Cockapoo Lifespan – How Long Do Cockapoos Live?

The Cockapoo (AKA Cockerpoo, Cockerdoodle or Spoodle) is a cross breed between an English or American Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. As it is a cross breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the size, generation, gender as well as genetics of the puppies.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Cockapoos, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Cockapoos are expected to live for.

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How Long Do Cockapoos Live?

The average Cockapoo lives for 12 to 15 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Cockapoo including gender, size, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average. You can give your Cockapoo the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Cockapoo Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Cockapoo. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Teacup, Toy, Miniature or Standard/Maxi)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Generation (F1, F1b,F2 etc.)
Desexed vs Intact

How Size Affects Cockapoo Lifespan

Size	Lifespan
Teacup Cockapoo	7 to 10 years
Toy Cockapoo	10 to 15 years
Mini Cockapoo	12 to 15 years
Standard Cockapoo	12 to 15 years

Teacup Cockapoo Lifespan

Teacup Cockapoos have an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. While it is a commonly accepted fact that smaller dogs live longer, this doesn’t apply to Teacup breeds as they suffer from many health issues related to their tiny size. That is why Teacup Cockapoos have the shortest lifespan of all Cockapoo sizes.

Toy Cockapoo Lifespan

On average, Toy Cockapoos live for 10 to 15 years. Their lifespan can greatly vary depending upon genetics, health conditions, lifestyle, diet etc. If you want to give your Toy Cockapoo the best chance of living a long life, make sure you give them a good amount of exercise each day and feed them a healthy diet.

Mini Cockapoo Lifespan

Mini Cockapoos live for 12 to 15 years. They have one of the longest lifespans of all Cockapoo sizes as they are a small breed yet not so small that they suffer from size related health issues like Teacup Cockapoos.

Standard Cockapoo Lifespan

Standard Cockapoos live for 12 to 15 years. They have a similar life expectancy to Miniature Cockapoos as they are a small breed yet not so small that they suffer from size related health issues.

How Generation Affects Cockapoo Lifespan

Generation	Lifespan
F1 Cockapoo	12 to 15 years
F1b Cockapoo	12 to 15 years
F2 Cockapoo	10 to 15 years

F1 Cockapoo Lifespan

On average, F1 Cockapoos live for 12 to 15 years however this depends on the size of the breed. Generally, the F1 generation is the healthiest as it is the first cross – the result of breeding a purebred Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle.

F1b Cockapoo Lifespan

F1b Cockapoos have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Cocker Spaniels and Poodles have the same life expectancy so having a higher percentage of Poodle genes in the F1b generation does not really affect their lifespan.

F2 Cockapoo Lifespan

On average, F2 Cockapoos live for 10 to 15 years however it can be less if they are one of the smaller sizes of the breed (e.g. Teacup). F2 Cockapoos may have a slightly shorter lifespan than an F1 Cockapoos as with each successive generation the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases.

Female vs Male Cockapoo Lifespan

Female Cockapoos usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Cockapoos. This is especially the case for desexed female Cockapoos. Gender does not usually have a major effect on lifespan. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Cockapoo Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Cockapoos live slightly longer than intact Cockapoos. It is thought that desexed Cockapoos live longer as the procedure can reduce the risk of health issues like obesity and cancer in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Cockapoo Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Cockapoos’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Cockapoo starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Cockapoo during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

black cockapoo — Cockapoo via @minidoodlescorner

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Cockapoos may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Cockapoo is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Cockapoo is a teenager.

During this period, your Cockapoo will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Cockapoos will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Cockapoos love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Cockapoo is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Cockapoo may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Cockapoo will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Cockapoo a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also onto furniture.

Morkie Colors Guide (White, Black, Chocolate, Silver etc.)

Extending The Lifespan Of A Cockapoo

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Cockapoo a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

You should also aim to feed your Cockapoo food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Cockapoo is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Cockapoos may be a small dog but they still need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Cockapoos out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Cockapoo into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Cockapoo is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Cockapoo should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Cockapoo as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Cockapoo is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Cockapoos.

Cockapoos have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If your Cockapoo gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Cockapoo to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Cockapoo’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Cockapoo

As your Cockapoo gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Cockapoo finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Cockapoo has joint issues to ease the pain.