Cockapoo

The cockapoo, also known as a cockerpoo (portmanteau of cocker spaniel and poodle), is a dog crossbreed bred from the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, most commonly the Miniature Poodle.

History
The cockapoo was first bred as a designer dog in the United States with the aim of producing a healthy companion dog that, it is claimed by its supporters, does not inherit many of the health defects common in the two parent breeds due to hybrid vigor. If both parents are healthy this can be true and the crossbreed is typically more genetically diverse than purebred dogs; however, "hybrid vigor" indicates an increased probability of health rather than a definite one for any specific animal. Cocker Spaniels and Poodles have been deliberately crossed in the United States since the 1960s.

In 2022, cockapoos were one of the most expensive dog varieties in the United Kingdom, costing an average of GB£1336.15. Between 2019 and 2020, the average price in the UK rose by 168 percent, a result of increased demand caused by a national lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dimensions and appearance
As with most animal crossbreeds, there is a great deal of variability in the cockapoo's dimensions and appearance. All colors or combinations of colors can be found, though most commonly they are white and brown. The coat can also be straight, wavy, or curled. Individual dogs that weigh less than 12 lb are labelled toy cockapoos, dogs that weigh between 13 and 18 lb miniature cockapoos and dogs weighing over 19 lb standard cockapoos. Cockapoos can vary in temperament and in need for exercise.

Crossbreeding
In order to promote the crossbreed in the United States, a dedicated club has been formed, the Cockapoo Club of America.

Cockapoos are available in F1, F2, and F2B, which is dependent on the parent dogs. An F1 cockapoo is bred from a purebred poodle and a cocker spaniel. This can also be called a first-generation cockapoo. When two F1 cockapoos are bred together this creates an F2 cockapoo, and there are many other combinations breeding back towards the original poodle or cocker spaniel breed.

Temperament
Cockapoos are known for their affectionate nature and lively personalities, inheriting intelligence from both parents' breeds – the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. This intelligence makes them generally easy to train, as they are eager learners and quick at mastering new tricks. It’s encouraged that owners enroll their cockapoos in puppy training classes for proper obedience and socialization. Cockapoos are energetic and require attention, exercise, and training to prevent boredom and potential recklessness. It's important to note that, due to their sociable nature, if left alone for too long cockapoos have been known to develop separation anxiety.

Health
Crossbreeds like cockapoos are generally healthy, and are known to have fewer predisposed health conditions compared to some purebred dogs. However, owners should be aware of common health concerns such as allergies, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, and progressive retinal issues.