Cockapoo Vs Goldendoodle – Which Is a Better Dog Breed?
Both the Cockapoo and the Goldendoodle are fantastic dogs. They are loyal, playful, and friendly. Their low-shedding and almost hypoallergenic coats are gloriously soft. And they are beautiful and cute from puppyhood to retirement!
Making the Cockapoo Vs Goldendoodle showdown decision will come down to personal preference and a few specific traits. These giant teddy bears are similar in many ways but do have some unique qualities.
Picking the right dog breed to suit your family is essential. Some breeds have the temperament or physical traits that can make them PERFECT for you.
Some dog breeds also have specific quirks that make them less appropriate for some prospective paw-rents.
In this article, we will compare and contrast the Cockapoo and the Goldendoodle. We feature actual data and experiences from both owners and breeders of each breed. We knuckle down on temperament and personality – and find out which is the friendliest for kids and other pets.
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Things to consider before adopting ANY dog?
Suppose you want a hypoallergenic dog that wags its tail and LOVES life. In that case, you are looking in the right direction with the Goldendoodle or the Cockapoo.
But the general things to consider before adopting ANY dog are
- Can I afford the ongoing expenses of owning a dog?
- Do I have time to exercise and brain train a dog?
- How much space do I have for a new dog?
- Are their other dogs or children to consider when picking a new dog?
We will answer these questions by comparing and finding the critical differences between a Cockapoo and a Goldendoodle.
Photo by Ray Larabie /CC BY
Which costs more – a Cockapoo or a Goldendoodle?
There are two different types of costs to consider when adopting a new dog. The initial cost and also the ongoing costs.
The easiest way to reduce the initial outlay for a dog is to rescue a dog in need. This should be the first search point for the majority of new dog owners. Ensure the adoptee is Vet checked to understand fully any health burdens you will need to support your new family member.
The issue is that both Cockapoos and Goldendoodles are very popular and in-demand dog breeds. They are indeed sometimes up for adoption, but they do not stay unadopted for long.
This (and the need for a predictable non-shedding coat for allergy sufferers) are the main reasons that most Cockapoo and Goldendoodles are adopted from a breeder. They typically stay with their family for their entire lifespan.
So when it comes to the initial cost, it will be region and breeder specific, but plan for the following.
- A Cockapoo will typically cost 1000-2500 USD
- A Goldendoodle will usually cost 900-2000 USD
Individual in-demand breeders or certain areas will see higher or lower prices. A happy accident adopted from a local family may run cheaper than a “multigeneration genetically tested hypoallergenic miniature” from an ethical breeder. Look around and keep your eyes open at shelters!
A Goldendoodle is typically marginally cheaper than a Cockapoo when paying full freight. The difference is not huge when between the two breeds. If the price is a significant factor, you may lean towards a Goldendoodle (or ANY oodle that pops up for adoption).
Ongoing cost differences
The ongoing costs of owning a Goldendoodle and a Cockapoo to consider are as follows.
- Grooming and coat maintenance costs
- Insurance and Vet costs
- Food and Nutrition costs
Of these two factors, two are practically a tie, and one leans slightly in favor of the Cockapoo.
The grooming and maintenance costs of the Cockapoo and Goldendoodle are similar. They are single-coated dogs with non-shedding hair. A non-shedding coat has minimal daily maintenance beyond brushing. There are, however, high ongoing costs for a routine groom.
You will need to invest in good quality tools to DIY groom your Goldendoodle or Cockapoo. Otherwise, prepare to pay a groomer every 6-8 weeks of their adult life. You will start grooming a Goldendoodle early as 7 months according to the experts we surveyed.
The insurance and Vet costs for the two breeds are also somewhat similar. Both breeds have Poodle genetics, which means a reasonably low predisposition to any significant health issues.
The Cockapoo can have eye conditions, skin conditions, or a slipped disc. The Goldendoodle can have skin conditions or even get some hip dysplasia – a tendency the larger breed can receive from the Golden Retriever parent.
You just never know what is going to happen. Many owners to grab pet insurance to help with unexpected health costs. Both breeds are of low risk, but this is something to consider. The insurance costs for these two breeds are typically very similar.
A real difference in ongoing costs can arise due to the food and nutrition.
Photo by Andrew Bone /CC BY
A larger dog will eat more volume of food.
They will require more volume of treats, and will need more of… pretty much everything!
Goldendoodles are generally larger, which means a higher ongoing cost. Given many Goldendoodles live over a decade – the price difference in food consumption can become substantial. You can’t skimp on the quality of the food either to save money. You need high-quality dry food for even the largest Goldendoodles to maintain healthy skin and soft fur.
| Cockapoo | Goldendoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Good with Kids? | (But be careful with very small children) | |
| Good with Cats? | ||
| Good with other dogs? | ||
| Trainability? | ||
| Cuddliness (seriously) | ||
| Hypoallergenic? | (depends on coat type) | (depends on coat type) |
Smaller dogs like the Cavachon or Cavapoo will consume a little less food overall.
What are the Energy Levels and Temperament of a Cockapoo Vs a Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles are happy, outgoing, social, and fun-loving. They enjoy bursts of energy and require daily exercise. They love to swim, run and play.
A Cockapoo is also a social and outgoing or friendly dog. They do have energy and require daily exercise, but will have less energy than a Goldendoodle.
- If you want a dog with LESS physical exercise requirements – choose a Cockapoo
- If you want a dog that is ACTIVE and is happy for extra exercise, a Goldendoodle may be ideal for you
- Both breeds of dog require mental exercise daily. They have curious minds, and all three parent breeds are intelligent.
In terms of the actual amount of exercise a Goldendoodle needs daily, most adult Goldendoodles need 30-60 minutes of active play, active movement, or running.
Most Cockapoos cope well with 30 minutes of active physical exercise daily. Some may need more, and a few could even be described as hyper.
A key element for both breeds energy levels is not overlooking mental exercise. Tiring out and burning the mental energy using games and puzzles is vital for both breeds.
A tuckered out dog will be more likely to behave well. These intelligent breeds that are not mentally stimulated can resort to destructive behaviors to keep themselves entertained.
Dealing with the high brain energy of the Goldendoodle and Cockapoo
Common ways people deal with the high mental energy levels of both the Goldendoodle and Cockapoo breeds are
- Giving slow feeder puzzles to distract them
- Introduce some scent training or nose work
- Plenty of toys (even adult dogs love toys) that a durable but also mentally stimulating (Best toys for Goldendoodles)
- Practicing commands and tricks
A common and really simple mental distraction that also entertain a dog for hours is a layered frozen Kong. Simple freezing some favorite foods (See our best Kong stuffing recipes here) and freezing can result in a toy that will amuse your dog for hours. Burn some of that mental energy!
The Temperament of a Goldendoodle Vs. the Temperament of a Cockapoo
You are going to find many similarities in the temperament of the Cockapoo vs the Goldendoodle. The majority of owners report an adorable, loving, sincere puppy that develops into a friendly, energy-packed, but well-trained adult dog.
Cockapoos Vs Goldendoodles Vs Kids
Both Cockapoos and Goldendoodles are suitable for kids. As with any larger breed like the Standard Goldendoodle – be mindful of crushing or exciting play when the Goldendoodle is younger.
Also, watch for nipping or play biting (perhaps in both directions) between younger children and both breeds of dogs. A slow supervised introduction to children is a recipe for success.
Cockapoos Vs Goldendoodles Vs Cats
When it comes to the cat, every dog is different – and every cat is other as well. If introduced to a household with an existing cat and the process is managed well – most Goldendoodles and Cockapoos will develop a tolerance of each other that is… considered a win in the context.
Cockapoos do slightly better with cats, according to many owners. Chalk this win up to the often more relaxed and less “zest for life” energy that the Cockapoo has compared to the party starter Goldendoodle.
Individual results may vary! I have been sent photos from Goldendoodle owners showing their cats happily chilling with their Goldendoodle pups. Some dogs are just friendly!
In summary, with cats, there is no guarantee that either the Goldendoodle or the Cockapoo will be cat friendly.
The trainability of the Cockapoo Vs a Goldendoodle
Compared to most other dog breeds, a Cockapoo would have a top rating regarding the ability to train. The Poodle is whip-smart, and the Cocker Spaniel is also trainable.
Explicitly comparing the trainability of the Cockapoo vs Goldendoodle, though, and the rating does reduce. A Goldendoodle well trained is a sight to behold.
The Goldendoodle energy for life and vitality can make training difficult, but the intelligent crossbreed genetics shine through. Treat centric and also people-pleasers, the Goldendoodle can be very well trained.
You need to train early for both breeds to avoid problems.
- Bad habits are difficult to overcome
- Defeat this by implementing positive reward-based training from a young age
- Learn more about the occasional challenges to training a Cockapoo if their temperament seems bad
Size differences between the Cockapoo and the Goldendoodle
There are many differences between the Cockapoo and the Goldendoodle regarding behavior, energy level, and personality. Despite this – the primary decision maker for choosing between these two Oodle dogs for most is size.
Goldendoodle Size
Goldendoodles are quite simply a typically larger dog. See our size comparison table for a general idea of the size of each dog.
Goldendoodles have the Golden Retriever parent genetics, which means a predisposition to be a larger dog. Crossing with a smaller Poodle will often bring down the size.
A Mini or Toy Poodle cross is a common strategy for breeders seeking smaller Goldendoodles. Second or multigeneration (e.g., F1b or F3) Goldendoodles also often have a much higher percentage of Poodle genetics, which can often lead to a smaller dog.
There are indeed Teacup or Toy Goldendoodles – but these are less common.
A general rule is that if you adopt a Goldendoodle, prepare for a medium (and sometimes large) sized dog.
There are so many stories online about people believing they are adopting a “mini Goldendoodle” and being a little surprised at the full-sized angel (extra-large Goldendoodle) they end up with. This is one reason why if the size is an ABSOLUTE deal breaker for you, choosing a typically smaller dog like a Cockapoo can reduce risk.
There are situations that some of us face that if they end up with a dog that is too large, they may be displaced from a home or apartment. Some good friends we walk our dog, Max, with actually moved house because their adopted Goldendoodle grew surprisingly large. Within a year! Fortunately, they were in an excellent place to move and were happy too – but for most, this situation can end in tears or stress.
Other small Oodle dog crosses include breeds like the Maltipoo or the Cavapoo.
The size of a Cockapoo
Cavapoo dogs are small dogs. At their largest, they are a medium dog. The typical weight range is from 12-25 pounds (5-11 kilograms). However, most owners report their dog’s final healthy weight towards the 17 pounds (7.5-kilogram mark).
So if overall size is a pivotal factor in your choice between the Cockapoo and the Goldendoodle, your decision may be already made.
