 Frequently Asked Questions
About Cockapoos
The Cockapoo is a hybrid cross breed between the Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Poodle. These dogs stand at 9-15 inches and weigh 6 lbs to 30 lbs. They were bred for the purpose of creating a dog that possesses high intelligence, low to no shedding and hypoallergenic. They are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Summary
Names – Cockapoo, Cockerpoo, Spoodle, Cockerdoodle, Cock A Poo
Size – Toy, Miniature and Standard
Life Expectancy – 15 to 18 years, though many can reach 20 years of age
Cost of Ownership – medium
Ease of Ownership – medium
Aggressive Tendency - very low
Amount of Exercise – low
Amount of Grooming – high
Ease of Training – easy
Obedience level - high
Suitable for Children – high
Amount of Care Required - medium
Health Problems – low
Appearance
A standard cockapoo look has not yet been achieved, as some cockapoos have a higher resemblance to cocker spaniels, while others exhibit more poodle traits. Due to the fact that there is no standard, this creates a range of cockapoo appearances and temperaments. Generally a first generation cockapoo has more of a classic cockapoo look about them, almost Benji looking. Further generations are more apt to take on more of the look of their purebred parents (cocker spaniel or poodle). Further generations are also more apt to have the health issues related to each purebred dog.
Weight
Toy – 12 pounds or less
Mini – 13-25 pounds
Standard – 26 pounds or more
Height
Toy: 10 inches or less at shoulder height
Mini: 11 to 15 inches (28 to 35.5 cm)
Standard: 16 inches or higher (38 cm)
Coat
Color – typical colors include black, white, buff, cream, apricot, red, chocolate; any of these colors may appear with white markings; other colors are Parti, Sable, Tri-color, Merle, Phantom (usually a black body with brown color on legs, under tail, eyebrows, side of face), and Roan (single white hairs and white patches intermingled with the base color). Visit our Cockapoo Colors page for more information.
Coat – odorless and little-to-no-shedding; wavy hair is not as tightly curled as that of the poodle, nor absolutely straight like some cockers.
Shedding – zero to low
Allergies – no
Causes Allergies – no
Character
The cockapoo has a calm and mellow disposition and an optimistic and enduring nature. Other traits he possesses include loyalty, friendliness, intelligence, good health, sturdiness and stamina. Some breeders believe that the intelligence displayed by cockapoos is a characteristic passed down from their poodle genes (as the poodle has consistently ranked among the world’s smartest dogs) than from the cocker.
Separation Anxiety – low
Barking tendency – low
Aggressive tendency – low
Compatibility Other Animals – high
Suitable for Children – high
Watchdog suitability – medium
Temperament
Cockapoos are noted for their positive dispositions and great tolerance for children as they enjoy rough-and-tumble activities. Furthermore, they are recognized for their very understanding nature.
Cockapoos are very receptive of training due to their keen intelligence. They are naturally inquisitive, and they are ready to entertain and perform. Cockapoos are excellent family companions. They enjoy walking, hiking, and travel well. They are very obedient and loving animals.
Training
Despite the fact that hybrids enjoy the best traits of their parent breeds, they are prone to defects too. An untrained and neglected cockapoo may develop undesirable behaviors, such as possessiveness over furniture, constantly begging owners to pet or play with them or refusing to come when called. To prevent these unwanted traits from occurring, your cockapoo requires the appropriate training that helps him behave properly. He must be taught to trust and accept you as his leader. Moreover, they like knowing their place in your family and participating as an active member.
Most house dogs will either take up a neutral or submissive role at home. Owners, however, need to be aware that some dogs are capable of testing their owner’s dominance. A safe method to re-assert control is to get the dominant dog to work for his necessities, e.g. food. The presence of an owner that is a strong leader, plus the clarity of the role the dog has at home, gives it a feeling of greater security.
Obedience – high
Exercise Required
The Cockapoo has low exercise demands. As long as he has a small yard where he can run freely, a daily walk and indoor playtime, he will be happy. However a Cockapoo can easily adapt to a larger area and know its place.
Energy – medium
Care
As is the case in most long haired and floppy-eared breeds, the ears, eyes and face hair deserve special notice. Clean the ears and pluck hair growing inside the ear canal regularly. To alleviate any event of tear staining, keep face dry and cleaned daily using a clean damp cloth and tepid water. Cockapoos do require regular, professional grooming. Their coat does grow (as do both purebred parents) and does require regular brushing (weekly) and clipping (about every 6 to 8 weeks).
Food
We feed our puppies and dogs kibble that comes from Costco, the Costco brand. We have compared the ingredients to fine pet store brands and find it is similar to Nutro. We suggest you follow this diet plan for the first week or so after you have brought your Cockapoo home. Following this period, you can slowly change the dog’s diet towards a new plan, which may consist of a good quality dry dog food.
Grooming
Grooming a cockapoo is quite simple, because they really only require basic brushing and combing to maintain a well groomed look. A brushing every few days will suffice however as the coat grows, they will require regular grooming by a professional to trim up their body and face, clean ears, trim toe nails, bath & dry.
Ease of grooming – medium
Amount of grooming by a Professional - About Every 8 weeks
Breeding
Cockapoos can be bred in different sizes (toy, miniature and standard). The most common cockapoo is the miniature variety, which is 18lbs on average.
First generation Cockapoos will always display the stronger features from their parents. Thus, for example, sometimes dogs will appear a little curlier, while others may have blockier heads. Overall a first generation cockapoo has a good mixture of the two purebred parents. It is in second generation cockapoos that the most number of puppies will resemble either parent breed. With regard to the parents, the cocker has the most laid back attitude towards life as well as the marked ‘sweetness’. Poodles are noted for longevity–as are hybrids–giving the cockapoo a double dose of life expectancy. The poodles also bring the intelligence, low/no shedding and hypoallergenic to the Cockapoo.
Health
The Cockapoo has been popular in the United States since at least the 1950s.
The Cockapoo is still under development. Strictly speaking, the Cockapoo cannot yet be described as a dog breed because it does not ‘breed true’. In breeders’ terms, ‘breeding true’ means that, when two specimens of the same breed are mated, the puppies have consistently predictable characteristics and will resemble their parents, rather than exhibiting random characteristics of the dog breeds in their parents’ ancestries. Furthermore, the breed standards of breeds-under-development are invariably freer, more open to interpretation and cover more observable types than those of established or kennel club recognized breeds.
In fact, because cockapoos are a mixed breed, they may be less susceptible to genetic ailments than purebred dogs. Purebreds are more likely to share similar genetic diseases, whereas mixed breeds, such as the Cockapoo (especially first generation), have greater diversity in their genes and are less likely to inherit two copies of an undesirable recessive gene. Several studies suggest that mixed breed dogs are less prone to genetic illnesses.
Life expectancy – 15 – 18 years or higher
Susceptibility to illness – low
Common health problems – dental problems, heart failure.
Ownership
Cockapoos are good companions for single owners as well as with families with young children. They are very people-oriented, outgoing and happy dogs.
Thus, for people wanting a low to no-odor and minimal to no-shedding, hypoallergenic, highly intelligent dog that is easy to train and absolutely wonderful for children of all ages, playful and energetic, easy to care for, and is long lived, the cockapoo is an ideal dog.
Living Conditions
They adapt well to apartments and homes, but would also be happy living on a farm. They have a moderate activity level and are not meant to be outside dogs. The Cockapoo is a good breed for an apartment or condominium.
Good with Children – The Cockapoo is generally a good dog for children and is patient and loving. Nonetheless children need to be taught how to properly interact with the dog.
Trivia - Many labradoodle breeders breed their labradoodles back to cockapoos in order to get a shorter leg and a more beautiful face as well as a smaller size. Why not just get yourself a cockapoo?
OUR CONTRACT
Puppies sold by Beachwood Canyon Cockapoos(Seller) are honestly represented and evaluated as accurately as possible by Seller. Beachwood Canyon Cockapoos is selling this puppy as a pet and in no way guarantees breeding capabilities. This puppy is being sold as a pet, without breeding rights. We require that your puppy be spayed or neutered by a veterinarian of your choice by six months of age. Seller cannot guarantee adult size, color, or temperament of the puppy.
The above-described puppy is believed to be in good health at the time of the sale. In order to verify the good health of the puppy, Buyer must take the puppy to a licensed veterinarian within three days of receipt of puppy. However, if you feel that your puppy is sick, take the puppy to the vet immediately. It is very important that the puppy eats and drinks as soon as possible after you receive him or her. If your puppy is too stressed to eat for a period of more than 24 hours, take him or her to a veterinarian. Seller will not replace a puppy or refund purchase price for a puppy that dies because Buyer waited too long to get medical help for the puppy.
If an examination by a licensed veterinarian reveals that the puppy is medically unsound so as to warrant returning puppy to Seller, Buyer must notify Seller within three days of the receipt of the puppy. The veterinarian must furnish a hand-written report describing the problem, and the puppy must be returned immediately if Buyer is to receive a replacement for said puppy or refund of purchase price. Seller will not replace your puppy or give a refund for purchase price for common puppy problems, such as fleas, ticks, lice, coccidia, giardia, intestinal parasites, ear mites, or other such parasites, or other stress-induced problems such as hypoglycemia and kennel cough. Seller will not pay any vet bills incurred by Buyer for any reason.
Said puppy is guaranteed to be free of life-threatening congenital defects until he or she is one year of age. Should the puppy be diagnosed with a congenital disorder within that time period, Seller will replace the puppy with another puppy of the same sex and similar coloring as soon as one becomes available. No Cash Refunds. However, in order for Seller to be required to replace the puppy, two unassociated veterinarians must examine the puppy and determine that the quality of life will be seriously impacted and recommend euthanasia, or require continuous medical treatment throughout the puppy's life. Upon Buyer showing hand-written proof of above-described congenital disorder, Seller will make restitution as described above (replace puppy or refund purchase price). Please call Seller for advice. In the unlikely event of the death of the puppy, laboratory confirmation of cause of death will be required.
Seller shall not assume liability for veterinarian expenses. Buyer understands that all guarantees expire one year from the date of purchase.
Buyer understands that the following slight genetic defects are not considered serious or life threatening and therefore are not covered: umbilical hernia, un-descended testicle, kidney/bladder/urinary tract infection, under-bite or over-bite, grade 1 luxating patella. Buyer understands that replacement option or refund of purchase price is only valid when health problems are attributed to a heredity problem and not due to accident or contagious and/or other illness.
If a refund of purchase price for puppy or replacement of like puppy when one becomes available is deemed necessary, seller will not reimburse shipping/delivery charges.
If for any reason Buyer decides to not keep the puppy, Seller has first right of refusal. In other words, Buyer must offer to return puppy to Seller before selling or giving the puppy to any other person.
If for any reason the Buyer has an emergency and can no longer keep the puppy, no matter what age, Beachwood Canyon Cockapoos will take the puppy/dog in for rehoming. The puppy will never be surrendered to a dog shelter, rescue or pound and will always have a home with the breeder for the duration of it's life.
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