How to Groom a Cockapoo at Home to Achieve Same Results as Professionals
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- by Adam
- 04 Apr 2025
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Cockapoo the famous designer breed emerged from a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. They come in variations from toy sized miniatures to medium sized dogs, depending on their Poodle parent. The breed has various color combinations ranging from light to dark, in addition to their various coat types, wavy, straight and even curly. Cockapoos are highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train, especially when it comes to grooming.
Also, a little fun fact for dog parents looking to get a Cockapoo: these furry friends have low-shedding coats, which means you won't have to worry about dog fur all over your furniture.
While their coat may be low-shedding, Cockapoo requires regular and high maintenance in order to keep them healthy and matt-free. They require regular trims and baths, and their ears have to be clean; otherwise, they are at a high risk of infection.
Grooming a Cockapoo can be quite the bonding experience between you and your furry little friend, so never be afraid of it, it can be quite fun if you do it right.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF COCKAPOO FUR COATS
Cockapoo is a breed with different coat types, depending on their parent Spaniel's heritage, this implies they can have various fur types ranging from curly ringlets to straight locks. These are defined by groomers as, F1 or F2 to a F1B. Here each code represents a generation but let's not get into the specifics.
Curly Coat
If the Poodle parent had curly hair, the Cockapoo offspring ends up having tight, springy curls with a dense and bouncy texture, with a lot of volume, which gives them their fluffy outlook. This coat type doesn't shed much and, therefore, has hypoallergenic properties; any loose hairs get wrapped by the tight curls; they also trap dander, which gives them this property.
The coat type is highly prone to matting. They need to be brushed on a daily basis to prevent it, especially around areas with high friction, including the neck, armpits, and ears. This coat type needs to be groomed every 6-8 weeks for maintenance, absorbing dirt 3-4cms which needs to be clipped off, making it, in fact, high maintenance.
High density gives the coat insulating properties against hot and cold weather. Of course it feels soft and fluffy when maintained properly. The curly hair makes the coat have low porosity, implying that it has some water resistance, making it harder to get wet.
Wavy Coat
A cockapoo with a wavy hair texture is the one bred with a straighter Spaniel coat and a poodle. They have looser, flowy waves that feel softer yet are still defined. You can consider them as beach waves but for a dog.
Compared to the curly coat, this coat type is less prone to matting. However, it still requires regular grooming to keep it tangle-free, so remember to brush it once daily, even if it's with a comb. You can have them professionally groomed every 8-12 weeks to keep their wave patterns intact. Especially around the areas with high friction, as mentioned above, need brushing daily.
The wavy coat is somewhat insulating to both heat and cold, as it allows air circulation through it, which helps prevent the dog from overheating. The wavy texture makes the coat soft, silky, and somewhat glossy. Hence, we can say that it keeps a balance between the curly coat's hypoallergenic qualities and the low maintenance of a straight coat.
Straight Coat
The straight hair Cockapoo has a straight silky smooth coat that lies flat against its body. The locks look glossy and have an even texture which makes it less prone to matting and tangling compared to the other two coats. This coat type doesn't need to be groomed as often, brushing it up to 3-4 times a week should be enough, so of course out of all three this is the most low maintenance.
The drawback of this coat type for this particular breed is that it sheds more than the other two, its not excessive but much more noticeable during the summer season. This is also why they are less hypoallergenic compared to the other two. You can have them professionally groomed every 8-12 weeks, mainly to keep them neat and tidy and trim off the excess fur. Regular brushing helps remove any loose hair, and it doesn't need frequent grooming to keep it steady.
The coat is light weight and airy which is why these coat type pooches are more suited to warmer climates as it doesn't trap heat at all. The natural shine and luster is indeed a standout feature. Brushing allows their naturals oils to be spread out evenly across the length of their coat keeping it soft and shiny.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUPPY COAT AND ADULT COAT
Of course differentiating between puppy coats and adult coats is just as important as they both have individual needs to care and maintenance. The transition begins when your puppy is 6 months old and continues till they are 12 months of age. Starting grooming early helps them get accustomed to it and prevents matting and tangling during the transition phase.
| PUPPY COAT | ADULT COAT |
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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR GROOMING COCKAPOO AT HOME
There are a few essential tools you'll need to groom your Cockapoo, including the following:
- Slicker Brush: This is a basic, everyday brush that's a must for every Cockapoo owner.
- Pin Brush: This is a great option for finishing off after using a slicker brush or mat rake. It helps to add shine and polish to the coat.
- Mat Rake: This tool helps to remove mats and tangles from your dog's coat by breaking them up into smaller pieces.
- Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner: Regardless of your Cockapoo's coat type, use shampoo and conditioner that is specially formulated to help loosen tangles and mats. These products also contain ingredients that help to moisturize and protect the coat.
- Blow Dryer: Choose a quiet, low-heat blow dryer to help speed up the drying process after bathing.
- Nail Clippers: You'll need these to trim your Cockapoo's nails on a regular basis.
- Cotton Balls: Keep a few on hand in case you need to use them to clean your dog's ears.
- A high-quality clipper: to remove matts and clumped debris.
- Scissors: trim the overall coat in a uniform manner.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDELINE ON GROOMING YOUR COCKAPOO AT HOME; GUIDE BY EXPERT GROOMERS
Before we dive into the detailed guide, here's how you differentiate between adult and puppy grooming needs:
| Grooming Task | Frequency for Puppies | Frequency for Adult Cockapoos |
| Brushing | 2 times a week | 3 times a week |
| Bathing | As needed | Every 4-6 weeks |
| Nail Trimming | Every 2-3 weeks | Every 3-4 weeks |
| Ear Cleaning | As needed | As needed |
Step 1: Pre Clipping
The process of pre-clipping isn't necessary, but it is still a more practical approach to make the remainder of the grooming process easier. Basically, all you have to do is asses the parts of the coat that have matting and tangles, followed by thorough brushing using a slicker brush followed by a mat rake to remove any loose hair and debris. Now you can bring out the clippers and trim the problem areas, usually around the ears, genitals, paws and anal region. Clip in the direction of the hair growth so that you do not cause any irritation to the skin.
This process helps avoid the hassle afterward as knots tighten when wet; it reduces the hair drying time impeccably and results in a smoother, more professional outlook. The bathing process becomes easier, and the end results are
much cleaner.
We recommend getting an adjustable blade (number zero clip on a 30 blade) and set it in the middle because you do not want to go too short, start with the paws and then work your way up for a one length haircut that will help preserve their teddy look and is forgiving in case you mess up.
NOTE: Be vary of the loose skin around the neck, always lift to tighten it before trimming this area.
Step2: Bathing
Your adult Cockapoo will need to be bathed every 4-6 weeks depending on how dirty they tend to get and their coat type as well, as discussed above. Of course some owners living in warmer parts of the world tend to bathe them as often as twice a month. WeKnowYourDogs advises against over bathing your dog as it will dry their skin and drain necessary oils from their coat.
Start by prepping your bathing area, you can use the sink of your puppies/ miniature or toy sized Cockapoo. Place a non-slip mat and have your pooch stand on it to avoid any mishaps.
Make sure to thoroughly wet the fur with lukewarm water starting from the neck down, then proceed with applying a dog-specific shampoo. Lather the shampoo on the entire body, making sure to gently rake the coat in circular motions to let it clean properly. Focus on the paws, underbelly, and genitals as they get dirtier than the rest of the body. Once the shampoo has worked all the way in, rinse it off with a shower head. Make sure to get it as close to the skin as possible to avoid any buildup; rinse areas like the belly, armpits, and between the toes, as these spots can trap shampoo. The water should be running clean at this point.
Apply a generous amount of conditioner, recommended by your vet or groomer based on your dog’s coat type. Leave it in for a couple of minutes, you can even run a steel comb to make sure its completely detangled, before rinsing it out. Make sure to rinse well because any residual product can leave your dog’s coat weighed down and greasy.
Step 3: Drying
To dry them, you can simply wrap them up in a towel, remember to dab not rub. We however suggest that you buy a dog blaster for drying their hair if you prefer home grooming. Human hair dryers can burn a dog’s skin so be very cautious of using them.
Hold the hair dryer 12 inches away from their skin at all times and use low-heat dryers. Work your way from the backup, and make sure to dry the underbelly as well. Sometimes, noise from a hair dryer can frighten dogs as they are sensitive to sound unless you have them get used to it from an early age. If you notice your dog stressing, give them a little break and distract them with treats. Positive reinforcement helps them make positive associations, which means you don't have to worry about your dog fussing. The other option is taking them for a walk and having their hair air dry, which may take up to an hour. However, this isn't an effective method to opt for.
Step 4: Brushing
Once the hair is dry, brush it out using a pin brush for additional shine and luster. Pin brushes are great for finishing off a long grooming sessions. Your dog is now clean, polished and tangle free.
Step5: Nails and Ears
Grooming your dog’s ears and nails is just as important as bathing and brushing them.
Their nails need to be clipped every 3-4 weeks; the process is pretty simple. All you need is a quality pair of dog nail clippers, not the human ones. If your dog has clear nails, it's pretty easy to see where the nail vein starts; clip right above it. If your dog has dark-colored nails, it might be a little tricky to cut them. In such a case, check the groove under their nail to notice the change in texture. Start making small clippings above this point and stop as soon as you see a pink-ish oval center.
Keep corn starch or styptic powder at hand to stop bleeding if you cut too short.
Cleaning the ears is a key step as it can harbour bacteria, catch infections and prone to bad odour as they can trap humidity. Make sure to dry them thoroughly after bathing, the fur on the ears must also be trimmed to keep it short and bacteria free.
To clean the ears, you can buy vet-recommended ear wipes, or you can simply use a damp cotton ball to wipe the insides and under it. Repeat it until the cotton ball comes out clean. Followed by drying it with a dry cotton ball.
Always check for redness and odor, and use vet-recommended ear cleaning solutions.
Step 6: Haircut
Now this is the tricky part when you’re grooming your Cockapoo at home. Straight hair coat are not forgiving at all when it comes to messing up, while curly coats will camouflage your mistakes.
Using sharp rounded scissors and a clipper with clean blades will do the job for you, we recommend using bull nose scissors. If you haven't pre-clipped your dog as suggested above, please go through that process before beginning the haircut.
Then, using a pin brush, brush the hair out thoroughly, and you'll see all the stray pieces of hair standing out. Follow that outline and just trim away, not too much, though, and vary the length. You only want to neat the dog, not give them a big chop. Follow this process around the leg, under the belly, and the rest of the body, carefully tracing this outline. Only cut about 1 inch to 1/2 an inch, not more than that.
When trimming around the head, you must be careful. Start with the area that sits on the top between the ears by pulling the hair up at 45 degree angle and chop off 1/2 an inch, use your fingers to hold the hair and it'll act as a guide for you. It needs to be at a medium length as going too short can mess up the proportions of your dog's face.
Support your dog's head by placing your hand under the chin and lifting it upwards when trimming around the neck area. Brush the eyebrows and lashes down towards the nose and cut away the excess hair with sheers. Point the blade upwards to avoid any accidents. Trimming the hair around the eye and the lashes is important to prevent any infections. Following this, comb down the face hair around the muzzle downwards at each side, away from the nose. Trim the stray hair you seein a slightly curved manner, making it shorter towards the nose to create that mustached look Cockapoo is famous for. Be careful around their whiskers as they are sensitive, and your dog can flinch when they are being trimmed.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FROM EXPERTS:
- Brushing: Every day for curly-coated Cockapoos. For straight and wavy coats, at least 3-4 times a week.
- Bathing: Depending on your pup's lifestyle, activity levels, and skin conditions. Some pups can be washed before each haircut at 4 to 8 weeks, whereas others benefit from weekly bathtime.
- Hair and ear hair trimming: Every 4 to 8 weeks.
- Nail clipping: Every week.
- Removing eye gunk: Daily or more if necessary. Use a clean, damp cloth or a tissue for that.
- Ear cleaning: Weekly and/or after each swim and bathtime to prevent ear infections.
- Teeth brushing: One or twice a week, more if possible.
- Start early: when your puppy is sixteen months of age. The best haircut is a puppy cut; however, there are other styles to choose from. Read here: grooming styles for Cockapoo.
- Ears: Some Cockapoos grow excess hair inside the ear that will trap ear wax. Pluck-it or Thornit canker powder can be used to help grip these hairs, which need to be plucked out of the ears either with your or your groomer's fingers.
CONCLUSION
Grooming a Cockapoo at home requires a systematic approach based on multiple steps, each of which is necessary. You can start by removing tangles and matts, proceeding with pre-clipping to make the remaining process easier as well as manage difficult areas such as ears, paws and genitals. Then proceed to bathe them using dog specific shampoo and conditioner, you use a detangling spray for thick curly coats. Rinse them out carefully to avoid any product buildup.
Dry your dog with a dryer or towel using low-heat dryers. Then finally, trim the hair paying close attention to the face, head, ears, eyes and genitals as well as the under belly to complete the grooming process.
Regular grooming is what keeps your Cockapoo in top shape; remember, consistency is the key.
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