The Cockapoo is the UK’s most popular hybrid dog breed, and the fourth most popular dog type overall, being so popular in fact that they even rank above both of their two respective parent breeds in terms of demand!

They can be variable in size but are very versatile dogs in terms of both size and temperament and are a good all-rounder and family pet, as well as being well suited in many cases to a wide range of different working roles and canine sports too.

Summer is great time of year to be a Cockapoo owner, as the warmer weather and holidays give us many more opportunities to spend time outside and find things to do with our dogs involved; and unlike many other popular dog breeds that sit beside the Cockapoo in the top ten popularity stakes, Cockapoos have a balanced, healthy conformation and muzzle length and don’t tend to suffer unduly in either hot or cold weather as a result.

However, every dog breed and type is unique, with its own unique advantages and challenges, and the Cockapoo is no different. If you own a Cockapoo, there are a few things you should bear in mind and factor into their care in the summer in order to keep your Cockapoo safe in hot weather.

Read on for five factors to consider when it comes to Cockapoos and summer safety.

Cockapoo coats can be quite heavy for summer if left natural

The Cockapoo coat can be quite variable as the coat of the two parent breeds are vastly different, but as a rule this is a coat that is fairly dense and often, quite curly. This of course helps to keep the dog warmer in the winter, but it is also a fairly heavy coat for the summer – although this is not necessarily a problem as it can help to protect your dog from the sun, rather than as many people assume, meaning that it will make them overly hot.

That said, if your Cockapoo does have a particularly thick coat and seems to be suffering due to the heat, you might want to think about having them clipped or having the coat thinned somewhat to help them to remain cool during the hotter months of the year, and to reduce the risk of them overheating.

You need to keep on top of their coats and check them over for seeds and burrs

Another trait of the Cockapoo coat for most dogs of this type is that it is very low-shedding, which is one of the reasons why Cockapoos are in great demand. However, this does mean that a coat of this type will tend to collect lots of burrs and seeds when the dog is running around and playing outside, and these can be very challenging to remove in full but are apt to cause matting and discomfort if left alone.

Additionally, seeds and bits of debris can work their way under your dog’s claw sheaths or into their ears and cause infections and other larger-scale problems, so check them over after walks and keep on top of their grooming needs.

Cockapoos can be prone to overexertion and so, overheating

Cockapoos are very lively dogs that need a significant amount of exercise, and this is true even in the summer when most of us would rather not move too much at all! It is important to take care over when you exercise your dog so they don’t overheat, and particularly, to ensure they don’t overexert themselves and risk developing heatstroke.

It is important to monitor your Cockapoo carefully around sources of water

Many Cockapoos are keen swimmers, which means they might leap right into a lake or stream that isn’t safe, or that they don’t know how to get out of again. Always keep your dog on a lead around water sources and manage any permitted swimming carefully – and always check out any outdoor water that might seem like a good spot for your dog to swim in before you take them, to ensure the area isn’t being affected by blue-green algae bloom, which can be dangerous to dogs.

Try to limit high-impact exercise and jumping around on hard ground

Finally, Cockapoos love to chase around with other dogs and run after a ball or other toy, and as mentioned this is something that should take place in the cooler hours of the day. However, this can cause another summer risk to your Cockapoo too, such as strains and injuries from the jarring and impact of leaping about on baked hard earth, and paw burns and grazes from making sharp turns on hard, dry surfaces.

Always factor these things in and take care over the sort of areas you walk your dog, and what activities they undertake when out on their walks in the summer.