Cockapoos are one of Britain's most popular crossbreeds, combining Cocker Spaniel energy with Poodle intelligence (and often that low-shedding coat). These friendly, adaptable dogs make excellent travel companions. Their enthusiastic nature, sociability, and love of adventure suit holidays perfectly.
Understanding Cockapoo Travel Needs
Breed Characteristics
What Makes Them Great Travellers:
- Friendly and sociable
- Adaptable nature
- Generally good size for travel
- Enthusiastic about activities
- Usually love people and dogs
- Intelligent and trainable
- Often low-shedding (accommodation bonus)
Important Considerations:
- Energy varies (Cocker Spaniel side)
- Coat requires maintenance
- Can be sensitive to being alone
- Some inherit water obsession (Cocker side)
- Size varies depending on Poodle parent
Size Variations
Cockapoo Sizes:
- Standard: Crossed with Standard Poodle - larger
- Miniature: Crossed with Miniature Poodle - medium
- Toy: Crossed with Toy Poodle - smaller
Travel Implications: Size affects transport, accommodation needs, and exercise requirements.
Best Destinations
Ideal Cockapoo Destinations
Coastal: Many Cockapoos love water (Spaniel heritage). Beaches are excellent.
Cornwall offers beach variety and swimming. Norfolk provides year-round beach access. Northumberland delivers space and freedom.
See our Beach Holidays guide.
Countryside: Active dogs enjoy proper walks.
Lake District for adventure (suit walks to size/fitness). Yorkshire for variety. Cotswolds for gentler exploring. Peak District for varied terrain.
Scotland: Space and adventure suit Cockapoo enthusiasm.
Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond, and Cairngorms offer excellent adventures.
City Breaks
Sociable Cockapoos often enjoy urban environments.
Edinburgh, York, and Bath offer dog-friendly city culture.
Exercise Needs
Daily Requirements
Moderate to High:
- 1-1.5 hours daily typically
- Varies with size and individual
- Mix of walking and play
- Mental stimulation important
On Holiday: Great opportunity for extended activity. Cockapoos generally love holiday adventures.
Activity Ideas
Perfect Cockapoo Activities:
Beach Play: Running, swimming (many love water), fetch. Excellent Cockapoo territory.
Countryside Walks: Varied terrain, interesting smells, proper exercise. See our Hiking guide.
Water Activities: Many Cockapoos inherit water love from Cocker Spaniel side. Lakes, rivers, sea. See our Water Activities guide.
Play and Interaction: Social games. Meeting other dogs. People interaction.
Training Games: Intelligent dogs enjoy learning. Mental stimulation.
Pub Walks: Walk-pub-walk rhythm works well. See our Pub Walks guide.
Water and Cockapoos
The Spaniel Inheritance
Many Cockapoos Love Water: Cocker Spaniel water enthusiasm often present.
On Holiday:
- Expect they may want to swim
- Lakes, rivers, sea often irresistible
- Pack extra towels
- Be prepared for wet dog
Water Safety
Supervise Always:
- Not all Cockapoos are strong swimmers
- Cold water awareness
- Current dangers
- Sea conditions
See our Water Activities guide.
After Swimming
Coat Care:
- Dry thoroughly
- Rinse salt water
- Check ears (floppy ears + water = infection risk)
- Brush when dry
Grooming on Holiday
The Cockapoo Coat
Variations:
- Curly (more Poodle-like)
- Wavy
- Straighter (more Spaniel-like)
All Need: Regular grooming. Matting risk. Daily attention on holiday.
Holiday Grooming
Daily Needs:
- Brush through coat
- Check for tangles
- Clean face area
- Check ears (especially after water)
After Adventures:
- Remove debris
- Dry if wet
- Thorough brush
- Ear check and dry
What to Pack:
- Slicker brush
- Comb
- Ear cleaner
- Towels (multiple)
- Detangling spray
Include in your packing list.
Pre-Holiday Tip
Professional Groom: Consider grooming before holiday. Clean start makes maintenance easier.
Accommodation
Cockapoos Are Usually Welcome
Good Guests:
- Often low-shedding
- Friendly nature
- Adaptable
- Good size
What Works:
See our Booking Accommodation guide.
Garden Value
Important for Cockapoos: Energy needs outlet. Enclosed garden for play and toilet helps.
Travel
Car Journeys
Usually Good: Most Cockapoos travel well. May be excited initially, usually settle.
Tips:
- Secure properly
- Regular stops for energy release
- Water available
- They may want to watch out windows
See our Travelling with Dogs guide.
Train Travel
Can Work Well: Friendly nature suits public transport. Size manageable.
Tips:
- Practice settling
- Off-peak easier
- Bring settling aids
See our Train Travel guide.
Social Aspects
With People
Generally Excellent: Cockapoos typically love people. Friendly greetings. Sociable nature.
With Other Dogs
Usually Good: Spaniel sociability often present. Generally friendly.
Individual Variation: Some may be more reserved. Know your dog.
In Public
Well-Suited: Good in pubs and cafes. Sociable and usually well-behaved.
Seasonal Considerations
Summer
Benefits:
- Beach and swimming weather
- Long days
- Outdoor living
Considerations:
- Coat can make them warm
- Plenty of water access important
- Don't overexercise in heat
See our Summer guide.
Winter
Benefits:
- Coat provides protection
- Handle cold reasonably well
- Good walking weather
Considerations:
- Wet coat takes time to dry
- Muddy conditions = grooming
- May need coat if clipped short
See our Winter guide.
Health Considerations
On Holiday
Generally Healthy Crossbreed:
- Can inherit issues from either parent breed
- Ear issues possible (floppy ears)
- Joint health (larger Cockapoos)
Ear Attention: Floppy ears + water = infection risk. Dry thoroughly. Check regularly.
Know emergency vets - see our Emergency Vet guide.
Grass Seeds
Cockapoo Coat Risk: Curly/wavy coat catches seeds. Check after walks, especially:
- Ears (dangerous)
- Between toes
- Coat generally
See our Cocker Spaniel guide for more on seed risks.
Separation on Holiday
Cockapoos and Being Alone
Consideration: Some Cockapoos are sensitive to separation. Bond closely with owners.
On Holiday:
- May struggle being left more than at home
- New environment adds stress
- Plan to include dog in activities
- See our Leaving Dogs Alone guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cockapoos good travel dogs?
Excellent - friendly, adaptable, enthusiastic. Generally love adventures.
How much exercise do Cockapoos need?
1-1.5 hours typically. Varies with size and individual. They enjoy activity.
Do Cockapoos like swimming?
Many do - Spaniel water love often present. Not all, but be prepared for water enthusiasm.
What about grooming on holiday?
Daily brushing essential. More after water or muddy walks. Ears need attention after swimming.
Best type of holiday for Cockapoos?
Beach holidays (if water lovers), countryside adventures, anywhere active and interesting.
Can Cockapoos be left alone on holiday?
Some struggle - they're people-focused dogs. Plan to include them in activities.
Friendly Adventures Await
Cockapoos bring enthusiasm, friendliness, and joy to every adventure. Their adaptable nature and love of activity make them excellent holiday companions. Pack extra towels for the water lovers, keep up with grooming, and enjoy their company.
Luke appreciates the friendly, enthusiastic nature of Cockapoos. These popular crossbreeds bring genuine joy to adventures with their sociable, adaptable personalities.
5.0
out of 5
20 global ratings
Top reviews
★★★★★5.0
Cockapoo guide was spot on
Just got back from our first proper holiday with Biscuit, our cockapoo. The breed guide covered everything - their energy levels, grooming needs on holiday, love of water! We packed extra towels as suggested and needed every single one. The tip about daily brushing to prevent matting after beach trips was really useful.
Helpful
Biscuit is such a perfect cockapoo name! They do love getting wet, don't they? Glad the grooming tips helped keep that coat tangle-free!
★★★★★5.0
Finally understood our cockapoo's needs
This guide helped me understand what makes cockapoos tick on holiday. The combination of spaniel energy and poodle intelligence means they need both physical AND mental stimulation. We planned varied walks and training games as suggested. Our girl Poppy was so much more settled than on previous trips where we just walked loads.
Helpful
That brain-body combination is so cockapoo! Poppy being settled with mental stimulation as well as exercise is the key. Great understanding!
★★★★★5.0
Water-loving section was accurate
The section on cockapoos and water was spot on. Our boy Murphy will find ANY water and get in it - puddles, streams, sea, muddy ponds. The advice about accepting you'll have a wet dog and planning for it was realistic. We stayed near a lake in the Lake District and he was in heaven. Towels on constant rotation!
Helpful
Murphy sounds like a typical cockapoo! That water magnetism is strong in the breed. Lake District was perfect for him!
★★★★★5.0
Grooming kit packing list was thorough
The cockapoo-specific packing list for grooming was thorough. Slicker brush, comb, detangling spray, ear cleaner for those floppy ears. Our Teddy's coat gets crazy after beach days and having the right kit meant we could sort him out each evening. Came home without a single mat. Achievement unlocked!
Helpful
Mat-free after a beach holiday is a cockapoo owner's dream! That daily maintenance with the right kit makes all the difference. Well done!
★★★★★5.0
Sociable nature tips helped
The bit about cockapoos being sociable and wanting to meet everyone was helpful. Our Milo thinks everyone is his friend! The tips about managing his enthusiasm, not letting him overwhelm other dogs or people, helped us channel his friendliness appropriately. He made lots of friends but politely this time.
Helpful
Cockapoo enthusiasm can be overwhelming for others! Milo making polite friends is perfect. Channelling that friendliness is the skill.
★★★★★5.0
Beach holiday perfection
Used this guide to plan a Cornwall beach holiday with our cockapoo Luna. The combination of swimming, sandy runs, and rock pool exploring was perfect for her. The advice about rinsing after salt water and checking ears after swimming prevented any issues. She was tired and happy every single day.
Helpful
Cornwall beach holidays are cockapoo paradise! Luna doing all the activities sounds perfect. Those ear checks are so important!
★★★★☆4.0
Good breed-specific advice
Helpful guide that understands cockapoo characteristics. The energy levels, coat maintenance, and personality insights were all accurate for our girl Bella. Four stars because some destination suggestions felt generic rather than cockapoo-specific, but the breed information itself was excellent.
Helpful
Fair feedback on destinations - cockapoos can adapt to most places! Glad the breed-specific information was useful for Bella.
★★★★★5.0
Separation anxiety section was helpful
The section on cockapoos and separation anxiety was really helpful. Our boy Charlie doesn't like being left. The tips about not leaving them alone in holiday accommodation, choosing dog-friendly activities, and building positive associations with the new space helped him settle. He was actually better than at home!
Helpful
Cockapoos do bond strongly! Charlie settling better than at home shows the holiday actually reduced his stress. Happy dog, happy holiday!
★★★★★5.0
Exercise needs were well explained
The guide explained cockapoo exercise needs really well - they need more than people expect from a small-ish dog. Our Archie needs a good hour plus and the guide validated that. We chose the Peak District for proper walking and he was in his element. Not a lap dog at all!
Helpful
Cockapoos definitely punch above their weight for exercise! Archie smashing Peak District walks is what they're made for.
★★★★★5.0
Intelligence stimulation tips worked
The tips about keeping clever cockapoos mentally stimulated helped hugely. Our girl Rosie gets bored easily. We packed puzzle toys, did training sessions, and varied our walks. She was so much calmer in the evenings than usual. A tired brain equals a tired cockapoo!
Helpful
That poodle intelligence needs engaging! Rosie calm in evenings shows you got the mental-physical balance right. Smart planning!
★★★★★5.0
Pub dog section was encouraging
The section about cockapoos being good pub dogs encouraged us to try more pub visits. Their size, temperament, and trainability make them ideal apparently. Our Cooper settled under the table perfectly on his mat. We did four different pubs during our Cotswolds trip - he was brilliant in each one.
Helpful
Cockapoos are natural pub dogs! Cooper doing four pubs successfully is brilliant. That temperament really does suit it.
★★★★★5.0
Coat type differences explained
Really helpful that this guide explained different cockapoo coat types - fleece, wool, hair. Our Ruby has a fleece coat which needs the most grooming. Understanding her specific coat helped us pack the right tools and plan grooming time into each day. Kept on top of it throughout the holiday.
Helpful
Coat types really do vary! Ruby's fleece coat is beautiful but needs that attention. Great that you planned grooming into your routine.
★★★★★5.0
First holiday success thanks to this
Our first holiday with our cockapoo puppy was a success thanks to this guide. The breed-specific tips about their adaptability, energy, and needs helped us choose appropriate activities. Our 10-month-old Ollie handled the cottage, car travel, and new experiences brilliantly. Set up well for future adventures!
Helpful
Ollie's first holiday success is brilliant! Starting young with good experiences sets them up for life. Many adventures ahead!
★★★★★5.0
Rainy day activities helped
The rainy day activities suggestions were helpful for our Wales trip. Cockapoos need stimulation even when walking isn't possible. We did training games, puzzle feeders, and hide and seek in the cottage. Our Ziggy was occupied and happy despite the weather. Would have been stir-crazy otherwise!
Helpful
Welsh rain and a bored cockapoo could be a nightmare! Ziggy staying occupied with indoor activities is smart management.
★★★★★5.0
Helped us understand our rescue cockapoo
We adopted our cockapoo Penny at 4 and didn't know much about the breed. This guide helped us understand her needs - the energy, the sociability, the grooming requirements. Our first holiday with her was so much better because we knew what she needed. She's a different dog when properly exercised and stimulated.
Helpful
Understanding the breed helps so much with rescues! Penny thriving with proper exercise and stimulation shows you've got her figured out.
★★★★★5.0
Ear care advice was crucial
The emphasis on ear care for cockapoos was crucial. Those floppy ears trap moisture, especially after swimming. We cleaned and dried our boy Winston's ears daily as suggested. No ear infections despite lots of swimming! Previous holidays have ended in vet trips. This advice saved us.
Helpful
Ear infections are so common in cockapoos after swimming! Winston avoiding the vet with daily care is prevention in action. Well done!
★★★★★5.0
Size advantage highlighted
The guide highlighted cockapoos' size advantage for travel - big enough for proper walks, small enough for easier accommodation. Our Daisy fits perfectly in the car, is welcome in more places than bigger dogs, but can handle full day hikes. Best of both worlds and the guide made us appreciate that.
Helpful
That goldilocks size is a real cockapoo advantage! Daisy getting the best of both worlds makes travel easier.
★★★★★5.0
Recall training tips useful
The recall training reminders were useful. Cockapoos can get distracted by new smells and people. We practiced loads before our holiday and the guide's tips about high-value treats helped. Our boy Max came back every time even with beach distractions. That reliable recall meant more off-lead freedom.
Helpful
Solid recall gives so much freedom! Max coming back through beach distractions shows the training paid off. Enjoy that off-lead time!
★★★★★5.0
City break section was helpful
The section on cockapoos and city breaks was helpful. Their adaptable nature suits urban environments. We took our girl Coco to Edinburgh and she handled the bustle, cafes, and shorter walks brilliantly. The guide was right that they're versatile enough for both country and city adventures.
Helpful
Cockapoos do adapt brilliantly! Coco handling Edinburgh bustle shows their versatility. City and country - they can do both!
★★★★★5.0
Made us better cockapoo owners
This guide made us better cockapoo owners generally, not just for holidays. Understanding their spaniel-poodle mix needs, the importance of grooming, the intelligence requiring stimulation - it all clicked. Our Murphy is happier because we understand him better. The holiday was just the start of better care.
Helpful
Understanding the breed improves everything! Murphy benefiting beyond just the holiday is wonderful. Knowledge really is power with dogs.
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