In many cases, when people are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, they are recommended the cockapoo. It is a dog that is famed for playing nicely with allergy sufferers. In fact, many allergy sufferers have claimed that the cockapoo doesn’t trigger them at all. But, is this really the case? Are cockapoos hypoallergenic, or is this just a myth?
Cockapoos are a little better for allergy sufferers than other dog breeds. However, it is not necessarily the case that cockapoos are hypoallergenic. Yes, cockapoos shed less than other breeds. However, it is not the fur that people are allergic to, it is the dead skin cells, saliva, etc. So, if you know that you have a pet allergy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that cockapoo is right for you.
Let’s go into a little bit of depth on this, shall we? We don’t want to put dog allergy sufferers off of getting a dog. However, we do feel it is fair that you have all facts available to you.
What Is Hypoallergenic?
A lot of people make the mistake of assuming that ‘hypoallergenic’ means that something will not cause a reaction at all. That isn’t the case. Hypoallergenic means that something is unlikely to cause a reaction, but it is not 100% guaranteed.
We suppose that, in this regard, a cockapoo is hypoallergenic. While it can trigger a reaction, the risks are much lower than with other dog breeds. This means that those that have found themselves allergic to other pets may end up being perfectly fine with a cockapoo. We can’t guarantee it, but the odds certainly are going to be in your favor.
Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic?
This leads us to the big question.
Whether a cockapoo is hypoallergenic will be dependent on its coat. Cockapoos are, of course, a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Anybody that knows their dogs will know that a cocker spaniel tends to shed a bit, while a poodle barely sheds at all. If the cockapoo takes its coat from the poodle, then they are more likely to be hypoallergenic than a cockapoo that took its coat from a cocker spaniel.
What we can tell you is that the poodle is one of the few dog breeds that has been approved as being hypoallergenic by official breeding clubs. So, if you have a cockapoo that has the coat of a poodle, then it is as close as you are going to get to a hypoallergenic dog (without actually getting a poodle or another of the hypoallergenic breeds)
But, this is where you may run into issues. How do you know what type of coat your dog has? Well, you don’t. This is why you go to a reputable cockapoo breeder. They will be able to give you information on the coats of their dogs, or at least as much as they can. The dogs in a litter can be born with different coats.
However, the breeder will be able to give you a rough idea of whether the coat is highly likely to be hypoallergenic. This will be based on their previous experience of breeding dogs. Never work with a breeder that has no experience with cockapoos. You won’t be able to get good information from them.
So, we suppose that answers the question, perhaps with a little confusion because there is no way to guarantee anything. Yes, cockapoos can be hypoallergenic. There is a high chance that they are, but there is no guarantee.
Things You Need to Consider If You Have Allergies
When we talk about a dog being hypoallergenic, it tends to refer to the dander that the dog produces. Contrary to popular belief, most people are not actually going to be allergic to the fur of the dog. It is the dead skin that gets pushed away when new hair is grown. When the dog sheds the old hair, the dander is spread around. Cockapoos shed a lot less frequently than other dog breeds, so there is less dander.
This isn’t the only thing that you can be allergic to, though. A person may not be allergic to the dander of the dog, but they could potentially be allergic to the dog’s saliva or the urine. When cockapoos are regarded as hypoallergenic, it does not take into account the other factors that may trigger allergic reactions.
While we are positive you probably won’t have your dog urinating over you, you can still come into contact with their urine. Your main concern will probably be whether you are allergic to their saliva. Dogs absolutely love to lick people, and you don’t want that triggering a reaction, do you?
How Do You Know Whether You Will Be Allergic to a Cockapoo?
As we said, it is important that you try and visit a reputable breeder. You will be able to talk to them about the types of dogs they have produced in the past. Because breeders know that many people that buy cockapoos will be doing so because they are classed as hypoallergenic dogs, they will be able to tell you the likelihood of their puppies giving you a reaction.
If you can spend a bit of time with the puppy that you are interested in, you will get a feel as to whether the puppy will trigger an allergy. Although unfortunately, puppies don’t shed so this isn’t always the most reliable test.
We do encourage you to get the dog to lick you, though. If you get the dog to lick you on the hand, you will be able to get an idea as to whether you will be allergic to their saliva.
Remember, just because one cockapoo causes a reaction in you, it doesn’t mean that they all will. If one breeder doesn’t work for you, there are plenty of others out there that will have cockapoos that are far closer to being hypoallergenic.
Conclusion
Cockapoos can be hypoallergenic. However, not all of them will be. It is important that you work with reputable breeders if you want to stand the biggest chance of getting a dog that plays nicely with your allergies.