Cockapoo or Cockerpoo – And Does It Matter?

Kiwi the Cockerpoo could also be Kiwi the Cockapoo.

If you spend any time around owners of these wonderfully chaotic little dogs, you will quickly discover something slightly confusing. Some people proudly announce they have a Cockapoo, while others will insist their dog is a Cockerpoo, just like KIwi the Cockerpoo, for example.

And occasionally, somewhere on social media, a minor diplomatic incident breaks out when somebody confidently informs everybody else that they are wrong.

So what is going on here?

Well… nothing at all really. Both names mean exactly the same thing.

A Cockapoo — or Cockerpoo if you prefer — is a cross between an English Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. The two breed names have simply been blended together to create one rather charming but slightly odd-sounding result which has almost become a thing in its own right, now universally known as “a Doodle”.

Not the scribbly thing I used to do on my school books, but that face, that expression, and that complete bed takeover you swore would absolutely never happen.

So whether you call them Cockapoos or Cockerpoos, there is no secret difference hiding underneath. Or on top of your head, or under your feet, or waiting patiently outside the bathroom door.

It is simply two ways of describing exactly the same dog.

Kiwi, naturally, has never shown the slightest interest in settling this debate. As far as he is concerned, both names are perfectly acceptable as long as somebody nearby is holding biscuits.

Why Have Cockerpoos Become So Popular?

Over the last couple of decades, Cockerpoos have quietly become one of Britain’s most popular family dogs — and it is not difficult to see why. Owners are often drawn to the wonderful combination of characteristics inherited from both sides of the family.

From the Cocker Spaniel side, they often inherit:

• affection

• loyalty

• sociability

• a strong desire to be involved in absolutely everything you are doing

  
  

From the Poodle side, they often inherit:

• intelligence

• curiosity

• excellent learning ability

• the alarming tendency to work out exactly where snacks are stored

  
  

Put the two together and you not only end up with a dog who is loving, playful, highly trainable and deeply convinced that personal boundaries are merely theoretical, but one who also happens to look remarkably like a teddy bear. Sorry, but a French Bulldog is never going to attract quite the same level of random passing affection that a Cockerpoo will.

Are All Cockerpoos The Same?

This is where things become slightly more complicated.

Not every Cockerpoo behaves exactly alike because not every Cockerpoo has the same genetic mix.

For example, breeders may use:

• working Cocker Spaniels

• show Cocker Spaniels

• miniature Poodles

• toy Poodles

• different generation crosses

• 
  

This means some Cockerpoos are calmer, some are extremely energetic and some are perfectly happy to spend the afternoon snoozing peacefully. Others appear to believe the entire purpose of existence is to run continuously in increasingly pointless circles (aka the "zoomies"

Are Cockerpoos Good Family Dogs?

One reason Cockerpoos have become so popular is that they often fit beautifully into family life.

They tend to enjoy human company and usually like being involved in whatever is happening around them. This can make them wonderful companions for families with children.

Of course, the downside is that many Cockerpoos are also highly skilled at ensuring they remain the absolute centre of household attention at all times. You may think you are watching television but your Cockerpoo believes you are participating in a group activity involving them.

What Is Daily Life With a Cockerpoo Actually Like?

This is the section where honesty becomes important.

Life with a Cockerpoo can be wonderful. It can also be faintly ridiculous. Cockerpoos are often:

• clever enough to outsmart you

• fast enough to steal sandwiches without warning

• affectionate enough to forgive instantly

• mischievous enough to repeat the exact same behaviour thirty minutes later

  
  

Living with Kiwi taught us very quickly that these dogs seem permanently caught somewhere between highly intelligent companion and small furry chaos engine. One minute you have a calm, affectionate little dog curled up beside you. The next minute they are sprinting around the garden because a leaf moved unexpectedly.

Why Cockerpoos Make Such Wonderful Storybook Characters

Perhaps this explains why Kiwi eventually became the inspiration behind our growing collection of illustrated children’s stories.

Dogs like Cockerpoos are naturally curious, adventurous, affectionate and seem to notice absolutely everything. And perhaps most importantly, they approach the world with exactly the sort of joyful enthusiasm children immediately understand. That combination makes them perfect storybook companions.

Kiwi’s adventures were inspired by exactly those everyday moments familiar to so many dog owners — small acts of mischief, funny misunderstandings, unexpected adventures and the occasional very questionable life decision involving food - usually someone else's.

So… Cockapoo or Cockerpoo?

The truth is both names are completely correct.

Both describe the same wonderfully affectionate, highly intelligent, occasionally ridiculous little dog that has become one of Britain’s favourite companions.

Whether you say Cockapoo or Cockerpoo really does not matter.

The important thing is understanding one unavoidable truth. If you invite one into your home, you are no longer fully in charge. Your dog is.

Kiwi would like this officially recognised.

FAQs

Is a Cockapoo the same as a Cockerpoo?

Yes. Both names describe the same crossbreed dog created from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

Are Cockerpoos good family dogs?

Many Cockerpoos are affectionate, friendly and sociable, making them popular family pets.

Do Cockerpoos bark a lot?

Some do. Cockerpoos are intelligent and alert dogs, which can make them quite vocal depending on personality and training.

Are Cockerpoos easy to train?

Usually yes. Their intelligence and eagerness to interact with people often makes training relatively straightforward. Please note, however, that they will behave perfectly during training classes, then laugh in your face and revert to being the worst behaved dog in the park the minute everyone is watching.

Why do Cockerpoos need regular grooming?

Because their coat often inherits characteristics from the Poodle side, regular brushing and grooming helps prevent matting. They don’t generally shed mountains of hair everywhere, so the dreaded dog-hair tumbleweed situation is usually avoided. Anyway, there is very little hardship involved in brushing a Cockerpoo who spends the entire time giving you that “I love you more than anything in the world” look.

Looking for Cockerpoo children’s books?

If you arrived here because you love Cockerpoos as much as we do, you can explore Kiwi’s illustrated adventures and discover why one mischievous little black Cockerpoo ended up becoming the star of his own collection of stories.