As a mixed breed of the poodle and the cocker spaniel, the cockapoo gets the best of both worlds. He has inherited their playful and lively temperament and charming looks.
So do cockapoos shed? When it comes to shedding, does he take after the toy poodle and moult lightly? Or is he a heavy shedder like the cocker spaniel? Discover the answer to the question “Do Cockapoos shed?” by reading on.
Are cockapoos nonshedding?
All variations of cockapoo, namely the miniature cockapoo and maxi cockapoo or standard cockapoo, shed their coat just like all dogs. However, the cockapoo shedding level is lesser compared to other breeds.
Are cockapoos hypoallergenic?
Cockapoos are considered to be hypoallergenic dogs. This is because they are likely to inherit that trait from their parent breed, the poodle. It is worth noting that all dogs, including hypoallergenic ones, produce dander, which causes an allergic reaction in people. However, since hypoallergenic dogs shed less, people with allergies react less severely or none at all to them.
Do cockapoos shed a lot?
As mentioned above, the amount of moulting in cockapoos is affected by their genetics. If they inherited more of the poodle’s genes, they are likely to shed less. Meanwhile, if they have more cocker spaniel blood, then they tend to moult heavily.
Breeders and groomers have classified the cockapoo’s coat into three categories. Each of these types has various shedding quantities:
- Single-coated coarse and tightly curly
Cockapoos that sport this coat type only slough minimally. - Single to double-coated and wavy to loosely curly
Minimal shedding happens; however, it may increase during some seasons. Often happens to cockapoos with undercoat. - Double-coated and straight to slightly wavy
Heavy shedding occurs especially during some seasons.
Why is my cockapoo shedding so much?
There are various reasons why cockapoos moult. Below are the most common causes behind a cockapoo’s shedding:
- Sloughing off their puppy coat
Once cockapoo puppies grow older, they will start shedding their puppy fur to make way for the adult coat. During this time, expect moderate to heavy shedding. When their entire puppy coat is removed, their new adult fur will moult less. - Genetically passed down
As mentioned earlier, the lineage of the cockapoo is a huge factor in how heavily he sheds. It mostly depends on which parent breed’s coat they are going to inherit. Breeders will be able to recognise the type of coat that a cockapoo puppy has inherited after six weeks. However, they cannot gauge the amount of shedding the puppy would have. - Seasonal shedders
Some cockapoos with double coats moult because of the season. For example, during the summer season, most of their hair blow off to keep them from getting hot.
When do cockapoos shed their puppy coat?
Cockapoos slough their puppy fur only after he reaches eight months old. After that, their adult fur will gradually replace it. Since their puppy coat sheds heavily, frequent brushing is needed to keep all the fur from sticking to furniture, clothes, and other parts of your home.
How to Groom a Cockapoo
The cockapoo may shed less than other breeds, but grooming should not be overlooked. His coat may end up tangling and matting if not properly cared for. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to groom a cockapoo’s coat:
Step 1
Get a detangling spray and apply it on your grooming tools and on your cockapoo’s coat. The detangling spray will make it easier for you to unsnarl any knots and mats.
Step 2
Start gently brushing through his coat to find tangled fur. Use a stainless steel comb in brushing his hair, locating mats and tangles. Do this section by section.
Step 3
Once you find a knotted fur, use a slicker brush or pin-side brush to untangle it. Although some mats are tricky to work through, keep in mind to be gentle to avoid hurting your cockapoo. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all tangles and mats have been untangled.
Step 4
Use a slicker brush and work through section by section. This is to get rid of any dead or loose hair.
Step 5
Trim some of your cockapoo’s fur with trimming scissors. Cut off overgrown hairs surrounding his eyes, paw pads, and hindquarters.
Read the Cockapoo breed information to learn more about this wonderful breed.