Cockapoo

A cockapoo (portmanteau of cocker spaniel and poodle) is a dog crossbreed bred from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, most commonly the Miniature Poodle.[1][2][3][4]

Not to be confused with Kākāpō.
Cockapoo
A cockapoo puppy
A cockapoo
Other namesCockerpoo, Cockerdoodle (AU)
OriginUnited States
Foundation stockCocker Spaniel and
Poodle
Breed statusNot recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Height ≈ 14–15 in (36–38 cm)
Weight ≈ 20–24 lb (9.1–10.9 kg)
Coat Long hair
Color All colors and combinations of colors
Life span ≈ 13+ years
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The Cockapoo was first bred by designer dog breeders 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.[2][3] If both parents are healthy this can be true and the crossbreed is typically more genetically diverse than purebred dogs, however hybrid vigor refers to crossbreeds between species, not dog breeds.[5] Cocker Spaniels and Poodles have been deliberately crossed in the United States since the 1960s.[2][4]

In 2022, Cockapoos were one of the most expensive dog varieties in the United Kingdom, costing an average of £1,336.15.[6] 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.[7]

Dimensions and appearance

As with most animal crossbreeds, there is a great deal of variability in the Cockapoo's dimensions and appearance.[3] 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.[4] Individual dogs that weigh less than 12 pounds (5.4 kg) are labelled toy Cockapoos, dogs that weigh between 13 and 18 pounds (5.9 and 8.2 kg) miniature Cockapoos and dogs weighing over 19 pounds (8.6 kg) standard Cockapoos.[4] Cockapoos can vary in temperament and in need for exercise.[8]

Crossbreeding

In order to promote crossbreeding in the United States a dedicated club has been formed, the Cockapoo Club of America.[9]

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. When 2 F1 Cockapoos are bred together this creates an F2 Cockapoo, and there are many other combinations including breeding them back towards the original poodle or cocker spaniel breed.

See also

References
  1. Oxford University Press (2019). "Cockapoo". Oxford Dictionary. Lexico.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  2. Fogle, Bruce (2009). The Encyclopedia of the Dog. New York: DK Publishing. p. 393. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8. OCLC 1033562587.
  3. Morris, Desmond (2002). Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 559–560. ISBN 978-1-57076-219-2. OCLC 1035898723.
  4. Gagne, Tammy (2007). Designer Dogs. Neptune City, New Jersey: TFH Publications. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-0-7938-3791-5. OCLC 1029026538.
  5. "The myth of hybrid vigor in dogs...is a myth".
  6. Joyner, Lisa (March 28, 2022). "25 of the UK's most expensive dog breeds in 2022". Country Living. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  7. Watson, Calum (September 18, 2020). "Puppy prices soar during coronavirus lockdown". BBC News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  8. Palika, Liz (2007). The Howell Book of Dogs. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. pp. 204–205. ISBN 978-0-470-00921-5. OCLC 1244843735.
  9. Woolf, Norma Bennet (2007). Hot Dogs!: Fourteen of the Top Designer Dogs. Hauppauge, New York: Barron's Educational Series. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7641-3512-5. OCLC 1149427229.
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