Cockapoo dog information, photos & breeder listings. Family, pet, & small apartment friendly. Adults & puppies for sale! All colors & sizes.

Home » Dogs » Cockapoo Dogs

Jump to Cockapoo Advertisements

• Introduction and History of the Cockapoo
• What it Takes to be a Cockapoo
• Cockapoo Temperament and Personality
• Cockapoo Societies
• Conclusion

Introduction and History of the Cockapoo
The Cockapoo dog breed, a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, was first bred in the United States in the 1950s. This breed, while popular, is not recognized officially as a breed by mainstream dog breeding associations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Cockapoo set the standard for planned hybrids. This is one of the first breeds that was carefully thought out and meticulously created, using the most advanced information on genetics at the time and the best techniques to create a hybrid that showcased the best of two breeds. The popularity of Cockapoos have soared in recent time, and with the proliferation of the internet, many websites and online groups have formed to share information and establish guidelines.

What it Takes to be a Cockapoo
A Cockapoo, by definition, is a cross-breed dog, either 75% Poodle or 75% Cocker Spaniel. It comes in three sizes; Toy, Mini, and Standard. Toy is considered to be 10” or less at shoulder height, mini is 11” to 14” at shoulder height, and Standard is 15” or higher at shoulder height. Typical colors are white, buff, cream, black, apricot, red, and chocolate, or any combination of these colors with white. Markings can vary quite a bit, but the breed association has standardized the most common forms. These marking forms are:

 1. Parti: Two or more standard colors, one of which must be white.
 2. Phantom: Usually a black body with brown color on legs or underbody.
 3. Sable: Black or dark brown at birth, lightening to a mix of gold, silver, brown, or tan. Usually the darker points on the ears or face.
 4. Tri-color: Mix of three colors with separate colors on chest, legs, and ears.
 5. Merle: Lighter colors at the base swirled with a darker color.
 6. Roan: Single white hairs and white patches mingled with the base color.

According to the North American Cockapoo Registry (NACR), a true Cockapoo “is ONLY a purposeful, planned crossing of a purebred cocker spaniel with a purebred poodle”. The NACR is the “official” organization for determining Cockapoo breed characteristics. This organization is founded with the belief that the Cockapoo will one day attain official status as a dog breed. This organization is highly technical in its definition and actually encourages genetic testing to get a more detailed blueprint for the breed. According to the NACR, a first generation of F1 Cockapoo (direct cross between Poodle and Cocker Spaniel) is the only basis for subsequent generations of Cockapoos. Cockapoos born of other Cockapoos are designated second-generation or F2. According to the NACR then, a true Cockapoo is the offspring of an F2 Cockapoo pair.

Cockapoo Temperament and Personality
The Cockapoo’s personality is very outgoing, and unlike many smaller breeds, they are highly social among other dogs. Cockapoos are also great with children, although it is best that they have a single owner. They have a high activity level, but because of their size, they adapt well to apartments or small living spaces. They have a pretty good lifespan-14 to 18 years, and in some cases they may reach their 20s.

Cockapoos also need a lot of attention, as they are bred as companions. Unlike many of the larger dogs, which are bred for specific work tasks, the Cockapoo is bred for sociability and companionship. Because of this, the Cockapoo needs attention and anyone that is considering getting a Cockapoo must make sure they can spend time with the dog. Cockapoos don’t really have any more negative personality attributes than other dog breeds. Common issues such as urination in the home or aggressive behavior can be dealt with using commonly-accepted training practices that are effective for all breeds. Because they need companionship, lack of attention is often the root cause of all Cockapoo behavior problems. They are very social with other dogs and typically do not exhibit jealousy if there is another dog or pet in the house.

Cockapoo Societies
There are quite a few Cockapoo societies and clubs in the United States as well as Europe. While the breed is not officially recognized, these societies firmly believe that the breed will achieve official status at some point in the future. The largest societies are The American Cockapoo Club, the North American Cockapoo Registry, and the Cockapoo Club of America. These societies have established universally-accepted guidelines that specifically define the breed and they also are proponents for getting the breed officially recognized.

The North American Cockapoo Registry is the self-proclaimed official Cockapoo authority. This organization is very specific about the guidelines for Cockapoo and is very antagonistic of the other organization and societies. This causes some disagreement within the ranks of Cockapoo aficionados, but it will all move towards the official establishment of the breed.

Conclusion
The Cockapoo breed has been gaining acceptance as the breed is refined and more people are interested in keeping the breed pure. There is no doubt that eventually this will become a universally-accepted breed. The characteristics of the breed are excellent, the lifespan is long, and the breed is also well-suited for an urban lifestyle. The Cockapoo will be around for quite some time.

Tell the Breeders you found them on the Pets4You® Website!

Save Time & Money! We help find any puppy you want. View Dog Breeders Near You!