New research from the Royal Veterinary College challenges the common belief that cross-breeds like cockapoos and cavapoos are better behaved than their parent breeds. The study found cockapoos scored worse on behavioral measures in a significant number of comparisons, with potential explanations including genetic predisposition and unethical breeding practices.
Cockapoos are often claimed to be healthier and better behaved than the pedigree breeds that are their parents. But two of the most popular cross-breeds, cockapoos and cavapoos, in fact tend to be naughtier, research has found.
There has been an explosion in the popularity of new cross-breeds, often using toy or miniature poodles as one parent and mating them with another small dog. Cockapoos are a cross between poodles and cocker spaniels, while cavapoos are a cross between poodles and cavalier King Charles spaniels. By 2019, cockapoos were in the top three most popular breeds of dog to own in the UK. But research by the Royal Veterinary College suggests that beliefs that crossbreeds are better-behaved are misplaced.Each cross-breed was compared with each of its parent breeds on the 12 measures, giving 24 points of comparison in total.Cockapoos scored worse than their parent breeds in 16 of the 24 comparisons, while they were about the same in the other eight. Labradoodles, by contrast, were worse than their parent breeds in five comparisons, but better than their parents in six and the same on the restRVC scientists asked nearly 10,000 dog owners about their pets’ behaviour, asking them to fill in the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire. The cockapoos and cavapoos may be more likely to show aggression as this is commoner in smaller dogs, said Gina Bryson, a research assistant at the RVC, who led the survey.Shelina Duke, a dog trainer in London, said cockapoos may be prone to mouthing and chewing objects because poodles and spaniels were bred as retriever dogs, used to fetch birds during hunting.Hannah Harris, a behaviour policy manager at the charity, Dogs Trust, said some cross-breeds’ poor behaviour may stem not from their genetics but because unethical dog breeders are failing to keep the dog mothers and puppies in good conditions. “Poor breeding practices can impact the welfare of dogs, which can have an influence on behaviour,” she said.
Cockapoo Cavapoo Dog Behavior Cross-Breeds Animal Welfare
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