Cockapoos

After many years of living with Border Collies, and having studied other breeds of all shapes and sizes, I thought there was no other breed for me. And then I met the Cockapoo. I was smitten. We now have Cocker Spaniels and Cockapoos, plus our forever Border Collies, living in harmony.

Though obviously a lot smaller than the Border Collie, the Cockapoo is equally intelligent, fun-loving, and affectionate, and wants to be with you whenever possible. The Cockapoo combines the intelligence and abilities of the Poodle with the extremely affectionate and biddable nature of the Cocker Spaniel. These two breeds, as a first cross (1st Generation F1), result in so much more than a pretty face; they are extremely affectionate, loyal, clever little dogs. Cockapoos thrive on human interaction, whether being walked in town or wandering around car boot sales, they want to greet everyone, and they love nothing more than a cuddle! They are tolerant, loving and devoted.

These little dogs, like Border Collies, are NOT couch potatoes. They need to have human company and to be part of the family; they can't bear to be crated or caged for long periods of time while owners go out to work. If you are looking for a dog that can be left alone for lengthy periods, a Cockapoo is probably not for you. If, however, you are looking for a loyal, fun-loving and devoted companion, you probably couldn't find a better breed.

The Cockapoo is a fun-loving and gentle dog - and extremely patient with children who are kind and gentle in return. They are very sociable and interact very well with other dogs, so as well as fun days out with the family, the Cockapoo would enjoy taking part in local companion shows or training for agility.

The low-shedding coat does need regular grooming, and if combed through every alternate day will not pose a problem. We tend to clip the coat all over twice a year, but keep the eyes trimmed and tidy at all times. With general health care (regular worming and flea-spraying every 3-4 months) the Cockapoo is a healthy, hardy breed with an expected longevity of about 15 years, so you can be blessed with wonderful company for a very long time.