Bringing a new dog into your home is a big decision. As you look through your options, it’s important to consider which dog breed fits best into your family.
Are cockapoos good family dogs?
When it comes to finding a great family dog, you can’t go wrong with a cockapoo puppy. These purebred cocker spaniel and poodle hybrids get along with everyone, from strangers and young children to other dogs and pets.
While they enjoy a walk around the block or a good game of fetch, they’re not too high-energy and are equally happy to cuddle up with their owners on the couch. Best of all, they come with unconditional love and affection.
When selecting a cockapoo, it’s important to go with a reputable breeder. Pride & Prejudoodles provides a selection of trained, hypoallergenic and non-shedding cockapoo puppies that are ready to find their forever families. If you’re still unsure if a cockapoo is the right fit for you, don’t worry — we’ll cover everything you need to know, from physical and personality traits to care needs and health concerns.
What are the Traits that Make Cockapoos Perfect for Your Family?
One of the main reasons is that Cockapoos are laid back and friendly. Cockapoos tend to treat everyone as their friend and best for family with children, other dogs and other pets as well. They have a great temperament that is perfect for any family. They are also a fit for first time dog owners as they are easy to handle.
Another trait that they have is that they only have a moderate level of activity. They may only need at least 15 minutes of exercise per day. This breed is great for families that are quite busy. A simple play outside is enough exercise for Cockapoos.
Cockapoos: A Cocker Spaniel-Poodle Mix
Cockapoos are known to be the first of the designer dog breeds, which are dogs formed as a result of cross-breeding between two purebred dogs. They were first created in the 1960s by accident — however, their odorless coats and sweet temperaments quickly made them a favorite among breeders, and their popularity has only continued to soar.
Cockapoos arise when a breeder combines the genetic material of a poodle and a cocker spaniel. Most come from the American cocker spaniel, although some cockapoos originate from the English cocker spaniel (in this case, the resulting dog is often dubbed a “spoodle”). Cockapoos typically inherit the intelligence of poodles and the friendly nature of cocker spaniels, resulting in a kind, sociable dog that’s quick to learn and happy to please. Of course, every cockapoo has its own unique set of characteristics that makes it stand out. The wide range of poodles and cocker spaniels available has contributed to the physical diversity found in this dog breed.
The Poodle
The poodle is an elegant and proud breed. They are bred as hunting dogs and specialize in retrieving waterfowls. Poodles are regarded as one of the most intelligent breeds in the world and this means that they are highly trainable. They can be very playful regardless if they’re a pup or an adult dog.
Poodles often have stylish haircuts, however, that style of cut is intended for the movement of the dog and to protect it from cold when retrieving waterfowls.
The Cocker Spaniel
The cocker spaniel was first introduced in the late 1800s in the United States and is still considered as one breed with the English cocker spaniel until the 20th century. Cocker spaniels were bred to be hunters’ companions. These dogs efficiently flushes out a game bird for hunters. Their name “cocker” came from that game bird which is called woodcock. Cocker spaniels are known for being gentle and affectionate. They are easy going and generally considered good with children and other pets.
Both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles are playful and fun-loving that love spending time with their families. This makes them ideal pets and their friendly personality is a great option for first-time dog owners.
These traits are noticeable in Cockapoos which makes them the perfect family dog.
Physical Characteristics of Cockapoos
When looking at pictures of cockapoos, the first thing you’ll notice is the wide variety of colors and coats. From bright white to charcoal black, you’ll find cockapoos of every color. While most tend to have a traditional curly coat and uniform color, some have straight fur, while others are patterned.
Another factor that varies among cockapoos is size. There are four central size groups for this breed:
- Maxi/Standard Cockapoos: The largest of its kind, these cockapoos are over 16 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 20 to 65 pounds.
- Mini Cockapoos: Bred from miniature poodles, these cockapoos range between 11 to 15 inches in height and 13 to 18 pounds in weight.
- Toy Cockapoos: These small dogs, which are made using toy poodles, are a maximum of 10 inches tall and 12 pounds.
- Teacup Toy: The smallest of the cockapoos, teacup toys are under 10 inches and less than 6 pounds.
Even larger cockapoos tend to be on the smaller side for dogs, which helps them fit into a wide range of living environments. However, small apartment owners might be better suited with a mini or toy cockapoo rather than a maxi cockapoo.
Another factor that makes cockapoos a great family dog is their hypoallergenic and low-shedding coats. It’s important to remember that not every cockapoo is hypoallergenic — the only way to be certain is to receive your dog from a reputable breeder.
Personality Traits of Cockapoos in Detail
Before determining whether or not a cockapoo is right for your home, it’s important to consider some of their common personality traits. This dog breed tends to be:
- Friendly
- Intelligent
- Moderately energetic
- Adaptable
- Well-behaved
Cockapoos get their friendly demeanor from cocker spaniels — these companion dogs can get along with just about everybody including other pets, making them perfect for anyone from couples to large families with young children. They’re also very affectionate and form quick, strong bonds with family members.
Their poodle parentage gives cockapoos a high level of intelligence. These dogs have a keen ability to learn new commands and behaviors. When combined with their desire to please their owners, the result is a dog that’s open to learning and relatively easy to train.
In terms of energy levels, cockapoos tend to be moderately energetic. They enjoy playing in the yard and going on walks, but they’re also equally happy to spend hours cuddled in their owners’ laps. Whether you’re highly active or tend to be more of an indoors person, a cockapoo will get along with your habits.
Another key trait of cockapoos is their adaptability. Whether you live in a large home in the country or a small apartment in the city, a cockapoo can quickly adapt to your environment. They can also adjust their lifestyles to meet yours — they’re happy to go along with whatever activities you have planned.
As hunting dogs, cockapoos have a moderate prey drive and might be compelled to chase a squirrel every now and then. However, with the right training, you can quash this habit and persuade your dog to listen to you over their instincts. Generally, trained cockapoos are well-behaved and can be left alone for long periods at a time. However, they shouldn’t be alone for over eight hours.
Health & Care Needs
While cockapoos are not overly demanding like some dog breeds, they do require daily care and maintenance. Here are some of the things you can expect when caring for a cockapoo.
Grooming
As long as your cockapoo comes from a reputable breeder, you can expect a hypoallergenic dog that sheds infrequently. It’s important to take proper care of your dog’s coat so the fur doesn’t mat.
This includes regular brushing, as well as bathing and trimming. It is necessary to constantly check any dog’s ears and clean them as needed, especially for drop-down ears. They may tend to trap down moisture and dirt. You may need to clean their ears as needed to lessen the chance of developing an ear infection.
It is best to start doing it at an early stage and regularly for them to get used to grooming. This will make life easier for your cockapoo.
Physical & Mental Needs
As moderately energetic dogs, cockapoos require at least 15 minutes of exercise a day. This need is relatively easy to meet and can be satisfied with a walk around the block or some running in the yard. When it comes to cognitive requirements, cockapoos need mental stimulation to accommodate their intelligence. You can keep your cockapoo’s mind occupied through chew toys and scavenger hunts.
General Health
Most cockapoos have a lifespan of about 15 years. To prolong your dog’s life and keep it healthy for as long as possible, you should feed it high-quality dog food — cockapoos can eat either dry food or wet food, or a combination of both. You should also take them to the veterinarian regularly. Some conditions to look out for include:
- Ear infections
- Glaucoma
- Hip dysplasia
To reduce the risk of your cockapoo having health problems, you should get them from a breeder with a health guarantee. At Pride & Prejudoodles, we test each of our dogs to ensure their health and well-being before sending them to new homes.
Pride & Prejudoodles: Trained & Healthy Cockapoos
So are cockapoos good family dogs? There’s no doubt about it! Their sweet temperaments, learning capabilities and adaptability help them fit well into any home. Of course, it’s important for your cockapoo to be well-trained. Ideally, training should be implemented early, when a dog’s brain is more susceptible to new commands. At Pride & Prejudoodles, we properly train our cockapoos before deeming them ready for a new home. Our training uses positive reinforcement and includes:
- Housebreaking
- Basic obedience
- Socialization
- Behavior modification (jumping, play-biting, hyperactivity)
In addition to addressing problem behaviors, we conduct genetic tests and provide worming and vaccinations. All our dogs are fed premium dog food and receive NuVet health supplements. We also share our training tips and introduce dogs to new environments and loud noises to ease the transition process. The end result is a healthy, happy cockapoo that’s hypoallergenic and ready to integrate into any household!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cockapoos Ok with Toddlers?
This is the main concern of every family, however, worry not because Cockapoos love small children. Small kids and Cockapoos can help each other with their daily exercise requirement. Playing with each other in your backyard can tire each one out.
Are Cockapoos Ok with our Cat?
Cockapoos are generally friendly with other pets and they will definitely do the same with your cat. Cockapoos are playful dogs and it would be best if your cat is also playful so that they can play together, otherwise the cat will just snob the Cockapoo.
It is recommended to slowly introduce the Cockapoo to your cat and start by having it in a crate.
Are Cockapoos Ok with our Dog?
Due to the Cockapoo’s friendly nature, they won’t be a problem with your dog. It may be the other way around on how your dog will react to the Cockapoo. A slow introduction is also necessary.
Get Your Cockapoo Puppy Today!
At Pride & Prejudoodles, we offer tons of cockapoos that are ready to meet you and bring some extra energy and love to your home. Contact us today for a consultation!
