When searching for your new puppy, the price is something you should always keep in mind, and Cockapoo costs are no different. How much does a Cockapoo cost? And what other costs are there to consider when buying your new puppy?
A Cockapoo’s price depends on many factors, including coat color, health testing, and breeder reputation. However, you’ll soon find that some factors should not play a part in your new puppy’s price at all. To find out more, read on with us today!
How Much Do Cockapoos Cost?
The current average price of a Cockapoo puppy appears to range between $700 and $1,200.
However, it isn’t easy to pinpoint an exact average price for this mixed breed. With so many on the market and many looking for new homes due to owners being unable to care for them, you’ll find Cockapoos sold for anywhere from $200 to $2,000. This does not account for the additional costs of grooming, veterinary fees, and essential equipment.
Which Cockapoos Cost More Than the Others?
Unfortunately, some Cockapoo breeders will charge more for “rarer” coat colors. While colors like black and apricot are prevalent among Cockapoos, others such as merle, parti, and roan are more uncommon, often leading to a higher price tag.
Be wary of breeders who charge more based on coat color. You should also avoid breeders who select for merle coats. Other factors in a higher price tag include the breeder’s reputation and location, health testing, and overall demand.
Factors Affecting the Price of a Cockapoo
Many factors affect the price of a Cockapoo puppy. These include the puppy’s coat color, the breeder’s reputation and location, health testing done on the parents, and overall demand for the puppy.
Coat Color
With all the coat colors of the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel, there is a wide array of colors, including “rare” colors to pop up within litters of puppies. Typically, the “rarer” a coat color is, the more expensive a Cockapoo breeder will sell the puppy. For example, a merle or parti Cockapoo will sell for a higher price under some breeders. However, any reputable breeder should not price their puppies based on color alone. This leaves room for inappropriate focus on producing the “rarest” coat colors rather than ensuring sound temperament. It also encourages prospective buyers to select based on the “rarest” color rather than the puppy that best fits their lifestyle and family. This should be your top priority when choosing your new puppy!
Be wary of breeders who select for merle coats. This comes with a high risk of producing double merles, which is not in the interest of your puppy’s welfare – double merle coats can come with a whole host of issues of their own.
- Avoid breeders who price puppies based on coat color
- Avoid breeders who select merle coats specifically
Breeder’s Reputation
The breeder’s reputation may play a part in the price of your new puppy. If you buy from a more reputable breeder, your puppy will likely cost more. However, this will benefit you and your puppy in the long term. When buying from a breeder who offers no certifications, you risk paying much more later on when your puppy struggles with health issues. At the same time, be aware that some backyard breeders and unreputable breeders will price their puppies higher solely to appear more reputable. Always meet the breeder in person and ask to see the puppies and their dam together.
- It pays to buy from a higher-priced reputable breeder
- Always ask to meet the breeder and their dogs in advance
Health Certificates
Breeding from a sire and a dam that has been health tested should not be a unique selling point within Cockapoo breeding circles. A reputable Cockapoo breeder should always test their prospective sires and dams for progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and primary glaucoma. Other health tests that should be included include retinal dysplasia and von Willebrands disease type I. This is because one or both of the parent breeds could be a carrier of these conditions, thereby leading to your puppy inheriting them. Some breeders will claim to carry out “health testing” but in actuality consider DNA testing alone to be sufficient – always ask to see the test results as proof.
- Always ask for proof of health test results
- Avoid breeders who carry out no health testing
- Avoid breeders who present DNA tests as “health tests”
Gender
Some unreputable breeders may charge more for a female puppy, as the current demand to produce “doodles” is at an all-time high. Avoid breeders who do this. The goal of a reputable breeder should be to produce healthy family dogs with sound temperaments rather than feeding into further breeding later on. Most reputable breeders who breed sound family dogs will price their puppies equally regardless of whether its a female or male puppy.
- Avoid breeders who charge more for female puppies
Demand
As with any “product” to be bought, supply and demand play a major role in the overall costs. You will notice puppy prices rise among less reputable breeders around Christmas, for example. While it is normal for prices to rise or fall depending on supply and demand, be wary of breeders who appear to raise their prices around holidays. A reputable breeder will not aim to sell their puppies as “gifts” for the holidays. Rather, their focus should be on producing sound family pets with good temperaments, no matter the time of year. Some reputable breeders will avoid selling puppies around these times solely to ward off families looking for a convenient holiday gift.
Similarly, the breeder’s place of residence will alter the price of their puppies. There are parts of the USA where Cockapoo puppies might cost more. If you live in an area with very few Cockapoo breeders, demand may be higher, increasing costs. Conversely, living in an area with many Cockapoo breeders may cause puppy prices to drop.
Other Costs of Owning a Cockapoo
Owning any dog comes with additional costs. However, there are several misconceptions about the costs of owning a Poodle-Cocker Spaniel mix. These range from the costs of grooming to the costs of insurance.
Grooming
The grooming costs of a Cockapoo are not cheap. You should expect to get your Cockapoo professionally groomed often. Generally speaking, your Cockapoo should see a professional groomer every three months for a full wash and clip.
Between these visits, you must routinely groom your Cockapoo to keep them free of mats and tangles. Without regular grooming, a Cockapoo is prone to matting, which can become painful and uncomfortable for them. If left untreated, severe matting will lead to your dog needing to be shaved down by a professional groomer, which will also cost you much more. It will not be possible to “comb out” severe matting without causing your dog extreme distress.
Prevention is better than cure, so invest in quality grooming equipment and stick to a regular schedule! Check out some recommended dog clippers and great shedding brushes for your cockapoo.
Food
Every dog deserves the highest quality food! As such, you can expect to invest a hefty sum into your dog’s diet. Like all dog breeds, the amount of food you give to your Cockapoo will vary depending on its size and lifestyle.
If you spend an average of $50 on dog food per month, you should budget for at least $600 per year. However, if you opt for higher-quality foods, you can expect each bag to cost upwards of $150 per month.
On the other hand, if your dog eats low-quality dog food full of air and fillers, you can expect to need to feed them more. By opting for a quality brand, your dog may not need to eat as much daily food.
Insurance
Pet insurance is not just for pedigree dogs. Plenty of policies are available for mixed breeds like the Cockapoo. Insurance policies differ between companies, but routine treatments like vaccinations, preventative medications, spaying, and anything considered “non-essential” are usually not covered. You will need to check if the insurance company pays your vet directly, or if you must pay upfront and then claim back.
As with all insurance policies, you may find some restrictions, including your dog’s age or breed type. It’s essential to use the definition given by your insurance company when registering your pet, even if it differs from your definition. If you fail to conform to their definition, you risk paying more than necessary or rejecting any claims. Some insurers will consider “designer dogs” to be crossbreeds or pedigrees, so be sure to check closely. Others will ask for your dog’s dominant breed to work out your premium. This is usually the breed that your dog most closely resembles.
Vet Fees
When adopting or buying any dog, you must consider the potential vet fees that await you. The average cost for a routine check-up ranges from $50 to $250. Overall veterinary costs, including check-ups, dental care, and vaccinations, can rack up between $700 and $1,500 yearly. Of course, if you purchase your puppy from an unreputable breeder who carries out no or little health testing, this total is very likely to increase. The Poodle-Cocker Spaniel mix is most prone to progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, primary glaucoma, retinal dysplasia, and von Willebrand’s disease type I. Extensive health testing of the parents can help to prevent these conditions from appearing in your new puppy.
Dog Tags or Microchipping
Microchipping your new dog costs an average of $25 to $70. However, some animal shelters will hold clinics where you can save money on microchipping, offering the procedure for a lower cost. Some pet insurance plans will include the cost of microchipping in their coverage. There are no additional costs involved in microchipping a Cockapoo, as mixed breeds will cost the same amount to microchip.
Neutering or Spaying
The cost of spaying a dog largely depends on your dog’s size. The smaller the dog, the less the cost of the procedure. While other variables alter the price of a spay, the cost sits between $50 and $500. Likewise, having a male dog neutered can cost between £35 and $250, depending on its size, breed, and age. Fortunately, there are many low-cost spay and neuter clinics around the USA to make the process more accessible to pet parents.
How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a Cockapoo
Unfortunately, as the population of Poodle mixes grows every year, the number of dogs looking for adoptive homes rises along with it. Some new owners buy a puppy without truly understanding how much time and effort it takes to raise them, leading to relinquishment to an animal shelter.
Generally speaking, shelter dog adoption costs range from $50 to $500. This price often covers the dog being up to date with their vaccinations, receiving veterinary care, and preventative flea and worming medication. As well as this, an administrative fee may come into play. Along with the base adoption fee, you may find that breeds with higher demand come with a higher price tag to ward off people who seek these dogs as status symbols. However, adopting a mixed breed from a shelter is often cheaper than buying from a breeder.
Cockapoo Cost: FAQ
Have any more questions about Cockapoo costs? Feel free to check out our Frequently Asked Questions section for more details.
Different owners will give different answers on this mixed breed’s maintenance levels. Some will say they are low-maintenance, while others say they are high-maintenance. In any case, it’s important to note that Cockapoos combine two working breeds. This makes them intelligent, driven, and eager to please – a combination that can make them have higher energy than some first-time owners expect. Their coat is higher maintenance than other mixed breeds, requiring frequent grooming to prevent matting.
Whether a Cocker Spaniel-Poodle mix is “worth it” depends on what you are looking for in a pet. Are you looking for a family pet with more energy? Do you have the time to spare to invest in grooming them regularly? Are you well-versed in dog training?
If yes to these questions, a Cockapoo may suit your family. However, plenty of purebred dogs would also fit these requirements, which often have more stable and predictable temperaments. Be sure to fully search your options, as your new dog will be a lifelong commitment.
In the UK, a Cockapoo puppy can cost between £900 and £2,500. This price tag depends on the puppy’s popularity, coat color, breeder reputation, and health testing of the parents.
The Cockapoo can be a great house dog and family pet when properly trained and socialized. The key here is training. Any dog needs ample training to know how to behave. A Cockapoo, although often sold as the “perfect family dog,” still needs plenty of guidance.
Without training, any dog will be unsure of how to behave around you, leading to behavioral issues later. Cockapoos do not come pre-trained or as a package “perfect dog.” You must put in the work.
The Cockapoo is variable in cost. In any case, it’s best to invest more into a healthy, happy puppy with health testing on the parents.