Cavapoo, cockerpoo or cocker spaniel?

[sept2025]

Thinking about getting a dog and wondered if anyone has opinions on these breeds? Have tween kids and dh works from home so would not be left

Cocker spaniels are not yappy. The other two are. And Cavapoos can have real health issues with their hearts.

Well 2 of the 3 aren’t actually breeds so finding a responsible breeder and fully health tested parent dogs will be pretty much impossible

what about a poodle, or a show cocker

I'm very experienced with dogs in general & these 3 'breeds'.
Cocker Spaniels can be extremely yappy & need a lot of physical & mental stimulation.
The other two are beset with health problems as well as separation anxiety & resource guarding.

We got a cockapoo three years ago. We were not a dog family at all before that! I actually think the key is the breeders. Buddy, our cockapoo, he is super friendly, brilliant with our kids who were 8 and 13 when we got him, he can stay on his own quite happily for hours at a time, he loves lie ins (but also loves mad walks). He does bark when even a snail
goes past the house, but isn’t “yappy” and - I say this as someone who was scared of dogs! - has completed our family. I base all of this on the breeders (he is from a mum and dad both cockapoo) who gave him a brilliant first 8 weeks before he became ours.

We have a cavapoo. No issues with separation anxiety or resource guarding. No issues with health. She’s a happy, fun little dog and the kids adore her.

None of the above.

What is it about the bog standard poodle that you don't like (given two of your breeds would be part poodle)?

Cocker Spaniels aren't first time owner dogs IMO. And finding a 'responsible' breeder of the other two (particularly the cockerpoo where the 'Club' has a list of breeders of which the first six are puppy farmers), will be damn impossible.

Go for a poodle.

We have a cocker spaniel who is a wonderful dog - he's been great with the DC since they were little and very loyal. They can be high energy and need to be taught how to settle in the home.

What do you like about each of those three breeds/mixes? Maybe people could help more then.
And what generation of the mixed breeds are you thinking of getting?

What is it about those dogs that appeals to you?
cocker spaniels are very smart and need a lot of stimulation as well as exercise.
poos and doodles will almost certainly come from a puppy farm (or just shit irresponsible breeder).

goldens, labs and poodles are good first time owners. All trainable and naturally friendly with good temperaments. You know what you’re getting with a well bred, real breed.

Toy Poodle 🐩 💕!! 💯! Mine is perfection………..😻

Fourth option … cockachon ! Half cocker spaniel half bischon best dog ever 😍

I have a 13 year old Cockapoo (show cocker/minature poodle.) He’s not yappy, no resource guarding issues. He was incredibly easy to train, very keen to please. He’s a wonderful family dog but needs lots of exercise. He’s never had any health issues except the odd teeth clean. Do bear in mind the grooming costs.

I think with any dog you need to research the breeder thoroughly and be prepared to put a lot of time in to training.

I was going to say toy poodle.
Awesome dogs

I had a show cocker. Absolutely lovely little dog but definitely not for the faint hearted. He was great in the house, easy to toilet train, a bit chewy as a pup but grew out of it, wonderful with my son but not so good with the cat! Didn’t really bark much and could be left for a few hours without issue.

Even outside he was good but he was a nightmare on the lead, constantly following his nose no matter where it took him. Rubbish at reading other dogs so I had to be really vigilant all the time in case he tried to befriend one showing obviously signs of being unfriendly. Thought everyone in the world wanted to be his best friend and would plonk himself down on the pavement and refuse to move if he didn’t get attention.

Routine was very important, he didn’t cope well with any changes. Very sensitive stomach so food was an issue until I switched him to raw. Cost a fortune in vets bills as he got older with pancreatitis and arthritis in both hips as well as very expensive surgery for entropian. Get good insurance if you get one!

But it’s almost two years since I lost him and I’d give anything to see his funny furry little face again.

Don’t get a poodle cross. They aren’t breeds, so they aren’t properly health checked. Decent breeders don’t breed poodle crosses so they usually come from puppy farms.

Poodles are very intelligent, easy to train, biddable, loving, obedient and they don’t shed. Mine rarely barks. She’s perfect!

I never saw myself with a poodle but the wise ones on this forum recommended one. I think the stupid haircuts have put people off. However, it turns out that you can have them cut the same all over and then they look like a normal dog.

Miniature poodle.

Show Cocker Spaniels are absolutely beautiful, so loving, loyal and quite docile when compared with working cockers (just as gorgeous but very high energy) x

There are some good health testing breeders of cavalier spaniels now. They are great dogs. Happy to snooze or walk all day. I’ve known one who had rubbish recall until he was about 12 but usually they are pretty amenable. You would be much better getting a dog like that from a responsible person rather than a crossbred.

Your poodle is absolutely beautiful.😍

show cocker spaniels are brilliant family dogs. They like a good walk but a lot less energetic than working cocker spaniels. Friendly, loyal. Clever.

Surely no-one decent gets a dog from a puppy farm?
We have a beautiful cavapoo from a friend's litter, and other than being overly attached to me and non plussed by most other dogs, she is perfection personified.

I have two cocker spaniels. Two brothers from the same litter, one show and one working. There is a difference between show and working cockers. Working cockers are very high energy and need a lot of exercise. Show cockers are not as high energy but still require quite long walks. I would be wary of anything mixed with a poodle. Poodles can be quite aggressive towards other dogs if not socialised correctly and as others have said potential health problems along the line. My cockers are not yappy dogs, you can discourage them from being yappy.

That is literally impossible. Two siblings are the same - either working,show or a mix. One could possibly take after one side of the family or the other but you are I’m afraid talking complete rubbish in saying they are different types but still siblings

Plus poodles are one of the healthier breeds. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about