Is a Cockapoo a Good Family Dog?

When looking for a family dog, it's important first to know if the breed is suitable for family life and which is not.

And if this search has led you to Cockapoos, the excellent news is that this designer dog breed makes brilliant family pets.

In this article, we will look at the qualities Cockapoos have that make them such brilliant family dogs.

If you are shortlisting potential breeds for your next puppy, then read on while I make the case for it to be a Cockapoo.

What Qualities Should I Look for in a Family Dog?

Finding the right dog for your situation can be a challenge. Not so active? Maybe you should get a dog with lower exercise requirements. Looking for a dog that will want to cuddle up all the time? Some breeds are better suited to this.

But what about a family dog?

If this is what you are looking for, here are the main qualities that help a dog excel in this role:

• Affectionate
• Child friendly
• Easy to train
• Suitable for your living space
• Eagar to please
• Playful

What Makes Cockapoos Great Family Dogs?

So, how do Cockapoos actually measure up in these areas, and what makes this hybrid dog breed a great choice for a family dog?

Let's take a look at the qualities Cockapoos have.

Kind and Loving Nature

One unmistakable trait Cockapoos temperament is loving and affectionate. It shines through in everything they do.

Everyone is a friend, and you'll find each day brightened by their playful and gentle vibe. With a Cockapoo around, there will never be a shortage of cuddles. They really take after Cocker Spaniels in this regard, but with a few added benefits that we will get into a bit later on.

Great with Children

It won't be a surprise that this easygoing and playful nature leads to Cockapoos being brilliant with children of all sizes, though you will never want to leave a dog unsupervised with children, especially small kids.

If you do have kids and a dog, make sure your dog knows how to treat a dog properly and respect their boundaries.

Anything can happen, even if you know your dog really well.

Good with Other Pets

Cockapoos also do well with other dogs and get along well with cats. You will need to properly introduce your new dog to other pets already living in your home. However, with proper planning and a little patience, it will go seamlessly.

Very Intelligent Dogs

Cockapoos are also very clever dogs being bred from Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, who are both known for their intelligence. This makes training incredibly easy, and you will have no trouble getting your Cockapoo puppy house-trained.

Given how bright Cockapoos are, you would also be able to sign your dog up for dog sports such as flyball or dog agility courses. This will help with mental stimulation, something a Cockapoo needs a lot of.

Cockapoos are Hypoallergenic

If you or someone in your household are allergic to dogs, the Cockapoo will be an ideal choice. This is because the Cockapoo is a hypoallergenic dog breed which means it does not cause allergic reactions.

This is another trait these hybrid dogs have to thank the Poodle for as the Cocker Spaniel is not hypoallergenic.

Can Live in Smaller Homes

Depending on the size of Cockapoo you get, it will be classed as either a small dog or the smaller side of medium once fully grown. This means Cockapoos don't take up that much space and will live comfortably in all sizes of homes.

Small dogs are far easier to handle in general, eat less, and have been proven to live longer.

Don't Smell Bad

Cockapoos are known for not smelling bad, unlike many other dog breeds. Even their parent breed, the English Cocker Spaniel can smell bad from time to time.

Nobody knows exactly why, but the Cockapoo has a reputation for being quite odourless. A big win for anyone bringing a new canine companion into their life.

Relatively Low Shedding

Cockapoos don't shed very much at all. This will be something they owe more to the Poodle side of their mix, as a purebred Cocker Spaniel shedding can be quite bad at times.

Low shedding is a big advantage of any new dog, as loose hair will get everywhere otherwise.

Other Considerations Before Taking a Cockapoo Home

Now that we have covered the reasons why Cockapoos are great family dogs let's take a look at a few things you will want to know before bringing a Cockapoo home.

Cockapoos Don't do Well Alone

Before bringing a Cockapoo home, you should think about your schedule and if someone can be with the dog for most of the day.

Cockapoos can develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long. They are incredibly family-orientated and adore their humans, remember when you get a dog, you are their entire world.

At most, you will want to leave your Cockapoo home for three to four hours. But definitely not a full workday. There is quite a lot you can do about this, though, and we have written about it in an article about how well Cockapoos do alone.

Susceptible to Many Health Problems

Like many dog breeds, Cockapoos are prone to a wide range of health problems. This is something you will want to stay on top of with regular visits to the vet.

It seems that Cockapoos have inhered conditions from both the English or American Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. Most of these health issues are perfectly manageable, especially if caught early.

Conclusion

So, are Cockapoos good family dogs?

Yes! You will be very hard pushed to find a breed that is better suited to family life than this Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix.

No matter if you have small children, are just yourself, or have a very active lifestyle, the Cockapoo is an excellent choice when it comes to companion dogs.

It is one of the most popular designer dog breeds around, and they do make a great family dog. As you will have seen from all the desirable traits Cockapoos have, there is no shortage of reasons to make your next canine companion a Cockapoo.

They have the affectionate nature and playfulness of the Cocker Spaniel paired with the intelligence, are allergy friendly, and low shedding of the Poodle parent.

An unbeatable mix for sure!