If you’re looking for an adorable, energetic canine companion, the Cockapoo mixed breed is one of the right choices. This lovely cross between the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel brings together the best of two breeds in an intelligent, loving pet.
When adopting a new pup, you need to understand what traits are most important regarding appearance, personality, and maintenance. Finding a dog that doesn’t mess up their home too much is a big plus for many people. So, let’s find out how much do Cockapoos shed so you can decide whether or not it’s the right breed for you.
But first, do Cockapoos shed? All dogs shed to some degree, and the Cockapoo is no exception. But on the bright side, they shed way less than other breeds. The exact amount of shedding will depend on which parent’s genes are mostly expressed in their coats. For this reason, multi-generational Cockapoos are the best option for ensuring a low-shedding canine.
Many families seek a solution for pet allergies or, at the very least, a dog that doesn’t make quite the mess in terms of shedding. The truth is, cleaning up fur can be frustrating. In an effort to provide the perfect dog, breeders made the Cockapoo.
Small to mid-sized, affectionate, intelligent, friendly, loyal, and beautiful, the Cockapoo has become a beloved member of many families. Today we take a closer look at how this breed sheds along with how to ensure their coats remain healthy and reduce shedding to the lowest possible level. Without much delay, let’s jump right in:
How Much Do Cockapoos Shed?
The Cockapoo is a mixed breed that includes a non-shedding breed (the Poodle) and a breed that sheds a significant amount of fur (the Cocker Spaniel). Your Cockapoo may or may not be prone to shedding depending on genetics.
This dog will likely shed less than the Cocker Spaniel but isn’t guaranteed to be completely non-shedding like the Poodle. Either way, you will not find a blanket of fur on your furniture, floor, clothing, etc. Also, expect multi-generational Cockapoos to have more predictable coats and shed less than their first generational counterparts.
Aside from the genes from each parent, other factors may affect how much your Cockapoo sheds. This includes the time of the year and their overall health.
Why Do Cockapoos Shed?
There are various reasons why Cockapoos shed. The first one is when they’re getting rid of their puppy coat. Puppies are often born with fine, short coats, like a human baby’s hair. Puppies must shed these fine baby hairs to allow thicker, more durable adult coats to grow.
This usually happens when Cockapoos are around eight months old. You can expect moderate to heavy shedding during this time, but once the entire puppy hair is gone, the new adult fur will shed less.
Your adult Cockapoo continues to shed minimally throughout its life as a way to get rid of old, dead hairs and allow for the regrowth of new, healthier fur.
Another reason these dogs shed is to prepare for seasonal changes. You might see more fur than usual as the temperatures rise as the dog sheds more to stay cool in summer.
The above types of shedding are typically normal processes that do an important job of keeping your Cockapoo healthy. But shedding in these dogs can also be due to an underlying issue that will need to be addressed. Read more on unhealthy shedding below!
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
When do Cockapoos shed? Your Cockapoo puppy will start to shed their hair when they’re around eight months old. As mentioned earlier, you can expect to find a lot of fur around your house during this time. But once the canine gets its adult fur, you can expect minimal shedding throughout most of the year.
Like most dogs, Cockapoos will experience seasonal shedding where they shed more than usual to prepare for seasonal changes. As temperatures begin to rise in spring, they tend to shed their coats to make them lighter and help keep them cool in summer.
Similarly, in fall, their coats are likely to shed a bit more to grow thicker fur that can keep them warm in winter. But even during seasonal shedding, Cockapoos don’t shed anywhere as much as double-coated heavy shedders like the German Shepherd. Of course, how much your Cockapoo sheds will depend on which parent they inherit their fur from.
If you live in a climate-controlled house, your dog might not experience seasonal shedding.
Unhealthy Shedding
After reading about when and how much Cockapoos shed, you probably wonder why your own has suddenly begun shedding a lot. Excessive shedding in these dogs is usually a sign of a condition or illness that your vet can help diagnose. Some causes of unhealthy shedding in dogs include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Bacterial and fungal infections
- Skin infections
- Stress
- Parasitic infection
- Poor nutrition
- Underlying illnesses like Cushing’s Disease, hypothyroidism, cancer, and allergies
Unhealthy shedding doesn’t just manifest in the form of excessive shedding. In some cases, your Cockapoo’s fur may change its texture. You may also notice bald spots, hair thinning, dry skin or fur, dull fur, open sore, etc. If you notice any abnormal shedding behaviors, contact your vet immediately.
What Type of Coat Does a Cockapoo Have?
When learning about Cockapoos shedding, it all starts with understanding their coat. As a crossbreed, Cockapoos’ coats can vary significantly depending on which parent they inherit their traits from. Poodles are single-coated with curly fur, while Cocker Spaniels are double-coated with slightly wavy or straight fur. With such diversity, expect Cockapoos to end up with various coat combinations. The three types of Cockapoo hair are:
- Single coated with tight curls
- Single to double-coated with loosely curly fur
- Double coated with fur that is straight to slightly wavy
How to Manage and Reduce Cockapoos Shedding?
After understanding how much do Cockapoos shed, it only makes sense that you know how you can manage the situation and reduce shedding. We’ve seen that some Cockapoos shed a bit more than others, depending on which parent they inherited their genes from, but generally, it’s low than most breeds. Let’s go over a few simple recommendations for managing your Cockapoo’s hair to keep shedding to a minimum.
Cockapoos Grooming
These dogs may be low shedders, but grooming shouldn’t be overlooked. Otherwise, the fur might end up tangling and matting. This can be painful to remove and can cause skin irritation, which in turn causes shedding. Brushing also allows you to capture loose, dead fur within the coat before they get a chance to shed and spread all over the house.
Because these dogs have different coats, they have different grooming needs. For instance, the straight coats will only need brushing 2-3 times a week. On the other hand, those with wavy or even ringlet-like coats along with tight curly-coated cockapoos will require more grooming to prevent mats, which they are prone to.
One useful tool you’re going to need is a slicker brush. This brush does a great job detangling the fur and removing mats while also getting rid of loose fur, dander, and debris.
Most owners like to have haircuts performed on this pup to make the fur more manageable while also making the dog look cute. But be sure to visit a professional groomer for this to avoid damaging your pup’s coat.
Cockapoos Diet
You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” The same applies to our canine friends. A healthy diet equals healthy skin and hair that sheds only when necessary. Your Cockapoo will need a proper diet high in proteins and low in carbohydrates.
Studies have also found that omega-3 fatty acids can aid healthy fur growth. So, include salmon, sardines, soybeans, chia seeds, and green leafy veggies into your dog’s diet. A quick warning, these dogs can put on weight easily. So, ensure that while they get plenty of healthy foods, they are not overeating.
Proper hydration is also important to reduce the chances of dry skin and other skin conditions that may exacerbate shedding.
Baths, Supplements…
Baths are another great way to reduce shedding, but only when needed. Like brushing, they allow you to capture loose fur before it gets a chance to shed on your furniture, carpets, clothing, etc. These dogs only need to be bathed once every 2-3 months unless they roll in mud or something smelly. If your pup spends a lot of time outdoors, they may need more baths to get rid of dirt and debris. But be careful not to over-bathe your furry friend.
They have lots of oil and minerals in their fur, which can be stripped away with too much bathing. This will leave their skin and fur dry, thus encouraging shedding. Be sure to use a good quality dog shampoo and never human shampoo.
Even if your canine’s diet is nutritionally complete and balanced, some supplements can help with certain health issues. Your Cockapoo could also have special nutritional needs like when they are pregnant or sick. Omega-3 supplements and vitamins are known to encourage fur health, thus reducing shedding. That being said, always consult with your vet first before adding any new vitamins or supplements to your dog’s diet.
Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?
While you can be affected by the fur, the biggest culprit of canine allergies is the dander and a protein found in the animal’s saliva and urine. Since all dogs produce these elements, all are capable of affecting people with allergies.
The good news is some breeds produce fewer allergens, making them less likely to affect people with allergies. Many people get sneezy and itchy around dogs, which has led to the high demand for hypoallergenic dogs. So, what category do Cockapoos fall into?
Cockapoos are not considered to be hypoallergenic because they shed. Those who inherit the Cocker Spaniel’s coat will shed even more and are more likely to trigger your allergies. That being said, they are generally better options for mild allergy sufferers than heavy shedders like the Mastiff, Chow Chow, German Shepherd, etc. Be sure to find a Cockapoo that is more Poodle than the Cocker Spaniel for a more allergy-friendly coat.
The next step is to find ways to keep shedding to a minimum. Grooming and providing a proper diet is a great place to start. Equally important is to invest in a vacuum designed for pet hair and a HEPA air filter. These tools will help reduce allergens in your environment. Last but not least, you can speak to your doctor to prescribe allergy medication to help manage symptoms.