Cockapoo Chaos: Study Reveals Designer Dogs Show More Undesirable Behaviours
A groundbreaking study from the Royal Veterinary College has delivered surprising findings about designer dog breeds, suggesting that popular crosses like cockapoos exhibit significantly more undesirable behaviours than their purebred counterparts. The research challenges the widespread perception of these dogs as inherently easy, family-friendly pets.
The Personal Experience of Cockapoo Ownership
Lydia Spencer-Elliott shares her experiences with Elvis, her thirteen-year-old cockapoo, whose antics have included sandwich theft from office desks, consuming entire Toblerone bars including foil wrapping, and attempting to leap into the driver's seat while secured in the back of a car. Despite professional puppy training classes that descended into "pandemonium," Elvis has mastered only basic commands like "sit" and "stay" after years of persistent effort.
"We have routinely blamed ourselves for his behaviour," Spencer-Elliott admits, describing how Elvis's anxiety has increased with age, manifesting in attention-seeking behaviours like climbing onto sofa backs and pawing at heads during television viewing. The expectation that he might calm down in his senior years has yet to materialise.
Scientific Findings Challenge Popular Perceptions
The Royal Veterinary College study analysed comprehensive data from 3,424 crossbreed and 5,978 purebred dogs through detailed owner questionnaires. Researchers examined numerous behavioural traits including trainability, excitability, fearfulness, and aggression across several breeds.
The findings revealed that cockapoos demonstrated more undesirable behaviours than poodles in six specific categories: owner-directed aggression, stranger-directed aggression, dog rivalry, separation-related issues, excitability, and non-social fear. Compared to cocker spaniels, cockapoos showed increased undesirable behaviour regarding dog-directed aggression, stranger-directed fear, dog-directed fear, and trainability.
Multiple Factors Contributing to Behavioural Patterns
Researchers identified several potential explanations for these behavioural differences in designer crossbreeds. Size emerges as a significant factor, with many cockapoos and cavapoos bred from smaller miniature or toy poodles. Previous studies have established that small dogs demonstrate twice the likelihood of human-directed aggression compared to larger breeds.
Irresponsible breeding practices also contribute substantially. New owners of designer crosses were significantly less likely to see puppies with their mothers upon collection, a red flag for illegal puppy sales associated with future behavioural problems. Additionally, designer-cross owners are disproportionately first-time dog owners attracted by the breeds' marketed reputation as "easy" pets, with inexperience representing a known risk factor for behavioural issues.
Health Considerations and Breed-Specific Challenges
Health factors further complicate the behavioural picture. The study found designer crosses showed increased susceptibility to ear infections and skin disorders like atopic dermatitis, conditions that could contribute to irritability and discomfort. Elvis himself has experienced recurring urinary tract infections and was recently diagnosed with Cushing's disease, characterised by excessive cortisol production—the body's primary stress hormone.
Expert Perspectives on Responsible Dog Ownership
Dog behaviouralist and author Louise Glazebrook places cockapoos and cavapoos high on her list of breeds presenting with behavioural issues. "As a society we have totally lost touch with understanding our dogs' needs and instead are thinking only of our own," she observes, citing the common desire for "a fluffy dog that doesn't moult" without adequate consideration for lifestyle compatibility.
Glazebrook emphasises that prospective owners should conduct thorough assessments regarding suitability, happiness, and their ability to fulfil a dog's specific needs before committing to any breed or crossbreed.
Finding the Right Match Between Dog and Owner
Despite the behavioural challenges identified in the study, Spencer-Elliott reflects that Elvis's breeder correctly identified their compatibility. His chaotic nature provides entertainment, his anxiety mirrors her own, and his energetic jumping poses no danger in their child-free household. "We have the time, patience and lifestyle for his quirks," she notes, suggesting that their attentive care may have prevented potential aggression or rivalry from developing.
The research ultimately underscores that no dog breed offers a "cheat code" to easy ownership. Whether purebred or crossbreed, welcoming any dog into a home represents a substantial responsibility requiring commitment, understanding, and appropriate lifestyle alignment.
