Best shampoo for a Cockapoo
A Cockapoo's coat sits somewhere between its Poodle and Cocker Spaniel parents, so it can come out anywhere from a loose wave to a tight curl, and almost all of it mats more readily than a short, straight coat if it dries out or tangles while wet. A moisturising, conditioning shampoo built for a longer or curlier coat is generally the safer starting point than a basic all-purpose one.
Why coat type changes the shampoo you need
Because a Cockapoo is a cross rather than a fixed breed, individual dogs can have very different coats — some closer to a Cocker's silkier wave, others closer to a Poodle's dense curl. A tightly curled coat traps loose hair and dirt against the skin rather than shedding it away, which is part of why Cockapoos are prone to matting behind the ears, under the collar and around the legs if brushing lapses.
A shampoo built to condition as it cleans, rather than strip the coat, helps keep the hair soft enough to brush through afterwards without pulling. A harsh, drying shampoo can leave a curly or wavy coat feeling rougher once dry, which makes the next brushing session harder rather than easier.
What to look for on the bottle
A shampoo described as moisturising or conditioning, rather than a basic 'all dog' formula, tends to suit a Cockapoo's coat better, and a tear-free or sensitive formula is worth choosing given how close to the eyes and ears a Cockapoo's face hair sits. A slightly slippery, rich lather that rinses out easily is generally a sign the shampoo is doing its job of coating rather than scouring the hair.
If your Cockapoo has known sensitive or itchy skin, a fragrance-free or oatmeal-based shampoo is a gentler option than a heavily scented one, and it's worth introducing any new shampoo gradually rather than switching everything at once so you can spot a reaction if one happens.
Bathing and brushing go together
Bathing alone doesn't solve matting on its own — a Cockapoo's coat needs brushing through before a bath as well as after, since washing a coat that's already tangled tends to tighten those tangles into proper mats as it dries. Working conditioner or shampoo through with your fingers from root to tip, rather than just lathering the surface, helps it actually reach the undercoat where mats start.
Drying thoroughly matters too: a curly or wavy coat left to air-dry slowly is more likely to mat than one dried and brushed through at the same time, particularly around the ears and legs where the coat is often longest.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Bugalugs 4-in-1 Lavender & Chamomile Dog Shampoo 500ml
A calming vegan shampoo enriched with lavender and chamomile that cleans, conditions, moisturises, and soothes in a single wash — ideal for puppies and anxious dogs.
£14.99
Bugalugs One in a Million Dog Shampoo – 500ml
A luxury, pH-balanced vegan dog shampoo with citrus and nutmeg essential oils that deeply cleanses, deodorises, and conditions in one wash.
£14.99
For All Dog Kind Shampoo Mixing Bottle
A 1-litre mixing bottle for diluting DogKind shampoo, marked with fill lines for accurate ratios
£4.95
Bugalugs 1 Dog Shampoo
A pH-balanced 4 in 1 dog shampoo with lavender and chamomile, cleared from eight weeks old
From£5.99
Bugalugs No-Rinse Dog Shampoo 200ml – Baby Fresh & Coconut Lime
A waterless foaming shampoo that cleans, softens, and deodorises dog coats without any rinsing — perfect between baths or on the go.
£11.99
Bugalugs Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats 500ml – Vegan
A soothing vegan shampoo blended with oatmeal, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil to ease dry, itchy skin and leave coats soft and fresh.
£14.99
Johnson's Medicated Shampoo
A 5-litre medicated shampoo to clear scurf and promote a healthy coat and skin
From£4.55
Bugalugs Stinky Dog Shampoo
Bugalugs Stinky Dog Shampoo: deodorising dog shampoo with odour neutraliser and pro-vitamin B5
From£5.99
Animology Essentials Flea Tick Shampoo
A tea tree and neem oil shampoo for dogs, washing out fleas, ticks, mites and lice
From£2.99
No-Rinse Cat Bath Essence Set with Towel
A wash-free cleansing essence set for cats with a soft microfibre towel. Wipe through the coat to freshen between baths, leaving fur clean, soft and pleasantly scented with no rinsing or water needed.
From£26.99
Animology Derma No Rinse Shampoo
A fragrance-free, no-rinse shampoo spray for dogs with sensitive skin, puppy safe from 6 weeks
£5.99
Bugalugs Baby Fresh Dog Shampoo
Bugalugs Baby Fresh Dog Shampoo: dog shampoo with baby-powder fragrance
From£5.99
Common questions
- Does a Cockapoo need a special shampoo?
- Not a specific brand, but a moisturising or conditioning shampoo generally suits a Cockapoo's wavy-to-curly coat better than a basic all-purpose one, since it helps keep the hair soft enough to brush through rather than drying it out. A tear-free formula is also worth choosing given how close a Cockapoo's face hair grows to the eyes.
- How often should I bathe my Cockapoo?
- Most Cockapoos do well with a bath every four to six weeks, with brushing in between to manage everyday tangles. Bathing too often can dry out the skin and coat, while too rarely lets dirt and loose hair build up in a coat that already mats easily.
- Why does my Cockapoo's coat feel rough after a bath?
- This usually means the shampoo used was too drying for a wavy or curly coat, or that conditioner wasn't used afterwards. Switching to a moisturising shampoo and working a conditioner through before rinsing tends to leave the coat noticeably softer and easier to brush once dry.
- Should I brush my Cockapoo before or after a bath?
- Both. Brushing out tangles before a bath stops them tightening into mats as the coat gets wet and washed, and brushing through again while drying helps the coat dry evenly and stay separated rather than clumping as it sets.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.