What does F1 and F2 mean in Cockapoos?
If you’re thinking of adopting a Cockapoo you’ll quickly learn they come in various F types such as F1 and F2. The F type will help tell you the parentage and genetic history of your dog.
Within any new litter of Cockapoos, all pups younger look very similar up until five weeks of age. At this time, it’s difficult to predict the look and coat of each pup. After five-six weeks, this begins to change and you should have a better idea of what they’ll look like.
If you know your pup’s F type this can help.
Here are some examples:
- F1 Cockapoo: When a Cocker Spaniel is mated to a Poodle to produce a Cockapoo. This is known as a first generation cross and is referred to as an F1.
- F1B Cockapoo: This is when a Cockapoo is mated with either a Cocker Spaniel or a Poodle. The B means ‘back-bred’ which tells you that this dog has been back-bred to a Cocker Spaniel or Poodle.
- F2 Cockapoo: This is when two Cockapoos are mated together to produce the next generation. The number two reflects this second generation of Cockapoo.
- F3 Cockapoo: This is when a puppy or puppies have been bred by two F2 Cockapoos
- F4 Cockapoo: A Cockapoo bred from two F3 Cockapoos – and so on.
Here’s a short list of F type guides:
- F1 Cockapoo + F1 Cockapoo = F2
- F1 Cockapoo + Poodle = F1b
- F1 Cockapoo + Cocker Spaniel = F1b
- F1 Cockapoo + F2 Cockapoo = F2
- F1 Cockapoo + F3 Cockapoo = F2
- F1b Cockapoo + F1 Cockapoo = F2b
- F2 Cockapoo + Poodle = F2b
- F2 Cockapoo + Cocker Spaniel = F2b
- F2 Cockapoo + F2 Cockapoo = F3
- F2 Cockapoo + F3 Cockapoo = F3
- F3 Cockapoo + F3 Cockapoo = F4
Regardless of the F type of the litter, you will sometimes find different variants within the same litter!
The F type won’t tell you what size your Cockapoo will be. This will determined by its parents, and its Poodle lineage.
Cockapoo coats can vary greatly and will depend on the characteristics of both parents and the F type of your pup. Tight curly coats, loose wavy coats and straighter coats are all possible with F1 Cockapoos.
Those with traits and characteristics from the Poodle line tend to have longer noses and curly coats. Those pups with a smoother coat and leaner physique, will have inherited this from a Spaniel. If a pup’s coat takes on Spaniel characteristics, its coat will shed more, while those that are shaggy tend to be non-shedding.
Cockapoo personality and characteristics
The personality, character, and appearance of Cockapoos can vary greatly depending on their parentage and ancestry.
Because they’re not a recognised pedigree breed it’s not easy to apply specific dog traits to Cockapoos in the same way you can with other breeds. But Cockapoos are generally known to be intelligent, friendly, highly energetic dogs that are easy to train.
When you first meet your Cockapoo as a puppy, you can’t immediately tell which personality traits and characteristics have been inherited. Some Cockapoos can look like a Poodle but act more like a Cocker, and vice versa but this won’t always be apparent until they become older.
Cockapoos can get on well with other dogs and children but they do not enjoy being left on their own for long periods of time.
They can be susceptible to separation anxiety issues if you don’t teach them early on how to be alone for short periods. They’re a companion breed and need owners and a family that have the time and energy to give them the attention they need.
Like all dogs, Cockapoos need good early socialisation and exposure to lots of different people, sights, sounds and experience when they’re young. This will help them grow up to be confident, well-rounded dogs.
Cockapoos need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. As puppies they’re known to be quite hyperactive so if you’re a first time dog owner, do be prepared if you choose a Cockapoo!
Sometimes as puppies it can be difficult to provide them with enough exercise to tire them out in the way you can with other breeds but they shouldn’t be over exercised.
Their joints and bones are still growing and too much exercise can lead to ligament and joint issues later on. Once they reach adulthood, Cockapoos need at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Cockapoos enjoy a good walk but a great way to keep them stimulated and active is through a variety of fun play sessions.
How big do Cockapoos get?
Cockapoo come in all shapes sizes. Their adult size will depend on the parents and in particular their Poodle lineage.
Traditionally, the Cockapoo was bred from the Miniature Poodle as the size is more compatible in mating with a Spaniel, so bone structure size is similar. Both Toy and Standard Poodles are also used to breed Cockapoos.
As a guide, you can expect the following:
- A Toy Poodle this will give the size of a very small toy dog. Usually under 10 inches in height
- A Miniature Poodle will give you a more mid-size dog, similar to a Cocker Spaniel
- A Standard Poodle will give you a dog the size of a Labrador or something even taller
You can also find variants to the size of the Spaniel. You can get smaller and larger Spaniels
Cockapoo insurance
Cockapoos are now one of the most popular dogs in the UK, so pet insurance for them is widely available.
In 2021 we insured more than 16,000 Cockapoos with an average premium of £324.96. That means they cost considerably less to insure than the average pet insurance cost for all dog breeds of £421.60.
One thing you do need to be aware of is how you choose their breed. If your Cockapoo is bred from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, you’ll usually insure them as a crossbreed and state the breed they look most like.
But if they’re an ‘F2’ bred from two Cockapoos most insurers will now list ‘Cockapoo’ in their list of pedigree breeds and you should choose that instead.
Find out more about whether you need to insure them as a pedigree or a crossbreed.