How to Groom a Cockapoo with a Grooming Kit & Other Tools

As you would expect, the Cockapoo is actually a cross-breed or as some would express it, a hybrid dog breed. And as the name suggests, it is a mix of Poodle and Cocker Spaniel. So its coat type and personality would depend largely on which breed is the more dominant. Cockapoo grooming doesn’t have to be difficult but some knowledge of the actual coat type will prove to be very beneficial.

Cockapoo Grooming Tips

Regardless of the coat type, an essential part of any Cockapoo care is having a good grooming routine.

The actual clipping can of course be done by a professional groomer. But if you decide to learn the basics of how to groom a Cockapoo yourself so that you can manage the clipping at home, then you will need some pointers on how to go about it.

Some helpful guidelines are probably even more relevant if you have had to self-isolate during the 2020 pandemic. Plus, it will definitely pay to have some knowledge of preferred Cockapoo grooming tools.

With patience and some practice you can eventually feel completely comfortable with managing the Cockapoo coat type.

You can find many tools included in dog grooming kits, tools that can make the whole task so much easier. I’m talking here of tools such as clippers, blades, grooming combs, scissors and toenail clippers, all in the one kit. Keep in mind that nail clippers need to be kept sharp so as to avoid discomfort.

Dog Grooming Kits (Affiliate Link)

The Cockapoo Coat

An overall grooming regime includes cleaning of teeth, cleaning of ears, cutting of nails and coat management (washing, brushing and clipping).  So, it pays to have some understanding of Cockapoo coats in general.

Owners of this cute dog breed love to take proper care of their pet’s coat. Like human hair, the Cockapoo hair grows constantly. Therefore, it should be maintained regularly to ensure it is always looking its best.

Naturally the coat type can vary from dog to dog within the same breed. And as you would expect, this variation depends on whether a particular dog has thrown more to the Poodle breed or the Cocker Spaniel breed.

Owners who suffer from allergies generally prefer a hypoallergenic pet. The Cockapoo is one breed that tends to appeal to individuals with allergies, as it doesn’t scatter or drop dander which is so typical of many other dog breeds.

Cockapoo dog coats can vary according to thickness, coarseness, length and degree of curliness.

For example, we have:

• A coat with tight curls
  Now, naturally this Cockapoo would have more of the Poodle mix in it.
  The tight curled Cockapoo probably sheds the least when compared with the other coat types.
• A coat that tends towards being straighter
  The straight haired Cockapoo tends to throw more to the Cocker Spaniel mix. It tends to shed less and require clipping perhaps only 4 times a year. This coat type still requires cleaning and brushing on a regular basis.
• A coat that is more wavy than curly
  Again this type of hair would suggest a stronger mix of Cocker Spaniel in the breeding.

Other Coat Types Found in Cockapoo

Now when it comes to cross breeding further down the chain you can have all kinds of coat combinations. For example, a Cockapoo, the result of the original mix, might itself then be crossed with a Cocker Spaniel, for example, again throwing stronger tendencies than would otherwise have been expected. This is where we start to see F1 and F2 etc classifications of generations.

That is when you could expect to see other coat combinations such as:

• A flat coat Cockapoo – more similar to what you see in these Cocker Spaniel Haircut Styles
• The Cockapoo straight hair type with gentle waves
• The wavy coat with ringlets – this is more high maintenance, lending itself to matting.

Regardless of coat type, the Cockapoo is a very cute breed of dog. This is a truly lovable breed and one that requires delicate handling and grooming, perhaps more so than many other dogs.  Grooming this breed is more of a fun-filled experience than an arduous task.

Given the costs of frequently visiting a professional groomer, mastering various Cockapoo haircuts is definitely a worthwhile pursuit particularly given that there are a number of different styles that you might like to try.

The Cockapoo’s Nature Makes Grooming Easier

Regardless of whether you are a professional groomer or a dog owner, it pays to know the personality makeup of the different dog breeds you are dealing with, especially when it comes to handling them for grooming. And this is no different when it comes to grooming a cockapoo.

And, I’m sure it will come as no surprise to learn that the Cockapoo has a delightful nature. Being a mix of Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, the Cockapoo is the proud owner or a keen intellect. This of course translates into a dog that is relatively easy to train. But it also means that you will have a dog that needs to be entertained. No boring activities will do for this breed. The intelligent temperament of the Cockapoo demands interesting stimulation.

So, when it comes to tackling a time-consuming Cockapoo cut, you might need to distract him a little and certainly a grooming restraint of some kind can help.

In a word, you can expect the Cockapoo to be playful. In this interesting poll asking for a one-word description of the Cockapoo breed, 70% of those surveyed chose the word friendly.

How to Cut Cockapoo Hair with Clippers

Now there are many different Cockapoo cuts and you probably already have a preference for one over the other.

However, if you are still trying to decide and wish to master one of the more popular hairstyles such as the Cockapoo Teddy Bear Cut, then it is a good idea to have a comprehensive guide to follow and/or a styling video to watch.

Here is a very comprehensive video that shows how to groom a Cockapoo with clippers. In this case, the groomer demonstrates a Teddy Bear clip and is using a Wahl pet clipper. The Wahl clippers are considered some of the best clippers for Cockapoos.

WAHL Professional Animal KM Cordless 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet and Dog Clipper Kit, Poppy (9596-200)

If you are looking for help with grooming a Cockapoo face then you might prefer to jump straight into this video that shows how to hold the dog’s head in order to clip the face area:

Other Cockapoo Grooming Tasks

How to Give a Cockapoo a Bath

Have your Cockapoo stand in the bath tub and wet him with lukewarm water. Use two cotton balls that can be placed lightly in the ears to protect from soapy water. Cockapoos are very sensitive to ear infections.

Use a dog shampoo and thoroughly lather his coat. If the shampoo is herbal, allow it to stay on the coat for a few minutes before washing it off. Be especially careful that the soap does not enter the pet’s eyes. After his bath is complete, rub him down with a towel. You can follow up with a hair dryer as well if you wish to thoroughly dry his coat.

Make sure you have a sturdy dog tub that can be used solely for bathing your pooch.

Dog Tubs & Wash Stations (Affiliate Link)

How to Clean the Ears of a Cockapoo

After the bath, extract the cotton balls from his ears and wipe the ears out with the cotton swab for any ear wax deposits. Do not be over zealous in going too deep into the dog’s ears. Cleaning as far as you can see is good enough.

Cut off any hair growing inside the ear as a little care goes a long way.

How to Trim a Cockapoo’s Nails

Last of all you can attend to trimming the dog’s nails with a dog nail trimmer (affiliate link).

A sound piece of advice for a first timer trying to clip dog nails is that you should try to distinguish between the nail and the pink layer of skin always before initiating cutting of the nail. If you are uncertain, then cut a little nail and file the remainder of the nail to the required length. This helps in averting any incision or cut in the dog’s paw.

Taking Care of a Cockapoo’s Teeth

Cockapoos frequently suffer from dental health problems as they grow older. As part of their grooming routine, their teeth should be brushed with a special dog toothpaste (affiliate link) once a day to avoid serious complications in future.

What to Do About a Matted Cockapoo

We have all been there – ouch – what a job it is to get mats and tangles out of a dog’s coat once they have become entrenched.

Mats can easily be hidden by the top layer of a Cockapoo’s coat. So you really need to get down into the undercoat, the  layer nearer the skin.

De-matting the Cockapoo’s Coat

Start checking the pet’s coat for tangled or matted hair. This is a common problem with Cockapoos because of their long coat.

Lightly comb and try to brush out the matted tufts without pulling the hair and skin of the dog.

Once you locate some tangled hair, make sure to tackle it gently because the skin can easily be pinched before you know it.

Dematting Tools for Dogs (Affiliate Link)

De-Matting Demonstration

The video below shows you how to tease the tangle out with a de-matting comb.

A slicker brush is great for top level brushing but when you find a real tangle or a piece of heavily matted hair then you can move to the comb to help tease it out better.

There are various kinds of dematting combs that you can use and I would suggest that the nature of your dog will determine which works best. In other words, if your Cockapoo is a little skittish, you might find that the comb pulls a little. In that case you could go for the wider-tooth grooming rake.

If the tangled hair has become too knotted, you will have to cut the knots out with the help of scissors. Take utmost care while doing so in order to avoid getting too close to the skin.

Once you have taken care of all the matted bits you can gently brush the coat (do this on a regular basis once a week to avoid further matting). Now you can trim the Cockapoo’s hair to the desired length. Be certain to trim near the eyes but do retain the moustache and goatee of the Cockapoo as it lends the perfect grace and charm befitting this wonderful breed.

Cockapoo Grooming Tools

There are a few tools in particular that one should have on hand before undertaking Cockapoo grooming.

The essential grooming tools (affiliate links) include:

Hair Clipping Tools

• Scissors
• Combs
• Pet Clippers

Dog Wash Products

• Dog Shampoo (preferably herbal one)
• Two cotton balls  
• Towel
• Hair dryer (optional)
• Dog Wash Tub

Nail Care Tools

• Cotton swabs
• Dog nail trimmer
• A nail file

Dental Care Products

• Tooth Brush
• Dog Toothpaste

Dedicated Dog Brushes

We are often asked: What is the best brush for a Cockapoo?

For this breed, I suggest finding the best dog brushes in these categories:

• a wire brush or
• a bristle brush

As discussed, matting can be an issue, so it pays to have a top-quality grooming brush.

Glendan Dog Brush & Cat Brush- Slicker Pet Grooming Brush- Shedding Grooming Tools(Blue)

Suitable Table for Grooming

Now, if you are in the market for a sturdy grooming table, a foldable table is a great option. Its portability suits mobile groomers and the fact that you can fold it, to put away at the end of a grooming session, is a real plus.

LEIBOU Pet Dog Grooming Table Foldable Grooming Table Heavy Duty Iron Frame with Arm & Noose for Dog Cat Pet Grooming (32”, Pink)

Advantages of Learning Cockapoo Grooming

As you can see, grooming Cockapoo can be much easier if you follow a technique and of course have the right grooming tools.

There are a number of different Cockapoo hairstyles to choose between. New groomers need to add these to their repertoire of grooming styles.

First and foremost the pet should be made to stand comfortably on the ground or on a waist high table for easy reach (for those who have a tendency to get backaches or those who can’t kneel on the ground comfortably).

A healthy and well groomed Cockapoo is a joy to behold.

Learning how to groom a Cockapoo yourself provides a great deal of satisfaction not to mention quality bonding time with your pet and of course the cost savings that come from not having to go to a professional groomer can be considerable. It is very satisfying to stand back and look at the Cockapoo haircut that you have just given your very own pooch. With this skill up your sleeve, grooming simply becomes part and parcel of your overall Cockapoo care routine.

FAQs About Cockapoo Grooming

A common question from owners is:

Do Cockapoo shed?

Well the short answer is that most breeds shed to some extent, naturally some a lot more than others.  And Cockapoos belong to the group that shed very little. Poodles are generally regarded as belonging to the “non-shedding” group, and as can be expected, the Cockapoo has inherited this trait, although I prefer the term low-shedding. Even then, it can vary from dog to dog. I’ve heard some owners say that their own hair “sheds” more than their cute little Cockapoo.

However, either way, I strongly recommend that you consider a vacuum that is designed for pet hair collection. This can definitely make life easier, well at least the hours that you spend cleaning.

Vacuums to Suck Up Dog Hair (Affiliate Link)

Here is another common question about the Cockapoo breed:

Is a Cockapoo hypoallergenic?

This would depend very much on the health of his skin rather than on his coat type. If the Cockapoo is nice and healthy, free of any dander, then the chances of causing allergies are reduced.