The Cockapoo is Britain's favourite crossbreed and most groomers' single biggest customer group. The Cocker Spaniel × Poodle coat is a lottery ticket: some lean curly like the Poodle parent, some wavy and open like the Spaniel, and the two need slightly different care — but every version mats if it isn't brushed properly.
The coat
Usually a low-shedding single coat somewhere between loose waves and soft curls. The texture is fine, which is exactly what makes it mat-prone: friction from the harness, collar, and enthusiastic greetings felts the coat at the contact points first. Cockapoos also famously get wet — and a soaked, unbrushed coat dries into mats.
How often should a Cockapoo be groomed?
Every 6–8 weeks professionally, with thorough home brushing two to three times a week. Use a slicker brush followed by a metal comb right to the skin — if the comb won't pass through to the root, the coat is matting even if the surface looks fine. Puppies should meet the groomer early (around 12–16 weeks) for a gentle introduction groom, well before the adult coat change at 8–12 months, which is when most first-time matting disasters happen.
Popular styles
- Teddy bear clip — the definitive Cockapoo look: 10–20mm all over with a rounded face and neat ears. What most owners mean when they say "just tidy him up".
- Puppy clip — one short, even length; the easiest to maintain between visits.
- Longer scissored styles — beautiful on a well-brushed coat, but honest groomers will only agree to them if home maintenance is genuinely happening.
- Shave-off — not a style choice but the humane fix for a matted coat. It grows back; don't panic.
What does Cockapoo grooming cost?
Typically £38–55 for a full groom in most of the UK, towards £60+ in London and the South East. Dematting time is usually charged on top, which makes home brushing the cheapest grooming decision you can make.
Between grooms
Brush to the skin (not just over the top), towel-dry and brush after wet walks, and check the friction zones — behind the ears, under the harness, armpits, and the base of the tail. A monthly bath at home is fine if the coat is mat-free first; bathing a matted coat tightens the mats.