Cockapoo Coat Types: Complete Guide to Curly, Wavy & Straight Cockapoo Coats
Cockapoos are popular, beloved designer dog breeds in the world, known for an affectionate personality, affectionate nature, intelligence, and intelligent charm, with adorable, irresistibly cute teddy-bear appearance, teddy-bear looks, appearance, and looks. As a hybrid breed, a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, their coats can vary greatly—from tight curls to loose waves to straight, silky fur.
Understanding your Cockapoo’s coat type is essential for grooming, shedding expectations, allergy-friendliness, and long-term care. This guide covers every Cockapoo coat type, including curly, wavy, and straight coats, along with grooming tips, shedding levels, and how to predict what coat your puppy will develop.
What Are the Different Cockapoo Coat Types
Cockapoos generally have three primary coat types:
1. Curly Coat (Similar to Poodles)
2. Wavy Coat (The Popular Teddy-Bear Look)
3. Straight Coat (Similar to Cocker Spaniels)
Some Cockapoos may show a combination of textures, especially during puppyhood when the puppy-to-adult coat transitions. While Poodles influence low-shedding and sometimes hypoallergenic coats, shedding still varies depending on coat type and genetics. Proper grooming, maintenance, cost, time, and commitment are essential to maintain their appearance and teddy-bear look.
Curly Cockapoo Coat: Characteristics, Grooming Needs & Shedding
The curly Cockapoo coat is most similar to the Poodle: dense, tightly curled, extremely fluffy, and low-shedding, making it ideal for allergy sufferers
Characteristics
A curly Cockapoo coat typically features dense, tightly curled, extremely fluffy, and low-shedding, making it hypoallergenic for many allergy sufferers. Its characteristics include tight, spring-like curls, a puffy appearance, soft feel, low odor, and minimal shedding,
Particularly in F1B Cockapoos with 75% DNA from Poodles and 25% DNA from Cocker Spaniel. Some curly-coated Cockapoos look like small, fuzzy sheepdogs or miniature, toy Poodles.
Grooming Needs
Grooming needs require a recommended routine:
- brush 4–5 times per week,
- professional grooming every 6–8 weeks,
- using a slicker brush and metal comb to check for deep tangles,
- apply detangling spray during brushing.
- keep areas prone to matting trimmed short, including behind ears, underarms, groin, and around the collar.
Shedding Level
Curly coats shed very little because hair stays trapped in the ringlets, but regular, consistent grooming is essential to prevent mats on legs, neck, and skin.
Why Curly Coats Mat Easily
Loose hairs get caught in the curls, forming tangles that can quickly turn into mats. Severe mats may require gentle shaving by a professional groomer.
Is the Curly Cockapoo Coat Hypoallergenic?
While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, curly-coated Cockapoos release less dander and shed minimally, making them the closest choice for allergy sufferers.
Wavy Cockapoo Coat: Traits, Maintenance & Shedding Levels
The wavy Cockapoo coat, often called the “fleece coat”, is the most common coat type. This coat mimics a teddy bear look and blends the softness of a Cocker Spaniel with the waves of a Poodle.
Characteristics
Wavy coats have loose, flowing waves, medium density, a silky, luxurious feel, a fluffy, rounded appearance, and mild to moderate shedding, combining the best of Poodle and Cocker Spaniel features.
Grooming Needs
Grooming needs are easier to maintain than curly coats, requiring a recommended routine:
- brush 3–4 times per week,
- professional grooming every 8–10 weeks,
- using a slicker brush and metal comb to detangle feathered areas,
- trim around face and feet for hygiene.
While wavy coats can mat, it is far less frequent than with curly coats
Shedding Level
Shedding levels are lightly, increasing during change from puppy to adult coat (6–12 months).
Do Wavy Cockapoos Shed a Lot?
Daily brushing significantly helps reduce tangles while maintaining softness, blends, gentle, balanced texture, making the coat beautiful, manageable, low-shedding, and easy to prevent knots.
Regular wash 4–6 weeks with mild shampoo keeps middle-ground, fluffy dogs healthy and tidy for people who want a fluffy Cockapoo.
Straight Cockapoo Coat: Appearance, Care Tips & Shedding Explained
Straight-coated Cockapoos look more like Cocker Spaniels than Poodles. Their coat is smooth, silky, and relatively easy to maintain.
Characteristics
A straight Cockapoo coat includes with a smooth, silky, and relatively easy coat to maintain. Characteristics include flat, straight strands, feathering on the chest, ears, legs, and belly, a beautiful shine, and higher shedding levels, which are common in F1 Cockapoos (50% Poodle, 50% Spaniel).
Grooming Needs
Grooming needs are the least demanding but still require a recommended routine:
- brush 2–3 times per week,
- use a de-shedding tool during heavy shedding seasons,
- trim knots, and bathe every 4–6 weeks.
This coat is easier to handle than curly or wavy coats.
Why Straight Coats Shed More
Hair may fall naturally and become visible since it is not trapped like curls or waves, and many straight-coated Cockapoos also experience seasonal shedding cycles.
Tips to Reduce Shedding
- Brush regularly
- Feed an omega-rich diet
- Use deshedding shampoo occasionally
- Maintain feathered areas to avoid tangles
These practices help support a healthy, soft, and shiny coat closer to the teddy-bear look.
How Genetics Affect Cockapoo Coat Type (F1, F1B, F2 & Multi-generation)
Knowing your Cockapoo’s generation can help predict coat type
F1 Cockapoo
F1 Cockapoos (50/50 Mix) have a highly unpredictable coat that can be curly, wavy, or straight and often sheds more than F1B.
F1B Cockapoo
F1B Cockapoos (75% Poodle / 25% Spaniel) are usually curly or wavy, making them the best choice for allergies and the most predictable coat type, often allergy-friendly.
F2 Cockapoo
F2 Cockapoos, where both parents are Cockapoos, can have any coat type, with traits that depend heavily on the parents, and breeders sometimes selectively breed for specific coats, creating a wide variety of textures.
Multi-Generation Cockapoo
Multi-Generation Cockapoos are bred to create consistent coat types and can be very predictable, depending on the breeder and generation, helping to predict the coat your Cockapoo will develop.
Proper grooming is required, and lots of care may be needed depending on the coat type and genetics
Comparison for different generation
| Cockapoo Type | Parentage / DNA | Coat Traits | Shedding | Allergy-Friendly | Predictability |
| F1 Cockapoo | 50% Poodle / 50% Cocker Spaniel | Curly, Wavy, Straight | More | Sometimes | Highly Unpredictable |
| F1B Cockapoo | 75% Poodle / 25% Cocker Spaniel | Usually Curly or Wavy | Less | Yes | Most Predictable |
| F2 Cockapoo | Both parents are Cockapoos | Any coat type, wide variety of textures | Varies | Depends on coat | Depends on parents |
| Multi-Generation Cockapoo | Multi-generation breeding | Consistent coat types | Varies | Often | Very Predictable |
Cockapoo Shedding Levels by Coat Type
| Coat Type | Shedding Level | Allergy-Friendly |
| Curly | Very low | High |
| Wavy | Low to moderate | Moderate |
| Straight | Moderate to high | Low |
Understanding this helps you choose a Cockapoo that matches your lifestyle, especially if you have allergies.
Grooming Tips for Each Cockapoo Coat Type
For Curly Coat Cockapoos, it’s best to brush daily or almost daily, use a detangling spray, and get professional grooming often to keep the curls healthy and prevent mats.
Wavy Coat Cockapoos should be brushed several times weekly, with trimmed feathered areas, while avoiding over-bathing to reduce dryness and maintain a soft texture.
Straight Coat Cockapoos benefit from a de-shedding comb and careful brushing of feathered areas to remove loose hair and keep the coat smooth and shiny.
Best Brushes, Tools & Products for Cockapoo Coats
For keeping a Cockapoo’s coat healthy and tangle-free, the right brushes, tools, and products are essential.
Curly coats do best with a slicker brush and detangling spray.
wavy coats benefit from a comb for feathered areas and gentle trimming.
Straight coats require a de-shedding comb to remove loose hair effectively.
Regular use of mild shampoo and occasional professional grooming helps maintain softness, shine, and overall coat health.
Pros and Cons of Each Cockapoo Coat Type
| Coat Type | Pros | Cons |
| Curly | Low-shedding, hypoallergenic, soft and fluffy, teddy-bear appearance | Requires daily brushing, prone to mats, needs frequent professional grooming |
| Wavy | Moderate shedding, soft texture, easier to maintain than curly, classic teddy-bear look | Can mat if neglected, requires regular brushing, trimming feathered areas |
| Straight | Easiest to maintain, less prone to mats, smooth and shiny | Sheds more, less allergy-friendly, may need regular de-shedding and brushing |
Which Cockapoo Coat Is Best for Allergy Sufferers?
For allergy sufferers, curly-coated Cockapoos or F1B Cockapoos are the best choice because their low-shedding coats trap fewer loose hairs and release less dander, making them more hypoallergenic.
Wavy coats may also be manageable, but straight coats tend to shed more and are less suitable for people with allergies.
Conclusion
Cockapoo coat types vary widely, from curly and hypoallergenic to sleek and shedding. Each coat type brings its own grooming needs, shedding levels, and maintenance demands. Whether you prefer the fluffy teddy-bear wavy coat or the tight curls of a near-hypoallergenic Cockapoo, understanding their coat characteristics helps you care for your dog properly—and choose the right companion for your lifestyle.
FAQs
Do Cockapoos change coat as they grow?
Yes. Most puppies develop a different adult coat around 6–12 months.
Are Cockapoos completely hypoallergenic?
No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but curly-coated Cockapoos come closest.
Which Cockapoo coat is easiest to maintain?
Straight coats are easiest daily but shed more. Wavy coats offer the best balance.
Can you choose a Cockapoo coat type before buying?
Reputable breeders can help predict coat type, especially with F1B or multi-gen Cockapoos.
