Given that both of these dog breeds are hybrids with poodles, you may be wondering what the differences are between a cockapoo vs goldendoodle. While they may seem similar upon first glance, there are actually a great deal of distinctions that can be made about either breed. But what might some of those distinctions be?
Goldendoodle vs. Cockapoo: Breed Differences and Similarities
In this article, we will compare and contrast all of the differences between cockapoos and goldendoodles so that you can learn how to tell them apart. We will also discuss their behavioral differences, their size differences, as well as their potential differences in lifespan and health. Let’s get started and learn about these two dog breeds now!
Comparing Cockapoo vs Goldendoodle
Cockapoo
Goldendoodle
Size
20-60 pounds; 10-16 inches
25-75 pounds; 12-24 inches
Appearance
Smaller and more slender, and found in black, cream, brown, apricot, and red colors. Often has additional markings as well. Ears look similar to cocker spaniel ears, and the coat is silky, curly, and textured
Found in a variety of colors including black, white, copper, cream, apricot, golden, and red. Has the skull and snout shape of a golden retriever, while the fur looks more similar to poodle fur. Ears are shorter and more practical than poodle ears
Originally Bred For
Family dogs and companion animals but with a healthy hunting background
Guide dogs, but now just considered to be a low shedding breed of dog for families
Behavior
Very playful and loves to swim given its ancestry; may be prone to separation anxiety
Goofy and laid back unless left alone; very loyal and fairly easy to train, and enjoys being near their people
Lifespan
12-16 years
12-15 years
What is the Goldendoodle?
The Goldendoodle is another designer dog breed that uses a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. You typically get that beautiful golden long hair mixed with Poodle curls and the result is unique. This is perhaps the most popular crossbred dog breed in the world and it continues to become more and more sought after.
Cockapoo Vs Goldendoodle – Which Is A Better Dog Breed?
This breed is docile and really easy to work with. You can handle them even if you have never raised a dog before because they are extremely obedient. They tend to be medium to large dogs, but there are some miniature Goldendoodle breeds out there as well. They are super smart and very lovable dogs. This long-haired dog is also a hypoallergenic dog that sheds very little.
Goldendoodles make ideal family dogs but they also do well as working dogs. They are common for therapy and service dogs because of their intelligence and steady temperament. In addition, the Goldendoodle is also very loyal, a popular trait from the Golden Retriever.
The Goldendoodle was first bred around 1990, but they have become more and more popular over the years as they are discovered.
What is a Cockapoo?
The Cockapoo is a small designer breed that is perhaps one of the first Doodles ever bred. These dogs date back to the 1980s when owners looking for a hypoallergenic and nonshedding service dog. A Cockapoo is a hybrid breed between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel.
The result of the breed is a goofy, fun-loving personality that is smart and very easy to train. Cockapoos love people, they are playful, and they are intelligent! Cockapoo dogs get very attached to their family and humans and love to be shown affection.
Cockapoos have gorgeous coats that are a mix between curls and long-haired coats. They shed very little and are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. The combination of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle results in a small breed that falls somewhere between miniature Poodle and Spaniel sizes.
Temperament is something every dog parent wants to consider. Are the dogs friendly? Do they get along with other pets? Are they easy-going? Are they territorial? Are they affectionate? These are all important considerations.
The good news is that both sides of the Cockapoo or Goldendoodle are loyal, loving, and affectionate dogs. The result of this combination is that the Cockapoo and the Goldendoodle are incredibly smart and extremely loyal.
They tend to be easy-going and laid back with happy and loving temperaments overall. Goldendoodles are known for occasionally acting out because of boredom, but if you keep them entertained this shouldn’t be a huge issue.
Cockapoos like to be close to their owners. They almost become your shadow and they worry when you are away. Goldendoodles love affection, but they don’t necessarily have to be right next to you at all times like the Cockapoo.
Both the Cockapoo and Goldendoodle are playful dogs, but they don’t require an extensive amount of running or playing time to keep them out of trouble. It is recommended that Goldendoodles get about 60 minutes of exercise per day, while Cockapoos only need about 30 minutes per day.
Cockapoo vs Goldendoodle: Size
Cockapoos and Goldendoodles can both vary in size. It really ultimately depends on the sizes of the parents and there are a lot of varying factors overall. In general, the Goldendoodle tends to be a large breed or even possibly on the high-end of the spectrum of a medium breed. This can depend on the parents and whether any mini or toy Poodle parent was used for breeding.
Standard Goldendoodles are not overly tall and stand around 2 feet in height at the top of their heads. They can be large and sturdy dogs and the standard size weighs anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds overall.
In general, the Goldendoodle is considered a medium to large dog. The only exception is if you see a specified smaller crossbreed, which will be most likely labeled as mini, teacup, or micro Goldendoodle.
Cockapoos, on the other hand, are small to medium dogs. They tend to have a stature more similar to that of the Cocker Spaniel. Their height can be anywhere from 10-18 inches. These dogs are slim in stature and not as sturdy so they weigh considerably less than a Goldendoodle.
A Cockapoo is likely to weigh anywhere from 19 to 30 pounds. Again, this depends primarily on the parents that were used in the breeding process. While they are not tiny or mini, they fall more towards a medium-sized dog breed. Just like with the Goldendoodle, there are mini and toy sizes that are bred.
Goldendoodle vs Cockapoo: Health
Unfortunately, crossbreeds do tend to be more prone to various health issues. While it is possible that your dog will never experience issues, there are some to be aware of for both the Goldendoodle and Cockapoo. Many breeders have parents tested for potential health issues as a means to reduce or prevent the likelihood of the puppies they produce from having major health issues.
That being said, there is still always the possibility of facing a health issue that could be costly to mediate or care for your dog. Cockapoos tend to have more severe health possibilities. Remember that not all Cockapoos deal with these. However, common health ailments of the Cockapoo include issues like heart disease, liver disease, epilepsy, and dental struggles.
Goldendoodles are not without health risks. Goldendoodles are more likely to suffer from hip problems. They might also have skin conditions and sensitivities or eye conditions. These are the most common and most known possible health ailments in Goldendoodles.
Cockapoo vs. Goldendoodle: Grooming
The long, curly coats seem like they might require a lot of grooming for both breeds, but it’s not overwhelming. Goldendoodles typically do require more frequent grooming than Cockapoos since they have more hair.
Goldendoodles need to have their hair brushed frequently, particularly since it is possible for them to shed lightly. You should plan to simply brush their hair at least a few times every week to keep shedding to a minimum and to keep their coats healthy and nice-looking.
A Goldendoodle will need more extensive grooming like hair trimming and bathing every 6-8 weeks. You can use a professional groomer or you can purchase the equipment to take care of grooming on your own. It is ok to bathe your Goldendoodle in between official grooming sessions, but it is important not to bathe them too often as this could irritate their skin.
Cockapoos do not need to be groomed as often as the Goldendoodle, but they still need to be groomed. Since they are non-shedding dogs, you should aim to brush them at least a couple of times per week to prevent tangles and mats. In addition, you will likely want to take them to get a haircut every 6 to 12 weeks.
Cockapoos sometimes struggle with ear infections so try to clean their ears regularly to avoid ear infections. This just happens because they have hanging ears that need to be kept clean. Official grooming and trimming only needs to happen every 3 months. You can do baths in between but it is not required and should be kept to a minimum.
Cockapoo vs Goldendoodle: Appearance
This is where you will find perhaps the biggest difference between Cockapoos and Goldendoodles. Understanding the difference in their looks will make a much larger difference in understanding the difference between the two breeds.
First, let’s talk about the colors. Both the Goldendoodle and Cockapoo have quite an assortment of colors. The colors are mostly portrayed by the colors of the parents used in the breeding process. Both breeds commonly have puppies that are blonde, black, brown, or bi-colored and tri-colored blends.
If you look at the overall appearance, Goldendoodles are slightly larger. They tend to be tall and lean, but also sturdy and muscular. They are larger than Cockapoos in build and overall size.
Cockapoos tend to be a more compact size. They are short and compact in comparison to Goldendoodles. They tend to have a more petite build that is slim and not as tall.
The coats can vary for both breeds, but you can typically expect a slightly long coat that has curl and waves. The curls won’t be as tight as the Poodle but are rather the perfect blend of the coat from the poodle and the coordinating long-haired parent.
Both dogs are considered hypoallergenic. While they do shed some, their shedding is slim to none. Cockapoos have been said to not shed at all, but Goldendoodles may shed slightly. Either way, the dogs are hypoallergenic and even the Goldendoodles that shed, do so very lightly.
Cockapoo vs Goldendoodle: Life Span
Designer breeds and crossbreeds have in the past gotten a bad reputation for their life spans. It seems like they don’t always live as long as other breeds and it’s almost like we expect them to have health issues or simply live fewer years.
The good news is that both the Goldendoodle and the Cockapoo have pretty decent lifespans. They are also pretty similar overall. The Cockapoo average lifespan is anywhere from 12-15 years. The average lifespan of the Goldendoodle is anywhere from 10-15 years. Both of these are decent and long-term life spans. In general, smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs because they develop fewer health issues.
Cockapoo vs Goldendoodle: Costs
These dogs are relatively expensive over the duration of their life. The initial cost for a Cockapoo or Goldendoodle is going to be at least $2,000. In addition, you might need to spend some money upfront for supplies and you should plan to buy high-quality food.
Grooming and potentially healthcare are perhaps the most expensive needs for Goldendoodles and Cockapoos, but these can be planned for and accommodated much easier overall. Proper care and general day-to-day care is not excessive as far as costs go. You can even purchase pet insurance to help mitigate a large medical bill.
Goldendoodle vs Cockapoo: Training
Both of the Cockapoo and Goldendoodle breeds are very intelligent and therefore also very easy to train. They are pretty easy-going and not overly stubborn. They love praise and affection and this works well to get them trained. Treats and positive praise might be all that you need to effectively train them.
Goldendoodles are sometimes used for service and therapy dogs. That training will look a little bit different since it requires special training. The biggest struggle is leaving them alone and some of them get a reputation for being destructive around the house, but if you plan and know how to work with them they are great dogs. Just remember to exercise them and provide lots of mental stimulation.
Final Thoughts
Either the Goldendoodle or Cockapoo will great family companion pets. However, the Cockapoo is a lot smaller than the Goldendoodle. If you’re looking for a smaller Doodle dog and don’t live an active lifestyle, we would suggest that you get a Cockapoo. While they still need exercise, they don’t require nearly as much as a Goldendoodle. Search our blog for reputable breeders in your state!
