Poodles are a very popular breed to keep as a pet and also very popular to breed with other dog breeds. For more information on the popularity of the poodle, see this site’s article on Poodle Popularity.
Although there are no poodle breeds, there are many poodle mixes. One of the most popular poodle mixes is the Cockapoo that is described in this article.
COCKAPOOS
By mixing the Poodle breed with the Cocker Spaniel breed, a Cockapoo is created. The Cockapoo is not a breed of dog, rather it is a mixed breed and in theory takes on all the desirable qualities of its parents. In reality, one expects the mixed breed dog to adopt the desirable traits of the purebred dog.
From the Cocker Spaniel, the mixed puppy is expected to adopt the Cocker characteristics of being soft, friendly, having a pleasant personality, and a stocky build. The breeding poodle traits to look for are intelligence, cunning, and a hypoallergenic coat that won’t shed.
THE SHIELD OF THE POODLE
The poodle’s coat is one of the main reasons the poodle mixes with other breeds. The poodle’s coat is non-shedding and hypoallergenic, which means that the poodle is (in my opinion) the best breed of dog to have if you suffer from allergies. Most people will not have an allergic reaction to a poodle.
HEALTH AND GENETIC DISORDERS
By mixing two breeds, Cockapoo puppies become less prone to genetic disorders. Poor parenting, like mating a brother and sister, is a cause of genetic disorders. Breeding with a completely different lineage from a different breed strengthens the puppy’s gene pool.
When Poodles became a popular dog, this caused a great demand for poodle puppies. Poodles were generated for money, not for health. Inbreeding and unhealthy reproduction ran rampant and led to genetic health problems for future generations of these poodles. The same poor breeding was done with cocker spaniels as their popularity grew. Known health ailments are associated with each breed due to breeding to meet demand versus breeding to improve breed quality.
It is possible to obtain a healthy thoroughbred. Proper breeding was also done at the time of the breed’s popularity. By researching the parental lineage and / or having both the father and mother registered with the AKC, a healthy genetic lineage for the purebred puppy can be ensured.
NO GUARANTEE OF TRAITS
Remember, when mixing the breeds, the traits you like in one breed will not necessarily carry over to the litter. Combining the best traits of both races is the goal. Some of the mixed breed puppies will have the desirable traits, or they may have one or two of the desired traits.
When mixing a poodle with a Cocker Spaniel, the cockapoo is expected to have a non-shedding and hypoallergenic coat, be highly intelligent, friendly, and have a robust build. Some cockapoos will have a less shedding coat and are less likely to cause allergic reactions. Some cockapoos will have fur that will shed and cause allergic reactions. The same is true for all traits.
Cockapoos are not a recognized breed of dog. At least not yet. If cockapoos with the desired traits are crossed with other cockapoos with the desired traits from a different bloodline, then over time the cockapoo will have predictable traits. For example, all purebred poodles have a non-shedding coat and are hypoallergenic. The purebred Cocker Spaniel has a shedding coat that causes allergic reactions. As of now, cockapoos may or may not have a coat that does not shed, or a coat that sheds less than the Cocker Spaniel. Researching the cockapoo breeder and seeing the parents is the best indication of a specific cockapoo puppy’s traits.
The combination of traits will be in each litter and puppies in the same litter may have different characteristics. One may have a shedding coat and another may have a non shedding coat. One puppy can be very active and another more calm.
PERSONALITY
Well-behaved cockapoos are calm, funny, gentle, and affectionate. They are nice, they are patient and very sweet. Their intelligence helps them to be trained and entertained.
The personality of a dog depends mainly on the parents. To predict personality, get to know the parents and take the time to get to know them. There are Cocker Spaniels and Poodles that are skittish, nervous and unfriendly, who will convey these undesirable traits. There are known health problems for each breed that will carry the genetic tendency to that health problem.
You can avoid spending time with the puppy before suffering great distress.
CARING FOR A COCKAPOO
Cockapoo puppies can be cared for with weekly baths, brushings, and nail trims. They can live a long and healthy life with proper nutrition, medical care, and good living conditions.
Cockapoo puppies have a very good immune system, so they are less prone to diseases. They stay healthy with regular physical exercises. The cockapoo needs physical activities and loves to play. At the very least, take them for a daily walk and have room for them to run and play or take them to a dog park.
COCKAPOOS AND CHILDREN
The nature of Cockapoo makes them ideal for children. They love to be with children and they will be an excellent companion. Calm and patience personality traits can make the cockapoo an excellent choice for a child with emotional challenges, such as being withdrawn or autistic. The cockapoo can make an excellent therapy dog.
FIND COCKAPOOS
Cockapoo breeders can obtain a state license or register with the American Cockapoo Club as a way to show that they are expert breeders. Cockapoo breeders raise healthy, socialized puppies in a variety of colors and coats. Research the breeder and ask lots of questions until you feel confident about the puppy you are about to buy. To say that a dog is a Cockapoo does not exactly imply that the parents are purebred Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. Many poodle cross breeds have more than one breed in the lineage. See if the breeder has a hereditary picture of the parents, called father and mother.
It is worth taking the time to examine the breeders. Make sure the cockapoo is healthy and has good manners. A well-bred cockapoo will make a wonderful loving addition to your home. Take care of yourself.