How to Groom a Cockapoo (and Cut the Coat)

The Cockapoo's soft, wavy or curly coat is a big part of the appeal — and the part that needs the most work. It's low-shedding, which means dead hair stays in the coat and mats quickly if you don't keep on top of it. Here's how to groom a Cockapoo, including the popular "teddy bear" cut and the all-important ears.

Why Cockapoos need regular grooming

Inheriting the Poodle's low-shedding coat is what makes the Cockapoo so popular — but a low-shedding coat doesn't clean itself. The hair keeps growing and the shed hair is trapped rather than dropped, so without regular brushing it forms mats, especially behind the ears, under the legs, on the belly and around the bottom. Matting is uncomfortable and, left long enough, can only be clipped out. Consistent grooming is simply part of Cockapoo ownership.

How often to brush

Aim to brush several times a week, ideally most days for a fuller-coated dog. Work through the coat with a slicker brush and a comb, right down to the skin rather than just over the top — mats form at the roots, where a surface brush never reaches. Tease out small tangles gently before they become mats. Our guides on how often to brush your dog and the best slicker brush cover the tools.

Cutting the coat: the teddy-bear clip

Most pet Cockapoos are clipped or scissored to a manageable length every six to eight weeks — the rounded, fluffy "teddy bear" trim is by far the most popular look. Many owners use a professional groomer for the full clip, ears, nails and a tidy-up, which is well worth it if home clipping feels daunting. If you do clip at home, invest in proper dog clippers, go slowly, and never cut near the eyes with scissors. Our guide on clipping vs scissoring explains the options.

Ears and eyes — don't skip these

Cockapoos have hairy, floppy ears that trap moisture and are prone to infections. Check inside weekly for redness, wax or smell, keep the hair around the ear canal trimmed, and dry the ears thoroughly after every bath or wet walk. The hair around the eyes also grows long and can irritate — keep it carefully trimmed (or ask your groomer to), so your dog can see and the eyes stay comfortable.

Bathing, feet and routine care

Bathe your Cockapoo every four to six weeks, or when genuinely dirty, with a dog shampoo — over-bathing dries the skin. Trim the hair between the paw pads and keep the nails short. Brush through the coat after every bath, since a wet curly coat mats as it dries.

Getting your Cockapoo used to grooming

Start young and keep sessions short, calm and rewarding so your Cockapoo learns that brushing, clipping and handling are normal. A dog that enjoys grooming is far easier to keep mat-free for life — and it's good bonding time too.

Common grooming mistakes to avoid

A few errors crop up again and again with Cockapoos. Leaving more than a few days between brushes lets mats form at the roots, where they can only be clipped out. Brushing only the surface misses the undercoat where the trouble starts, so always work down to the skin. Bathing too often dries the skin and worsens the coat — every four to six weeks is plenty. And the big one: ignoring the ears and eyes. A hairy-eared cross like this needs the ears checked and dried and the eye-hair kept trimmed, or infections and irritation follow. Get those right and grooming stays a quick, pleasant routine rather than a battle with mats.

*This is general guidance. If you find sore skin, tight mats or any ear problem you can't manage, see your vet or a professional groomer.*

Sources

• UK Kennel Club — Cocker Spaniel & Poodle parent-breed health and the BVA/KC eye, hip and DNA schemes (thekennelclub.org.uk).
• RVC VetCompass — UK dog health and longevity data (rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass).
• PDSA & Blue Cross — crossbreed care, grooming and ownership costs (pdsa.org.uk · bluecross.org.uk).