Also known as the Cockerpoo and the Spoodle, the Cockapoo is a spunky and affectionate breed. But how do you know whether you are ready to purchase a pet and if this breed is right for you? This information is absolutely necessary in making the decision to purchase a pet.
History
The origin of the Cockapoo can be traced back to 1950’s United States. The Cockapoo was developed by crossing the American Cocker Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel with a Standard Poodle or Toy Poodle, depending upon desired size.
Throughout its history, the Cockapoo has been most commonly kept as a companion, proving its superior abilities to entertain while providing loyal friendship.
Today, while the Cockapoo has attained an underground popularity as a unique designer breed and companion dog alike, the breed remains rather rare outside its native United States, and current fame in Russia and Sweden.
Personality Traits
Best known for its outgoing and spunky behavior, the Cockapoo is full of character. These small dogs thrive on strong and dependable relationships with humans, and love to play the role of lap dog. The Cockapoo is very intelligent, yet somewhat stubborn and overly confident, creating difficulty in training. As a pet, these dogs are obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate. This breed adapts well to full-time indoor and apartment living, and views spending time outdoors as a special treat.
Train-ability
Due to its stubborn and overly confident attitude, the Cockapoo can prove somewhat challenging to train. This breed is known for being especially difficult to housebreak, and for growing bored and annoyed with repetitive exercises and tasks.
Establishing immediate dominance, trust, and respect is key to successfully training the Cockapoo. These dogs require an experienced, patient, and strong handler with a stern and serious approach to repetitive exercises and tasks.
Benefits and Disadvantages of the Breed
There are many benefits to owning a Cockapoo. This active breed is often quite amusing and entertaining to watch while at play. When properly socialized from a young age, the Cockapoo gets along well with small children and other pets, often making friends quickly due to its social and outgoing nature. These dogs are very alert and aware of their surroundings, serving as effective watch dogs, announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors. The Cockapoo is obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate, making an excellent family pet and companion alike.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning a Cockapoo. While this breed adapts well to full-time indoor and apartment living, they do require moderate amounts of daily exercise and room to run on play on a regular basis. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Cockapoo not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.
Like many companion breeds, the Cockapoo is known to suffer from separation anxiety. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed who travel frequently, have full time work, or are away from the home on a daily basis are advised to begin researching another breed. During an attack of separation anxiety, the Cockapoo will act out of nervous destruction and may destroy property, chew, bark, whine, and ignore housebreaking training.
The Cockapoo has a thick and beautiful coat which requires almost constant attention such as brushing, grooming, and bathing in order to prevent matting and maintain its attractive appearance.
As previously mentioned, the Cockapoo remains rather rare outside of the United States, Russia, and Sweden, and can prove somewhat challenging to obtain. Individuals wishing to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.
Common Health Concerns
While the Cockapoo is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: patellar luxation – dislocation of the knee, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, entropian – folding inward of the eye lid, ectropian – folding outward of the eye lid, various dental issues, and chronic ear infection.
Now that you know all about the breed, do you think you are ready to own a Cockapoo? Remember, purchasing a pet is a big decision and should be discussed thoroughly and seriously with your entire family.
Sources:
http://www.heydogs.com/c/cockapoo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cockapoo
