Cockapoo, also known as the Cockapoodle, Cockerpoo, or Cock-a-Poo is a designer dog breed made by crossing Cocker Spaniels with Miniature or Toy Poodles. It is one of the first designer dog breeds bred in 1955. Today, there are many types, variations (F1/F1b/F2/F2b/F3) and sizes (teacup/toy/miniature/standard) of Cockapoos. The best way to forecast the personality of your puppy is to look at the parents, their breed characteristics and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either parent’s breed type.
Cockapoo Temperament
They are intelligent, tolerant, friendly, and affectionate. Hybrids of all generations are friendly with everyone including strangers and kids, which makes them an ideal choice as a family dog. They are cheerful, trustworthy, gentle, and affectionate.
Cockapoo Size
The average size for a Cockapoo is between 14 to 16 inches and 15 to 25 pounds. The Teacup Toy is less than 6 pounds in weight and less than 10 inches in height. The Toy Cockapoo can reach 12 inches in height and has a sturdier build. The Miniature Cockapoo weighs 12 to 25 pounds and ranges between 12 and 15 inches high. The Standard or Maxi Cockapoo weighs more than 20 pounds and is more than 15 inches in height.
What is a teacup Cockapoo? How big is a teacup Cockapoo?
The teacup Cockapoo is the result of Toy Poodles crossed with smaller specimens of F1 Cockapoos. These dogs tend to range in size from 6 to 8 inches in height and below 12 pounds in weight. Smaller sizes are bred to create cute specimens. However, this may result in unhealthy dogs with weak bone structure. Discourage breeding teacup sized dogs.
Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic? Do they shed?
Although not all Cockapoos exhibit the non-shedding hypoallergenic coat type of the poodle, some specimens do have a low to non-shedding coat. The Cockapoo may shed less than a Cocker Spaniel, but the degree of shedding will vary from dog to dog. In designer dogs, no two dogs are alike. An F1b hybrid puppy from one purebred Poodle and an F1 Cockapoo as parents has the maximum probability of being hypoallergenic.
What is an F1 Cockapoo? Do they shed?
F1 Cockapoo is the first generation of hybrids bred from purebred Cocker Spaniel and purebred Poodle as parents. F1 Cockapoo generation has a higher risk of shedding, but some do not shed. When they do shed, most shed lightly and some shed moderately. They do not shed as bad as the Cocker Spaniel.
What is an F1b Cockapoo? Do they shed?
The F1B hybrid is 75% Poodle (one purebred Poodle and an F1 Cockapoo as parents). F1B hybrids have beautiful curly plush coats and have the maximum chance of being non-shedding like a Poodle.
What is an F2/F2b Cockapoo? Do they shed?
The second generation Cockapoo (F2 or F2B) is produced by crossing the (F1 X F1 = F2) hybrid or a (F1B X F1 = F2B) hybrid. They also have a high success rate for non-shedding and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.
Cockapoo Colors
Common coat colors include white, cream, apricot, gold, red, and sometimes gray and black.
How long do Cockapoos live?
These designer dogs have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Their lifespan is about average for small dog breeds.
Picking a good Cockapoo puppy
Searching for physical confirmations will help you in picking up a good Cockapoo puppy. However, remember that this is a designer dog and a unique mix of characteristics can be observed in each designer breed. No two designer dogs are alike! Look for the following physical characteristics.
General Appearance: The Cockapoo is a symmetrical, powerful, active dog, sound and well put together, not clumsy or long in the leg, displaying a kindly expression and possessing a personality that is eager, alert, and self-confident.
Coat: Hypoallergenic, non-shedding, water repellent. Texture not as hard as that of a short-haired dog nor very silky. Lies flat against the body and may be straight or curly.
Head: Broad in the skull, slightly arched laterally and longitudinally without prominence of frontal or occiput bones. Good stop. Foreface deep and wide, nearly as long as the skull. Muzzle, when viewed in profile, slightly deeper at stop than at tip; when viewed from above, slightly wider at stop than at the tip. No heaviness in flews.
Neck: Medium long, sloping well back into shoulders.
Forequarters: Forequarters muscular well co-ordinated with hindquarters and capable of free movement.
Body: Well balanced and short coupled.
Hindquarters: Legs straight when viewed from the rear. Feet medium size, round and compact with thick pads.
Tail: Well set on, neither too high nor too low, following a natural line of croup.
Gait: When trotting, gait is free, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated. Viewed from front or rear, legs turn neither in nor out. Feet should not cross or interfere with each other.
Link: List of Designer dogs