Spoodle

A complete breed guide for Cockapoo Dogs

This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian, Dr Katelyn Bailey, BVSc (Hons)

With their distinctive teddy bear like appearance, sweet nature and big brown eyes, who could resist the charms of the Spoodle? Like many 'oodle' breeds, Spoodles (also known as Cockapoos) are exploding in popularity in Australia as well as overseas. They make great family pets and are very intelligent, with an affectionate and spirited disposition. Read on for more information on how to best care for your Spoodle.

Contents:
1. Spoodle Facts
2. History
3. Personality
4. Best Toys for Spoodles
5. Best Anxiety Supplements for Spoodles
6. Best Food for Spoodles
7. Health Issues
8. Related Breeds
9. Further Reading

Spoodle Facts

How big do Spoodles get?

Due to the varying sizes of the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, fully grown Spoodles can weigh anywhere between 5-14kg and measure from 25cm to 38cm in height. If you're unsure how big your Spoodle will get, you can estimate based on the sizes of the parents.

Do Spoodles shed?

Spoodles have a long, single layered coat that, thanks to their Poodle half, is classed as low to non-shedding, making them a great choice for people with allergies. Because they do not shed, their coat grows continuously, so they require regular professional grooming and trimming.

How much exercise do Spoodles need?

Spoodles are medium-to-high energy dogs that thrive on activity and a daily walk or run of at least 20-30 minutes, as well as a daily interactive play session at home is ideal. Some highly active Spoodles may need even more exercise than this.

How much does a Spoodle cost?

A Spoodle puppy can cost anywhere from $2000 to $6500, and occasionally even higher. Like most breeds, the pandemic has significantly increased demand for Spoodle pups. On top of this, it's important to budget for veterinary bills, grooming, pet insurance, a good quality diet and regular flea, tick and worming medication.

Are Spoodles good pets?

Spoodles are intelligent and sweet dogs that bond closely to their owners. They tend to be good with both children and other pets, including cats. Due to their small size, they are suited for apartment living, but do need regular exercise, attention and stimulation to prevent loneliness and boredom. It's important to be aware of predisposed health conditions and invest in pet insurance and regular grooming for your Spoodle.

How long do Spoodles live?

Spoodles have an average lifespan of 13-15 years. As with any breed, they will live longer if you take good care of them, provide regular exercise, never let them become overweight and keep their teeth in top condition!

Do Spoodles bark much?

Spoodles have a moderate tendency to bark. As they love being around their people, if left alone for long periods of time, they can be prone to separation anxiety, with problematic barking being a consequence. As with any dog, they can be trained not to bark incessantly with proper training and exercise. To reduce your Spoodle's barking, ensure you train with positive reinforcement from a young age and reduce problem behaviours before they begin!

How do I choose a Spoodle breeder?

When looking for a Spoodle, your options are to: a) adopt from a rescue (this is our top recommendation!) b) buy from an or online marketplace or pet store (NOT recommended!), or c) Research a reputable breeder. Never purchase a puppy without inspecting the breeder's premises and asking the 10 Breeder Checklist Questions first. Good breeders socialise their animals, house them humanely, allow you to inspect their premises, and selectively breed healthy traits and good temperaments. Read our Guide to Finding a Good Breeder for more tips.

Spoodle History

As its name suggests, the Spoodle is the cross of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. It was first developed in the later half of the 20th century during an 'oodle' boom, a period when multiple different breeds of dog were intentionally crossed with the Poodle for the first time. The Spoodle remains one of the world's most popular 'oodle' breeds. Like most hybrid breeds, the maximum 'hybrid vigour' benefit occurs with the first generation (F1) cross (the cross of a purebred Poodle with a purebred Cocker Spaniel), but F2 and F3 crosses are also commonplace.

Spoodle Personality

With the sweet disposition of the Cocker Spaniel as well as the intelligence of the Poodle, the Spoodle is a spirited dog that has inherited the positive traits of both its parent breeds. And who could resist that cute teddy bear face! Spoodles are smart, curious and eager to please which makes them very trainable. They are very devoted to their owners and can therefore be prone to separation anxiety if left home alone for long periods of time. They are gentle and affectionate, and are known for being good with children and other pets.

Given their small size and cuddly nature, Spoodles are a good option for first-time dog owners or people who have a small yard or apartment. However they still need to have a regular exercise routine to burn off that 'oodle' energy, especially as they can be prone to weight gain!

Best Toys for Spoodles

Interactive toys are a great tool to keep your Spoodle busy and mentally worn out, especially while you're out of the house. Fetch toys are also a favourite and allow for valuable bonding time as well as much-needed physical activity.

Best anxiety supplements for Spoodles

Because Spoodles thrive on companionship, they can become very attached to their family and prone to separation anxiety. Not every Spoodle will suffer from anxiety, but for those that do, an anxiety supplement can help to take the edge off their stress and make them more receptive to positive reinforcement training.

Dealing with separation anxiety is all about desensitising your dog to you leaving and returning to the home, and providing plenty of distractions while you're away. While more severe cases may need prescription anti-anxiety medication from your veterinarian, for milder anxiety a supplement such as one of the below can be a great help.

Spoodle Diet and Nutrition

Spoodle Puppies

When adopting a Spoodle puppy, it's important to have a few things in order:

• Food: Spoodle puppies should eat a premium, small breed formula such as Hills Science Diet Small Breed Puppy, Advance Small Breed Puppy Food, or Royal Canin Mini Puppy until they are 12 months of age.
• Behaviour: Spoodle puppies have fantastic personalities but do like to chew and destroy things, just like any puppy! Puppy proofing your house is essential. Remove any easy-to-reach toxins or electrical cords, and provide plenty of toys! For more information on puppy behaviour, take a look at our Puppy Training Guide.
• Worming; Spoodle puppies need to be wormed fortnightly from the age of 2-12 weeks, and then once per month after this. In Australia, Spoodle puppies also require heartworm protection. You may wish to get a heartworm injection yearly at your vet, or you can simply give a monthly treatment such as Nexgard Spectra, Simparica Trio, or Credelio Plus.

For more helpful information on worming, training, socialisation, and nutrition, consult our veterinary-written Complete New Puppy Guide.

Best Food for Spoodle Puppies

Spoodle puppies need to eat a premium diet that is nutritionally formulated to meet AAFCO Guidelines until they are 12 months of age. You may consider a Rotation Diet to provide exposure to different proteins and reduce the risk of food sensitivities.

Raw diets for Spoodles? Raw diets are not suitable or safe for Spoodle puppies due to the risk of bacterial contamination, which can lead to food poisoning and upset their sensitive tummies. Plus, an unbalanced diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Read more about Raw Diets: The Risks and Benefits.

Top food recommendations for Spoodle Puppies