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Cockapoos and Labradoodles are very similar in appearance, but they have different qualities and temperaments that could affect your decision-making. When you are searching for the perfect dog for yourself or your family, you should consider your lifestyle, work schedule, living situation, and more.
When it comes to these two breeds, hopefully the following points will cover everything you need to know about them. These traits and characteristics will be important to think about when choosing a new puppy, and it’s great to understand the difference between the two breeds so you can ensure a successful relationship as pet and owner.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
- Average height (adult): 14–25 inches
- Average weight (adult): 15–100 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–15 years
- Exercise: 1+ hours a day
- Grooming needs: Moderate
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Often
- Trainability: Intelligent, eager to please
- Average height (adult): 9–15 inches
- Average weight (adult): 6–35 pounds
- Lifespan: 15–18 years
- Exercise: 1+ hours a day
- Grooming needs: Moderate
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Often
- Trainability: Intelligent, emotionally alert
Labradoodle Overview
Personality/Character
With deep, brown eyes and a curly coat, the Labradoodle is an adorable, outgoing, and high-energy breed. They are usually the life of the dog park and will be running around more in comparison to other breeds.
Labradoodles need multiple hours of exercise per day and can get bored without enough interaction and stimulation. However, they are also very friendly and loyal dogs who will gain a strong bond with their owners. They make great companions and become family members quickly and easily.
While a happy dog, their high energy and active temperament can become a little dangerous in comparison with their size—they might knock down little ones on occasion!
Origins/Breed
Labradoodles are a recent breed, being crossed between a Labrador Retriever and Poodle in the 80s. It has grown a lot in popularity over the past few decades and can be seen in families with children or single people living in apartments.
Appearance
This dog is bigger in size on the scale of dog breeds and has the structure of a Lab and a coat similar to a Lab in length, or that of a standard Poodle. With long limbs and brown or hazel eyes, a black nose, and floppy ears, they are the perfect combination of Lab and Poodle.
Suitable for
Labradoodles will make great family dogs who will mesh well with owners who like to get outdoors multiple times per day. They require a minimum of 1 hour of outdoor play per day, and their energetic nature means they can get into negative moods without ample stimulation.
If you have young kids willing to share the energy or know you’ll have plenty of time to take your dog outside, then a Labradoodle may be for you.
Cockapoo Overview
Personality/Character
Cockapoos are similar in nature to Labradoodles as they are also highly intelligent animals who require a good amount of energy and attention. They are more affectionate and will sometimes prefer personal cuddle time with their owners over sprinting around a park.
This Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix has grown in popularity over time and has also become a very sought-after breed across the United States. Their calm personalities make them great dogs for many different lifestyles and personalities. They are less energetic than their Lab-cross counterparts, but make up for it in their goofy, fun-loving personalities.
Origins/Breed
The cockapoo was cross-bred decades before the lab in the 1950s. Cockapoos were not an intentional breed, but the result was a positive one that led to its later popularity. Originating in the US, this breed has reached the UK and Canada as one of the top-chosen dog breeds.
Appearance
Cockapoos have a smaller overall size and weigh much less than a Labradoodle. Characterized by their brown, black, white, grey, or apricot-colored fur, they are also known to have dark brown (or even blue) eyes.
With round faces and floppy ears, they can almost be akin to miniature poodles. Their coats can either be short and curly, like their poodle ancestry, or longer and wavy.
Suitable for
The cockapoo is known for being low-moderate in energy (compared to most poodle/lab mixes) and is generally more geared towards getting attention from their owners regularly. They may be better suited for owners in smaller living spaces with less time for long walks. Make sure to regularly play with them and give them lots of love!
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Labradoodles and Cockapoos are great options if you’re looking for a family-friendly and affectionate dog. If you’re not too bothered by regular walks, routine grooming, and giving your pets a lot of attention, then both these dogs are good options.
Labradoodles are the bigger of the two, and with their bigger size also comes a greater need for exercise, play, and stimulation. They are intelligent and active dogs who will entertain themselves if need be, but this isn’t always a good thing.
Cockapoos are the smaller family member of the Poodle mixes. If you have a smaller space, a very busy work life, or are looking for a lapdog then this may be the better option of the two. They are also smart dogs who need an hour of exercise, so either way, you will need to get outside for walks.
See also:
- Double Doodle vs. Labradoodle: Key Differences (With Pictures)
- Aussiedoodle vs Labradoodle Dog Breed: Differences Explained
Featured Image Credit: Top – Janosch Diggelmann, Unsplash | Bottom – Lee Ph, Shutterstock