Do Cockapoos Have More Behaviour Problems? (What the Research Actually Shows)

Are cockapoos more prone to behaviour problems? Current research suggests that owners report more challenges in some areas, but does this mean cockapoos are inherently more problematic?

It has led many people to ask whether cockapoos have more behaviour problems than other dogs.

Behaviour is shaped by a combination of breeding, early experience, expectations, and environment.

You might have seen the headlines recently suggesting that Cockapoos, Cavapoos and Labradoodles have more behavioural problems than purebred dogs.

It sounds quite clear-cut.

It isn’t.

A new study looked at behaviour in these dogs based on what owners are reporting in everyday life. With over 9,000 dogs included, it gives us a large snapshot of what owners are experiencing.

The headline finding was that Cockapoos and Cavapoos scored higher for things like excitability, fear, separation-related behaviours and aggression.

That does challenge a very common belief.

Many people choose a doodle cross expecting a dog who is easy to live with, straightforward to train, and naturally suited to family life. This study does not support those assumptions.

But the conclusions are not as simple as they first appear.

What this study actually measured about cockapoo behaviour

This study did not directly observe dogs.

It used a questionnaire, where owners reported on their dog’s behaviour.

That matters.

Because “undesirable behaviour” in this context means behaviour that owners found difficult, frustrating, or concerning. It does not necessarily mean something is objectively wrong, or that the behaviour has been assessed in context.

It also does not tell us why that behaviour is happening.

And importantly, it does not show that being a Cockapoo or Cavapoo causes these behaviours.

How breeding and early experience affect cockapoo behaviour

All of the dogs in this study were acquired from 2019 onwards.

This is important, because it overlaps with a period where demand for doodle crosses rose very quickly.

When that happens, breeding often struggles to keep up. This can sometimes lead to an increase in large-scale or commercially driven breeding, where there may be less focus on temperament, health, and early life experiences.

More puppies are produced, sometimes with less information available about temperament, early experience, or how puppies were raised before going to their new homes.

We already know from wider research that early experience can have a significant influence on behaviour later in life.

In this study, breeding background was included in a more limited way, so it is difficult to fully understand how much this may have shaped the results.

Why first-time owners report more cockapoo behaviour problems

Another important piece is who is bringing these dogs home.

In this study, around half of the crossbreed owners were first-time dog guardians.

That matters.

Not because there is anything wrong with being new to dogs, but because expectations are often shaped by what people have been told.

If you have been led to believe your dog will be calm, easy, and low effort, then normal dog behaviour can feel surprising or overwhelming.

A dog getting excited when the lead comes out, barking at other dogs, or struggling to settle can then be labelled as a “problem”, rather than something that needs understanding and support. For example, many cockapoos who are described as hyperactive are actually struggling to settle after busy or stimulating days.

Why some dog behaviour can appear improved when it isn’t

There is also another layer here that often gets missed.

Some behaviours can appear “improved” in certain contexts because they are being suppressed, rather than because the dog is feeling more comfortable or at ease.

Those are not the same thing.

A dog who appears quieter or more compliant is not necessarily a dog who is feeling better.

What this study really shows about doodle behaviour problems

This study is useful.

It shows that many doodle owners are reporting challenges.

But it cannot separate whether those challenges are related to genetics, breeding, early experience, owner expectations, or the wider popularity of these dogs.

And that popularity matters.

When a type of dog becomes very common, you will naturally see more of them everywhere, including among dogs people are struggling with.

That does not automatically mean they are more problematic.

It may simply mean there are more of them, in a wider range of homes, with a wider range of expectations.

Living with a cockapoo: what to know about behaviour

If you live with a Cockapoo, Cavapoo or Labradoodle and things feel difficult at times, this is important to hear.

Your dog is not broken.

Your dog is not behaving this way to make life difficult.

And this study does not prove that these dogs are worse.

If you are living with a cockapoo and want help making sense of what you are seeing, you can explore this further in my Cockapoo Calm course.

Choosing a cockapoo or doodle puppy: what to look for

If you are thinking about getting a doodle, or want to better understand what matters early on, it is worth looking beyond appearance and marketing.

You can explore this further in my Doodle Hub, including a free guide on choosing a doodle puppy with care.

It covers what to ask breeders, what to look for, and what can influence behaviour long before your puppy comes home.

What it does highlight is how much breeding, early experience, expectations, and support all shape behaviour.

And that is where the focus needs to be.

Thank you for reading, and for caring enough to want to understand your dog a little more.

Caroline

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Dr Caroline Rees - PhD Animal Behaviour

Research Reference: Cockapoo and Doodle Behaviour Study

Bryson et al. (2026)Comparing undesirable behaviours between ‘designer’ Poodle-cross dogs and their purebred progenitor breeds, PLOS ONE.