Cockapoo puppy
adopted in Tampa Bay
born 10/21/2022, Red

The affectionate and playful Cockapoo packs a lot of personality into a small package! These sweet-tempered pups have all the loving nature of the Cocker Spaniel and all the intelligence of the Poodle. If you are looking for a small, hypoallergenic pet that will have unwavering loyalty to you and your family, you have come to the right place.

This breed is perfect for owners who are looking for a small dog with a lot of pizzazz. The size of your Cockapoo will depend on the size of the Poodle used during breeding. However, even at their “largest,” all Cockapoos are classified as small dogs.

These happy-go-lucky pups have a lot to offer; their friendly, outgoing, and silly nature make them the perfect family pet. There will never be a dull moment around the house with your little furry friend; these little jokesters will surely keep you and your loved ones entertained. You can expect lots of laughs, lots of hugs, and lots of love the moment they step foot in their new home. 

As popular as this dog is, you may be shocked to learn that it is relatively new! During the 1960’s in the United States, the intelligent Poodle was crossed with the loving Cocker Spaniel to create the precious, curly pup we know today. While the Poodle had been popular for quite many years, the Cocker Spaniel saw a significant increase in popularity due to Disney’s 1955 classic Lady and the Tramp. People fell in love with the Cockapoo that seemed to be the perfect mix of its two parent breeds, leading their popularity to continue to soar.

In the late 1990’s, the Cockapoo Club of America was formed in order to have the breed recognized as its own breed as opposed to being considered a mixed-breed, or crossbreed, dog. Over the years several other organizations have been formed to push the same message, but to this day the American Kennel Club does not recognize the Cockapoo as its own individual breed.

Cockapoos have inherited some of the best traits from their parent breeds; they are highly intelligent, exceptionally loving, and have the perfect amount of playfulness to keep you and your family entertained for years. The Cockapoo loves to express their love for their owners, which many parents find endearing, but with that comes a sense of codependence on their owners; your pet will always want to be in your company. Whether they are in the mood to jump around with a ball or are in need of a good nap, expect to find your Cockapoo close by. These dogs are not known to be particularly loud, so you do not have to worry about your new furry friend barking all hours of the night! 

The Cockapoo’s friendly and outgoing disposition makes them a wonderful addition to families of all types; this playful pup has a lot of love to give owners of all ages and personality types. They are eager to please their owners, making them incredibly easy to train. Like any dog, proper training from an early age is vital in ensuring your pup grows to be a well-behaved, well-rounded adult. Introduce your pet to new people, new pets, and new experiences to accustom them.

The Cockapoo is extremely adaptable and will find happiness in any home; their compact size allows them to live comfortably in smaller spaces, such as apartments, as long as their exercise needs are met. From condos to the suburbs, this pet will do well in any home where there is lots of love. All that matters to your puppy is that you are there with them keeping them company. They love curling up on the couch with their owners and watching a good movie. The social Cockapoo is prone to separation-anxiety; behavioral problems arise when your pet feels abandoned or lonely. To prevent unwanted barking or other destructive behaviors, do not leave your pet alone for longer than necessary. If you are looking for an independent dog that requires little interaction, you may want to consider other options.

If properly socialized from an early age, the Cockapoo will get along swimmingly with other pets and children. These dogs are happiest when surrounded with loved ones who will give them all the affection they seek; from children to seniors, the Cockapoo makes a great family pet for owners of all ages. It is important that the Cockapoo is trained from an early age, though, so that they learn your household expectations and begin forming healthy habits, as bad habits may be a struggle to break later on down the line. Positive reinforcement goes a long way with these furry friends, and they do not respond well to yelling or other intimidations. 

Crate training is very effective, but should not be used excessively. Introduce the crate when your Cockapoo is very young to familiarize them; this will come in handy later on should they ever need to be hospitalized or boarded. Crating will help your pet learn how to control their bathroom habits and teach them not to get into things they shouldn’t. As your pup grows older, you may find that the Cockapoo finds peace in the crate and may retreat to it for a nice nap or rest.

Although the Cockapoo is a non-shedding dog, they still require daily brushings to maintain the quality and health of their hair and skin. A textbook trait of the Cockapoo is their precious, loose curls. However, it is important to make sure that while their hair is curly, it is not becoming tangled nor matted, hence the need for a good, daily brushing session. Depending on how curly their coat is, they will need to visit the groomer more frequently. A good rule of thumb is to take your pet to the groomers every 4-6 weeks to keep their hair in tip-top shape and make adjustments to their grooming schedule as necessary.

In addition to brushing your puppy's hair, it is important to brush their teeth at least twice a week to remove tartar buildup, which may be housing various bacterias that could make your pet sick. If you notice foul smelling breath, consider brushing their teeth once a day. Nails should be trimmed once or twice a month. Dogs’ nails are sensitive and filled with blood vessels, so if you are uncomfortable trimming your furry friend’s nails, take them to a professional to get this done.

Every week or so, examine your pet’s ears, keeping a close eye out for any dirt buildup, redness, or foul odor, which can signal an infection. The Cockapoo’s floppy ears allow for an environment in which bacteria grows rapidly. To remove dirt, gently wipe their ears with a cotton ball dampened with a dog-friendly ear cleanser. If you notice any sign of an ear infection, take your pet into the vet’s office to be professionally examined.

While many dogs get stinky without frequent baths, the Cockapoo is referred to as an “odorless breed.” Just like humans, pets have natural oils that nourish their gorgeous locks. Unnecessary bathing will strip your pup’s hair of these oils and negatively impact their mane. Unless otherwise stated by your pet’s vet or groomer, avoid bathing your Cockapoo until absolutely necessary. As Cockapoos are descendants of the Cocker Spaniel, they have an increased risk of developing skin allergies or various skin disorders. Regularly check your pet’s skin to ensure there are no abnormalities or skin flaking. If you notice a change in your pup’s skin, take them into the vet to be properly examined.

While Cockapoos are quite bouncy and love playing around, they only need about 15 minutes of exercise per day. Your pet may get a little too comfortable lying down with you on the couch all afternoon, so make sure you set aside time for your pup to get the necessary exercise vital to their health.

There are 3 forms of exercise your pet will enjoy: walks, playing with toys, or mental stimulation. A nice, brisk walk or a little play session in the backyard for 15 minutes a day is more than enough to keep your pup happy and healthy. Another idea is to try playing scenting games or other various mind puzzles which will enrich your Cockapoo’s mental capabilities. Some Cockapoos even love swimming; once your pet is accustomed to swimming in a safe area, you will be able to take your pet with you the next time your family heads out to the lake! 

Due to their intelligent and curious nature, Cockapoos excel in training. These fast learners are easy to train and live to impress you! While some Cockapoos are easily distracted, the majority respond well to agility and obedience training by the use of treats and positive reinforcements. Steer clear from yelling and reprimanding your dog during the training process, as this will result in an uncooperative pup. Some owners choose to enroll their pets in agility and obedience training. These fast learners can thrive in this environment! Not only do these training events allow your dog to exercise physically, it also allows them to exercise their minds. Above all else, your pet will form a special bond with you through all of this, and after all, all they want is to spend as much time with you as possible.

Every dog is unique; you may find that your pet has more energy than the average Cockapoo and requires a bit more exercise. But believe it or not, your lil pup can be over exercised! Some tell-tale signs that it is time for a little break include: excessive panting, excessive thirst, limping, stiffness, or any other abnormalities in your dog’s behavior. It is best that you cut back on the exercise for a few days to give your pup a chance to bounce back. Once they have recouped, they will be good to go!

A healthy Cockapoo lives on average 12-15 years. One of the keys to ensuring your pet lives a long, full life is giving them proper nutrition. Just like people, each dog is unique and requires their own specific diet. For Cockapoo puppies, you will want to read the bag of food to provide them with the recommended amount of kibble for their weight. Divide the daily amount into 4 separate meals. Once your pup reaches 9 months old, you can begin decreasing their food intake slightly and divide the meals up into 2 meals instead of 4. Assuming your Cockapoo is of average size and weight, you can expect to feed them 1-1 ¾ cups of food per day, making adjustments as needed. Regardless of their age, be sure to feed your pet on a regular schedule; this will help make potty training that much easier! If you are struggling to find food your dog responds well to or if you are wondering if they are getting all of the proper nutrients, meet with your vet to get suggestions.

Since Cockapoos are very receptive to training and thrive on positive reinforcement, it is likely you may use treats to train or motivate your pet. While this is effective, be sure to not overfeed your dog. Giving your pet too many treats may inadvertently result in unwanted weight gain or even obesity. If you suspect your pet is becoming overweight, try the hands-on test and the eye-test in your own home. 

For this test, you will need to look down at your pet. Place your hands on their back with your thumbs along the spine and your other fingers faced downwards. Without having to press hard, you should be able to feel (not see) your dog’s ribs. If you can’t, lower their daily food intake and make sure they get some extra exercise.