Cockapoo Grooming

The best way to introduce your Cockapoo puppy to grooming is to start at an early age. I began grooming my girls as soon as I brought them home: introducing them to clippers (off at first), scissors, cotton balls, and q-tips. When introducing them to clippers, begin with the clippers off, pretending to work it over their body and face. Then you can turn it on away from them to acclimate them to the noise. There is no need to rush this process!! Read more about clippers in the Cockapoo Haircut section below.

At the end of the day, if you are more comfortable with bringing your puppy to the groomer, that is perfectly fine. There is no shame in knowing your limitations, just be sure to introduce your cockapoo to the environment of commercial grooming once they are up to date on vaccinations and safe. Be sure to research your groomer thoroughly, and speak with them directly about the hygienic needs of cockapoos such as ear cleaning and extra brushing for mats.

Aside from your personal preference for coat length, the main grooming necessity for cockapoos is their ears. A combination of long, floppy Cocker Spaniel ears and inner ear hair from their Poodle genetics, Cockapoos require weekly ear cleanings. If your pup tends to have damp, smelly inner ears, a medicated ear cleaner is your best bet, as it soothes and moisturizes the ear while reducing inflammation and killing any harmful bacteria. I will note, if your dog suffers from frequent ear infections, a moisturizing/”soothing” ear cleaner may be too good at retaining moisture. To make a change, use a light alcohol or vinegar-based cleaner; this has a drying effect that may be necessary depending on your Cockapoo’s personal ear situation. Kill bacteria when necessary (first and foremost), then treat the symptoms (inflammation, smell, etc), then continue regularly to prevent chronic ear issues.

For a great ear cleaning resource, follow this link to AKC’s how-to guide!

For more information on ear cleaning, visit Banfield’s Pet Hospital’s webiste here

Due to their Cocker Spaniel geneology, cockapoos tend to have long ears. These floppy, lovable ears are then made longer by a longer coat. This is an adorable look, and I love to have “bunny ears” on my girls; BUT a word of caution. The long hair at the ends of the ear may tend to mat or get smelly. Therefore, regular cleaning and brushing of the hair itself may be needed if the coat is left long. I will note that some owners prefer to use ties or soft bands to hold back their cockapoo’s ears when eating or drinking. I can not speak for this method, as I’ve never tried it, nor have my girls’ ever had their hair (even long), become unmanageable.

Cockapoos are notorious for their cute fluffy coat, but it does require some maintenance. I would recommend brushing your cockapoo every week for at least 30 minutes. If you have time to do it twice in one week, you’re golden! The longer your cockapoo’s coat, the more often you will need to brush it! Shorter, shaved coats are not at a risk for matting, but big fluffy coats are. Brushing your Cockapoo can be a tricky task depending on your pup and their tolerance of you. Introduce your puppy to grooming early on!

Key points to focus on are the back of the ears, “pits” just between the legs and torso, and on the back of the legs. These areas tend to develop mats easily. If your pup is anything like Kona, her coat curls more tightly as is goes down her leg. Therefore, I need to pay extra attention to her feet and keep them tidy.

Also, make sure that you have a brush that complements your cockapoo’s coat type. For instance, Kona has quite a tight curl to her coat, requiring a firm brush with long, rounded teeth. A spikier brush would only frizz out her hair. Maxine however has a looser curl to her coat and can handle a variety of brushes, even a comb. Therefore, I generally use just one or two combs for the both of them.

Depending on your personal preference and daily activities, you can select from a variety of coat styles for your Cockapoo. Traditionally, the “teddy-bear” appearance of cockpoos is thanks to their fluffy, curly coat. This cut requires a decent length to your puppies coat and no matting. Personally, my lifestyle requires that my girls have a short-medium coat length, with the length of their ears varying. I like to use a #4 guard on my clippers for my girls, then use a #3 for their faces. If the weather is nice, I will sometimes take them down to a short coat using a #2 guard.

My preference on coat length stems from my girls running and playing outdoors. We hike and swim frequently, making sticks and thistles quite a pain for longer coats. Furthermore, as mothers, they need a shorter cut when experiencing a heat cycle, mating, delivering pups, and nursing. I make an exception in the colder months and let them develop a fluffier coat, but I am sure they enjoy the short shave in the summer time!