate barkers. They may bark at visitors, noises, or when bored or left alone. Enough exercise, mental stimulation and a trained quiet cue all help. A Cockapoo that barks for long periods when left alone may be struggling with separation, which is worth addressing with gradual alone-time training rather than simply waiting for it to pass.

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