Cockapoo Price: How Much Do They Cost? Factors and Ongoing Costs

Got your sights set on a Cockapoo? These super cute Cocker Spaniel-Poodle mixes capture the heart of everybody who comes into contact with them. You only have to take one look into those soft, chocolate eyes, and you’re a goner. However, owning a dog is a massive commitment, not just in terms of time but also money. You might be wondering, especially if you’ve never actually owned a dog before, how much one of these precious pups might set you back. Well, alongside the initial payment, with the Cockapoo price you will need to factor in ongoing as well as one-off expenses. Let’s take a look at how much you could be looking at here.

Factors that Determine Cockapoo Price

Doodles are designer dogs, and for that reason, if no other, prices can be pretty high. You can expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $3,500 for a Cockapoo puppy. The average is around $2,000. This actually makes them fairly reasonably priced compared to some of the other Doodle types. 

The exact amount you end up shelling out, though, will vary depending on a number of factors, particularly the ones outlined below: 

Genetic Guarantees

Reputable breeders take great pride in the fact that their puppies come from healthy animals. To determine this, the dogs are carefully tested to ensure they are free from any kinds of heritable disease or conditions that they could potentially pass on to their offspring. While these tests are undoubtedly necessary, they definitely don’t come cheap, and that is often reflected in the price of the puppies.

Breeders also take a significant risk by offering potential buyers health guarantees. These are often for up to two years. They basically promise financial reimbursement if any genetic conditions do arise in the dogs within that time. Such a guarantee is the ultimate symbol of a breeder’s confidence in the health of their puppies.

Location

While there are now a multitude of breeders across the nation offering Cockapoo puppies, you’re likely to want to opt for one that is a little more local. In this way, you won’t end up facing significant transport costs when it comes to picking your puppy up. Plus, it’s not always great for a young puppy to travel so far. 

However, the location of the operation could really impact the cost. Cockapoos are more expensive in parts of the country where there are fewer breeders or where these darling dogs are more in demand – or both. Plus, the cost of raising litters is obviously higher in some places than in others, and this will be factored into the price too.

Breeder Stock

High-quality breeders are likely to want to have the best of the best for their breeding animals. Naturally, dogs like these don’t come cheap. Both pedigree Cocker Spaniels and Poodles puppies retail for as much as $3,000. They will also need to be AKC or CKC registered and thoroughly screened for genetic defects on top of that – all added costs.

While using Doodle parents might be a slightly cheaper alternative, chances are it won’t be. Usually, breeders include a neutering clause in the purchasing agreement to help avoid the unplanned and irresponsible breeding of these dogs. Pups being sold for breeding often commandeer a much higher price tag than those that will simply be family pets. 

Demand

Supply and demand is king, even when it comes to animals. While Cockapoos are not pedigree dogs, they are still super popular. In fact, such Doods are likely to be even more in demand than many breeds due to their Poodle intelligence, low shed coat, and unique teddy bear good looks. The fact that these Doodles are on the smaller side also works in their favor in the popularity stakes.

While many breeders are choosing to specialize in these super-cute canines, there are still likely to be areas of the country where they can’t keep up with the number of people wanting them. In these areas, facilities can pretty much pick their price. After all, while many breeders aim for best practices when it comes to protecting the health of their dogs, breeding is still a for-profit business. 

Size & Coat Type

Most people select Doodles because their “hypoallergenic” reputation precedes them. While these pups are not completely no shed (no dogs are), the Poodle genes do mean that these dogs often shed very little. However, that obviously is reliant on them inheriting a Poodle coat, which is not always the case. Certain generations stand a better chance simply because they have more Poodle in them. For this reason, these dogs are usually a little pricier. 

Many hues in both parent breed lines mean that Cockapoo colors are incredibly varied – much more so than other Doodles. Generally speaking, the more colors the pup has, or the rarer their markings, the more expensive they will be. Unique Doods such as merles are incredibly in demand, and breeders take advantage of this – why would they not? 

Size can also have an impact on price. Like most other Doodles, Cockapoos come in different sizes depending on the Poodle used in the mix. In fact, these dogs have a few more variations than other Doodles – which is a little surprising given that Cockers are the smallest of the sporting dogs. Cockapoos are available in Maxi, Miniature, Toy, and Teacup. Usually, the smaller the dog, the bigger the price, as these ones tend to be the most popular. 

Breeder Reputation

Long-standing facilities that have plenty of reviews for their happy, healthy hounds are also likely to charge more than those that are still establishing themselves. They have the credentials and experience to do this. Plus, if they are working with dogs that they themselves bred, then they can guarantee a high level of quality as they can be more sure of healthy bloodlines. 

Beyond this, more established breeders tend to offer services above and beyond the basics. This can include things like puppy training (toilet, leash, crate) and early socialization. They may even provide microchipping, send goodies out with their puppies or offer buyers lifetime support service for their Doods. All of these can make your experience as a buyer and new puppy parent that much easier. 

Different Types of Cockapoo Breeders and How Price Varies

However, the thing that will have the most considerable effect on the cost of your Cockapoo is the kind of breeder you get them from. They are not all as official, nor sadly as ethical or on-the-level as one another. These are the three main types: 

Professional Breeders

These breeders invest a great deal of money in their dogs, including genetic tests, nutrition, facilities for them, and more. This is reflected in the quality of the puppies they produce. You’ll definitely end up paying the most if you opt for a professional breeder – there’s no doubt about that. However, you can be sure that you are getting a high-quality, nicely-bred, well-taken-care-of dog. 

Backyard Breeders

Some people may choose to breed their pets to make a little extra income on the side. While you might be tempted to make the most of lower prices from such “breeders,” keep in mind that these guys don’t actually know what they’re doing. This lack of knowledge and experience won’t only impact the cost of the pups but also in their general health and wellbeing. Any initial savings here will likely be negated in vet bills in the long run.

Puppy Mills

Puppy Mills (or puppy farms) are really not good places to pick up a pet. The dogs kept here are treated simply as commodities. They get cheap food, are poorly treated, and rarely receive any kind of vet care while they are there. This means that they are likely to suffer from physical and behavioral problems. If a breeder has many different types of puppies available immediately and is willing to let them be re-homed before they are eight weeks old, you’re probably dealing with a puppy mill. 

Cockapoo Costs of Ownership

When people think about the cost of a dog, they tend to only consider the amount they will pay for them. However, there are a multitude of behind-the-scenes expenses that you should also be thinking about if you’re considering buying a puppy. These include but aren’t limited to: 

Food and Treats

You’re going to want to opt for a carefully balanced chow with the best ingredients for your pup. If you scrimp here, you could have all kinds of problems later on. Feeding a smaller dog like the Cocka will obviously be cheaper than maintaining a larger one. On average, you can expect to spend around $100 a year on food and another $100 to $150 on treats. 

We recommend these brands for Cockapoos based on their specific nutritional needs. 

Training and Boarding

With Cockapoos being such laid-back little pooches, training is not a completely necessary expense, but useful if you are a first-time dog owner or don’t have the time to dedicate to it. This will be around $100 – $200 for the basics. You may also need to board your pet if you want to go on holiday, which could be as much as $100 per night. 

Vet Visits

This will likely be one of the highest costs you face with your pup, so it’s well worth looking into pet insurance if you can. Doing your homework with breeders will definitely pay off here. You’ll find yourself much less out of pocket. However, your pal will still require regular checkups to make sure that everything is still ticking away nicely. Expect to set aside, on average, $450-500 a year for this. 

Grooming

While Doodles are generally fairly low maintenance hounds, you will need to factor in the time for regular brushing, coat trimming, etc. While it’s very possible for you to keep on top of all this yourself (check out our handy home grooming online course to see how), you will probably still opt to send your pet to the pros at least some of the time for around $50 a go – more if they have particularly mat-prone hair. 

Other Costs

Finally, you’ll need to think about getting a whole host of pet accessories for your pup. This includes a bed, leash, collar, food and water dishes, a crate, washing and grooming supplies, and chew toys at a bare minimum. You could be looking at spending up to $500 right off the bat, depending on what you already have and what you decide are the essentials. 

Where Can you Buy a Cockapoo?

Finding the best kind of breeder is no easy task, but it’s certainly worth doing. Check out our breeder directory for some trusted facilities near you. Just makes sure you pay attention to their practices and reviews. Our article How To Choose A Responsible Breeder can help you understand what you should be on the lookout for. 

Adopting a Cockapoo

Picking up a pet from a shelter or rescue center is obviously the cheapest way to go. While you will likely need to pay an adoption fee, it will still be far less than the price of a new puppy. However, you do need to keep in mind that this route has its own associated risks. 

First and foremost, it’s pretty unlikely that you will find a “purebred” (so to speak) Cockapoo that has been given up for adoption. The amount that pet parents have to shell out on these darling dogs makes it less likely that they will be willing to surrender them for free. Plus, many breeders these days put a clause in the purchasing contract that the new owners will return the puppies if, at any time, they do decide that they no longer want them. After all, these are valuable dogs! 

Another potential issue is that older dogs may have health or behavior problems, which may be the reason their owner gave them up in the first place. Some of these could be workable, while others might not be. Have a careful conversation with the experts at the shelter – they can help you know just what to expect before diving headfirst into such a big commitment. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Cockapoos

Why are Cockapoos Expensive?

If you haven’t had a Doodle before, Cockapoos may seem a little on the pricy side. Especially given that they are mixed breed pups. However, while they may not be pedigree, breeders of these divine dogs put just as much effort into creating healthy lines. This can be incredibly expensive to do and is why Cockapoos cost a bit more than your average mutt. 

Are Cockapoos High Maintenance?

Doodles, in general, aren’t really that high maintenance. As long as you can set aside a little time for them each day – for coat brushing, games walks, and cuddles, then you should get by just fine. However, if you don’t take the time to do this, then you could face problems down the road, everything from impossible-to-deal-with knots and tangles to a badly behaved pooch. 

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Cockapoos are recently much-in-demand dogs, and when you are familiar with them, it’s pretty easy to see why. They make excellent companions and family pets. However, as with all animals, you need to be able to invest both time and money into caring for them…and sometimes people underestimate just how much of both. Having a realistic understanding of this is crucial and is definitely something that needs to be figured out before you take the massive step of purchasing a puppy. Hopefully, this article provides a good first step towards that.