Cockapoos are one of the most adventurous, playful and intelligent dogs you can ever adopt. These dogs are a crossbreed of the Poodles and the Cocker Spaniels, specifically developed to be a designer dog. In fact, Cockapoo is the first designer breed created in the US, dating back to the 1960s.
As such, these dogs are simply cute and hard to resist. They have big eyes and long wavy or curly coats which makes them look like teddy bears. The coat doesn't shed, which makes Cockapoos hypoallergenic. This is a big plus for allergic people, or people who hate dander spreading all over their houses.
These dogs also have high energy levels, which makes them playful and fantastic around children. But high energy means one thing: you need a collar that can help control your Fido during walks and exercises. Otherwise, he'll wander around and get lost.
The collar should be comfortable enough not to destroy this beautiful curly coat and stylish enough to complement the dog's cuteness. In this guide, we'll explore the best collar options for Cockapoos: stylish, comfortable, reliable, and hypoallergenic.
Top Collars for Cockapoos - Stylish, Hypoallergenic Options for Your Furry Friend
Before we list the collars we recommend for Cockapoos, let's first look at the unique characteristics of these boys so you know the best collar size and material to go for. Just like the Poodles, Cockapoos come in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Here is the size breakdown.
- Standard Cockapoo: Standard Cockapoos are the largest compared to the miniature and toy categories. They weigh 20-30 pounds and have a standing height of around 15-18 inches. Usually, these are a crossbreed between Cocker Spaniels and the standard Poodles.
- Miniature Cockapoos: This is the most common Cockapoo size. Fully grown miniature Cockapoos weigh between 13-20 pounds and have a standing height of 12-15 inches. They result from cross-breeding Cocker Spaniels with miniature Poodles.
- Toy Cockapoos: As the name suggests, a toy Cockapoo is a product of Cocker Spaniels and toy Poodles. These dogs weigh 6-12 pounds and have a standing height of 6-10 inches.
Since Cockapoos are not purebred and don't have standard sizes, it is not uncommon to find Cockapoos that are larger than the standard category or smaller than the toy category. For instance, Cockapoos that are bred by crossbreeding small Cocker Spaniels and small toy Poodles weigh less than 6 pounds and are described as teacup Cockapoos.
That means before choosing a collar, you need to know which size category your dog falls under. The best way to know this is to adopt a fully grown Cockapoo that is about 12 months old, or ask for ancestry records from the breeder. When it comes to temperament, we see the same level of diversity.
Cocker Spaniels were originally bred to hunt and retrieve game. As a result, your Cockapoo can have a strong prey drive if the dominant genes come from the Cocker Spaniel. Although these boys are generally good-natured, it is not uncommon to find them chasing cats. So, when choosing a collar, make sure it can withstand rough play and a bit of chewing.
On the other hand, Poodles were initially bred to help hunters retrieve game from water. These dogs are natural swimmers and have a strong love for water. Expect your Cockapoo to be a water magnet who loves jumping into swimming pools and playing in water paddles if the dominant genes come from the Poodle parent.
That means the collar must be able to withstand water without getting damaged or causing irritations to the dog. Here are a few things you can check to make sure the collar suits the above Cockapoo unique characteristics.
Comfort
Considering that Cockapoos are hybrids, their intelligence isn't featured in the Coren's Intelligence of Dog's book. However, judging from their parents, Cockapoos are exceptionally intelligent, especially if the dominant genes are from the Poodles.
In the book, Poodles rank position two, and Cocker Spaniels rank position 20. As a result, Cockapoos can easily discern the accessories that cause discomfort and avoid them. If the collar is digging into the skin or causing chafing and irritations, you can be sure your boy will reject it.
To avoid running battles when fitting the collar, make sure it's well padded to improve pressure distribution. Alternatively, if the dog is allergic and the collar can't have paddings, make sure it's at least 1.5 inches wide. That way, it'll distribute pressure across the neck and improve comfort.
Style
As we said, Cockapoos are cute, and most people adopt them because of their great looks and good temperament. You don't want to spoil these looks with a collar that doesn't complement their coat. For the best looks, we suggest you get a collar that matches their coat color.
For instance, if your Cockapoo is black, get a black collar. If it's brown, get a chocolate collar. Another thing is to consider the looks of the buckles. If the closures are metallic, we recommend gold-plated ones. They look more luxurious and expensive.
Water Resistant
Cockapoo parents are great swimmers, and there is a high chance your Cockapoo will also love water. Get a water-resistant collar - one that can withstand getting wet without damage. The best option is to get a nylon collar with neoprene lining.
The lining will prevent irritations that result from a wet fabric rubbing the hairs. Also, neoprene is odor-resistant, and your dog won't be smelly after a swimming session. Alternatively, get a lightweight nylon collar without paddings. The collar will dry much quicker and give no time for bacteria buildup.
Top Collars for Cockapoos
The dog collar market is wide, making it hard to pick a collar that meets the above conditions. The good news is that we have already tested most of the collars made for small to medium breed dogs, and here are the options we found to work best for Cockapoos.
Sofia 1.5-inch Tacti Lite Dog Collar
Although Cockapoos coat is hypoallergenic and a good option for people suffering from allergies, the dog itself is one of the dog breeds most susceptible to allergies. The common signs of skin allergy in these dogs are itchiness, red skin, inflammation and hair loss.
So, if you notice your Cockapoo trying to paw and remove the collar, it might be an early sign of skin allergy. The solution for these allergic Fidos is the Sofia 1.5-inch Tacti Lite Dog Collar. The collar is specifically designed for allergic dogs and doesn't come with synthetic rubber paddings that are known to cause allergies.
Another thing is that this collar uses plastic buckles instead of metallic ones. This eliminates the chances of allergies that come from metal such as nickel and chromium. But it's worth mentioning that the type of plastic used in this collar is not the normal plastic you'll find in other collars. It's a hardened plastic, and the collar is as durable and reliable as the other collars that use metallic closures.
Something else is that Cockapoos are prone to hip dysplasia, which is bad news to their lively playful nature. To prevent the problem, we suggest you keep accessories for these dogs as lightweight as possible to avoid extra weight on their joints.
On top of being hypoallergenic, the lack of paddings makes this collar extra lightweight compared to the other dog collars. It weighs 5 ounces - so little to weigh your pup down and increase the chances of hip dysplasia.
Black 1.5-inch Tacti Lite Dog Collar
The Black 1.5-inch Tacti Lite Dog Collar is similar in design to the above collar, but we would like to talk about the aesthetics. Although Cockapoos come in varying coat colors, the most common is the black variation. It can be charcoal, jet black or glossy black.
If your furry friend falls under this black variation and you wear this black collar, it seamlessly blends with the dog's coat. It will even be hard for people to tell whether your dog has a collar or not from a distance. Another thing to consider is that both parents of the Cockapoo are good swimmers.
So, expect your Cockapoo to love water - and the swimming drive will be much higher if the dominant genes are from the Poodle parent. The good thing is that without paddings, this collar dries almost immediately after the dog gets out of the water. This eliminates the chances of mold buildup, bacteria breeding, and possible skin infections.
Since the collar uses plastic buckles, it means there's nothing that can rust after exposure to moisture. So, it retains its looks regardless of the environment and lifestyle.
Rose Gold Sofia 1.5-inch Tacti Luxe Dog Collar
Considering that Cockapoos are adventurous and playful pups that won't want to settle in one place, it's a good idea to get a sturdy collar that can help keep them under control. It's also worth mentioning that some Cockapoos suffer from Cockapoo Rage Syndrome.
If you're a new Cockapoo owner, you might think the dog is just being hyperactive, and a bit of exercise will solve the issue. But in a real sense, it's a condition that makes Cockapoos become aggressive suddenly and unprovoked. The body language changes within seconds, and you'll notice a tense posture, raised hackles, and dilated pupils.
Unfortunately, although the condition is mainly believed to be genetic, the cause of the condition remains unclear. This makes it hard to predict whether your furry friend has the condition or not and whether he will behave normally when in public places like parks, hiking, and beaches.
The solution is to get the Rose Gold Sofia 1.5-inch Tacti Luxe Dog Collar. The collar is made of 1050D nylon, the webbing that makes safety gear for climbers. It's tough and durable, and even the giant dogs like the Huskies and St Bernards can't break it. The closures are metallic, making them virtually unbreakable.
On top of that, the collar has a handle on top, which you just grab when the dog starts to misbehave. This gives you ultimate control over your furry friend, whether he's suffering from the condition or he's just being hyperactive.
Rose Gold Chocolate Tacti Slim Dog Collar
The design and build quality of the Rose Gold Chocolate Tacti Slim Dog Collar is similar to the above option. But something we particularly loved about this collar is comfort. The inside part of this collar comes all lined with neoprene, the synthetic rubber that makes swimsuits.
The material is soft for the dog's sensitive neck, so he won't be hurt even if he pulls. The material is also water resistant. That means it won't soak up water, become damp, smelly and turn to a bacteria breeding ground like sponge padding. It's the best padding option to go for as long as your boy isn't allergic to synthetic rubber.
Another thing is that the collar is 1.5 inches wide. This surface area is so large considering we're talking about a small dog breed. As a result, the collar distributes the leash pressure so well, and your four-legged friend won't have irritations. Another amazing feature of this collar is adjustability.
It's like the manufacturer put into consideration that there's no standard size for Cockapoos. This collar allows you to adjust for two size ranges. That means as long as you buy the right collar size category, you can adjust the sizing to fit your dog.
How to Properly Fit a Collar on a Cockapoo
As we mentioned, Cockapoos are not purebred, so there's no standard size. The actual size depends on factors like sex, the size category of the Poodle parent, and whether the dominant genes are from the Cocker Spaniel or Poodle parent. This gives you a wide size variation that makes it hard to know the exact collar size to get.
However, on average, Cockapoo neck sizes range from 11 to 14 inches. But to avoid scenarios where the collar is too tight and choking, or too loose such that the dog can wiggle free, we suggest you get an adjustable collar.
All the collars we recommend above are buckle collars. You just wrap them around the neck and fasten the buckles. But because this is a small breed, it's advisable to leave a room that can fit one to two fingers depending on whether it's under the toy, miniature, or standard category.
Conclusion
Cockapoos are one of the cutest, intelligent, gentle, and affectionate dogs you can adopt. Since they are not purebreds, they have minimal health issues compared to their Poodle and Cocker Spaniel parents. However, these dogs are playful, adventurous, and love water.
So, these dogs require strong, comfortable, stylish and water-resistant collars to keep them under control and complement their beautiful coats. We recommend the above collars as they tick the box in all these qualities.