Guide: Havapoo vs Cockapoo
Havapoo vs Cockapoo: Size, Energy and Coat Compared
Havapoo vs Cockapoo comes down to size and energy. A Cockapoo is half Cocker Spaniel, a sporting breed that weighs 20 to 30 pounds, so it is usually the bigger and busier dog. A Havapoo is half Havanese, a 7 to 13 pound companion breed, so it is usually smaller and calmer indoors.
Havapoo vs Cockapoo at a glance
Neither mix has an official standard. Therefore, this table compares the non-Poodle parent of each, using American Kennel Club (AKC) figures.
| Havanese (Havapoo parent) | Cocker Spaniel (Cockapoo parent) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7 to 13 lb | 20 to 30 lb |
| Height | 8.5 to 11.5 in | 13.5 to 15.5 in |
| Life expectancy | 14 to 16 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Energy | 3 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Shedding | 2 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Barking | 4 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Trainability | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
The Poodle parent is the same for both mixes, so it shifts both dogs in the same direction: less shedding, more grooming and more brainpower.
Size and space
Size is the clearest difference in the Havapoo vs Cockapoo choice. Most Havapoos finish under 15 pounds. A Cockapoo from a Miniature Poodle is often about twice that weight, because the Cocker Spaniel parent is so much heavier.
A smaller dog is easier in an apartment and can fly in an airline cabin carrier. On the other hand, a larger dog is sturdier around boisterous children. See how big Havapoos get.
Energy and exercise
The Cocker Spaniel is a sporting breed. According to the AKC, it enjoys retrieving and walks and should keep good muscle tone, although it does not need extreme exercise. The Havanese has moderate needs: a brisk daily walk or a play session is enough.
So a Cockapoo usually wants more outdoor time, while a Havapoo is content with shorter outings and indoor games. Both need mental work, because both are half Poodle.
Coat and ears
Both mixes need brushing to the skin and regular professional grooming. In addition, the AKC stresses ear care for Cocker Spaniels and advises owners to learn how to clean the ear canals regularly. Long, heavy ears trap moisture, so Cockapoo owners should expect to check ears often. Havapoo ears need a weekly check as well.
For a routine, see our Havapoo grooming guide.
Health: Havapoo vs Cockapoo
Each cross can inherit problems from both parents. The AKC notes that Cocker Spaniel breeders test for hips, knees and eyes. The Havanese club recommends eye, hearing, hip and knee screening.
A 2024 UK study looked at Cockapoos directly. Across 57 common disorders, the crossbreeds were neither better nor worse than their parent breeds in about 87 percent of comparisons (Bryson and colleagues). In other words, ask for the parents’ test results whichever mix you choose.
Havapoo vs Cockapoo: which fits your home?
- Choose a Havapoo for a smaller, people-focused dog that suits apartments and quieter homes.
- Choose a Cockapoo for a mid-sized, more athletic dog, if you enjoy longer walks and do not mind extra ear care.
One note for honesty: we raise Havapoos, not Cockapoos. So the Cockapoo side of this page rests on AKC breed data and published research, not on our own litters. See our Havapoo puppies or compare Havapoo vs Cavapoo vs Maltipoo.
Related guides
Sources
- American Kennel Club. Havanese breed information. akc.org
- American Kennel Club. Cocker Spaniel breed information. akc.org
- American Kennel Club. Poodle (Miniature) breed information. akc.org
- Bryson GT, O’Neill DG, Brand CL, Belshaw Z, Packer RMA. PLOS One, 2024. The doodle dilemma: how the physical health of designer-crossbreed Cockapoo, Labradoodle and Cavapoo dogs compares to their purebred progenitor breeds. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Looking for a Havapoo puppy?
Our Havapoos are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now.