Cockapoo Breed Standard
General Appearance
The cockapoo has a sturdy, squarely
built appearance. The length from the body measured from the breastbone
to the rump is approximately the same to slightly longer than the height
from the highest point of the shoulder to the ground. He stands up well
at the shoulder on straight forelegs with a top line that is level to slightly
sloping toward moderately bent hindquarters. He is a dog capable of great
speed and endurance combined with agility. The body must be of sufficient
length to permit a straight and free stride. The dog should never appear
low and long or tall and gangly but should always be in proportion.
Size
Size can be influenced by either
parent's recent background. Adult individuals 10" at the shoulder or less
are toy size. Dogs 11"-14" at the shoulder are considered mini size, and
those 15" at the shoulder and over are standard size. Cockapoo size
is judged by their height, not their weight. Two dogs who are the
same size can vary considerably in weight depending both on their overall
build and whether one is fat or thin. Poodle sizes are graded on height
measured to the top of the shoulder at standing position.
Weights of individuals will depend
on the factors explained above. To give a general idea of weight, a toy
would ideally weigh under 12 pounds, a Mini 13-20 pounds and a Standard
21 pounds and up.
Head, Expression
Large, round, well set, well spaced
eyes with a keen, soulful, endearing and intelligent expression.
The color of the eyes should be dark brown on dogs with dark noses. Dogs
with light colored noses may have lighter ( i.e.: greenish, hazel) eyes.
The eyes should not have a droopy appearance. Hair should be scissored
back so as not to obstruct the eyes or vision.
The ears should hang fairly close
to the head, starting above the eyes and hanging to well below eye level.
They should be well feathered but never erect or carried up over the head.
Ideally the bottom of the ears should be level with the beard.
The skull is moderately rounded
but not exaggerated , with no tendency towards flatness.
Bite
Aligned bite with neither over or
under bite. Level bites (incisors striking edge to edge) are acceptable
but scissors bite (lower incisors striking just behind the uppers) is preferred.
Overshot or undershot dogs should be excluded from breeding programs.
Neck, Top line, Body
The neck rises strongly from the
shoulders and arches slightly as it tapers to join the head. Carried high
and with dignity the neck is never pendulous ( no throatiness - skin tight
). The top line is level to slightly sloping toward the hindquarters, never
roached. The chest is deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs, its
lowest point no higher than the elbow.
Tail
The Tail is set on line with
the back and carried on line with the top line or higher when the dog is
in motion the tail action is merry. Tail can be docked as the parent breeds,
but not required. The tail should be well feathered and full coated when
left long. Many breeder's still dock because the parent breed's are.
The tail may be left long or docked and both are acceptable.
If docked, docked tail should be
no more and no less that 4". If left long the tail is to be curled up over
the back and left long, never shaven. The docked tail is set on and carried
on a line with the topline of the back, or slightly higher; never straight
up like a Terrier and never so low as to indicate timidity.
Forequarters
The shoulders are well laid back
forming an angle with the upper arm of approximately 90 degrees permitting
easy movement and forward reach. When viewed from the side with the forelegs
vertical the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder
blade. Forelegs are parallel, straight, with strong pasterns. Legs set
close to the body. Front Dew claws can be left or removed, back dew claws
should be removed. Feet should be in balanced proportion with the dog.
However, the feet should be compact, with arched toes and turn neither
in nor out.
Hindquarters
When viewed from behind the legs
are parallel when in motion and at rest. Moderately angled at the stifle
and clearly defined thighs. When standing the rear toes should be behind
the point of the rump.
Coat Types
As with many other breeds the Cockapoo
has
3 different coat types. We have the tight curly coat, the medium curl,
and the flat coat. While we strive for the medium curl, all 3 coat types
are acceptable. There are many people who prefer the flat coat, and same
with the other coat types. It is very common to see all 3 types within
the same litter of pups. This can happen with 1st, 2nd, 3rd (etc)
generation litters. Some people will try to say this means that the pups
come from substandard parents, this is not true.
What we would like to see is the
best 2 pups from different litters, and bred together and this in return
will give us the best looking puppies, however, you can still get flats
and tight curls in those litters. This is why it is so important to register
your pup with a reputable registry. Parent dogs should be of the same generation,
and never mix a cockapoo with a poodle, or cocker. It does not matter what
type of coat your cockapoo has, it is still a cockapoo and will have the
same traits as all cockapoos.
Coat length
The cockapoo's coat should be clipped
all over in a "teddy bear" type cut of about 2-3". The top of the head
should be the same length ans the body. If the tail is docked the hair
on the docked tail should be the same length as the body. A cockapoo should
never be shaven. They should have facial hair and a beard, all flowing
into each other and trimmed no longer than 4 inches. The ears should be
trimmed straight across and even with the bottom of the beard. The face
should never be shaven. If the dog is not being shown, then a shorter or
longer coat is allowed. Just remember to keep the eyes clear of fur and
keep them well brushed.
Color and Markings
Any solid color, Parti color (two
or more solid colors one of which must be white) , phantom ( brown, black
or silver body with contrasting color on legs, under tail, eyebrows, side
of face, inside ears), sable ( may be black, brown, brindle, changing to
silver, silver/gold mix, red, brown, other, all with darker points),
tri-color (parti color with tan markings over each eye, on the sides of
the muzzle/cheeks, on the underside of the ears, on all feet and/or legs
and optionally on the chest). Merle and or roan are also acceptable colors.
The nose and rims of eyes should
be one solid color. Brown colored dogs may have liver noses, eye rims,
lips, dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Black, blue, gray, cream and white
dogs have black noses, eye rims and lips, black or self colored toenails
and very dark eyes. In apricots and reds the liver colored nose is acceptable.
In parti colored dogs the primary color other than white is used to determine
the accepted color of nose.
Temperament
The cockapoo is a very people oriented,
outgoing, and happy dog. The clown like personality appeals to young and
old alike. The cockapoo has a keen intelligence any adult can appreciate
coupled with a forgiving nature that makes it unparalleled as a children's
dog. They are as much at home in an apartment as they are on the biggest
farm. They are extremely easy to train to just about any situation, but
are people dogs and should not be left alone for more than 4 hours a day.
Lineage
Dogs should be bred only if lineage
is known and pedigrree's are known on dogs and parents.
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