They are cute, they are typically little, but Cockapoo care is nonetheless a lot even as it can be fun too. Learning how to care for and raise a Cockapoo is like anything else you really love: you should be prepared to work for it, and you will get a great dog in return. Start with a Cockapoo guide, follow the many tips on this page, and be sure to understand that puppy care and adult maintenance are different when it comes to raising these wonderful hybrid dogs.
Cockapoos come from two parent breeds that need a lot of exercise. While this should be accommodated, the amount of exercise a Cockapoo needs is determined by the dog's varietal size: Toy, Mini, or Standard. Although the temperament of small Cockapoos can easily require them to need more exercise, not all small dogs should be exercised like big dogs. A very small Toy Cockapoo, for instance, should be carefully exercised so their smaller, less-dense bones (a result of down-breeding) and more fragile joints are not injured. Despite their size, Cockapoo puppies should be exercised in a limited fashion, i.e., very short walks and activity that doesn't involve strenuous running or jumping. After they around 5 to 6 months old, longer walks can be had. Rigorous exercise should not be done until they are at least a year old.
While Cockapoo exercise should always involve physical activity, mental exercise should not be neglected. Both parent breeds are known for their own agile abilities and you can be assured that your Cockapoo will want and need more than mere walking. Below is a list of exercises that should be good for most any size Cockapoo
Because these dogs are highly active, one way to shorten their otherwise accompanied exercise requirements is an agility obstacle course. This requires a bit of time to set up, but if you have a large fenced yard, you just need to do it once. There are plenty of ideas online about what you can use, build, or arrange for your Cockapoo's agility course. A good diet will also help greatly to prevent obesity, sickness, and anxiety. If you are a regular exercise enthusiast, make sure your Cockapoo is always along for the run, walk, or ride. If you have a treadmill at home, this is also an idea so long as you are nearby and the speed is kept manageable. When teaching him a new exercise or even upon the completion of a good walk, be sure to have a treat on hand so he understand that he did well!
Cockapoos can be medium to heavy maintenance. There should be minimum drooling, but the coat and Cockapoo shedding can be the big part of maintenance.
If your Cockapoo is slobbering all over the place, it could be one of many things. The color of the saliva, the amount of it, and any other symptoms will help a great deal in helping to determine the cause. Take a look in your dog's mouth for foreign objects, broken teeth or any other unusual conditions. Sometimes it can be as simple as something stuck in their teeth or mouth. At other times it may be an environment cause such as a car ride, a noxious bug he ate, or even a bee sting. If there is a loss of appetite or some other health issue that accompanies the drool, be sure to see a vet. When his adult teeth grow in, this could be the cause too, which means there's no cause for alarm!
How much and when does a Cockapoo shed? is a common question. When the adult hair grows in, there will be a lot of shedding. There are some Cockapoos that will shed always shed a lot, whereas others might shed very little. You won't be able to tell until their adult coat grows in. The tighter and curlier the coat, the more like a Poodle it is and the less visible shedding there should be. Cockapoos that are of the "b" filial generations ("b" meaning "back-bred") — such as F1bs — are the least likely to shed as they are almost always bred back to Poodles. If, however, there is excessive or patchy shedding, you may want to see if there is a skin condition or other health problem.
Because Cockapoos come in a wide range of sizes, how much and what to feed them should be researched by you and advised by your vet. Puppies, once weaned, should be fed kibbles moistened with warm water. When they reach anywhere from 6 to 8 months, the transition from this puppy food to adult dog food should be done slowly over a period spanning a week to 10 days. To get started with the proper Cockapoo diet, it's recommended that you replace the old food with about 1/4 new food. After a few days, half the bowl should be new food, and after a few more days, the new food amount should be 3/4s of the amount. Watch for any reactions, and consult a vet if they occur. If all is going well by the end of a week or so, make the entire feeding new food. Continue to watch for any problems. This should also be done if you adopt a Cockapoo puppy (or adult) and prefer a different type of food than the starter bag from his pre-adoption diet. While you should certainly avoid cheap dog food that is mainly corn and filler, there are commercial dog foods that are grain-free and with proteins and good ingredients at the beginning of the list.
The frequency of feeding, however, is dependent on age and regardless of the size. As adults, the smallest 'Poos, those that weigh under 12 pounds, should be fed about a cup a day period. The biggest variety of this hybrid should be fed 2 to 2.25 cups a day. Puppies are an entirely different story, and they should be fed more or less depending on their growth stage, activity level, and reactions. Below is a basic feeding chart that will offer tips on how much to feed a Cockapoo puppy and adult:
Cockapoos don't typically have a problem with obesity unless they have far more Cocker Spaniel in them than the average 'Poo. Then again, if you do have a fat Cockapoo, it could be due to an imbalanced diet, too little exercise, or a specific health problem that requires veterinary attention. If he is being fed commercial Cockapoo food, you may want to consider a BARF (Bones And Raw Food) diet. As for Cockapoo puppy food, it should be neither raw, nor wet (canned) food, nor too high in fat. Learning a reasonable fat-to-protein ratio for your dog may not be easy. Once you've figured it out, it will contribute greatly to your cute 'Poo's health, happiness, and much lower vet bills over the next several years!
The best dog food for Cockapoos is ultimately up to you, of course. You should consider significantly a lot of things: your dog's health and well-being, your vet bills, your current budget, and, again, your dog's health and well-being! Some people swear by the raw food diet. Others claim a good grain-free commercial dog food is just fine. Still others prefer specific Cockapoo puppy food from the outset until the transition to dry food.
The Cockapoo is highly adaptable to many environments although they do have a somewhat low tolerance to heat. Their parent breeds come from cold, wet places where in the past they would often run freely. Cockapoos, however, are fine for apartment living, especially if your breeder used a Mini or Toy Poodle. When it comes to cold weather, Cockapoos tend to have no problem.
Read the grooming requirements for Cockapoos including coat care and other maintenance.
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