Half spaniel, half poodle
A cockapoo is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a miniature or toy poodle. It is not a pedigree breed.
Small dogs · Time every day
Cockapoo
A cross · cocker spaniel and poodle
A curly or wavy-coated dog in apricot, cream, black or brown, with long fluffy ears and a teddy-bear face.
- Size
- 25 to 38cm at the shoulder; 6 to 11kg
- Lives for
- 13 to 15 years
- Suits
- Families, including first-time owners
Bounces after you, ears flapping. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about the cockapoo
The first designer dog
It was first bred on purpose in the United States in the 1960s, long before other poodle crosses.
Every one is different
The coat can be tight curls, loose waves or nearly straight, even among puppies of the same litter.
Less hair on the sofa
Many shed very little, thanks to the poodle side, but no dog is truly free of allergens.
Quick to learn
Poodles and spaniels are both clever working breeds, and cockapoos pick up training fast.
One of the most popular
It has become one of the commonest dogs in Britain.
The real thing
Photos of the cockapoo
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Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
Looking after one
It needs about an hour of exercise a day. The coat keeps growing and mats easily: brush it every couple of days and have it clipped every six to eight weeks.
Before you get one
Cockapoos are sociable and hate being left alone. Because they are so popular, be careful to avoid puppy farms: always see the puppy with its mother.
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