Both the Goldendoodle and the Cockapoo make wonderful pets for new dog owners and seasoned pet parents alike. As hypoallergenic dog breeds, they’re often suitable for mild allergy sufferers, and they make great service dogs and therapy dogs due to their loving, loyal and cuddly temperaments.

Continue reading to discover why both the Cockapoo and Goldendoodle are some of the nation’s favorite dog breeds, and find out which one of these doodle dogs would best suit your household.

Is Your Household Ready for a Dog?

Before considering whether a Goldendoodle or cockapoo puppy is better for your home, think carefully about whether you’re ready to bring a dog into your home. It’s a huge commitment, as dogs need plenty of love and attention every day, proper training and regular grooming and exercise.

Take into account the following considerations before purchasing a dog:

• Can you comfortably afford the costs of taking either the Goldendoodle or the cockapoo into your home?
• Do you have the time to dedicate to training, exercise and cuddle time?
• Will the other pets in your home be able to get along with a new addition?
• Is there enough space in your home for a new pet?

In this article, you’ll discover the answers to these questions with specific reference to the cockapoo vs the goldendoodle.

Poodle genetics are present in all goldendoodle breeds, and poodles are also the source most often used in designer dog breeds. They have a soft, pretty coat that’s low-shedding, making it a hypoallergenic breed. This feature comes with the added bonus of making doodle dogs popular with super-clean pet owners, because low-shedding means less fur on furniture.

With the cockapoo and the goldendoodle, the poodle is mixed with a cocker spaniel parent and a golden retriever parent, respectively. Both of these adorable mixed breeds are beloved for their adoring and gentle personalities.

Let’s look closer at the background of each parent breed.

Golden retrievers are one of America’s favorite dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. They’re notoriously loving family pets, but not many people realize they were first bred as hunting dogs. They originally come from England and are highly active as well as being one of the friendliest and most sensitive dogs out there. They retain a puppy-like playfulness and silliness that makes them endlessly entertaining to have around the home.

Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed

The cocker spaniel parent of the cockapoo was bred as a hunting dog in the UK and still has a strong small-prey instinct to this day. Despite their excellent hunting prowess, they’re also adorable, loving companions with gorgeous eyes and beautifully soft ears. They’re highly trainable and love being outdoors, but they’re just as happy cuddling up with their pet parents at home.

Poodle Dog Breed

Poodles are famous for being intelligent, loyal and somewhat aloof. They’re one of the most trainable dogs due to their patient personality and eagerness to show off. These dogs thrive off attention, and despite their fancy appearance, they were also originally bred as hunters in Germany. Poodles still love being outdoors and perform well in all sports. They’re fiercely loyal and adore their families.

Both cockapoos and goldendoodles are clearly beautiful dogs, but there’s a lot more to them than just cute eyes and curly coats. When choosing from the cockapoo vs the goldendoodle, coat type, allergies and shedding, color, grooming and size are things to pay attention to.

Coat Type

When it comes to coat type, there’s little difference between a cockapoo vs the goldendoodle. This is because the generation of each dog is largely responsible — specifically, how much poodle genetics are involved. A first generation doodle is 50/50, so the coat type could be straight, wavy or curly. When you breed a first generation with a poodle, you get an F1B, which is 75% poodle and very likely to have a more hypoallergenic coat.

That said, it’s rarer for a cockapoo to have a straight coat, no matter which generation they are. Both dogs tend to have longer mustaches, beards and eyebrows, making their appearance even more unique and beautiful.

Allergies and Shedding

There’s no guarantee that either the cockapoo or the goldendoodle is going to be 100% hypoallergenic, but dogs with wavy and curly coats are usually guaranteed to be low-shedding, so they generally shed less than other dogs. Poodles are mostly hypoallergenic, while retrievers and cocker spaniels have normal-shedding coats. If you have mild allergies or are looking to protect your home from a fur attack, doodles with more poodle genetics might be a better choice.

The majority of both goldendoodle and cockapoo dogs are shaggy-looking and tan-colored, but there are actually many different coat colors to choose from. Goldendoodles can be black, chocolate, red, apricot or cream. Cockapoos can be black, chocolate, red, apricot, buff, cream or white. Interestingly, both breeds’ coats come in different patterns, which include:

• Merle: This includes a solid coat with swirl patterns on different parts of the body
• Phantom: A dark base coat with light colored swirls under the tail, on the sides of the face and on the legs
• Parti: 50% white with at least one more color

Grooming

Due to the poodle genes, both the goldendoodle and the cockapoo require more frequent grooming than many other breeds. Keep in mind that while more poodle DNA means less shedding and a curlier coat, it also means more stringent grooming requirements. In addition to seeing a professional groomer regularly, you should brush your doodle at least every other day.

Size

Size is one of the biggest points to consider when choosing between the two breeds. Goldendoodles tend to be bigger dogs, although crossing a retriever with a miniature poodle or toy poodle can result in a mini goldendoodle. Both the mini goldendoodle and the cockapoo are small to medium-sized dogs.

A word of caution, though: Even mini goldendoodles can grow into full-size dogs because genetics aren’t 100% predictable. As such, if you don’t have the space or the time for a large dog, you might be better off choosing a cockapoo.

Cockapoos are usually smaller dogs, reaching medium size at most. This is because the cocker spaniel is never a large dog.

The place you buy your goldendoodle or cockapoo puppy from plays a major role in whether your dog is more likely to experience health issues down the line. There’s a good chance your dog will never experience problems with their health, but both dog breeds are genetically prone to certain conditions.

Goldendoodles might be more prone to the following:

• Hip dysplasia
• Skin problems
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Cataracts and glaucoma
• Ear infections

Cockapoos might be prone to:

• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Epilepsy
• Dental issues
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Cataracts and glaucoma

Not all cockapoos or goldendoodles will experience these issues, and carefully monitoring your dog’s diet, only feeding them high-quality food, ensuring they get enough exercise and giving plenty of love put them in the best position to live long, healthy lives.

When it comes to lifespan, the smaller dog has a slight advantage. While a goldendoodle tends to live between 10 and 15 years, the cockapoo generally lives for between 14 and 16 years.

Goldendoodle vs cockapoo temperament is one of the main reasons someone would want to bring a popular doodle into their home. Famous for their joyful and affectionate personalities, it’s impossible to say one is better than the other. However, some elements of temperament, such as activity levels and training, might sway your final decision when choosing from a cockapoo vs a goldendoodle.

Activity and Exercise

Activity and exercise requirements are some of the biggest variations between the two dog breeds. As larger dogs, goldendoodles require significantly more exercise than the small to medium-sized cockapoo. The latter can make do with a 30-minute walk each day, while a goldendoodle should be taken outside for a full bout of exercise for at least an hour per day.

Keep in mind that making sure your dog gets enough exercise for its needs is vital for maintaining health and vitality. It also prevents a lot of acting out and destructive tendencies dogs might display if they get bored. You should mix up the type of exercise instead of always doing the same thing for both types of dog to keep them mentally stimulated and entertained.

Training

Both dogs inherit excellent trainability from their super-smart parents, so there’s not much difference between the two in this category. They’re eager to please and learn commands quickly, making them a good choice even for first-time dog owners. Like all dogs, they both respond better to positive reinforcement as opposed to punishment-led training or harsh words.

Mental stimulation and love are essential for ongoing good behavior, so be sure to provide plenty of toys and fun learning opportunities as well as affection.

Personality

Both dog breeds are adorably kind and sweet-natured and make amazing companions, whether you’re a single person or part of a big family. Provided they’re properly socialized when they’re young, they love other dogs and rarely show aggressive behavior. If they don’t get socialized properly, they’re more likely to be prone to anxious tendencies, but this shouldn’t be an aspect of their personality.

No matter how well-trained they are, neither dog will adjust well to being left alone for long periods. Training prevents them from getting separation anxiety when they’re left alone for a short space of time, but they’re unlikely to be happy after more than a few hours.

Cockapoos and goldendoodles are fantastic family pets with gentle ways that make them great for being around children. Keep in mind that a toy or teacup cockapoo might be at risk of injury around a rowdy toddler, while small children might be at risk of getting knocked over by an energetic standard goldendoodle puppy. However, with proper supervision, neither type of dog should pose a risk, and a child shouldn’t be a risk to the dog.

When it comes to other pets, both types of doodle are great with other dogs when properly socialized. With regards to cats, every dog is different just as every cat is different, so there’s no definitive answer as to whether any doodle will get along with cats. Generally speaking, if either dog is introduced to a home with a cat, they should learn to tolerate each other.

Goldendoodles can be a little more fun-loving and excitable than cockapoos, so the latter might be a better option if you want to be super-cautious.

Cockapoos and goldendoodles are designer dogs, which means they come with a designer price tag. Getting a puppy with training means you spend less time and money doing it for yourself or taking them to a trainer, but the up-front cost is higher.

• Nutrition: This is the main cost difference, because a goldendoodle is typically a larger dog that requires more food on a daily basis.
• Grooming: Grooming costs are similar for both types of dog.
• Pet insurance: Poodles have a relatively low incidence of health issues, and hybrid vigor can defend against some concerns. However, you should always invest in pet insurance just in case.

Let’s take a final look at the pros of each dog breed.

Goldendoodle

• More active for people who love running or doing other types of exercise with their dog
• Larger dogs might be safer around rowdy small children
• Perfect if you’ve got plenty of space at home and are looking for a big cuddle buddy

Cockapoo

• Longer lifespan
• Better for people with smaller homes and less time for exercise
• Slightly lower cost of feeding

If you still need help making your final decision, take a look at the gorgeous Goldendoodle and cockapoo puppies available now.