American Cockapoo owners seem to prefer the teddy-bear shaped face. This amps up the cute factor considerably and has added the Cockapoo to the menagerie of so-called Teddy Bear dogs
How Do I give my Cockapoo a Teddy Bear cut?
The hair would be trimmed to about two to three inches and the face is left a little longer.
Trim back the fur around the eyes which will accentuate your poos’s muzzle.
I personally prefer this cut over all others. It makes use of the American Cockapoo’s shorter muzzle length (inherited from the American Cocker Spaniel) and large eyes and finer bone structure.
2. The English Bearded Cut
The popular style for English Cockapoos is the long-bearded cut. The longer hair gives the face a longer narrow oval look. The upside is its less maintenance and not everyone wants to max out the cute factor of an already cute dog.
On the downside they tend hold the smell of their last meal. If you like kissing your Cockapoo a lot it’s a bit like having a spouse with a long moustache. But hey, it’s all about personal preference.
Most Cockapoo face-shapes will fall somewhere in between these two styles. It will depend on the thickness of the coat and the texture of the hair and the intensity of the curl on the individual dog as to how round a face can be made.
The type of coat and hair texture often decides the right look. Cocker-style silkier hair just lays flat so aren’t as good to make the Teddy Bear cut and very close-knit Poodle- curls will never grow that long to make the bearded look.
Eventually you’ll wind up with the perfect cut for your tastes and your Cockapoo.
Straight Coats
Cockapoos can keep the length au-naturel with a thorough brush 2 to 3 times a week and bathing every 2 – 3 months. However, it may still be necessary to trim back overgrowing hair from between the eyes and fringe area with thinning scissors, to provide your dog with clear vision- and so that you can see their pretty eyes!
Some people will also choose to trim off the beard from the bottom jaw as it does get water logged when drinking…that wet face often then gets offered up to its owner for a cuddle!
3. The Puppy Cut
For those owners that want the eternal puppy dog, this cut is simple. Just cut all over a fairly even length that is mostly short all over.
You can tell your groomer that you want a low-maintenance cut that will last at least three months before growing out.
Be warned though, the puppy cut is not going to look like a pure breed cut, so if you like the Classic Poodle or Cocker look, you may not want to go with this. Another name for this cut is the Summer Cut.
The Summer Cut
It’s good for hotter weather because it is short and will help your dog stay cool!
Like all dogs, Cockapoos need to be groomed and if done with care they all enjoy it!
Cockapoo grooming should begin early, ideally as soon as you bring your puppy home. It gives them a great deal of physical attention and gets them used to being handled. Like training it also serves as fun early bonding that dog and owner can both get pleasure from to gain trust for one another.
Whether you groom your Cockapoo yourself or pay someone else to do it it’s important to be aware of all the attributes to a good grooming regime, and ensure it’s designed specifically for your Cockapoo. After all you want your pride and joy to look his best and feel great!
This guide explains the most important information you need to know about grooming your Cockapoo no matter what style coat he has.
You will learn a lot about his fur, ears and nails and how to keep him at his best so you are proud when out and about.
Grooming A Cockapoo Puppy
The Cockapoo has two main coat types: the Poodle type ‘woolly’ or the Cocker type ‘satin’.
Both Cockapoo puppy coats are relatively easy to look after.
A puppy only needs light grooming but it’s good to be consistent so he gets used to it. Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and give him a few treats so he knows this is a special experience for him to enjoy.
Cockapoo Grooming: The Puppy Grooming Kit
A simple grooming kit consisting of a comb, several brushes and nail clippers (special designed doggy nail clippers). That’s all you need to groom your pup until the adult coat comes in. Then depending on what coat type comes in, ‘woolly’ or ‘satin’, you may then want to either learn to groom an adult coat yourself or pay a groomer.
Losing Puppy Fur
After about eight months your puppy will lose or ‘moult’ it’s lovely puppy fur. This is when the adult coat ‘comes in’. From now on you will need to devote more time to grooming.
The moulting phase only lasts a month to six weeks but will vary according to coat type.
If you don’t take care to groom out the puppy fur that is making way for the adult coat you will start to see a matting or a dread-locking effect.
Obviously this is undesirable as it’s difficult to comb out and really it means you’re not grooming him regularly enough.
Cockapoo Grooming: Nails
Puppies need proper nail care from the early months of their life. Starting early will get them used to the idea.
Your Cockapoo’s nails will need trimming every 2-3 months with a specially designed dog nail clipper.
If you do this yourself be conservative with the amount you cut off as his nerve ending are very close. Just trim the very end hooks. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this any dog groomer will do it quite cheaply.
Technique
Hold your puppies foot and gently press down at the base of the nail. Cut back a little at a time until you get close to the pink part. Snip off the nail tips at a 45-degree angle being careful not to cut too far down.
If you trim to far you’ll catch the vascular quick, which will hurt the dog and bleed profusely. Keep some styptic powder handy which will help stop the bleeding if needed.
Cockapoo Grooming: Bathing
Frequency of bath will vary according to how mucky your Cockapoo gets. If he’s mostly home-bound once a month will suffice.
Also use warm water and a puppy friendly shampoo. Be careful to avoid getting the soap in his eyes and ears. Just use a damp cloth for those sensitive areas.
After the bath towel dry him thoroughly and leave him in a warm room with the towel until he is fully dry.
If you have a preference between the two main types of Cockapoo coats and if you have not yet chosen your puppy you may want to think about this before your choose your dog and dog breeder.
Improper Coat
All dogs lose hair at the end of each growth cycle but a Cockapoo with an ‘improper’ coat is one with a thick undercoat that sheds seasonally. This type of coat is more common in F1 Cockapoos (First generation cross).
Proper Coat
A ‘proper’ coat will have a thinner undercoat and will not shed seasonally.
Wooly Coats
The ‘woolly’ coat has tight curls and the ‘satin’ coat has little curls or a wave and is smooth to touch. You might prefer a wire woolly coat rather than a silky ‘satin’ one as these are the light shedding variety that has earned the Cockapoo the reputation as a hypoallergenic dog.
Woolly coats are completely curly with a wiry texture which softens with good grooming.
Woolly pups have less dander and you will know their coat style from the moment they’re born. It means if you love the ‘curly’ look you can easily choose your puppy.
This coat type requires grooming more regularly and also a trip to the professional groomer for a clipper cut when needed.
Tight Curly Coats
The tight curly coat absorbs dirt and mud so clipping the coat back to about 3-4 cms long makes it easy to rinse off and dry after fun times on muddy walks. This clip can be brushed when dry.
Special attention must be paid to carefully removing the moulted ‘undercoat’. It’s a slow daily process.
Taking your Cockapoo to a professional groomer every three months or so for a full wash and clip is a really good idea to compliment your own grooming routine. This will keep him smart and comfortable.
Wavy/ringlet coats
These Cockapoos can look glamorous with a full coat (up to 15 cms long). For those who wish to keep the coat long they will discover that twice a year the coat will moult over about a two week period.
TIP:
If you brush this full coat when dry it reacts rather like frizzy human hair as the brushing damages the hair shaft and breaks it so it then fluffs up into an ‘afro’ style.
To prevent this the coat can be ‘line’ groomed whilst wet and soaked in coat conditioner.
Satin coats
Satin coats are rarer and require far less grooming- just weekly combing and he won’t ever need professional grooming.
Fleecy or satin dogs can have soft rather wiry spirals or slick curls but it’s impossible to tell which puppies will have what curls for several months. The satin coats are low shedding.
Smooth Cockapoos
Described as ‘smooth’ if their facial hair is smooth and the dog does not have long eyebrows, a beard or moustache. The ‘smooth’ pups’ coats shine and the facial bone structure is clearer.
Facial Furnishings
These refer to facial features and include long haired moustaches, pronounced eyebrows and beards. With these features your dog will be a ‘furnished-faced’ Cockapoo. Without them he or she will be described as an open-faced or ‘smooth’ Cockapoo.
Coat length
Even though owners often refer to their Cockapoos as having shorter and longer length coats in fact they all have long coats. It’s just that those with facial furnishings will be very long, whilst those with open faces will have a shorter overall coat but with feathery style hairs on their legs, ears, body and tail.
Curl and texture
In terms of curl your Cockapoo will either have a ‘woolly’, ‘satin’ or ‘fleecy’ curled coat. The ‘fleecy’ is most common with a soft curled coat.
Traits
Cockapoos also vary in look according to their ‘traits’. In terms of coat traits you need to consider the coat length, curl, texture and furnishings.
Cockapoo Grooming: Tips From Professional Groomers
The following quotes come from groomers across the UK-
“I’ve used many expensive new combs when they are first advertised but for me a simple metal toothed comb is still best for the job”
“If getting your cockapoo professionally groomed check what they plan to do with its nails, fur, eyes (especially eyelashes) and ears”
“Tell your groomer exactly what you do and don’t like for your Cockapoo, they will not be offended, but they will otherwise follow the lines from the last cut whether you like it or not”
“You can do the grooming yourself- save yourself a good deal of money, especially if you have more than one dog. Remember you will get better as you practice as well.”
“Your dog will be safer and happier at home with you, but is more likely to be naughty at home than with a stranger so expect to do some training.”
“It’s worth getting a professional cut once in while, because if your next cut is DIY at home you can follow the style lines”
“Your first session might take you a long time but, as with all things, you will get much faster as you get better.”
“People tend to dissect and pick fault in their own grooming jobs, just remember not to beat yourself up and enjoy doing it”
“Although some brave owners may clip their dogs at home, I recommend using the services of a professional. The risk of injuring your dog with a cutting implement is too great in my opinion, and most groomers are quite reasonable, charging in a range of £15-£30 per session.”
How To Choose A Groomer
The Pet Industry Federation has launched its new Quality Assurance Standard for Groomers, offering a benchmark of quality for professional groomers and members of the British Dog Groomers’ Association, which will show pet owners that their dogs and cats are in competent and capable hands.
Groomers who have achieved the City & Guilds Level 3 dog grooming qualification can undertake the quality assurance scheme. The standard consists of an independent audit of the grooming business, covering areas such as animal welfare, staff training, equipment, health & safety and customer care. Groomers also take an online assessment to measure their technical competence.
If you would like to know more, a brochure with details of professional grooming standards and what it means can be downloaded here.
Tell your groomer exactly what you want! Bring in photos of haircuts you like and show your groomer what you like prior to the cut. After the cut you have to be honest and tell the groomer exactly what you like and don’t like.
Things to avoid
If you use a professional groomer be clear that person knows exactly how to groom a Cockapoo. They need to understand your dog’s coat and many groomers can charge a good deal of money so it’s important you know what you are getting.
Unless it’s your preference make sure a groomer knows you don’t want a schnauzer, poodle or any other standard cut.
Do not allow yourself to get caught in the “my Cockapoo doesn’t like it” trap, which is an excuse many owners will use to avoid regular grooming sessions. Some early reward-based training will ensure he looks forward to his grooming sessions.
Remember you take the lead not the dog. Show you are in control and its safe for your Cockapoo to trust the groomer. The job will get easier every time.
Get Started As A Groomer
You will have to pay money upfront on equipment.
But they aren’t that expensive thanks to suppliers like Amazon, so you will soon recoup the cost.
You’ll learn about your Cockapoo and your individual tastes will develop as you go, so be patient.
It takes half a dozen times styling your dog before you feel comfortable doing it so don’t give up after the first session. And I guarantee there will be a big difference in the cut between the first and sixth cut!
The bonus? By the time you’ve fulfilled your commitment you’ll have morethan made up the money you invested in your grooming tools/supplies. And if you do give up you can still sell your grooming tools on ebay to someone else looking to give it a try at home.
And if you go back to hiring someone else to do the job you’ll appreciate how hard they work for their pay, too.
So… win/win! Give grooming a go!
Grooming at home
bathing station
cutting area
Web References and Credits
Cockapoo dogs, particularly Poodle style coats do need time invested to groom them well.
Cockapoos have a reputation for not shedding hair – but is it true?
The beauty of a hybrid dog is that undesirable traits can be ‘breed out’ or at least minimised by selecting a parent breed whose desirable qualities the breeder wants to genetically carry through to the offspring.
It’s not known for what purpose a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle were originally cross bred (all though the benefits are clear), but one plus is the poodle’s tight curled hair has always appealed to those who don’t want to be hovering up too much hair in their home.
All dogs shed hair
Puppy fur to Adult Cockapoo Coat
There is an age when all Cockapoos will definitely shed hair – when they loose their puppy fur and their adult coat comes in. This natural process of moulting is unavoidable but regular daily or twice daily grooming will mean less hair on your sofa! The adult coat generally ‘comes in’ at around 8 months of age.
Fyi, remember, if the moult is not groomed out, your Cockapoo’s lovely coat will start to matt and even grow into dreadlocks.
Wavy or curly coat
Moulting aside, Cockapoos still have a reputation for non shedding because of the poodle lineage. But what if the puppy inherits its coat from the Cocker? Results will vary.
Some First Cross ‘F1’ Cockapoos take after the Cocker Spaniel so offspring will have wavy hair that can grow up to 15cm long.
So if you are intent on having a low shedding Cockapoo you need to choose a puppy whose coat follows the poodle heritage.
Will the breeder know?
Breeders know a lot of things but they won’t be able to tell before 6 weeks what kind of coat an F1 Cockapoo puppy will have. And if the puppy does take after the Cocker, dog owners will tell you some Cocker Spaniels shed like crazy while some shed hardly at all. Some Cockers can get up from their bed and hardly leave any hairs while another Cocker when you stroke their back you come away with a palm full of hair.
Summary
To be honest it is a bit of myth that Cockapoos don’t shed – all dogs shed to some degree. The poodle factor has garnered the Cockapoo with the reputation as a non to light shedder but the truth is they will be light shedders at best.
When choosing a puppy, wait until 8 weeks (as you always should) before taking a puppy home from its mother. By that time it should become clear what sort of coat (wavy or curls) the dog has inherited. If the puppy’s coat is inherited from the Cocker side of the family just keep her coat short and groom often to lessen the shedding.
Finally, remember also that Poodle parents come in sizes: Teacup, Toy, Miniature and Standard. The smaller the dog the fewer the hairs shed.
If you have just bought a cockapoo puppy home for the first time you may be wondering when he needs his first bath?
And how often you should bath your puppy after that?
The answer is you only need to bath him when he needs bathing.
Why is this?
Although cockapoo fur does vary between short poodle-like fur and longer cocker-style hair, your puppy will have a thick fur coat. And within a few months, this soft puppy coat is replaced by an adult fur coat.
The Adult Fur Coat
When the adult fur comes it will have the added benefit of being very water proof.
The natural grease and oils that a dog secretes, coat each strand of their hair. You may have noticed a greasy smearing on a white pillow or wall if your dog has come into contact with it.
Bathing your cockapoo regularly will wash the natural grease and oils from his coat. Not only will the coat loose its natural lustre, when your puppy gets wet he will be more cold and take longer to dry.
Of course, if your puppy roles in something smelly he will need a bath, but for minor mishaps and dirty paws try using wet wipes to clean him up.
What Shampoo?
If it’s essential to bath him then don’t reach for a human shampoo. The chemicals it contains are not designed for a puppy’s sensitive skin. It may lead to skin complaints.
A baby shampoo can be used but a puppy shampoo is ideal.
Where to bath your Cockapoo puppy
Most puppies are quite intimidated by a big white bath tub and it can cause your puppy to panic.
Pick a place where your cockapoo knows he is safe like the kitchen sink.
For very small puppies a plastic tub on the kitchen floor would be ideal.
It’s bath time – be prepared
Until your little cockapoo has got used to the bathing routine I recommend having two people doing the job. A wet wriggling puppy can be hard to manage.
Make sure you are using warm water and have a plastic cup for rinsing. You will also need several hand towels.
Favourite treats are always a good idea to reward your puppy for calm compliant behaviour.
Washing your puppy
Take your time wetting your puppy slowly using the plastic cup while using your best soothing, reassuring voice. You will notice because his fur is water proof it takes some time to get them thoroughly wet.
Take a good amount of the puppy shampoo and spread it down your puppy’s spine massaging gently. With slow deliberate strokes start working your hands into the fur coat. Then gently do each leg in turn. Lastly do his tummy and bottom.
The face should not be washed with shampoo unless absolutely necessary. Again wet wipes are usually fine. And always remember to keep the soap away from your puppy’s eyes.
Once your puppy’s fur coat has been thoroughly washed with the shampoo change the water in the bowl. With fresh warmish water you can then begin to rinse him off with the plastic cup.
Don’t forget to be generous with treats. This will help your puppy remember bath time isn’t a bad experience!
When he’s done
If you do have a helper it’s a good idea that one washes and one dries. Once you have rinsed all the shampoo from the fur scoop him up and place him in your helpers lap. They should have a hand towel on their lap and another one to dry.
Now comes the fun part for your cockapoo puppy as they love getting dry!
You will find no matter how good a job you do towelling him off as soon as you put him down he will want to shake himself.
Finally, leave him to air dry in a warm part of the house and leave a towel out for him to play with and roll dry. You may want this to be away from your living room as the wet dog smell is inevitable 😉
If you’re going to use a hairdryer try and get your puppy used to the noise first. Remember to set it on low heat as it can get hot fast on his sensitive skin. Try and dry the fur through your fingers so you can make sure his delicate puppy skin is not getting too hot.
Wrapping it Up
A false start with bathing because you’re upset or stressed your puppy is messy can cause your cockapoo to be apprehensive about bath time.
Like every aspect of socialising your puppy, try and make it fun and enjoyable so they are relaxed about the routine next time.
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