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

My not so cute poodle is mistaken for a cross almost daily. The conversation goes something like this ‘aww is she a cockapoo?’ ‘No’ ‘is she a cavapoo then?’ ‘No, she’s a poodle.’ They then tell me she looks like a cockapoo.

Someone stopped me last week and exclaimed ‘awww a cockapoo puppy, how sweet!’

Honestly you can have everything you’ve always wanted, by getting a poodle.

I have a shih tzu/poodle and a cocker/poodle. Both fabulous dogs. The first is nearly 16 and hasn’t been to the vet outside vaccinations until about a year ago. Very good natured and grew up with my children. Very calm dog.
The cocker/poodle is only 1 1/2 so still a pup. No health issues so far but does have a sensitive tummy re food. The most beautiful natured dog, ridiculously clever, loves everybody and everything. Practically trained himself. He was toilet trained outside by 4/5 months with no accidents. The only training we struggled with was recall because he’s very easy distracted if there are other people/dogs (great if we were on our own). He rarely barks, and whilst he would prefer to be my sticking plaster he doesn’t bark when we are not with him. Sleeps downstairs at night, no crate needed. Never been destructive except to his beds in the early days. Grew out of it. Loves his toys.

Plenty of energy and loves his walks, but just as happy to snore at your feet. He’s an absolute dream. And of course gorgeous too. Gets a lot of attention when out and loves it.

We have a cockerpoo. She’s amazing in every way except the separation anxiety. She also follows me around the house anxiously and it drives me mad. Great with the kids, easy to train. Intelligent. Great behaviour on walks not pulling in the lead and great recall.

Always had dogs and I will never get another cockerpoo all the ones I know are anxious and needy. I will get a collie cross if I ever have another dog and can keep up the walking.

Yes will be our first dog and pet and no experience so maybe need to rethink. Have dd 12. Wfh 3 days a week and dh wfh all week.

And was thinking of a hypoallergenic breed as I used to be allergic to fur but seem ok now around most dogs

@sept2025 in which case I (personally) don't think those breeds would be the right fit. And no breed is truly 'hypoallergenic' - and crossing a poodle (which would be your best bet) with something that isn't anywhere near hypoallergenic will not necessarily guarantee a hypoallergenic dog.

Cockers are lovely dogs and so are Poodles. But, in my personal opinion, most Cocker Spaniels need more than a first time owner can really give them. And when they go wrong - due to lack of attention, exercise and stimulation - they can go very wrong.

Cavapoos & Cockerpoos are prone to serious (life-limiting and expensive health issues - including PRA and dysplasia as well as heart defects) due to bad breeding. Finding a good breeder, who fully health tests both parents, and doesn't over-breed their dogs and chooses the right stud for the best balanced dog will be virtually impossible.

A poodle would be a far better choice. They're nice, robust, dogs with bundles of personality.

Edit - just to give a bit more detail!

We have a cavapoo. We got one from a family breeder (2nd of 2 litters, 6 year old mum) not a puppy farm. Have health testing (DNA clear, heart and hip) from both parents and 4 generation pedigrees.

Mumsnet loathes doodles. Ours is a wonderful pet. We wanted the sweet nature of a cavalier without the skull and heart issues, and the shedding. The intellect of a poodle without the fussy eating. We got a lovely natured dog who is happy walking miles or lazing around, doesn't shed, doesn't have heart, hip or knee issues. Unfortunately he is a bit yappy when bored - he barks at passing dogs out the window - and he is a fussy bugger food wise, but he's been the most delightful companion dog and I would get another non-puppy farmed health tested cavapoo any time.

A JRT has very few problems ime, they are robust creatures.
never mind that you have never had a dog, why on earth should that matter?
the need firm training and deserve a lot of praise and love

Cavalier Spaniels are not ugly!

Only breed I have ever owned. Just delightful. My mil has a lab and she's sweet but honestly it's like a horse, so cumbersome.

Cocker spaniels always look like such hard work on walks they are just so high energy but I don't have one so maybe I'm wrong.

I had a working cocker for my first (and second and third) dog. We don't have children though and I'd always really wanted a dog, so we were able to devote a huge amount of time and energy to training and exercising them. We worked with a gundog trainer on the training during the first year or so. We also live rurally and husband is very into hill walking, so there was plenty of opportunity for long walks. They will need decent walks whatever the weather - this is not a breed that doesn't want to go out when it's raining, the wetter and muddier the better as far as they're concerned. I would say that they suited our lifestyle, but equally our lives were very much structured around them.

As PP says, if cockers are not given the appropriate training, boundaries and stimulation, things can go very wrong - rescue centres are full to the brim with working cockers with resource guarding, anxiety issues, etc.

A poodle is your best bet. As soon as you cross a poodle, the result is no longer hypoallergenic.