Everything about the designer breed “Cocker Poodle” (or “Cockapoo”): photos of dogs, description, character, maintenance and choice of puppy

The cocker poodle (cockapoo) has earned the title of the most smiling breed. It’s impossible not to fall in love with a charming, charming, mischievous dog. Now the animals are very popular in their homeland - in the USA, as well as in Australia, but in Russia they are rare guests. People who became the owners of a gentle and devoted pet appreciated its positive qualities.

History of the breed

Cockapoo is an incredible breed that has not found popularity in the Russian Federation.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, dog handlers in England and America were faced with the task of breeding a miniature breed that would not have diseases along the hereditary line. For this purpose, a poodle and a cocker spaniel were taken. As a result, the first litter consisted of cheerful and friendly puppies. The result was to my liking, thanks to which active breeding of these dogs began.

For the first time, a club for fans of this breed was opened in 1999, where it was decided that only adult individuals would be used to produce offspring.

Important! The Cocker Poodle breed is not officially recognized by the World Kennel Club.

History of the origin of the cockapoo

The origins of the designer breed occurred in the mid-20th century, when resourceful breeders tried to develop a new type of dog free of hereditary diseases. A miniature poodle and an American cocker spaniel were taken for crossing. The resulting puppies grew into cheerful and good-natured pets. The dogs were distinguished by a very significant feature - they, like poodles, did not have the smell characteristic of dogs, practically did not shed and were suitable for keeping people with an allergic reaction.

The result of the experiment exceeded even the wildest expectations of the selectors, so they began breeding and actively selling the designer breed (

Photo and description of the breed

Spaniel-poodle crosses come in several varieties, varying in size:

• Dwarf cockapoo. The weight of individuals does not exceed 3 kg.
• Toy. The minimum weight of pets is 3.5 kg, the maximum is 5 kg.
• Miniature cockers. Weight category is up to 9 kg, and height at the withers is from 35 to 38 cm.
• Cockapoo. Representatives of this species are rare; their weight can reach 30 kg.

The Cockapoo is one of the breeds that is not officially recognized by the IWC.

A pet needs constant human attention

The incredibly beautiful fur of the Pikapu is the calling card of these individuals.

The cockapoo is a cocktail that combines the intelligence of a poodle and the hunting instinct of a cocker spaniel.

Representatives of this breed are excellent with children and other animals.

Health and life expectancy

Cockapoos are hybrids, they are free from breed diseases due to the admixture of blood outside the normal breeding circle. So-called hybrid vigor automatically applies to mixed breeds, but it does not always guarantee a complete absence of problems. If we talk about cockerpoos, they most often suffer from the following diseases:

• Cataracts (usually occurs in old age, sometimes can be removed surgically);
• Luxating patella (common problem in small dogs);
• Hip dysplasia (X-ray screening is the most reliable way to diagnose the problem);
• Allergies;
• Liver disease (more common in cockers);
• Ear infections (usually caused by improper care or nutrition for floppy ears).

Cockapoos, like other dogs, need planned preventive measures (vaccination, deworming, treatment for external parasites). With proper care and maintenance, life expectancy is 13 years or more.

General information and standards of the Cocker Poodle breed

Since the cockapoo is an unapproved dog, its standard is not registered. The dogs are proportionally built, look active and cheerful. They look more like poodles than spaniels:

• The Cocker Poodle Cockapoo has a head that is proportional to its body. The skull is rounded, the muzzle is pronounced, the nose is dark in color.
• The eyes are round, in most cases there is a dark brown iris.
• The ears are long, set low and droop somewhat.
• The back is straight, the chest is developed.
• The limbs are long, with developed muscles.
• The tail may hang down or may be shaped like a sickle.

Choosing a puppy and price

Cockapoo dog breeders work in two directions. Some are trying to create a new breed by crossing hybrids of the first and subsequent generations. While others are of the opinion that cockapoos should remain unique in every way, and this can only be achieved by maintaining the heterosis effect. When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to which path the chosen nursery takes.

In breeding designer dogs, the correct selection of a pair is important. This must be a purebred cocker spaniel and poodle with good appearance and a suitable character.

The puppy must be clean, externally healthy and active, socialized for its age, this will be indicated by the absence of aggression or fearfulness. Naturally, a puppy from a breeder who uses only high-breed animals for breeding that have passed tests for hip dysplasia and patellar luxation will be much more expensive than a baby from an ordinary cocker and poodle living next door.

The price of good cocker and poodle puppies, unlike these dogs, is steep. In America, a cockapoo costs between $200 and $1,200. In Russia, the price rarely drops below 50,000 rubles. Puppies may cost less if amateurs decide to breed, for example cocker owners who consider current prices for spaniels too low.

Character traits

Representatives of the cockapoo breed are kind, calm and loyal animals. They communicate well with both adults and children. Pets are absolutely not prone to aggression and are excellent companions for both people and other animals. The dog will tolerate the appearance of another animal in the house well, even if before that it was the only favorite, and will not become jealous of its owner.

Peekapoo dogs are cheerful four-legged friends who love to spend time playing. At the same time, they are inherently curious, so they obviously will not sit still while walking, because it is important for them to get to know the world around them.

Important! Over time, love for the world around him will be passed on to the owner; before he even notices, he will begin to enjoy what surrounds him.

Representatives of this breed can boast of high intelligence. They adapt well to a new environment, quickly make decisions and are well trained in the technique of executing commands. Pets have a keen sense of smell, so they can keep company while hunting, but not for large animals.

Peekapoos are curious individuals who love to explore the world.

Character

The Cocker Poodle, along with the Crested Powder Powder, the Japanese Chin and the Belgian Schipperke, has a peaceful nature. He is always in a great mood and is ready to share it with every family member. But sometimes the dog can be intrusive - he really wants to participate in everything that happens around him. That's why he follows his owner with his tail.

For a Cockerpoo to be happy, it needs to be surrounded with attention. The dog will become sad if the owner does not spend time with him.

Advantages and disadvantages

A cross between a poodle and a spaniel, that is, a peekaboo, has its pros and cons, which the breeder needs to become familiar with before purchasing such a pet.

Positive traits:

• absence of shedding and repulsive odor;
• beautiful exterior;
• high life expectancy;
• good character;
• ability to get along with people and animals.

Negative features:

• loneliness is difficult to bear;
• feel the need for long walks;
• predisposed to a number of diseases.

Mixed Poodle and King Charles Spaniel

Cavapoos are active, playful and very sweet dogs that crave to be the center of attention. They love to say hello and hug with all their paws - they are one of the most jumping breeds. Cavapoos are so attached to their owner that they cannot stand long separation from him.

The size of the animal is approximately the size of a spaniel, but it has longer legs and an elongated muzzle. The fur is long, silky, somewhat curly, like that of a poodle. Such a luxurious fur coat needs high-quality care. The size of the dog is average - about 25 kg.

Before purchasing a cavapoo, please note that he has a sensitive stomach - you should select a diet with your veterinarian. From a spaniel, a hybrid can inherit a tendency to cardiovascular pathologies.

Photo of a cross between a poodle and a King Charles spaniel:

Color Variations

Adult dogs are selected for mating. Their color is not taken into account, so individuals can have a variety of coat colors:

• brown;
• beige;
• black;
• fawn;
• apricot;
• white;
• creamy;
• silver

Important! Wool can be dyed in a mixture of colors.

It is acceptable to have speckles on the fur

Appearance of an English Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel Puppy
Although the English Cocker is inferior in appearance to his glamorous American “cousin”, he does not look like a poor relative compared to him. In general, the “English” are larger than the “American” (the average weight of an adult male is 13-14.5 kg) and are a centimeter or two higher at the withers. At the same time, they have a completely harmonious physique. The dog looks especially graceful in motion, and it doesn’t matter at all whether it’s rushing across the field after prey or just trying to catch a Frisbee disc.

Head

The English Cocker Spaniel has a normal, not wide and moderately short skull. The muzzle is proportional, square, with a raised stop.

Jaws

Massive, with a classic type of bite (“scissors”).

Nose

The exceptional sense of smell of English Cocker Spaniels is ensured by their fleshy nose with wide, open nostrils.

Eyes

Large, without noticeable bulge, dark brown or brown in color. Dogs with chocolate coats typically have nutty irises.

Ears

Long, oval, low set. Covered with soft, silky hair. Ear type: hanging.

Neck

The neck of a correct English Cocker should not be very long, strong, muscular and without folds.

Muzzle of an English Cocker Spaniel

Frame

Purebred representatives of the breed have a strong body of compact size. The back of the English Cocker Spaniel is straight, without a hint of sagging. The croup is massive, but short. The chest is moderately deep and spacious, but without noticeable convexity or barrel-shape.

Limbs

Great guys

The ideal option is to have strong, straight and not overly elongated legs. The shoulders and knees of this breed are well bent, which makes the dog's movements freer, and the reach of the front limbs greater. The elastic push of the English Cocker is provided by good angles of the articulations of the metatarsus and hock joint. The animal's paws are rounded, with toes tightly adjacent to each other and elastic pads.

Tail

The tail of the English Cocker Spaniel breed is traditionally docked. But since this procedure is prohibited in a number of countries, at exhibitions there are individuals who have never been subjected to it. The natural length of a dog's tail is to the hocks, the set is noticeably lower than the level of the back, the shape is thick at the base and tapering as it approaches the tip. The docked tail should not be too short, which would prevent the “Englishman” from clearly expressing his own emotions and, as a result, significantly worsen his hunting performance.

Wool

Fitted, very soft, not frizzy or wavy. On the front and hind legs, belly and groin area the hair is more abundant, with a slight wave. There are fringes.

Color

Black and white English Cocker Spaniel puppy

The FCI standard grants English Cocker Spaniels the right to solid, spotted, tricolor and speckled color types.

Solid (one color):

• golden;
• black;
• red;
• chocolate;
• liver with scorch marks;
• black with tan.

Spotted:

• fawn with white;
• red and white;
• liver with white;
• black and white.

Tricolor:

• black and white with tan;
• liver white with tan.

Speckled:

• fawn roan;
• red roan;
• blue roan;
• hepatic roan;
• liver roan with scorch marks;
• blue roan with tan marks.

Defects and disqualifying defects

There are a lot of reasons for lowering the rating of show cocker spaniels, from curly hair to a short neck. Disadvantages that exclude the possibility of an animal entering the “Champions League” also include a deformed or hunchbacked back, cow-like limbs and white “patches” on the chest and throat of individuals with a monocolor.

An English cocker can withdraw from the competition at the selection stage only if he is diagnosed with malocclusion, pink lobes, depigmented lips, yellowish irises and cryptorchidism. Aggressive individuals and dogs that amble have nothing to do at exhibitions either.

Care and maintenance

The decorative cockapoo breed needs careful and specific care.

Combing/grooming

The coat is the calling card of this breed, so it is important to properly care for it. To prevent tangles from forming on the wool, comb it out with a comb 2-3 times a week.

The dog should be groomed once every 2-3 months, and the hair around the eyes and between the paw pads must be shortened.

Bathing

Your pet should be bathed once every 2-3 weeks using a special shampoo. If you carry out the procedure more often, the coat will become dull. But after each walk, your pet should wash its paws and belly.

Walk

These individuals need daily walks, and the walk should not last less than 1.5 hours and should be active.

Cockapoo walks should be active and interesting for him

Ears

Ears are cleaned as they become dirty, clearing them of wax and removing hair from the ear canals.

Claws

Since dogs are very active when walking, their claws wear down during the walk. If this does not happen, they need to be cut daily.

Teeth

The Cocker Poodle is prone to the formation of plaque and tartar on its teeth, so brushing is required 3-4 times a week.

Eyes

Representatives of this breed clean their eyes every day with a cotton pad soaked in chamomile infusion or regular boiled water.

Features of care

The Cockapoo dog is recognized as a designer breed with beautiful long curly hair.

The dog inherited such luxurious hair from his parents: Spaniel and Poodle.

Therefore, the most important hygiene procedure is combing and cleaning the undercoat. This breed is not characterized by active shedding, but regular cleaning is still required.

Professional grooming (including trimming fur, nails, bathing, combing, eye and ear treatment) should be carried out once a year.

Training and education

Thanks to their innate intelligence and quick wit, cockapoos can master a training program of any complexity without experiencing any particular difficulties. Pets are very sensitive, so during training you need to be firm, but not to the detriment of their psyche.

Important! Cockapoos do not tolerate aggression and anger.

The breed is easy to train, so cockapoos will not have any difficulties in following commands.

Feeding

The breed is prone to overeating. For this reason, it is important to strictly follow the diet and not feed her from the table. All treats (except dog treats) are excluded. Dog treats are given for good behavior or during training, but not often or daily. They have a lot of calories, so your dog can get fat on them.

The key nutritional ingredient is lean meat. In addition there are porridges or vegetables. Milk is given no more than 2 times a week. Vitamin supplements are also required. Very often, cockapoos are treated at veterinary clinics with stomach problems. Therefore, the food must be of high quality, and it is better, in order not to risk it, to feed the animal with premium food.

Mating

It is quite difficult to organize mating in Russia, because the breed is not widespread in the country. If it was possible to find a suitable dog, then the pets are first introduced, and then a female is brought into the male’s territory and a manual mating is carried out.

Pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks, and a litter usually produces no more than 7 puppies.

Only adult individuals are subject to mating

Is the Cocker Poodle the ideal pet?

Designer dogs are often elevated to leading positions in the “best breed” ranking. And there are a number of reasons for this:

• hypoallergenic - dogs have virtually no shedding, which means that the breed can be kept by people suffering from allergies;
• lack of smell - many households love dogs, but do not risk having them because of the characteristic smell. The cockapoo is a pleasant exception in this matter. The breed does not have any foreign odors, even if it has not been bathed for a long time;
• they love to walk outside and can do without human intervention - many breeds require personal training with their owners, which takes a lot of time. You can combine a walk with your cockapoo with a trip to the park. The pet will run in the fresh air without disturbing its household;
• a special, childlike look that remains even as the pet grows up;
• increased friendliness - they will happily welcome guests at home, giving each person personal attention;
• developed intelligence;
• companion dog - ready to accompany their owners on any journey;
• loyal;
• have a long life expectancy;
• feel emotions well, understand a person, are ready to provide support;
• have a sense of humor.

How to choose a puppy

Before making your choice, you must personally come to the nursery and view all the puppies from the litter. In a healthy puppy:

• eyes without redness and active lacrimation;
• clean ears;
• there are no signs of allergies or irritation on the skin;
• correct bite – scissor bite;
• shiny wool.

A pet that does not suffer from diseases behaves actively, cheerfully, shows curiosity about the world around it and does not behave aggressively.

When choosing a puppy, it is important to take into account the appearance and characteristics of its behavior.

Price

Despite the fact that the cockapoo does not officially exist, you can buy a puppy of this breed even in Russia. It is important that breeders are professionals and not swindlers. Because your baby won't cost you cheap. The starting price for a cockerpoodle puppy will be thirty thousand rubles .

Since the breed does not participate in exhibitions, the pedigree does not matter, you say, and you will be wrong. It always matters when it comes to breed in general. Only yard animals have uncontrolled matings. And when buying a purebred puppy, you should have an idea about its parents. Starting from their external characteristics and ending with diseases and food preferences.

Interesting Facts

There are many interesting facts about the cockapoo breed. Here are a few of them:

• Cockapoos are hypoallergenic dogs, so they can live in an apartment or house with people prone to allergies.
• A cockapoo named Alfie won the title of "Dog with a Smile" in a competition run by Penguin Books. According to the jury, this animal is constantly smiling. Many breeds competed for this award, but the 9-month-old Cocker Poodle was awarded the award.
• The breed is popular not only in America; its qualities are also appreciated in Sweden, Australia and Great Britain.

The breed is ideal for participation in beauty contests.
Cockapoo is a person’s best friend and cheerful companion. He is able to empathize with his owner and at the same time try to cheer him up, which cannot but be appreciated.

Photo gallery

The Kopaku dog, which you can see in the photos below, will become a favorite for children and make friends with other animals living in the apartment.

Poodle and Pomeranian mix

The Pomapoo is one of the cutest and cutest poodle mixes. This is an eternal puppy - a miniature dog that looks like a toy. Please note that this is not a hypoallergenic hybrid and its coat requires regular and careful grooming.

The baby feels great in small apartments - the main thing is that there is somewhere to play. He can be trained without any problems to relieve himself on a special diaper or in a tray. The dog is quite loud - it requires training from an early age so that he does not burst into barking at every irritant. He loves to be the center of attention and cannot stand being alone.

Not the best choice for families with children - if the dog is annoyed, he may even show some aggressiveness. The Pomapoo does well with a single owner or a family of two. Health problems are inherited from parents - blindness is most often diagnosed in old age.

Photo of a cross between a poodle and a Pomeranian:

Mixed poodle and shih tzu

The Shih Poo can be somewhat stubborn and proud, much like its Shih Tzu ancestor. But timely training will definitely turn him into a friendly and obedient dog. The main thing is daily training, reminders of the rules of behavior in the house.

Again, the legacy of the Shih Tzu: pets can grow up somewhat aloof, independent, and uncommunicative. They belong in quiet houses, with a calm owner. It is unlikely that a thorn will make friends with noisy children. From the whole family, such a pet will most likely choose one and only owner.

By temperament, these are dogs of medium activity - they would rather lie on a rug than go for a long walk. Therefore, this is not a choice for active and restless people. It is also better to choose a thorn for a person who has experience raising a dog, who is patient and strong-willed.

Photo of a cross between a poodle and a Shih Tzu:

Mixed poodle and St. Bernard

Saint Berdoodle is an amazing combination of the intelligence of the Poodle and the loyalty of the Saint Bernard. This is a giant, affectionate and incredibly cheerful dog, as if created to make everyone around him happy.

Keep in mind that the dog has thick and dense curly fur that requires regular grooming. Saint-Berdoodle loves cool, or even frosty climates - this is his element. In the hot summer, you need to protect the giant from overheating and dehydration, or even trim and shave off his thick “fur coat.”

Although affectionate, this is a giant mixed breed that needs early training. It is especially important to teach this merry fellow to contain his joy - both adults and children can suffer from the giant’s unexpected jumps and his tight hugs. Teach your mixed breed to walk on a leash so as not to shock passers-by.

Photo of a cross between a poodle and a St. Bernard:

Poodle-Yorkie mix

Yorkipoo is another popular poodle mix, a charming but somewhat nervous dog that requires attention and needs early training. She gets her energy and temperament from the toy poodle, and her vocal abilities from the Yorkie. Remember that miniature dogs mature faster than large dogs (although they age more slowly), so you need to start training them at an earlier age. The main thing is to teach not to bark for no reason, but to voice only in a certain case. Otherwise, a loud dog will cause a lot of trouble.

By nature, Yorkipoos are active, playful and sociable. Children should be attentive to the pet - he does not like forced hugs or rough games. But he loves to chase the ball and play hide and seek.

If the mestizo has predominantly poodle genes, his coat needs simple care, because the pet sheds slightly. If the Yorkshire Terrier genes are dominant, daily brushing and trimming of hair on the face and in “sanitary areas” is required.

Photo of a cross between a poodle and a Yorkie:

Mixed poodle and Pekingese

Peekapoo is one of the most interesting and discussed “mixes”. The hybrid is easier to care for (its coat does not have a fluffy undercoat), and is more loving and friendly than the Pekingese. However, mestizos are also characterized by diseases inherent in the “Chinese”. The most serious is obstructive airway syndrome. A congenital pathology that prevents a dog from breathing normally and regulating its body temperature due to its muzzle being too short and flat.

The Pickup does not need excessive activity, rough play - this causes breathing problems, which can even provoke aggressive behavior in the dog. This mixed breed is indicated for people who have had experience of keeping a dog with difficulty breathing. In order not to aggravate health problems, the hybrid must be protected from overheating and excess weight.

Photo of a cross between a poodle and a Pekingese: