Cockapoo – The facts

The Cockapoo is a small to medium sized dog and is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.  Its general size and appearance can vary a large amount as it can be bred from a large variety of parents. For the most part, Cockapoos are very friendly and can be trained easily.  They are energetic dogs with a particularly curly coat which is perfectly suited to allergy sufferers.

Quick Facts

Size: Small to medium.
Coat: Curly or wavy long-haired coats.
Exercise: 45 to 60 mins a day for adult dogs with a large amount of stimulation to stop them from becoming bored or troublesome
Lifespan: Upwards of 13 years

Nutrition & Common Health Issues

Cockapoos are VEYR energetic so it is crucial they receive the right amount of nutrients from their food. Vets recommend a good quality pet food twice a day, with the amount depending on your Cockapoo’s age and activity level.

Like most dog breeds, Cockapoos are prone to certain health conditions:

Otitis
Cockapoos are susceptible to skin issues, most specifically the skin within the ear whereby the ear canal can become infected.  Unfortunately, Cockapoos are particularly prone to getting grass seeds stuck in their ear canals.  This irritation can lead to otitis which causes an intense itch and makes the dog shake its head and flap its ears.  If this is due to an allergy, treatment is usually required for the lifetime of the dog.

Skin allergies
Cockapoos can suffer from allergies that lead to inflammation of the skin (dermatitis).  These allergies can be caused by many different things such as pollen or dust mites, food such as wheat, washing powders or even flea bites.  Allergies can not usually be cured, so treatment is usually required for life

Eye disorders
These are very common in dogs. Dry eye occurs when a dog can not produce enough tears.  Conjunctivitis is caused by the eye becoming inflamed due to infections or allergies.  Corneal ulceration happens when the surface of the cornea is grazed due to a scratch or because of something that it stuck in the eye. Treatment depends on the type of the eye problem and may be required for life to keep the dog’s vision intact.

Gastrointestinal disorders
Cockapoos can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This is a long winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. Conditions such as gastroenteritis or an obstruction (stones or string) within the bowel commonly cause diarrhoea or vomiting. A visit to the vet usually results in a full recovery.

Heart disease
Heart disease in dogs can be congenital or acquired (developed as the dog gets older).  Both of these lead to heart failure so early diagnosis of heart problems is very important, because if they progress to heart failure treatment will then be needed for the rest of the dogs life.

Grooming your Cockapoo

Cockapoo’s long-haired coats can range from curly to straight and and come in a variety of colours, including white, chocolate, cream, tan or black. Cockapoos are an excellent choice for allergy sufferers as they shed less than other breeds.  That said, they still need regular brushing to avoid their hair becoming matted. Their coats often benefit from professional trimming, particularly around the eyes where the hair is long to increase their range of sight.

Cockapoos have long floppy ears, meaning their ear canals can easily become moist and prone to infection. Always check their ears often fore signs such as a strange smell or brown wax.