Cockapoo or Goldendoodle? Both are cheerful Poodle crosses with soft, wavy coats and a big appetite for attention, so they often end up on the same shortlist. The short answer: the Cockapoo is the smaller, more compact option that suits flats and smaller homes, while the Goldendoodle is bigger, more trainable and more varied in size. Neither cross has a breed standard, neither is recognized by major kennel clubs, and neither is guaranteed to shed little. Both need regular grooming and a family that is home often.
Soft, wavy to curly; low to moderate shedding, varies by puppy
Wavy to curly, variable; ranges from low-shedding to moderate shedding
Lower-allergen coat
No
No
Energy level
Exercise needs
Trainability
Good with kids
Good with other dogs
Friendly to strangers
Apartment living
Tolerates being alone
Good for first-time owners
Shedding
Grooming needs
Barking
Drooling
General health
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
Cockapoos run 9 to 16 in (23 to 41 cm) and 6 to 30 lb (3 to 14 kg) in our profile, depending on the Poodle parent. Goldendoodles run 17 to 24 in (43 to 61 cm) and 15 to 90 lb (7 to 41 kg). Miniature Goldendoodles are reported at 15 to 35 lb (7 to 16 kg) and standards at 51 to 80 lb (23 to 36 kg). A Cockapoo is almost always the smaller dog.
Energy and exercise
The two score the same on energy and exercise (4 out of 5 each). PetMD describes the Cockapoo as moderate, needing a couple of walks a day plus play such as fetch or swimming, and the Goldendoodle as high-energy, needing roughly 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily. The Cockapoo scores higher for apartment living (4 versus 3 out of 5). Expect restlessness from either one if exercise is short.
Coat and grooming
Both score 4 out of 5 for grooming and 2 for shedding. PetMD says Cockapoos need professional grooming every four to six weeks, and Goldendoodles every four to eight weeks, plus regular brushing at home. Soft wavy coats mat quickly behind the ears and under the legs. The size of a Goldendoodle can make each grooming session longer and costlier.
Temperament and training
Both are affectionate (5 out of 5), great with kids (5) and friendly with strangers (4). The Goldendoodle is more trainable (5 versus 4) and a quieter watchdog (barking 2 versus 3). The Cockapoo scores 1 out of 5 for tolerating time alone against 2 for the Goldendoodle. PetMD notes that Cockapoos can develop separation anxiety, and says Goldendoodles are prone to it as well.
Health and life span
Cockapoos are usually reported to live 12 to 16 years and Goldendoodles 10 to 15, with miniature versions living longer. PetMD lists cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, obesity and skin allergies for the Cockapoo. For the Goldendoodle it lists hip dysplasia, eye disorders, subvalvular aortic stenosis, dental disease and bloat in larger dogs. Neither cross guarantees good health, so ask both parents' test results.
Cost and care
The Goldendoodle costs more to feed, groom and insure because it is bigger, and it needs more room in the car and at home. The Cockapoo is easier to carry and travel with. Both depend on a good breeder, regular vet care and plenty of company.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Cockapoo if you want a compact, merry and affectionate companion that fits a smaller home and travels easily, and you can accept a bit more barking. Choose the Goldendoodle if you want a more trainable and often larger dog that is great with kids, and you have the space, the exercise time and the grooming budget. Either way, meet the parents, ask for hip, eye and heart test results, and treat any non-shedding promise with caution. Both do best in a family that is home for much of the day.
The Cockapoo, usually. It runs 6 to 30 lb (3 to 14 kg) in our profile, while Goldendoodles run 15 to 90 lb (7 to 41 kg).
Which is easier to train, a Cockapoo or a Goldendoodle?
The Goldendoodle, slightly, at 5 out of 5 for trainability against 4. Both respond well to reward-based training.
Are Cockapoos or Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is guaranteed hypoallergenic. Coat type varies between puppies, and both crosses shed to some degree, so spend time with the specific dog first.
