Cockapoo Pros and Cons

Bringing a new dog into your life is a huge decision. Taking the time to find the right dog is important in ensuring you and your new canine companion are a great fit for each other.

Does the dog need hours of exercise a day? Or is prone to separation anxiety and doesn't handle being alone too much? These are all questions you need to answer before getting a new dog.

Cockapoos are brilliant family dogs. However, there are some pros and cons you should know about if you are considering the popular designer dog. In this article, we will be talking about the pros and cons of this beautiful breed.

Ready to learn all you need to know about Cockapoos? Read on!

Pros of Owning a Cockapoo

Firstly, let's take a look at the main benefits Cockapoos offer.

Easy to Train

As a crossbreed of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, two very bright dogs, it will be no surprise to learn that Cockapoos are smart dogs. And as result are very easy to train.

This makes getting your Cockapoo house-trained and up to speed on how to be a great dog a breeze!

Also, this keen intellect and willingness to learn mean that you will be able to train your Cockapoo to do far more advanced tricks or even enter into dog sports.

Available in Many Sizes

Unlike most other dog breeds, Cockapoos come in four different sizes. This ranges from tiny Teacup Cockapoos all the way up to the far larger Maxi Cockapoos.

This means there is a size suitable for potential pup parents, whether they are looking for a little companion dog or a more energetic one who can go for a run or other more energetic activities.

Don't Bark Much

Cockapoos are also known for not being particularly vocal dogs. While Cockapoos will bark in certain situations, they don't do it just for the need to hear their own voice.

The fact Cockapoos don't bark much can be a blessing for pup parents in many situations, such as living in an apartment with many neighbours who would be upset by constant barking or perhaps a young child who needs to sleep.

Very Affectionate Dogs

Few things are quite as nice as having your dog come over just for a cuddle after a long hard day at work. Cockapoos definitely love a good cuddle and will find any reason to come over for one. Something they can thank their Cocker Spaniel parent for, as Cockers are a very loving breed.

This is one of the main reasons that make Cockapoos a top choice for those looking for great companion dogs.

You might think that all dogs would enjoy affection. However, this is not always the case. Some breeds just don't look for as much affection.

Cockapoos are sometimes even referred to as velcro dogs for the amount of time they spend attached to their owners.

Good with Children

If you are considering a new dog and have a small family, how well it will integrate with children is important.

Kids can be a bit too much for a little dog at times, you need a breed that will be fairly mellow and patient with children, especially young ones.

Luckily the kind and amenable natures that Cockapoos have does extend to children. Your kids will just be another friend for your dog to play with.

That said, an important note to keep in mind here is that you need to make sure you take the time to introduce your dog properly to kids and teach children how to treat a dog properly and respect their boundaries.

At the end of the day, your dog is still an animal, even if you have known them for years. All interactions should be supervised, anything can happen in a split second.

Low Shedding

Cockapoos are low-shedding dogs. A trait they take more from the Poodle side of its genetics.

This is one of Cockapoo's best traits that anyone who has had a dog that shredded a lot will confirm, as loose dog hair gets everywhere. From your clothes to your furniture, it can be a real pain constant cleaning that up.

Hypoallergenic

The best news for allergy sufferers is that Cockapoos are a hypoallergenic dog breed. This means that your Cockapoo is far less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other breeds. It's the Poodle parent that Cockapoos have to thank for their hypoallergenic status as Cocker Spaniels are not.

One thing worth pointing out here is that the type of Cockapoo will affect the level of dander that they produce. The best one for those with allergies to look for is an F1b Cockapoo which is 75% Poodle.

For those still concerned about there not being a guarantee that having a Cockapoo will not trigger allergic reactions, there is still quite a lot you can do to reduce the impact it has. And it is definitely better to start off with a breed which is known for being hypoallergenic than one that isn't if you have concerns.

Don't Smell Much

All dogs smell at some point. It's pretty unavoidable.

Even though this is completely true, a Cockapoo is known for being quite odourless compared to other dog breeds, this is thanks to it being a poodle mix and relates to their coat type.

There will be times and situations when your Cockapoo will smell pretty bad, and you will struggle to believe that this dog could ever be labelled odourless. But overall, these will be far fewer than you would experience with other dogs.

Popular Dog Breed

The last benefit of this hybrid dog breed we will touch on is its popularity. Unlike many Cocker Spaniel mixes, the Cockapoo is incredibly popular, perhaps even rivalling that of both its parent breeds.

This means that you should not have any trouble finding a puppy or an upcoming litter of Cockapoo puppies in your area. No matter if you are in the United Kingdom or the United States, the love people have for this adorable mixed-breed dog runs pretty deep.

Another benefit of this is that if you are looking for a Cockapoo puppy with a particular coat colour and have a little patience, you should be able to find one with relative ease.

Also finding a reputable breeder should also be straightforward, as you will be able to quiz breeders without feeling like it's your only option.

Cons of Owning a Cockapoo

Now that we have taken a look at the benefits of Cockapoo ownership let's discuss some of the Cockapoo cons. You'll be glad to hear this is a far shorter list than the plus points of this designer breed.

Health Problems

Unfortunately, mating a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle means that a Cockapoo is susceptible to its parents' wide range of health conditions.

This includes joint problems such as hip dysplasia, thyroid issues, or even ear infections which as really common in Cocker Spaniels.

This is a common problem with cross breeds but does not mean that your dog will definitely get any of these conditions during their life. It is something you should keep an eye out for, though.

Traits from Two Breeds

As a mixed breed, Cockapoos will inherit traits from both Poodles and Cocker spaniels. Each dog will be a little different and can show different elements of its parent's personalities. This means when you get a Cockapoo puppy, you don't quite know what you are getting.

Luckily, both breeds are nice dogs who are well known for being fantastic family members. This is just to say that the result of mixing the two isn't quite so predictable.

Grooming Needs

Even though a Cockapoo doesn't shed that much and is hypoallergenic you will still have to spend quite a lot of time taking care of its curly coat.

You will need to put some time aside to brush it to avoid matting and remove debris caught in the curls, give it a trim and take it to a professional groomer for a haircut, and also bathe your Cockapoo.

While most of this is fairly common regardless of the type of dog you opt for the Cockapoo will require quite a bit of effort to maintain.

Energy Levels

Cockapoos are very intelligent and also high-energy dogs. This means pet parents have to offer a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep their Cockapoo satisfied.

If you don't keep up with your Cockapoo's exercise requirements and exercise their minds with doggy puzzles and other games, bad behaviour born of boredom and pent-up energy is very likely to occur.

This could be destructive chewing of furniture, shoes, or even letters posted through the door, or a wide range of other bad behaviours.

Suffer from Separation Anxiety

Being such an affectionate dog breed, Cockapoos don't do well when left alone and do suffer from separation anxiety quite a bit. You don't want to leave an adult dog alone for more than three to four hours at a time. It's just not fair.

Taking a minute to consider what your Cockapoo's day-to-day life will be like with this in mind is a very important step before committing to your new dog.

Of course, there are many ways around this, such as dog sitters, dog walkers, or even doggy daycares that are designed to be just like a nursery but for your canine companion. These are all pretty expensive, though, so you will want to have factored this in beforehand.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the Cockapoo pros and cons you need to think about before bringing this brilliant family dog into your life.

There are far more benefits for Cockapoo owners than there are cons. However, both are still important to know ahead of time for anyone considering this dog breed.

By knowing this information in advance, you are very well positioned to make the right choice on if a Cockapoo is the best dog breed for you. With the Cockapoo cross breed typically taking the best traits from the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, it is a safe bet that you would have a very hard time finding a better pick for your next dog.