Cockapoo's can have many different types of coat with some dogs having a more Poodle-like coat whereas others might boast having sleeker coats much like their Cocker Spaniel parent breed. They are considered low-shedding dogs, especially if they boast having more of a Poodle coat, but this does not mean they don't need to be regularly brushed because their hair tends to grow quite quickly. The only way to prevent tangles and matts from forming is to brush a Cockapoo on a regular basis especially if their coats are on the long side.
With this said, no matter what type of coat a Cockapoo may have inherited, they still need to be professionally groomed, trimmed or clipped several times a year. This makes it that much easier to keep a dog's coat looking smart in between visits to a grooming parlour. It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax is allowed to build up in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.
Cockapoos are energetic dogs and they are smart which in short means they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy, well-rounded and obedient dogs. They love being kept busy and enjoy nothing more than taking part in all sorts of canine sports which includes activities like agility, obedience trials and flyball to name but three, all of which they are known to excel at.
They need to be given anything from 40 to 60 minutes exercise a day. A shorter walk in the morning would be fine, but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing has to be extremely secure to keep these active and inquisitive dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence, they will soon escape out and get into all sorts of trouble.
With this said, Cockapoo puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them could result in causing a dog a few problems later on in their lives. They should not be allowed to jump up or off furniture nor should they be allowed to run up and down the stairs for this very reason.
If you get a Cockapoo puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.
Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters, but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.
