If you’re looking to give a puppy a forever home, there are many options out there to choose from. If you’ve narrowed it down to the Cockapoo and Goldendoodle, you might be wondering which one is the best choice for you and your family.

There are several similarities between the two breeds, but there are just as many or more differences that you need to know about. Both are of the doodle breed, and both have adorable appearances and affectionate personalities. But how do they differ? How do you decide?

The guide below discusses the similarities and differences between the doodle breeds and much more to help you make the right decision for your family and the puppy you’re about to adopt.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Cockapoo Overview

The Cockapoo is an adorable breed that reaches 9 to 15 inches in height and weighs 12 to 14 pounds at full growth. They have an average life expectancy of 13 to 15 years and are super affectionate, intelligent, and loyal. In the section below, we’ll tell you about the Cockapoo’s personality, health, breeding, and the training the dog needs to be happy and healthy for many years to come.

Personality/Character

Cockapoos make great companions for anyone, from single people to families. They love being part of a family, but they can suffer from separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. Your adorable, even-tempered Cockapoo can become quite upset and destructive if you leave it alone, so make sure you pay plenty of attention to your furry friend.

It is an intelligent breed, but how easy they are to train will be determined by which trait from the family the dog inherits. In other words, your little Cockapoo might be more interested in playing, acting silly, and wanting to be petted to sit still for a training session for very long.

Training

As with any dog breed, it’s much easier to train the Cockapoo if you do it when they are puppies. The older the dog gets, the less likely it will want to learn anything new. Start early with your Cockapoo for the best success.

Health & Care

The Cockapoo is a very healthy dog breed. However, there are a few conditions you need to watch out for. Cockapoos are prone to conditions such as ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy, and more severe conditions such as liver disease and patellar luxation.

Breeding

The Cockapoo is a mix between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. It’s difficult to predict what size a Cockapoo is going to be, but it’s somewhere in the range of the stats listed in the chart above.

The Cockapoo was accidentally bred by a breeder in the 1960s, though the breed’s size and minimal shedding made it extremely popular pretty quickly.

Suitable For

The Cockapoo makes an excellent family pet. The dog gets along well with children and other pets but needs to be watched around them, just so the small dog doesn’t get hurt. This breed is happy living in a small apartment or a large house and doesn’t need much exercise to be happy. If you’re looking for a pet that’s small, adorable, intelligent, and happy living in any space, the little Cockapoo might be your dog of choice.

Goldendoodle Overview

The Goldendoodle is a friendly, loyal breed as well. They grow 22 to 26 inches long and weigh between 30 and 45 pounds in adulthood. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and are affectionate and an excellent choice for families looking for a pet. Just like the section on Cockapoos, we’ll give you the breakdown of the Goldendoodle’s personality, exercise and training needs, health, and breeding, so you can compare the two before making your final decision.

Personality/Character

The Goldendoodle breed is amiable and makes a great pet. It’s a breed that loves socializing and likes to be around its pet parents as much as possible. Loving, affectionate, and eager to please, these dogs also have the Poodle parent’s intelligence. However, they are known for being shy and need to be socialized as puppies to get used to people, so if you’re looking for a guard dog, this isn’t the right fit for you.

Exercise

Goldendoodles have boundless energy. It’s recommended that a Goldendoodle get at least two outside running/walking sessions a day of 25 minutes to help keep them healthy and release any pent-up energy.

They love to swim and enjoy catching sticks and balls, so you’ll have plenty to do with your furry friend. However, it’s also important to note that since Goldendoodles come in different sizes and variations, the amount of exercise needed is going to depend on the Goldendoodle.

Training

Since these dogs are eager to please and very intelligent, training them isn’t hard at all; in fact, some pet parents say it’s a breeze. Goldendoodles can start learning basic commands at 4 months old, but formal training shouldn’t be undertaken until they are between 4 and 7 months old.

Use treats, balls, sticks, and toys as rewards for behaving during training sessions because the Goldendoodle’s love for these items makes it easy to train them.

Health & Care

While Goldendoodles are pretty healthy and don’t have any breed-specific health issues, there are conditions they are prone to that you’ll need to look out for in your furry pal. These conditions include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and cancer. Minor ailments to look out for include skin and eye disorders.

If you see any troubling symptoms with your Goldendoodle, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet. With both breeds, it’s essential to take the dog to the vet regularly for checkups.

Breeding

The Goldendoodle pup is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. First bred in the 1990s, this dog was created to produce a large friendly pet that wasn’t prone to shedding a lot. They are usually medium-sized dogs, but the size can vary due to the parents being different sizes. This is a relatively young crossbreed, so make sure the breeder you choose is reputable.

Suitable For

Goldendoodles make great pets for families and are energetic, playful, and eager to please. Depending on the size of the Goldendoodle you choose, they can live in apartments or large houses. Any Goldendoodle is going to need to be exercised and played with, so if you’re not one to get out in the yard or go for walks, you might want to choose another breed.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The Cockapoo and Goldendoodle breeds are some of the most affectionate and loving Doodles of the Doodle family. Both are unique, gorgeous, and eager to please. If you’re looking for a smaller dog, the Cockapoo could be the best choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a medium-sized dog, you might want to go with the Goldendoodle breed instead.

Whatever you choose, it’s important to realize that taking care of any animal is a huge responsibility, and these dogs are no exception.

Related Reads:

• Cocker Spaniel vs Cockapoo: Visual Differences & Overview
• Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Top – Lee Ph, Shutterstock | Bottom – Jeff Land Photography, Shutterstock