Breed library

Cockapoo

Also known as Cocakpoo, Cock a poo, Cock-a-poo, Cockerdoodle, Cockerpoo, Spoodle.

Cockapoo photograph.
Cockapoo apricot standing.jpg - Karla Clippinger. CC BY 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cockapoo_apricot_standing.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5. License: CC BY 2.5.

Breed overview

The cockapoo, also known as a cockerpoo (both portmanteaus of cocker spaniel and poodle) or a spoodle, is a dog crossbreed bred from the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, most commonly the Miniature Poodle.

  • Breed type: dog crossbreedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: United StatesBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The cockapoo was first bred as a designer dog in the United States with the aim of producing a healthy companion dog that, it is claimed by its supporters, does not inherit many of the health defects common in the two parent breeds due to hybrid vigor.
  • If both parents are healthy this can be true and the crossbreed is typically more genetically diverse than purebred dogs; however, "hybrid vigor" indicates an increased probability of health rather than a definite one for any specific animal.
  • Cocker Spaniels and Poodles have been deliberately crossed in the United States since the 1960s.
  • The cockapoo, also known as a cockerpoo (both portmanteaus of cocker spaniel and poodle) or a spoodle, is a dog crossbreed bred from the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, most commonly the Miniature Poodle.
  • As with most animal crossbreeds, there is a great deal of variability in the cockapoo's dimensions and appearance.

Size and appearance

As with most animal crossbreeds, there is a great deal of variability in the cockapoo's dimensions and appearance. All colors or combinations of colors can be found, though most commonly they are white and brown. The coat can also be straight, wavy, or curled. Individual dogs that weigh less than 12 lb are labelled toy cockapoos, dogs that weigh between 13 and 18 lb miniature cockapoos and dogs weighing over 19 lb standard cockapoos. Cockapoos can vary in temperament and in need for exercise.

  • Body mass reference: 9.072 - 10.886 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 20 - 24 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 35.56 - 38.1 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 14 - 15 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Coat texture: wavy
  • Coat texture: straight
  • Height category: medium
  • Weight category: medium
  • Weight category: small

Personality and behavior

Cockapoos are known for their affectionate nature and lively personalities, with some believing that they inherit intelligence from both parents' breeds - the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. It is felt this intelligence makes them generally easy to train. They are considered eager learners and quick at mastering new tricks when taught by a patient trainer. Cockapoos are energetic and require attention, exercise, and training to prevent boredom and potential recklessness. Due to their sociable nature, if left alone for too long, cockapoos have been known to develop separation anxiety.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.37 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.25 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.04 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.09 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.95 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.27 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.57 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.91 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.30 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.85 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.72 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.99 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.55 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Cockapoo.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Coat texture: wavy
  • Coat texture: straight

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

  • Lifespan reference: 12 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The cockapoo was first bred as a designer dog in the United States with the aim of producing a healthy companion dog that, it is claimed by its supporters, does not inherit many of the health defects common in the two parent breeds due to hybrid vigor. Cocker Spaniels and Poodles have been deliberately crossed in the United States since the 1960s.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Cockapoo - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Cockapoo, revision 1378437081. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cockapoo&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Cockapoo apricot standing.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 2.5. Cockapoo apricot standing.jpg - Karla Clippinger. CC BY 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cockapoo_apricot_standing.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.