It seems like new designer breeds are coming out by the day, each one cuter than the last. That’s certainly the case with the Cockapoochi. They’re a newer designer cross between the Cockapoo and the Chihuahua, and there are plenty of reasons to love this small dog.

Breed Overview

They’re energetic, but they thrive in smaller living spaces like apartments because of their small size. Moreover, they’re incredibly loyal and great family dogs. Unlike the Cockapoo, they’re not always hypoallergenic and may be unsuitable for owners with allergies.

Finally, they have wide-ranging personalities, but one thing that always stays the same with the Cockapoochi is their intelligence. They’re smart dogs that love their owners, and when you pair that with how cute they are, it’s no surprise that they’re rapidly growing in popularity!

Cockapoochi Characteristics

Cockapoochi Puppies

The Cockapoochi is a fairly new designer breed. They result from a mix of the sweet-natured Cockapoo and the sassy Chihuahua. These pups may be short, but they make up for it in spades with their huge personalities. If you’re looking for companionship, you may just find that the Cockapoochi is the breed for you. They make excellent family pets as well!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cockapoochi

This is one area where it’s hard to say exactly what you can expect. The Cockapoochi is a mix of three breeds, each of which can have vastly different personalities. We can say that the Cockapoochi is eager to please, loving, and a great companion.

But they can also either be shy or outgoing, feisty or timid, or mischievous or proper; it depends on which parent they take after. However, you’ll get an intelligent dog no matter which parent they take after. All three parent breeds are extremely smart, so you know the Cockapoochi will be.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡

While the Cockapoochi are great family dogs, you must be careful when they’re around young children. It’s not that you need to worry about the Cockapoochi going after them; you need to worry about your children accidentally hurting the tiny pup.

It wouldn’t take much for a child to fall and seriously injure a Cockapoochi, and when that happens, there’s no guarantee that the Cockapoochi won’t bite as they try to defend themselves.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽

As long as you take the time to socialize them properly, there’s no reason a Cockapoochi can’t get along great with other pets. Although Cockapoochies get along well with other pets, you must monitor them when they interact with larger dogs.

Depending on your Cockapoochi’s temperament (and it could go either way), they’ll either shy away from the larger dogs or act like they’re the same size. If they act like they’re the same size, it won’t take much for a larger dog to hurt a Cockapoochi while they’re playing.

Things to Know When Owning a Cockapoochi

Before you rush out and track down a Cockapoochi breeder, there are a few basic care requirements you should know about. This way, you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, and there aren’t any surprises after you bring your new puppy home!

Food & Diet Requirements🦴

Because the Cockapoochi can vary from 10–20 pounds in size, it’s impossible to say precisely how much you should feed yours. It depends on their weight, health, and age, but an average Cockapoochi will eat between ½ and 1½ cups of dry kibble daily.

Always feed your Cockapoochi high-quality kibble to ensure they get all the nutrients they need in their daily diet. You can speak to your veterinarian for portioning tips and brand recommendations.

Exercise🐕

While a Cockapoochi is a high-energy dog, they don’t walk quite as long as larger high-energy dogs because of their smaller size. Aim for two walks a day, preferably one in the morning and one in the evening. From there, try to get them out for at least 30 minutes during each walk and give them plenty of time to sniff and explore.

Training🦮

Because of their higher intelligence levels and desire to please, training a Cockapoochi is comparatively easy. You need to stay consistent with the training, stay positive, and give them plenty of positive reinforcement. If you can stay patient with the training, there’s no reason you can’t train your Cockapoochi to do just about anything you want!

Grooming ✂️

Since they’re bred from three breeds, the Cockapoochi’s coat can vary. If they take after their Cockapoo parentage, they won’t shed at all, but you’ll need to brush them daily and take them for haircuts.

However, if they take after the Chihuahua, they’ll shed. While this means you won’t need to take them for haircuts, you will need to brush them often and vacuum your home more to clean up all the hair they shed.

Health and Conditions❤️

Like many purebred and hybrid dogs, the Cockapoochi is vulnerable to several health conditions. They can develop any of the health issues of either a Cockapoo or a Chihuahua, but they’re less likely to develop an issue that only affects one of the parent breeds.

It all depends on which genes they inherit from each parent, making it a little more challenging to figure out which conditions to watch out for the most.

Male vs. Female

The differences between male and female Cockapoochis are negligible.  Male dogs are larger than identical female dogs, but with a Cockapoochi, it’s more important to figure out which parent they take after if you want a better indication of how large they’ll get.

Males often demand attention a little more than females, while females still want the attention but are more likely to make you come to them to give it to them. Of course, your dog’s personality is more affected by their upbringing and environment than sex. However, it’s more likely for a female Cockapoochi to stay a little more aloof compared to male Cockapoochis.

3 Little-Known Facts About The Cockapoochi

As a newer breed, there are still quite a few unknowns about the Cockapoochi. We’ve highlighted three of the most notable facts you should know about the dog here:

1. Cockapoochies Are Not Always Hypoallergenic

While the Cockapoo is considered hypoallergenic, the Chihuahua is not, so it’s difficult to determine whether your Cockapoochi will be hypoallergenic. It depends on which parent they take after.

2. Cockapoochies Can Be Shy or Outgoing

If you’re trying to get a dog with a surefire temperament, the Cockapoochi isn’t the way to go. Some Cockapoochis are timid and hide from almost everything; others explore every noise and check out every person.

3. Cockapoochies Are Extremely Smart

While finding a near-guaranteed trait in a dog with three different parent breeds can be challenging, intelligence is all but a sure thing. That’s because the Cockapoo comes from the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, both of which are highly intelligent.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a unique dog that’s great with families and extremely cute, the Cockapoochi is an excellent choice. You don’t need a large home or property either, as they’re great apartment dogs.

Just know that each Cockapoochi will have a fair number of differences depending on which parent they take after, so don’t get too set on any one trait before getting one!

Featured Image Credit: Left – mountaintreks, Shutterstock | Right – Rafael Guajardo, Pexels