Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

06/18/2023

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Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

Are you a dog-lover but suffer from allergies? Many people wonder what the best dog breed is for allergy sufferers. In short, there are no completely hypoallergenic dog breeds, but there are some breeds that are more allergy sensitive than others; Cockapoos are one of these breeds. Cockapoos are a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. Because of their Poodle genetics, Cockapoos are more hypoallergenic than most dogs.

What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?

Pet allergies are extremely common in the United States. It’s estimated that approximately 3 in 10 people are allergic to dogs and cats. Most allergens come from proteins that can be found in a dog’s saliva or the skin flakes in a dog’s fur (also known as dander). During shedding, dead skin cells and damaged fur are removed from the body to make room for new, healthy fur. The dander is spread across the floor and is released into the air, which can trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, hives and itches.

Hypoallergenic dogs pose a solution for dog lovers who happen to have pet allergies. Due to their size and coats, these types of dogs are believed to be better for people with allergies. Many hypoallergenic dog breeds are small, which translates to less dander. They also tend to shed minimally, so the dander that causes allergies sticks to the fur as opposed to spreading through the air.

While no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, some breeds are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than others. One such dog is the cockapoo, a friendly, intelligent canine that can get along with just about anyone.

Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

If you’re looking for a friendly family dog that’s compatible with allergy-prone people, you can’t go wrong with the cockapoo. This mixed-breed dog is known for its amicable nature and is hypoallergenic (provided you go with a reputable breeder). Here’s a closer look at cockapoo puppies and at what a hypoallergenic dog entails.

What Is a Cockapoo?

The cockapoo, one of the first designer dogs, is a cross-breed dog that’s the product of a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Cockapoos inherit their intelligence and curiosity from poodles (which are approved as hypoallergenic by the American Kennel Club) and their sociable natures from cocker spaniels.

Most cockapoos are a cross between the American cocker spaniel and a standard, mini or toy poodle. However, some have an English cocker spaniel parent (in this case, the result is typically dubbed a “spoodle”). While they tend to be on the small side in comparison to other dogs, cockapoos can vary greatly in size, which they inherit from their parents. There are four main sizes of cockapoo dogs: maxi, mini, toy and teacup. The largest cockapoo (maxi) is over 16 inches tall and can weigh up to 65 pounds, and the smallest cockapoo puppy (teacup toy) is less than 10 inches tall and weighs up to 6 pounds.

In addition to size, cockapoos vary greatly in physical appearance. They can come in an assortment of colors, from the classic golden look to unique black-and-white patterns. While they may differ physically, most cockapoos that are bred properly come with hypoallergenic coats.

How Do I Take Care of a Cockapoo?

While cockapoos shed less than most other dogs, their coats should still be groomed regularly. Cockapoos may experience “coat blow,” in which the small amount of fur that sheds gets caught in the coat and forms knots and tangles. To prevent this, pet parents should brush a cockapoo’s coat at least twice a week. It’s helpful to tackle different sections of fur separately, dousing them in detangling spray before you work.

In addition to consistent brushing, it’s important to bathe your cockapoo to prevent odors from accumulating on the fur. Generally, cockapoos should be bathed about every two months — if you wash them more than that, their skin may dry out. During baths, always use a shampoo that’s free of soap and detergent that could irritate your dog’s skin.

Properly grooming your dog has more than just cosmetic benefits. It’s essential to your dog’s overall health and well-being. In addition to maintaining the coat, you should feed your cockapoo high-quality dog food (either wet, dry or a combination of both) and keep an eye out for any health issues. Problems that may arise in a cockapoo puppy or adult dog include:

Ear infections (otitis externa)
Eye disorders (cataracts, glaucoma)
Hip and knee defects (hip dysplasia, patella luxation)

These are all health issues commonly found in poodles and cocker spaniels. Although cockapoos are at lower risk for these conditions than their parents, it’s still important to monitor your dog for symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy or a sudden change in behavior. If any concerns arise, pet parents should contact their veterinarian immediately.

What Makes Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

It’s important to remember that every cockapoo is different and no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. However, in comparison to other dogs, cockapoos tend to be compatible with people who have allergies because they inherit the tight curls and fleece-like coat type of their poodle parent. Straight dog hair is heavy and pulls downward, which results in shedding. Curly hairs, on the other hand, tend to support each other and remain on the coat. Thus, most cockapoo dogs shed less than the average dog.

In addition to having low-shedding pet hair and a hypoallergenic coat, many cockapoos have odorless fur. Of course, to maintain this feature, it’s important to carry out regular grooming.

Are Cockapoos Good Family Dogs?

As low-shedding dogs, there’s no question that cockapoos are great for allergy sufferers. But are they suitable for the average family? Most people want a dog that can assimilate into their household and get along with every resident — and cockapoos fit the bill. Here’s a closer look at the typical personality of this mixed breed dog.

Cockapoo Behavior

To keep a dog happy, it’s important for pet parents to adapt to their dog’s unique behaviors and needs. Most cockapoos have moderate energy levels and require about 15 minutes of exercise a day. They’re happy to cuddle on the couch with you but will also hop up and go for a walk when you feel like stretching your legs. Due to the poodle gene, cockapoos are highly intelligent and should also be mentally stimulated through fun games and toys.

Cockapoo Temperament

The combination of cocker spaniel and poodle genes results in a dog that’s sweet, playful and easy to train. Not only are cockapoos eager to learn, but they enjoy pleasing their owners and are loyal to their families. They also get along with just about anyone, from young children and older adults to strangers and other animals. Finally, trained cockapoos are usually well-behaved and can be left home alone safely (although they should never be left alone for over eight hours).

Most Hypoallergenic Cockapoo Generations

We know that to find the most hypoallergenic Cockapoo, you must look for one with the most amounts of Poodle genetics. Therefore, below is a list of the most allergy-friendly generations of Cockapoos. As you can see, the generations with a higher percentage of Poodle than Cocker Spaniel will result in a coat that tends toward the hypoallergenic Poodle qualities rather than the shedding Cocker Spaniel qualities.

F1BB Cockapoo: 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Cocker Spaniel
F1B Cockapoo: 75% Poodle and 25% Cocker Spaniel
F2BB Cockapoo: 81.25% Poodle and 18.75% Cocker Spaniel
F2B Cockapoo: 62.5% Poodle and 37.5% Cocker Spaniel
F3 Cockapoo or Multi-generation Cockapoo: Several generations of Cockapoo breeding are usually backcrossed with the Poodle.

What you want to look for is a Cockapoo that is backcrossed with a Poodle. The “B” in the generations listed above is the indicator that these generations are backcrossed. Backcrossing means crossing a hybrid with a purebred; thus, the Poodle genetics are more dominant because they use a purebred Poodle in the breeding. Cockapoos that are more Poodle dominant tend to have curlier and waverer hair, which resembles a Poodle’s hair and sheds less.

How To Minimize Allergies Caused By Cockapoos

If you have adopted a Cockapoo but still find that your allergies are irritated, some simple tips can help you reduce allergens traveling from your dog to the air. These techniques can help you alleviate allergy symptoms without having to get rid of your dog.

Bath your Cockapoo regularly. This will reduce the number of allergens that are attached to your dog’s fur. These allergens can enter the air through movement, so bathing them regularly can reduce the number of allergens traveling around your household. It is crucial to ensure that you are using a shampoo that does not dry out their skin when bathing your Cockapoo, or you will exacerbate the problem instead of reducing it.
Get your Cockapoo groomed regularly at a place other than your own home. Grooming your dog will help eliminate the amount of dander and allergens present on your dog. But if you groom the dog in your home, these allergens can become airborne and irritate your allergies further.
Brush your Cockapoo regularly. By brushing your Cockapoo, you can reduce the amount of dander present on your dog’s skin, reducing the number of allergens released into the air.
Clean your house regularly. Dogs lose hair, regardless of what type of dog it is. So, it is essential to clean your house regularly to remove any present fur/hair. By cleaning regularly, you can prevent dog hair and the dander attached to it from becoming embedded in furniture and carpet and reduce the risk of it floating in the air where it irritates allergies.

Following these simple steps can result in a happier and healthier dog and family. In addition, reducing these dry skin particles will help your dog feel good and minimize scratching. This, in turn, helps allergy sufferers by reducing the number of allergens in the air. It’s a win-win scenario for you and your pup!

Are Cockapoos More Hypoallergenic Than Other Dogs?

It is essential to keep in mind that no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. Some dog breeds do shed less and generally have less dander, but it is never guaranteed that a dog will be hypoallergenic. However, because of their Poodle lineage, Cockapoos are typically more hypoallergenic than other dogs. But, that being said, some Cockapoos are even more hypoallergenic than other Cockapoos; so, you can never be guaranteed that your dog will be completely rid of allergenic qualities. So, one thing to remember when adopting a dog is that different things can cause allergies.

Although most dog allergies are caused by dander, there are rare cases where people are allergic to the dog’s saliva. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be fixed with a typical hypoallergenic dog. Although some dogs are advertised as hypoallergenic, that means that they shed less. It has nothing to do with saliva. As stated before, when it comes to Cockapoos, if you are allergic to dander, it is best to choose one backcrossed with a Poodle to enhance the chance of getting a low shedding dog. But, even then, breeders will never be able to guarantee that your dog is entirely hypoallergenic.

If you are interested in adopting a Cockapoo but are worried about allergies, it is recommended to do an allergy test. This can be as simple as going to a dog park and interacting with different dogs to see whether it affects your allergies or not. There are also more in-depth allergy tests available to determine whether you are allergic to dander or saliva. Remember, some people react to different breeds differently, so if you know what type of dog you are interested in adopting, it would be best to expose yourself to that breed before committing to adopting your own.

Final Thoughts

You can safely enjoy a companion dog Cockapoo in your home without having to fret about what your canine bud can do to your immune system.

Remember that Cockapoos still shed like any purebred dog, and they still have some saliva.

If adopting a F1b Cockapoo or F2 Cockapoo look for a reputable breeder with a proven track record of producing a hypoallergenic breed.

It is just that the Poodle genetics in them makes them keep their dander and drool away as much as possible, which makes them an excellent option for a hypoallergenic dog.