If you’re going to be a first time Cockapoo owner, perhaps the best place to start is by answering ‘What is a Cockapoo?’ A Cockapoo is a crossbreed or hybrid of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. While there are different Poodle sizes (toy, miniature, standard), most Cockapoos are a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle, so they are relatively small dogs.

What is the difference between Cockapoo vs Cavapoo

These days, lots of mixed-breed dogs are becoming more and more popular. You might have also heard of the Cavapoo. Rather than being crossed with a Cocker Spaniel, Cavapoos are a cross between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Although they look quite similar to Cockapoos, Cavapoos are usually smaller in size. Both dogs are generally friendly and sociable, and they don’t tend to bark much. They need regular grooming, although Cavapoos may have a slightly shorter coat. Cavapoos are also likely to be slightly calmer than Cockapoos, so they may be a better choice if you don’t want a particularly active lifestyle.

What is an F1 or F2 Cockapoo?

If you've been researching Cockapoos, you might have seen the terms F1 Cockapoo and F2 Cockapoo. But what do they mean?The Cockapoo isn’t yet a recognised pedigree breed because there haven’t been enough generations bred. The terms F1 and F2 are a way of quickly explaining which generation of their family line they are. When a pedigree Cocker Spaniel and a pedigree Poodle are bred together, the litter of Cockapoos produced will be F1 or first-generation Cockapoos. If two F1 Cockapoos are bred together, the litter produced will be F2, or second-generation Cockapoos, and so on. To become a recognised pedigree breed, there needs to be F7 Cockapoos being bred. Visit The British Cockapoo Society website for further information on Cockapoo generations.

How big does a Cockapoo get?

Cockapoo weight and height vary depending on whether the parent is a Miniature, Toy, or Standard Poodle. However, the majority of Cockapoos are from Miniature Poodles. As an adult, you could expect your Cockapoo to be around 36 to 38 centimetres tall and weigh between 6 and 11 kilograms.

Cockapoo owners often choose this breed because they shed less fur, meaning less hoovering and cleaning, and potentially fewer allergy symptoms from your family members. However, the amount that your Cockapoo sheds fur will depend on whether they are more like a Poodle or a Cocker Spaniel. It’s the Poodle in their lineage that makes them shed less fur.

Are Cockapoos hypoallergenic?

Many Cockapoo owners find that their allergy symptoms aren’t so bad compared to when they have owned other breeds that shed more fur. However, allergies are very individual, and some Cockapoos will still shed fur if they’re genetically more similar to a Cocker Spaniel. Therefore, it’s impossible to predict whether a particular Cockapoo will be suitable if you have allergies.

When do Cockapoos stop growing?

Cockapoos reach adult size at around 12 months old, although they don’t tend to get taller after 9 months. Adult Cockapoo size will vary depending on whether their parent was a Miniature, Toy, or Standard Poodle.

Are Cockapoos easy to train?

Cockapoos are curious, social, and have lots of energy, making them easy to train.

Are Cockapoos good dogs?

The Cockapoo temperament is mainly friendly and social. However, they can be anxious, especially if poorly socialised, and this can affect their behaviour long-term.

Do Cockapoos bark a lot?

Cockapoos don't tend to bark very much, although they can suffer from separation anxiety, especially if their routine changes suddenly.

How much exercise does a Cockapoo need?

Cockapoos have a lot of energy and require lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks or exercise of at least 1 hour would be ideal for adult Cockapoos. This could easily be split into two 30-minute sessions. For puppies, the general recommendation is to stick to five minutes of walking for each month of age, up to twice a day. E.g. A four-month-old puppy can enjoy 20-minute walks once or twice a day.

Celebrating the Bonds That Make Life Better – Celebrating the International Day of Friendship

Written by: Kate Hepplewhite

July 31, 2025

There’s something truly special about the bond we share with our dogs. It’s a friendship built on trust, loyalty and the quiet comfort of simply being there for each other. Dogs don’t care how we look, what we’ve achieved, or what kind of day we’ve had – they’re just happy to be by our side.

This International Day of Friendship, we’re shining a light on those four-legged friendships that change the lives of our subscribers for the better. We asked the members of our Years' Very Important Dogs (V.I.Ds) Facebook group to send in how their pooches bring love, light and laughter into their lives.

Whether it’s the dog who helped you through a tough time, the lifelong companion who makes you laugh every day, or the instant connection your pup made with their new best friend at the park – we asked our Years subscribers to tell us all about their four-legged friends. And as always, they delivered!

Luke and Monty

Monty came into our lives like a bolt of sunshine wrapped in fur. At just 13 weeks old, he’s already made the biggest impact on our daily routine and happiness.

Every morning starts with his cheeky tail wags and puppy yawns and ends with him curled up beside us like he owns the sofa (he does). He’s playful, gentle, curious and always eager to say hello to new people and dogs, making friends wherever he goes.

Our bond is growing stronger by the day. From his first clumsy zoomies to his proud little strut when he gets a treat, Monty constantly reminds us to enjoy the small moments. He’s teaching us patience, routine, and unconditional love.

Life’s better with muddy paws and puppy cuddles. Monty proves that every single day.

Connie and Sweetpea

Our Sweetpea is our little heart repair kit. We brought her home at eight weeks old, and she’ll be turning two next week. She came into our lives after the devastating loss of Toffee – our miniature Dachshund and my absolute rock. Toffee was hand-reared, the runt of the litter, gifted to us by my late mum. She saw me through grief, heartbreak, and loss – first of my mum, then of our dear boy, Henry.

Losing Toffee unexpectedly to cancer shattered me. I missed her desperately – her cuddles, her presence, her knowing eyes. I found comfort in hugging her favourite toy, one of hundreds. My husband, ever supportive, helped me through it, and even our cats mourned her absence.

Eventually, we decided to welcome another dachshund into our lives. We visited a litter of five-week-old pups – two girls. One snuggled into my neck, kissed me, and fell asleep for 90 minutes – just like Toffee once had. I knew she was the one. We named her Sweetpea – my special nickname for Toffee.

I worried that bringing a new pup home might feel like a betrayal. But in my heart, I could hear Toffee’s bark of approval. Sweetpea came home with us at eight weeks old, and her sister went to a lovely couple who had just lost their own beloved dog.

The last two years with Sweetpea have been filled with healing, fun, and love. She’s so different from Toffee – ball-obsessed, bold and full of beans – yet reminds us of her in little ways. We still miss Toffee and Henry deeply, but Sweetpea has helped us smile again, showing us that love never leaves; it simply finds a new way to grow.

Nita and Finn

Finn, my working spaniel, is my best friend because he offers the kind of unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship that few others can. As a nurse, my days are often physically demanding and emotionally taxing - filled with long shifts, high-stress situations, and the constant care of others.

When I return home, Finn greets me, not with questions or expectations, but with joy and affection, sensing my mood and offering comfort without words. His loyalty is unwavering, and his presence brings a calming routine to my life, helping to ground me after intense days.

Spaniels are intelligent, active, and intuitive dogs, and working ones like Finn thrive on connection and purpose. His energy keeps me active, his need for structure complements my professional discipline, and his companionship helps reduce stress and anxiety.

I find solace in the quiet moments shared on a walk, or when he curls up beside me after a long shift. He doesn’t judge, complain, or demand answers—he simply is, and in that presence, I find peace. In many ways, Finn supports my well-being as much as I care for my patients. That mutual, wordless understanding makes him not just a pet, but my most loyal friend.

Joanne and Marley

We got Marley on 29th March 2025. He was 15 weeks. Me & my partner knew there was something missing in our home, we didn’t want to commit to a child just yet, so a dog was what we needed. We always mentioned how we’d love a Yorkshire terrier, so we didn’t find it hard choosing a breed! We found him and brought him home. He isn’t just a dog, he is our baby boy. You really don’t realise how much love you could feel until you bond with a pet, like you would with a child!

Me and my partner lost a close grandparent in the same year as each other, so we both needed healing in ways we didn’t know, and Marley has helped that healing. He is coming into his teenage stage now, and he certainly keeps us on our toes!! But we wouldn’t change him for the world.

Kellie and Miley

This is Miley, also known as Miley Moo and Smiley Miley. She is the best girl and was made for our family. She thinks she's human most of the time and is daft as a brush, but is the most loyal and loving girl. She is my shadow and knows when I’m having a down day.

Miley has grown up with our son who has complex medical needs and is a massive comfort to him. She protects him and knows when he isn’t feeling well. She is a huge part of our family.

Claire and Raine

Raine came into my life when I was at my lowest, grieving the loss of my beloved dog, Freddie. After he crossed the rainbow bridge, I felt completely lost, full of love but with nowhere to give it.

For six months, I avoided dogs entirely; the thought of ever going through that kind of heartbreak again was unbearable. Eventually, I found the courage to volunteer at a local dog rescue, just walking the dogs, thinking it was a safe way to stay connected without getting too close. Then Raine was brought out to me, and everything changed. It was instant.

I knew she was meant to be mine. Despite her difficult past, she was gentle, loyal, and full of love. She healed parts of me I didn’t even know were still broken. Loving her has brought purpose and joy back into my life. I may have adopted her, but truthfully, she rescued me.

She's pictured here on the left, with her new sister Lacey, who she has welcomed with open paws! I love them both so much, but Raine will always hold an extra special place in my heart.

Catherine and Timmy

Timmy is an absolute delight. He’s a Romanian rescue, found alongside a dual carriageway and now living in Dartmouth with me. He’s friendly, funny, and feisty. He’s filled the hole left by my beautiful Olli.

His antics make me smile every day. It takes so little to make a dog happy - a treat, a walk, a tummy rub, or their Years tea. It’s quite humbling.

Caroline and Randall

Randall came into our lives 4 months ago. Last September, our old dog Alfie went over the rainbow bridge, and I wasn’t sure about getting another dog. I have 3 cats and the youngest missed Alfie dreadfully.

Then one day, I was scrolling on Instagram when I saw a post about a rescue place in Bulgaria. They said that they had a dog no one wanted and sent me videos. That was Randall. He was dumped at the side of the road, still a puppy. He was so thin and frightened. Well, my heart melted. That was it! I had to have him.

So in February, after a 3 day journey for Randall, we collected him. This little frightened boy. We took every day as new start. I never really left the house, but Randall needed walks so I started leaving the house to walk him.

In time, he learnt to love and to trust again. When I have a down day, he will lie with me, put his head on my lap and look at me with his big brown eyes, almost as if he’s saying, “it’s ok mum, we’ve got this”. I’m so glad I went on Instagram that day.

Why We Created Years

That's is exactly why we created Years. We didn’t just want to make dog food—we wanted to help dogs live healthier lives, so their humans can enjoy more precious years with them. The muddy walks, the sofa cuddles, the quiet comfort of their presence… These are the moments that matter.

That’s why our fresh, whole food recipes are crafted to support long-term health and happiness.

Ready to start your own Years story? Try our nourishing, freshly prepared dog food today - and give your best friend the best chance at more years by your side.