Cockapoos Characteristics, Behaviour & Temperament
Common Cockapoo Traits
Of course they look adorable, but understanding the typical behaviours and temperament of cockapoos is essential before you welcome one into your home. When choosing any dog breed, you need to make sure that they suit your lifestyle and your home life. For example highly energetic dogs may not be a good choice for apartment dwellers who are out of the house all day, while breeds with high prey drives won’t be suitable to homes with cats and other small furry friends.
So, what about cockapoo characteristics? Luckily, these dogs are known for being lovable, loyal and eager to please, which makes them a great fit for a lot of people. Their intelligence is highly valued as it means they take to training well, but this also means that they need to be kept stimulated. Read on to find out more.
Are cockapoos good family dogs?
With their loyalty and friendliness, cockapoos can make wonderful family dogs. As with all breeds, it is vital that children are taught the right way to behave around their cockapoo and that the dog is given a safe space where he can enjoy some quiet.
Are cockapoos good with other dog breeds?
Again, when it comes to analysing cockapoo traits, we look to their parent breeds. Poodles and cocker spaniels are both known for working and living well with other dogs, and so the same is generally true of cockapoos. In fact, many cockapoo owners find that their dog thrives with another dog in the home. However, it all comes down to individual temperament, and some poodles and poodle crosses can be known for territorial behaviours. This means that if you have an adult cockapoo that you want to introduce to a new dog, it may be good to do so on neutral territory and in a gradual way.
Can cockapoos live with cats?
Cockapoos’ genetics hark back to hunting and working dogs, and as such they can have quite a strong prey drive. Depending on how this has been managed while they were a puppy, this may mean that an adult cockapoo isn’t best suited to living with a cat as they may give chase. However, if you introduce your cockapoo to a cat when it’s a puppy then there’s no reason why they can’t grow up to live amicably side by side.
Can cockapoos be left alone?
The length of time that dogs can happily be left home alone can vary, with some dogs being absolutely fine and others showing signs of separation anxiety. There is no evidence that cockapoos suffer more or less from separation anxiety than other breeds, however like most dogs they’re unlikely to enjoy being left for longer than 4 or 5 hours.
If you know that your cockapoo is going to need to be left alone for several hours a day, it’s a good idea to get them used to this while training your cockapoo puppy. Start by leaving them in their crate for ten minutes while you do a few chores around the house, and then gradually increase their time alone and the distance between you.
Nowadays, there is a lot of great tech on the market such as ‘puppy cams’, so you can observe your cockapoo’s behavior when you’re out of the house. Many people find that although their dog whines when they leave, they actually settle down quite quickly!
Do cockapoos have any negative traits?
As with most dog breeds, there are some cockapoo traits that can result in negative behaviours in some environments. For example, their combination of energy and intelligence can mean cockapoos are prone to boredom. Both cocker spaniels and poodles are traditionally working dogs, and so cockapoos are most comfortable when they’re kept active. As with all dogs, boredom can lead to destructive behaviour and so it’s important that your cockapoo is kept stimulated.