Cockapoo Stud Dog: What to Look For, Health Testing, and How to Find One

The Cockapoo is the UK's most popular designer breed and growing fast in the US. Here is how to breed one responsibly.

The Cockapoo — a cross between a Cocker Spaniel (American or English) and a Miniature or Toy Poodle — has been one of the most popular family dogs in the UK for years and is rapidly growing in popularity across the United States and Australia. They are celebrated for their gentle temperaments, low-shedding coats, and adaptable size. But because they are not a recognised purebred by kennel clubs, there is no formal breed club enforcing health standards — which means the quality of Cockapoo litters varies enormously depending on the breeder.

Understanding Cockapoo Generations

The generation designation matters for predicting coat type, shedding, and size:

• F1 Cockapoo — first-generation cross: one purebred Cocker Spaniel x one purebred Poodle. Maximum hybrid vigour. Coat type is variable.
• F1b Cockapoo — F1 Cockapoo bred back to a Poodle. Coat is more consistently low-shedding. The most popular generation for allergy-sensitive families.
• F2 Cockapoo — two F1 Cockapoos bred together. High coat variability, less predictable.
• Multigenerational — F3 and beyond. When bred carefully with coat-tested parents, multi-gen lines can be very consistent.

What this means for stud selection: If your dam is a Cocker Spaniel, you need a health-tested Poodle stud for an F1. If your dam is an F1 Cockapoo, you need a health-tested Poodle stud for an F1b. Know your generation before you search.

Health Testing for Cockapoo Studs

For a Poodle Stud (Used for F1 or F1b)

Hip Evaluation (OFA or PennHIP) — OFA Good or Excellent. Hip dysplasia is present in Miniature Poodles.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — DNA Tests:

• prcd-PRA — Clear or Carrier only. Never breed two Carriers.
• PRA-crd4 — Clear or Carrier only. Specific to Miniature and Toy Poodles.

von Willebrand Disease (vWD) Type 1 — A clotting disorder. DNA test. Clear or Carrier acceptable. Never Carrier x Carrier.

Neonatal Encephalopathy (NEwS) — DNA test. Clear studs preferred.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) — DNA test for SOD1 mutation. Clear or Carrier preferred.

CAER Eye Examination — Annual, clear.

For a Cocker Spaniel Stud (Used for F1)

Hip Evaluation — OFA Good or Excellent.

CAER Eye Examination — Annual, clear. Hereditary cataracts, PRA, and glaucoma are significant concerns in Cocker Spaniels.

PRA DNA Tests:

• prcd-PRA — Clear or Carrier
• PRA-cord1 (RPGRIP1) — American Cocker-specific form

Familial Nephropathy (FN) — A fatal kidney disease in English Cocker Spaniels. DNA test available. Do not breed two Carriers.

Phosphofructokinase Deficiency (PFK) — Present in American Cocker Spaniels. DNA test. Clear or Carrier.

Coat and Size Considerations

Size: Miniature Poodle sires produce Miniature Cockapoos (10-20 lbs). Toy Poodle sires produce Toy Cockapoos (under 12 lbs).

Coat: Low-shedding (wavy to curly) coats are most in demand. Some breeders use DNA coat-type testing (Furnished/IC locus) to predict shedding. A stud tested as Furnished (FF or Ff) significantly increases the odds of a low-shedding litter.

Color: Cockapoos come in a wide range of colors. Merle requires careful pairing — never breed two merle-carrying dogs together.

Stud Fees for Cockapoos in 2026

• Health-tested Poodle stud (F1 breeding): $600-$1,200
• Health-tested F1b stud: $500-$1,000
• Rare-colored, multi-tested stud: $1,000-$1,800

Be cautious of very low fees — full health testing for a Poodle or Cocker Spaniel parent involves multiple DNA tests and OFA evaluations that cost several hundred dollars. A stud priced below $400 rarely has full testing in place.

Finding a Cockapoo Stud

1. The Stud Dog marketplace — Search for health-tested Poodle or Cockapoo studs in your area.

2. Reputable Cockapoo breeder communities — The Cockapoo Club of America maintains lists of health-tested breeders.

3. Poodle breed clubs — Local Poodle clubs often have connections to Miniature and Toy Poodle owners who stud their health-tested dogs to Cockapoo breeders.

Summary

A quality Cockapoo stud is a fully health-tested purebred Poodle or Cocker Spaniel — not simply a dog that looks nice. Given that there is no breed club enforcing standards, the entire responsibility for health testing falls on individual breeders. Insist on documentation for every relevant DNA test and OFA evaluation before proceeding.