Are Cockapoos Hypoallergenic? (An Allergy Sufferers Guide)

Do you wish that you could have a four-legged friend, but your allergies make you hesitant to add one to your family? Many people are drawn to the increase in designer dogs because they are often advertised as hypoallergenic. The Cockapoo is one such breed that is touted as safe for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, but is it true?

Unfortunately, the Cockapoo is not a hypoallergenic dog. There is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. However, they will shed very minimally, and they have low dander. With the proper grooming and some changes to your household, you can keep allergy symptoms and asthma to a minimum.

Do you want to learn more about what you can expect from this beautiful dog breed? This guide will give you everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether the Cockapoo is right for you.

Do Cockapoos Shed? A Lot?

When many people think of a hypoallergenic dog, they first believe their dog does not shed. The American Kennel Club has dispelled the myth of the hypoallergenic dog. Each dog that you encounter has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in someone sensitive to the proteins found in a dog’s bodily fluids, such as saliva and urine.

As they groom themselves, this protein tends to stick to the dander. Dander gets released from the body as the dog sheds, which triggers an allergic reaction.

Knowing that hypoallergenic dogs don’t genuinely exist, prospective pet owners often want to see how the Cockapoo compares to other designer dog breeds like the Cavachon and the Schnoodle. How much loose hair can you expect from a Cockapoo in your home?

The good news is that most owners report very few issues with shedding Cockapoos. This is likely due to their Poodle heritage. Poodles are considered one of the most allergy-friendly dog breeds due to their low shedding rate. On the other hand, their Cocker Spaniel parent sheds quite a bit. This is especially true during certain times of the year, such as spring and fall.

There is no telling which parent your Cockapoo will take after. However, most are considered relatively low shedders because of the balance between the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel genes.

Are Cockapoos Okay for People with Allergies?

While they are not truly hypoallergenic, the Cockapoo is an excellent choice for anyone suffering from allergies. Their fur sheds very little, as does their dander. With some maintenance from you as the owner, your Cockapoo can keep their shedding under control and prevent you from seeing as many allergy symptoms.

One of the best ways to keep pet dander and loose fur in check is routine grooming. You may choose to invest in professional grooming every four to six weeks for a haircut and bath, but there are other things you can do in between these appointments.

For example, it is usually recommended that you brush your dog at least every other day. You can do this outside in the backyard, where you won’t have to worry about cleaning up the loose hair and debris that you shake loose.

However, you can also easily clean up inside by brushing them on a hard surface floor like tile or wood. All you will have to do is sweep up or vacuum when finished to prevent the fur from getting loose in the rest of the home.

Do Cockapoos Shed Dander?

In addition to shedding some fur, the Cockapoo will also shed dander. The dander tends to come off along with their loose fur. It can be managed through routine grooming and bathing with a conditioning shampoo such as an oatmeal formula. However, there is no way to eliminate this dander.

Fortunately, the Cockapoo sheds very minimally when it comes to dander. Their Poodle ancestry encourages this feature in a Cockapoo, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.

Are Cockapoos Good for Asthmatics?

If you are concerned about your asthma but still want a canine companion, then you might want to think about the Cockapoo. These dogs tend to have a low dander count and shed very little due to their Poodle heritage. As a result, many asthmatics can live with this breed with no complaints about increasing their symptoms.

Owners who are very concerned about how their allergies or asthma will do with a Cockapoo may want to consider getting an F1B Cockapoo instead of an F1 Cockapoo. An F1B Cockapoo is a dog bred from a Cockapoo parent and a Poodle parent.

While an F1 Cockapoo has half Poodle and half Cocker Spaniel genes, an F1B will have 75 percent Poodle genes and only 25 percent Cocker Spaniel genes.

Because the Poodle is the parent responsible for the low-shedding genetics and minimal dander, it is better to have a Cockapoo with a greater genetic inheritance from this breed.

While it may be more challenging to find a reputable breeder specializing in F1B Cockapoos, it can give you an additional layer of security that your asthma won’t act up.

How to Minimize Allergies with a Cockapoo

You have committed to bringing home one of these energetic dogs, but you still struggle to know how to manage your allergies in their presence. Fortunately, some simple solutions will help keep your allergies in check all day long. Follow some of these helpful tips to get rid of that stuffy nose and those watery eyes quickly.

Limit Where Your Cockapoo Can Go

One of the simplest ways to ensure that you always have an opportunity to escape from your symptoms is to limit where your Cockapoo is permitted in your home. It is typically best to keep your dog out of areas where you spend the most time if you have allergies.

For example, many owners will keep their dogs out of their home office and especially the bedroom. This allows them to get a good night of rest without being kept awake by a runny nose.

Increase Outdoor Time

You need to have some reprieve from your Cockapoo and his shedding, even though it might be minimal. If the weather is nice outside and you have a fenced-in backyard, you can leave them outside for short periods. Make sure that you are always keeping an eye on your pup and that you leave out plenty of fresh water for them, particularly in the warmer months.

Change Flooring

This is a significant financial investment, but you may find that it helps your allergies overall. Carpet and rugs can hold onto pet dander, debris, and dust that trigger allergic reactions in sensitive or asthmatic individuals. If you can afford the investment, switch from carpet to hard surface floors such as:

• Wood
• Tile
• Luxury vinyl plank
• Laminate

Your home will get a visual upgrade, but it will also allow you to sweep up any pet hair and debris that float through your home. It will never be trapped in the fibers of your floor anymore, which allows you to get a deeper clean.

Vacuum or Sweep More Regularly

In addition to changing the flooring, having a pet in the home means that you will need to vacuum or sweep more frequently. This eliminates all the pet dander and loose fur that accumulates in tumbleweeds on your floor.

You should mainly focus on cleaning your house directly after grooming your Cockapoo. Keep a vacuum handy so that you can suction up all of their loose dander and fur that you collected. Alternatively, you could also groom your Cockapoo outside to keep the loose fur in the home to a minimum.

Upgrade Your Air Filters

Most homeowners don’t think about changing their air filter, but you might want to add it to your calendar if you suffer from allergies or asthma. The air filters on your HVAC system filter out small particles from your air, including pet dander. It can be beneficial to invest in a better quality filter such as a HEPA filter and change it out more frequently.

Allergy sufferers should be changing the air filters in their homes every 30 days for the best results.

Managing Allergies with a Cockapoo

While the Cockapoo is not a hypoallergenic dog, the good news is that they tend to be very gentle on your allergies with a low-shedding coat and low dander count. You can further minimize your experience of allergy or asthma symptoms by taking a few simple steps, such as routine grooming or upgrading the air filters in your home.

If you are serious about combatting allergies, you may want to look into getting an F1B Cockapoo. Either type of Cockapoo may be gentle on your allergies, so you might be pleasantly surprised!

More on Cockapoos

If you’re simply in love with Cockapoos and can’t get enough, then check out our other posts below:

• Do Cockapoos Bite? Yes BUT Why? [Must Read Training Guide]
• Do Cockapoos Have Docked Tails? We Tail You The Truth!
• Merle Cockapoo: Get to Know This Rare Colored Designer Dog
• How Many Puppies Can A Cockapoo Have? [Answered!]