Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic? (Allergy Sufferers Guide)

The Cockapoo (AKA Spoodle, Cockerpoo or Cockerdoodle) is a cross breed between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. One of the reasons why the Cocker Spaniel was originally crossed with the Poodle was to create a low-shedding and hypoallergenic dog breed, but were they successful?

If you are interested in knowing how hypoallergenic Cockapoos really are, keep reading this article to find out the the answers to your all questions about this topic!

Table of Contents

Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

Cockapoos are considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed as they do not produce or release much allergy inducing dander into their immediate environment. Generations of Cockapoo that have a higher percentage of Poodle genes such as cross-back generations (F1b, F1bb, F2b etc.) are usually more hypoallergenic than your average Cockapoo. Smaller sizes of Cockapoo are also considered to be more hypoallergenic as smaller sized dogs produce less dander than large dogs. Cockapoos inherit their hypoallergenic nature from the Poodle.

Factors That Affect How Hypoallergenic Cockapoos Are

There are many factors that can affect how hypoallergenic a Cockapoo is. This includes but is not limited to:

Generation (F1, F1b, F1bb, F2 etc.)
Size (Teacup, Toy, Miniature or Standard/Maxi)
The individual dog

cockapoo hypoallergenic — Cockapoo via @lovelylola_2021

How Generation Affects How Hypoallergenic Cockapoos Are

All generations of Cockapoo are hypoallergenic however some are more hypoallergenic than others. Cross-back generations are generally more hypoallergenic than regular generations as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes in them e.g. F1b, F1bb, F2b etc. This is because purebred Poodles are hypoallergenic while Cocker Spaniels are not. Back-cross generations are created by breeding a Cockapoo with a purebred Poodle.

Are F1 Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

F1 Cockapoos are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. This is because they only release a minimal amount of dander (dead skin cells) into their surroundings when they shed. The original reason why Cockapoos were created was to have a dog that has the personality and traits of a Cocker Spaniel whilst not shedding much like a Poodle. That being said, F1 Cockapoos are not as hypoallergenic as cross-back generations such as F1b, F1bb or F2b etc.

Are F1b Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

F1b Cockapoos are hypoallergenic and are even more hypoallergenic than an F1 Cockapoo. This is because the Cockapoo inherits their hypoallergenic nature from the Poodle and F1b Cockapoos have a higher percentage of Poodle genes. They are hypoallergenic because they only release a minimal amount of dander (dead skin cells) into their surroundings when they shed.

Are F2 Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

F2 Cockapoos are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. This is because they only release a minimal amount of dander (dead skin cells) into their surroundings when they shed. F2 Cockapoos are just as hypoallergenic as F1 Cockapoos however they are less hypoallergenic than cross-back generations such as F1b and F2b etc.

Are F2b Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

F2b Cockapoos are hypoallergenic. They are about as hypoallergenic as F1b Cockapoos. F2b Cockapoos are more hypoallergenic than your average Cockapoo as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes in them.

How Size Affects How Hypoallergenic Cockapoos Are

All sizes of Cockapoo are hypoallergenic but some consider the smaller sizes to be more hypoallergenic as they produce less dander due to their comparatively smaller size.

Are Teacup Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

Teacup Cockapoos are hypoallergenic as they are very light shedders and do not release much allergy inducing dander (dead skin cells) into the environment when they shed. Some people consider Teacup Cockapoos to be the most hypoallergenic size as they are the smallest and therefore produce the least amount of dander compared to other sizes of Cockapoo.

Are Toy Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

Toy Cockapoos are hypoallergenic as they are a low shedding breed and therefore do not release much dander into their surroundings that can cause allergies. Toy Cockapoos that have a higher percentage of Poodle in them are even more hypoallergenic than 50/50 Poodle to Cocker Spaniel mixes.

Are Miniature Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

Miniature Cockapoos are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed as they do not shed much and thus don’t release much dander into their surroundings which can irritate allergy suffers. Miniature Cockapoos that have a higher percentage of Poodle in them are even more hypoallergenic.

Are Maxi Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?

Maxi Cockapoos (AKA Standard Cockapoos) are hypoallergenic like all sizes of Cockapoo. They are hypoallergenic as they do not produce large quantities of dander which are dead skill cells that irritate allergy sufferers. To make a Standard Cockapoo more hypoallergenic, keep brush them every second day with a slicker brush to remove old hairs.

Do Cockapoos Shed?

Cockapoos are a low to non-shedding dog breed. The intensity of shedding depends upon how much poodle in in your Cockapoo. Generally, Poodle mixes with more Poodle genes shed less. Therefore, F1b or F2b Cockapoo generations shed the least.

hypoallergenic cockapoo — Cockapoo via @milo.thecockapoo22

Misconceptions About Hypoallergenic Dogs

1. “Dog Breeds Can Be 100% Hypoallergenic” (False!)

The term ‘hypoallergenic’ is often misused by breeders and pet shops. Many sellers of dogs suggest that ‘hypoallergenic’ means that their puppies are guaranteed to be safe for allergy sufferers but this is not the case at all. No dog can be 100% hypoallergenic as all dogs shed and release dander into their immediate environment. The question really is how much dander they produce throughout the year.

2. “Dog Fur/Hair Is Responsible For Allergies” (False!)

Dog fur or hair is not responsible for allergy symptoms. Many people think that dogs that are hypoallergenic don’t shed but this isn’t true. In fact, dog hair or fur is harmless but dander is not.

Dander is composed of dead skin cells that have flaked off a dog’s skin and have become airborne. It’s one of the leading causes of allergies symptoms but not the only one.

People are also allergic to proteins in dog saliva, urine and feces. These proteins may get all over a dog’s fur from them licking themselves and playing with other dogs so when you touch a dog you may get a reaction. Dried saliva can also flake off a dog like dander and become airborne which may cause issues for allergy sufferers.

3. “All Dog Breeds Are Just As Bad As Each Other For Allergy Sufferers” (False!)

Not all dog breeds are just as bad as each other for allergy sufferers. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, many breeds are much more hypoallergenic than others. For example, Poodle mixes are much more hypoallergenic than a lot of purebred dogs.

In more cases than not, it comes down to the individual dog rather than the breed as a whole as to whether or not they are suited to allergy sufferers. One dog may produce lots of allergy causing proteins while another dog from the same litter may not. At the end of the day, you have to spend time with puppies and see if any of your symptoms flare up.

Some people also believe that smaller breeds are more suited to allergy sufferers than large dog breeds. While this isn’t proven, it makes some sense as small breeds produce everything in smaller quantities. Less dander, less shedding, less saliva etc. If you are an allergy sufferer, getting a toy or miniature sized dog rather than a standard one may be a good move.

Pomchi Colors Guide (Black, White, Merle, Chocolate etc.)

Of course, consult your doctor about your allergies before purchasing a dog.

toy cockapoo — Cockapoo via @vilma.cockapoo

Causes Of Dog Allergy Symptoms

Dog allergy symptoms are usually caused by dander which is composed of tiny particles of skin shed by dogs along with a bit of their fur. It can be really problematic as dander is so small and can linger in air for long periods of time.

Allergy symptoms can also flare up from the proteins founds in dog saliva, urine and feces. Like dander, dried saliva can flake off a dog’s skin or fur and become airborne which is problematic for allergy sufferers.

Dog Allergy Symptoms

Dog allergy symptoms varies depending on your level of exposure and the severity of your reaction. The most common symptoms one can experience from coming into contact with a dog include:

Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Red, itchy or watery eyes
Skin rash
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
Wheezing

How To Reduce Allergens From Your Cockapoo

If you do not suffer from severe or life-threatening allergies, there are many ways you can reduce the allergens your Cockapoo produces so you can still happily live together.

1. Groom Your Cockapoo Regularly

Regularly grooming your Cockapoo will prevent them from releasing as many allergens into your home. Your dog’s grooming routine should include both brushing and bathing. It’s best to use a slicker brush on a Cockapoo every other day to remove any loose hairs. As for bathing, you should give them a bath every 3 months to remove any dead skin cells, dirt and debris. This may not seem that often but you don’t want to over wash your Cockapoo otherwise their coat will dry out which will only cause flaky skin.

2. Clean Your Home Frequently

Cleaning your home regularly will remove allergens from surfaces. It’s much easier if you have hard surface floors like floorboard or laminate as dander can wedge itself into carpet and be very difficult to remove. Invest in a high quality pet vacuum cleaner to make your life easier.

3. Regularly Wash Your Hands

Reduce your allergy symptoms by washing your hands every time after petting or playing with your Cockapoo. This will stop you from accidentally touching your face with allergens on your hands.

4. Don’t Let Your Cockapoo In Your Bedroom

If you suffer from allergies it’s best to keep your Cockapoo out of your bedroom as you need somewhere to go to feel relief from your symptoms. While it may be tempting to let your Cockapoo curl up with you at night in your bed, it’s best to have a place where there is no dander or dog fur around at all.

5. Invest In An Air Purifier

Investing in an air purifier is a good idea as it will remove allergens straight from the air as well as other airborne household pollutants like dust, pollen and mould spores. it will make your home a healthier environment for both yourself and your dog.