Cockapoo
A two year-old Cockapoo
Alternative names
Cockapoo, Cockerpoo, Spoodle (AU)
Country of origin
United States
Classification and breed standards
Not recognized by any major kennel club

A Cockapoo (also called a Spoodle or Cockerpoo) is a hybrid dog, created by crossing an American Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle (in most cases the Miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle), or by breeding Cockapoo to Cockapoo. Cockapoo dogs are great dogs to have around children. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 594 pixelsFull resolution (2080 × 1544 pixel, file size: 697 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Rocky, a two-year-old cockapoo. ... This dog is cross between a pointer and a dalmatian. ... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the political insult see poodle (insult). ... The Poodle is a breed of dog; specifically, it is a gundog noted for its ability in the water. ... The Poodle is a breed of dog; specifically, it is a gundog noted for its ability in the water. ...

History

The Cockapoo has been popular in the United States since at least the 1960s. It has become so common that many Cockapoos are the result of breeding Cockapoo to Cockapoo rather than of a direct cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

Cockapoos have also become very popular in other countries. In Australia and Sweden, they are usually called Spoodles, and can be the result of mating either the American Cocker Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle, or of breeding successive generations of Spoodles. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The English Cocker Spaniel is a breed of gun dog. ...

Health

Cockapoos tend to have far fewer genetic problems than their parent breeds. This is due to what some call hybrid vigor. Heterosis is increased strength of different characteristics in hybrids; the possibility to obtain a better individual by combining the virtues of its parents. ...

Nevertheless, both Poodles and Cocker Spaniels can suffer from luxating patellas (loose knees) and PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy, an eye disorder), so it's essential to ensure that the parent dogs are tested for these problems. The Poodle is a breed of dog; specifically, it is a gundog noted for its ability in the water. ... Both types of Cocker Spaniel come in a variety of coat colors. ... Luxating patella, or trick knee, is a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. ... Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a genetic disease of the retina that occurs bilaterally and is seen in certain breeds of dogs. ...

It's also important that a Cockapoo's ears be kept clean and dry, as like Cocker Spaniels and other long-eared dogs, they can be prone to ear infections. Cocker Spaniel refers to two different breeds of dogs, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin: They are hunter dogs. ...

Characteristics

Twelve week old Cockapoo puppy.

Breeders usually try to retain the small build of the American Cocker Spaniel, while retaining the wavy quality of the Poodle's coat. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 659 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Cockapoo puppy at about 12 weeks old. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 659 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Cockapoo puppy at about 12 weeks old. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Strictly speaking, the Cockapoo cannot be described as a purebred because it does not 'breed true'. In breeders' terms, 'breeding true' means that the pups of two mated specimens will have more consistently predictable characteristics, and will resemble their parents, rather than exhibiting random characteristics of the dog breeds in their ancestries. Purebreds, also called purebreeds or pedigreed, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of a species, achieved through the process of selective breeding. ...

There are currently three Cockapoo clubs in America that are working towards developing the Cockapoo by breeding successive generations, and establishing the Cockapoo as a recognized breed.

External links

• The American Cockapoo Club
• American Cockapoo Club Breed Standard
• Cockapoo Club of America
• Dog Public profile