Do Cockapoos Shed?

Cockapoos have grown in popularity over the past 20 years or so.

These dogs are a mix between an American or English Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

They combine characteristics, personality traits and qualities of both breeds to create what is often dubbed a hybrid dog.

These usually include their high energy, devotion to their owner, playfulness and hypoallergenic coats.

However, there’s no guarantee a Cockapoo will inherit certain desired traits from their Cocker Spaniel parent or Poodle parent.

In this article, we’re going to address whether Cockapoos shed.

What are Cockapoos?

Cockapoos are a cross between an American or English Cocker Spaniel and a miniature or toy Poodle. They’re often dubbed “hybrid” or “designer” dogs.

You can also refer to this particular mix as a Cockapoodle or Cock-a-poo. Alternatively, you can just describe them as a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix.

Do Cockapoos shed?

Cockapoos are generally considered to be low-shedding dogs.

They usually get their low-shedding coats from their Poodle parents. The American Kennel Club and the British Kennel Club suggest Poodles are dogs that are suited to owners looking for a breed with hypoallergenic qualities or low-shedding coats.

The Poodle has a unique coat that barely sheds while they also don’t produce a lot of dander. For the uninitiated, dander are microscopic pieces of dead skin that dogs secrete. Dander, rather than dog hair, is often the biggest trigger of allergies.

While Cockapoos have the influence of the Poodle genes, there’s no guarantee a Cockapoodle will inherit all the hypoallergenic qualities from their Poodle parent. So there’s no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic Cockapoo. Each Cockapoo will be different with regards to their shedding.

Here’s what the British Cockapoo Society have to say about the issue:

We’ve spoken to a number of different Cockapoo owners on Instagram, including two social stars, Miss Darcy and Sushi Said. Both are Cockapoos.

Let’s hear from Miss Darcy with regards to the issue of shedding:

Sushi Said’s mom Teresa gave her insight based upon her experience:

Cockapoos don’t shed much if at all so you won’t need to get the vacuum out quite as often as other dog owners with pooches that moult throughout the year.

However, Cockapoos have substantial grooming needs that will take up your time, energy and resources.

Will I need to groom a Cockapoo?

Cockapoo owners will be required to groom their pooch to maintain the health and quality of their coats.

They can have a variety of different coats whether they take after their Cocker Spaniel or Poodle parent. They can have a straight coat, curly coat or a coat that encompasses both of those styles.

Grooming is important to prevent a Cockapoo’s coat from matting. If the coat isn’t brushed regularly, a Cockapoo’s hair could form dreadlocks.

A Cockapoo with a straight coat will require a regular brush two or three times a week and a bathing every two to three months. They might need a regular trim to cut back their hair around their eyes and ensure their beard isn’t too long.

Wavy coat Cockapoos can easily struggle with matting, especially during shedding season. The Cockapoo Club of UK say that some grooming sessions could last hours. You may prefer to go with an experienced professional groomer.

Cockapoos with a tight curly coat that resemble their Poodle parent usually get what is called a teddy bear trim. By keeping their coat short, Cockapoo owners can easily clean or wash dirt and debris out of their coat. If you want your Cockapoo to have a teddy bear haircut, you’ll probably need to schedule a visit to a professional groomer four times a year.

Are Cockapoos hypoallergenic?

Cockapoos are generally considered to be a hypoallergenic mixed breed.

Poodles are one of the breeds suggested by the Kennel Club and the AKC as a hypoallergenic option for dog owners. While no breed is 100 per cent hypoallergenic, they’re considered more so than most other varieties of dogs.

While there’s no guarantee that a Cockapoo will reflect their Poodle parent in terms of being hypoallergenic, most members of this mixed breed seem to be hypoallergenic to some degree.

Cockapoos coat colors

Cockapoos come in a wide range of different coat colors. These include:

• Solid black
• Fading black
• Apricot
• Solid dark red
• Fading red
• White
• Blonde
• Black tuxedo
• Black phantom
• Tri-color
• Sable
• Parti
• Roan

Cost of maintaining a Cockapoo’s coat

Different breeds have different costs that come hand-in-hand with owning that type of dog. Cockapoos are no different.

While you may have budgeted for purchasing your Cockapoo puppy, have you also given consideration to vet bills, dog food, pet insurance and other services you might require?

For example, Cockapoos can cost quite a lot of money to groom.

As we touched upon above, most Cockapoos will require a trip to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. At a push, you might be able to get away with every 12 weeks.

According to Cockapoo HQ, most groomers will charge between $30 (£25) and $50 (£40) each time you visit their salon.

The website goes on to explain other grooming costs to consider:

Anything else to consider

If you want to learn more about Cockapoos, you can also contact a few different breeders to learn more about these mixed dogs.

Alternatively, you could send a direct message to some Cockapoo accounts on Instagram. In our experience, social media accounts are usually more than happy to answer your questions about the breed.

This can be a great way to get a real insight into what life is like owning a Cockapoo – or any type of dog.

Here are 20 Cockapoos to check out on Instagram if you are thinking about getting a Cockapoo.

In conclusion

So we’ve reached the end of our article on Cockapoo shedding.

While Cockapoos are usually hypoallergenic and low-shedding dogs, you can expect a certain amount of shedding. The amount can depend upon whether they reflect their Cocker Spaniel or Poodle parent more.

Although Cockerpoos don’t shed a lot, they have extensive grooming needs.