If you are looking at different potential dog breeds then one of the questions you will likely have is how much each one sheds. Shedding can be an issue and it also involves more cleaning up and general grooming and maintenance. I was once in your very position asking these questions myself. Having owned our cockapoo Barley for some years now, I’d like to share some information on the topic and what you can expect.
So, do cockapoos shed? Cockapoos do shed, although to a lesser extent than other breeds. Other factors that influence shedding include the heritage, genetics, and the type of coat a Cockapoo has (Ringlet, Straight, or Tight Curley).
Let us now take a closer look at how cockapoos shed along with some considerations to not only stay on top of it, but ensure your cockapoo’s coat remains in the healthiest condition possible.
How Badly Do Cockapoos Shed?
Cockapoos are a popular dog because of their friendly, playful nature and their cute, cuddly appearance.
At a glance, cockapoos come in a variety of sizes and coats. Their fur varies between long and unkempt to tight-curls that come in a range of colors.
Cockapoos were bred to provide dog owners with a solution to pet allergies and shedding issues.
They are a mix of poodle and an American cocker spaniel, so if you want a dog that sheds less, you must factor in the coat they have inherited from their parents.
It’s worth noting that the cockapoo has a puppy coat that must fall out before its mature coat is revealed.
Your cockapoo might shed badly if it has a long coat or if it is shedding its puppy coat to make way for the new coat.
Once the adult coat comes through, your dog should shed significantly less. It might also shed as a result of changes in the weather and you may notice them shedding more in the summer to keep cool in warmer temperatures.
You might be surprised to discover that multigenerational bred cockapoos shed far less than first or second generational cockapoos.
This is because it’s easier to predict the type of coat with each generation of dog.
It can be hard to determine what type of coat a first-generation cockapoo will inherit from the spaniel and poodle.
Cockapoos that come from a poodle with short and curly hair are likely to shed less, but it’s not an exact predictor as the spaniel gene may counteract the poodle’s short hair gene.
Many cockapoo owners will tell you that their pets don’t shed, which is great news for a dog-owner concerned about pet allergies.
However, you will find that constant grooming is required to minimize shedding.
If you look for advice on pet forums and social media, there is a lot of misinformation on the subject of hypoallergenic dogs, with many people claiming that hypoallergenic cockapoos exist.
All dogs have dandruff and hair, with some dogs producing less. The dogs that produce less, can be considered hypoallergenic, but it’s only because they have less impact on allergies.
Cockapoos can be included in this category and some might say that they are hypoallergenic.
Grooming For A Cockapoo
When it comes to grooming a cockapoo there are two distinct stages that dictate what you can expect and how it should be done.
The first is the puppy coat, and then there is the adult coat.
Of course, there are also different types of adult coat which is determined by the heritage of the cockapoo and what they inherit from their spaniel and poodle lineage.
Grooming The Puppy Coat
A cockapoo puppy coat is fairly manageable regardless of the coat type. Your puppy will need a brushing regime, lasting ten minutes or more with every session.
Five brushing sessions a week is all that is needed to keep your puppy’s fur in good condition.
First and foremost, you will need to get a good and appropriate brush.
From there you will need something to keep their nails trim, a nail grinder is generally best and safest to use.
Your puppy might be a little nervous when you first groom them, so make sure you always have treats to hand and give them lots of praise.
This will ensure they have a positive experience with every grooming session.
You must clip your puppy’s nails every 2-3 months using the nail clippers.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, or do not have the time, you can use the services of a professional dog groomer who can do it for you.
You can bathe your puppy as often as you wish but use a dog-safe and gentle shampoo.
Some dogs don’t like to be bathed, but if you start when they’re puppies, they are far less likely to have an aversion to baths as adults.
This is the shampoo I get on Amazon. Its excellent, all-natural and you can pick it up for a great price.
Grooming The Adult Coat
The coat of adult cockapoos comes in a range of lengths and types, so you will need to factor this in when grooming your adult cockapoo.
Ringlet Coated Cockapoos
This type of coat requires far more grooming and the use of extra grooming tools than the shorter coats. You would be advised not to brush this coat when dry as it gets too frizzy to manage.
You can line groom it when it’s wet, running conditioner through the fur, working upwards from the paws.
You must routinely “rake” the fur from root to tip, you can use a disentangler to do this. You must then loosen the undercoat by using a slicker brush, to tease down the wet hair shaft.
You can allow the air to dry your dog’s coat, alternatively, you can use a quiet hairdryer and scrunch dry using your fingers, this is the best way to restore your dog’s waves and ringlets.
If this type of grooming seems far too time and energy-consuming, you can trim your dog’s coat into the popular and neat looking Teddy Bear trim.
Straight-Coated Cockapoos
This type of coat can be left as it is. It requires a thorough brushing session just 2 -3 times a week and bathing every 2-3 months.
You may need to trim the hair from the fringe every so often so that your dog can have a better vision, you can use thinning scissors to do this.
Some dog owners like to trim off the beard as water can get logged when your dog drinks water.
Tight Curly-Coated Cockapoos
This type of coat can absorb mud and dirt very easily, so you need to clip it back to about 3-4 cms in length.
You must learn how to properly look after this type of coat as it needs special attention, some owners take their dog to a pet groomer, but this can be very expensive over time.
Grooming courses are available to teach owners how to groom tight curly-coated dogs properly, this will help you to save money in the long run and develop a closer bond to your dog.
Cockapoos grow excess hair inside the ear canal that tends to trap a lot of wax, so you will need to pluck the hairs every so often.
There are powders that you can purchase to help you get a better grip on those hairs and pluck them out.
If coat-type is not a concern for you, and you don’t have an allergy, all cockapoos make wonderful pets.
They are fun-loving, intelligent and loyal. Take the time to bond with them and If properly cared for, you can have a wonderful companion for many years to come.
Finally
While cockapoos do shed, they are not like other breeds of dogs that are renowned for it.
One of the major benefits of a cockapoo is the fact that they do not shed very much nor very often.
It all of course depends on the heritage and genetics of your particular cockapoo. Either way, its manageable with regular combing, grooming and maintenance..
Just remember, a puppy cockapoo has a unique coat that will eventually mature into their adult coat. Each coat requires a different amount and type of attention.
Having owned our Barley for several years now, I can confidently say that shedding has never been an issue.
Want to learn more about the Cockapoo breed? Then check out my following guides:
- Do Cockapoos Bark A Lot? [Our Experiences With This Breed]
- Are Cockapoos Aggressive? [Insights From A Current Owner]
- When Do Cockapoos Calm Down? [And How To Help Them Do So]
- Can Cockapoos Swim? [Would They Event Want To Try?!]
- Best Brush For Cockapoo [I Sourced This Brush For My Dog]
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.