The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Cockapoo

Cocker Spaniel / Poodle Mixed Breed Dogs

Information and Pictures

Front view of a wavy-coated black and white soft looking dog with long ears that hang down to the sides, a black nose and dark eyes with his head tilted to the side sitting down outside on a table wearing a red collar

Milo the Maxi Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel / Standard Poodle mix breed dog). He is a trained service dog.

Other Names
  • American Cockapoo
  • CAP
  • Cockadoodle
  • Cockerdoodle
  • Cockerpoo
  • Cock-A-Poo
  • Cock A Poo
  • Maxi Cockapoo
  • Mini Cockapoo
  • Miniature Cockapoo
  • Spoodle
  • Standard Cockapoo
  • Toy Cockapoo
Description

The Cockapoo is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. It is most often bred to a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle. When a Cocker Spaniel is bred to a Standard Poodle it is called a Maxi Cockapoo. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Note: some Cockapoo clubs are working toward making the Cockapoo a purebred dog by multi-generation crossing, while other breeders are sticking to the basic Poodle / Cocker mix, stating they wish to preserve the heterosis effect in the hybrid mix. Ask the breeder you contact which type of Cockapoo they are breeding.

Height, Weight

Weight: Teacup Toy - under 6 pounds (3 kg.) grown weight
Toy - under 12 pounds (5 kg.)
Miniature/Mini - 13 to 18 pounds (  5.5 - 8 kg.)
Maxi - over 19 pounds. (9 kg.)

Height: 14-15 inches (35-38 cm.)

Life Expectancy

Average of 16 years

Litter Size

About 4 to 6 puppies

Recognition
  • ACC = American Cockapoo Club
  • ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
  • CCA = Cockapoo Club of America
  • CCGB = Cockapoo Club of GB
  • DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
  • DBR = Designer Breed Registry
  • NACR = North American Cockapoo Registry
Recognized Names
  • American Canine Hybrid Club = Cock-A-Poo
  • Designer Breed Registry = Cock A Poo
  • Designer Dogs Kennel Club = Cock-A-Poo
  • International Designer Canine Registry® = Cockapoo
Matty the Cockapoo is standing on a hardwood floor inside of a store. Matty is looking towards the camera and it looks like she is smiling

Matty the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel / Poodle mix) at 2 1/2 years old—"More and more places are allowing dogs to enter and enjoy a typical day of errands with their owner as opposed to staying at home all day….snoozing. Matty had a great time and a lot of mental stimulation shopping at Athleta."

Close-up head shot of a black, wavy-coated curly dog looking happy with is white teeth showing as he smiles.

"This is Shadow, a male Cock-a-poo at age 10. We adopted Shadow from a shelter at age 2 years. We found out he had epilepsy 2 weeks after adopting him. His condition is manageable with inexpensive daily meds and he has been THE BEST DOG EVER! He is currently 15 years old and still kicking, although slowing up. He is a lover and a lap dog. Everyone that has met Shadow wants to take him home. If you're looking for companionship, then a Cockapoo is a good choice. Shadow is my 2nd cockapoo. My first CAP lived to be 16 years old. She was also a wonderful dog, although didn't require as much "snuggle time" as Shadow does. Shadow was quick to train (learned sit, speak, roll over and stay in a few days). We trained him ourselves. He was great with my kids when they were small and is very accepting of people when they come into the house (after some barking of course). The best quality I've found in both my CAP's is that they weren't big chewers and not mischievous. I never came home to find a shoe destroyed, furniture chewed or trash can rummaged through. Never. Both my CAP's had full run of the house and were never crated."

Mocha and Scooby the Cockapoos are sitting on a hardwood floor in front of an egg blue wall

"Mocha, shown here at 2 ½ years is a female Cockapoo with a slightly wavy coat. Scooby, shown here at 1 ½ years old is a male with curly hair. They are bright, affectionate and love people. Both were rescues and have grown into well-behaved, social and much loved pets."

Daisy the black with white and gray ticking Cockapoo puppy is laying on a bed with a flower print cover and plaid pillows behind her

Daisy the black and white Cockapoo puppy at 6 weeks old—her mother was a Poodle and dad was a Cocker Spaniel.

Emily the Cockapoo is sitting outside in a field of green grass looking back at the camera holder with her mouth open and tongue out looking happy

"This is Emily, my Cockapoo at 3 years old. She is wonderful, very obedient. She loves the cats and other dogs in the family, and the kids, ages 9 and 4 years. Her coat is a little rough. I keep it short. She enjoys walks and car rides. She loves to watch the kids play on the playground nearby. She is a good watchdog and alerts me to any noise not recognizable to her. I watch the Dog Whisperer, read his book and have followed his method of the pack leader. It has worked with all my dogs including the Mini Poodle and Sheltie. The best technique I learned was the claiming ownership over items. My dogs are not possessive over any items and will relinquish any item I wish them to. The cats are another story! We are a happy "calm submissive" household."

Doodle the white with a black patched Cockapoo puppy is having a tug of war with a red pacifier dog toy

Doodle the Cockapoo puppy at 5 months old with his toy pacifier.

Chewy the white Cockapoo is laying up  on a human's bed on a blue comforter

"Chewy is a cross between an American Cocker Spaniel and a chocolate Standard Poodle, called a Maxi Cockapoo. He's 5 ½ months old and already 20 inches tall (from top of head to floor) and weighs approximately 25 pounds. He started out white, but as his adult coat starts coming in he's developing this apricot tint."

Bubba the curly white with gray eared Cockapoo is sitting on a tan carpet next to a wooden dresser

"This is Bubba, my blue-eyed Cockapoo, a 2-year-old Miniature Poodle / American Cocker Spaniel mix, and my 5th dog. He is truly a wonderful creature, and extremely intelligent. He knows a variety of tricks and learns things on his own. For example, he has learned how to open the sliding screen door by pushing his nose in the crack, and can open all the doors inside the house if they are left slightly ajar. Bubba is just so wonderful, pleasant and loves everyone."

Waffles the long coated white with tan eared Cockapoo is sitting outside on a sidewalk. His mouth is open and his tongue is hanging low

"Waffles is a wonderful dog. He is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. He doesn't bark (which is great if you live in an apartment) and he only sheds a little. We were hoping for a completely non-shedding dog, but he has so many other good qualities we will take a few hairs here and there."

Phantom the gray Cockapoo is wearing a red bandana and looking forward. His hair is groomed short.

Phantom the Cockapoo at 11 years old right after his new haircut (a puppy cut)

See more examples of the Cockapoo