Labradoodle vs Cockapoo: UK comparison. Size, energy, coat, grooming, cost and temperament. For families choosing their first doodle.
Labradoodle vs Cockapoo: Labradoodles are larger (15-30kg) needing more space + exercise; Cockapoos are smaller (5-11kg) and more flat-friendly. Both have low-shedding curly coats requiring daily brushing. UK puppy price: Labradoodle £1,800-£3,000, Cockapoo £1,500-£2,500. Cockapoo suits first-time owners; Labradoodle suits active outdoorsy families.
Labradoodle and Cockapoo are the two most-confused UK doodle crosses — both are Poodle crosses, both are low-shedding, both come in a range of sizes. The biggest difference is size. A standard Labradoodle weighs 20–30 kg — twice the size of a typical Cockapoo. That one fact drives almost every other gear, cost, and lifestyle difference.
This page is the side-by-side for UK owners choosing between the two. We cover the parents, sizes, temperaments, grooming, health, cost, and whether the gear actually differs. Spoiler: the gear is broadly similar in type but sizes are dramatically different.
We have a Cockapoo (Bramble) at home and have spent time with multiple UK Labradoodles. This is first-hand comparison, not breeder-website puff.
Pick a Labradoodle if: you want a bigger dog (20–30 kg), you have space, you can commit to 60–90+ min daily exercise, you want a calmer Labrador-type temperament with less shedding.
Pick a Cockapoo if: you want a smaller dog (7–14 kg), you live in a flat or smaller house, you want slightly less exercise need (60–75 min/day), you prefer a more compact family dog.
Size: Labradoodles 20–30 kg (standard), Cockapoos 7–14 kg. Mini Labradoodles 15–20 kg — still bigger than most Cockapoos.
Grooming: both need daily brushing + 6–8 week professional grooming. Labradoodles take longer (more coat).
UK puppy cost (2026): £2,000–£3,500 for a well-bred Labradoodle, £1,500–£3,000 for a well-bred Cockapoo.
Labradoodle = Labrador Retriever × Poodle. The Labrador parent is one of the UK's most popular breeds — friendly, trainable, food-motivated, highly active. The Poodle parent is the same across all doodle crosses: biddable, smart, non-shedding curly coat. Labradoodles inherit Labrador size and stamina plus Poodle coat.
Cockapoo = Cocker Spaniel × Poodle. The Cocker parent is a smaller working gundog — food-motivated, eager, sometimes sensitive. Cockapoos are smaller and more intense than Labradoodles, but share the working-dog drive.
Both have the Poodle half, which is why both are non-shedding and curly/wavy coated. The differences come from the other half: Labrador (big, confident, stable) vs Cocker Spaniel (smaller, eager).
This is where they differ most:
- Cockapoo: 7–14 kg typically. Height 25–40 cm.
- Labradoodle (standard): 20–30 kg. Height 55–65 cm.
- Labradoodle (mini): 15–20 kg. Height 45–55 cm.
For gear: Cockapoos fit Small or Small-Medium harnesses, beds, coats. Standard Labradoodles need Medium-Large or Large in everything. You spend more on gear for a Labradoodle simply because items are bigger.
For the home: a Labradoodle takes up sofa space, car boot, and walking-space differently. For UK flats and smaller houses, a Cockapoo is usually the practical choice.
Both are friendly, food-motivated, people-oriented, trainable.
Labradoodles inherit the Labrador's steady, forgiving temperament. Less reactive, less excitable, calmer in new situations. Good with children across all ages.
Cockapoos inherit the Cocker Spaniel's more intense working-dog temperament. Faster to learn, but more likely to be barky, more prone to resource guarding without socialisation, slightly more noise-reactive.
Individual variation is huge — these are averages. The specific puppy matters more than the cross.
Labradoodle: 60–90 minutes of walking per day, with off-lead where possible. Under-exercised Labradoodles chew, dig, cause damage.
Cockapoo: 60–75 minutes per day. Smaller size, similar working-dog drive. Under-exercised Cockapoos bark, chew, develop separation anxiety.
Both need mental enrichment on top. See best puzzle toys UK.
Both need daily brushing and 6–8 week professional grooming.
Cockapoo daily brushing: 10–15 min line-brushing. Professional groom £35–£50.
Labradoodle daily brushing: 20–30 min (more coat area). Professional groom £55–£85.
Both coat types mat identically — proportional to coat surface area. Same tools (larger slicker, long-tooth comb for Labradoodles).
See best brush for a Cockapoo UK and dog grooming cost UK 2026.
Labradoodle: hip dysplasia (Labrador-inherited, meaningful risk at larger size), progressive retinal atrophy, Addison's disease, ear infections.
Cockapoo: ear infections (Cocker floppy ears, common), hip dysplasia (less common due to smaller size), patella luxation in mini/toy Cockapoos, progressive retinal atrophy, occasional epilepsy.
Insurance implications: Labradoodles cost more to insure — bigger dog = higher orthopaedic surgery costs. See pet insurance for Cockapoos UK.
Labradoodle: £2,000–£3,500 from a health-tested breeder. Show-line Australian Labradoodles up to £4,000+.
Cockapoo: £1,500–£3,000.
Why Labradoodles cost more: less commercialised (fewer backyard breeders), smaller litters, faster-growing demand. Australian Labradoodle genetics (multi-gen) tend to cost a premium over F1.
Mostly in size, not type:
Harness: same Y-front design. Cockapoo Small-Medium. Standard Labradoodle Medium-Large.
Brush: same slicker + long-tooth comb family. Cockapoo Small slicker. Labradoodle Large.
Bed: Cockapoo 60-80cm. Standard Labradoodle 90-110cm — often a proper orthopaedic for hip support.
Coat: both need waterproof. Cockapoo Size 25-35. Labradoodle Size 50-65. Same designs (Hurtta Downpour).
Crate: Cockapoo 36-inch wire crate. Labradoodle 42-48 inch.
Cost difference: expect 40-60% more on gear for a Labradoodle.
Labradoodle: larger dog, more space, 60–90 min daily + mental work, calmer family-dog temperament.
Cockapoo: smaller dog, flat/smaller house, slightly more intense trainable temperament, compact for travel.
Also consider: Cockapoo vs Cavapoo if choosing between smaller doodles. If still torn: visit adult dogs of each, pick the temperament that matches your household.
The non-Poodle parent. Labradoodle is Poodle × Labrador (larger dog, 20–30 kg, calmer family-dog temperament). Cockapoo is Poodle × Cocker Spaniel (smaller, 7–14 kg, more intense working-dog temperament). Coat and grooming needs are similar because both have the Poodle half.
Labradoodle is significantly bigger. Standard Labradoodles weigh 20–30 kg; typical Cockapoos weigh 7–14 kg. Even mini Labradoodles (15–20 kg) are bigger than most Cockapoos.
Whichever doodle you choose, the brushing tool is the same. The harness sizing differs — pick the one that matches the breed size you're going with.
Approx. price: ~£30
Same coat structure, same tool — a professional-grade slicker with polished pins prevents matting on either breed. The UK groomer-standard.
Approx. price: ~£40
Right size and Y-front shape for the smaller doodle — Ruffwear Front Range in S/M is the safe pick if the Cockapoo is your choice.
Approx. price: ~£55
Larger frame Labradoodles pull like Labs — front-clip harness in L size is the right choice if the Labradoodle is your pick.
The non-Poodle parent. Labradoodle is Poodle × Labrador (larger dog, 20–30 kg, calmer family-dog temperament). Cockapoo is Poodle × Cocker Spaniel (smaller, 7–14 kg, more intense working-dog temperament). Coat and grooming needs are similar because both have the Poodle half.
Labradoodle is significantly bigger. Standard Labradoodles weigh 20–30 kg; typical Cockapoos weigh 7–14 kg. Even mini Labradoodles (15–20 kg) are bigger than most Cockapoos.
Both are good family dogs, but size matters. Labradoodles are calmer and more forgiving — better with toddlers. Cockapoos are more reactive and sensitive — better for school-age children.
Labradoodle 60–90 min daily; Cockapoo 60–75 min. Both need mental enrichment on top. Labradoodles thrive on longer walks; Cockapoos benefit from structured training.
Both are low-shedding (Poodle-cross). Neither is truly hypoallergenic. F1B (75% Poodle) versions shed least.
Labradoodle — higher puppy price (£2,000–£3,500 vs £1,500–£3,000), 40-60% more on gear, higher grooming (£55–£85 vs £35–£50), slightly higher insurance.
A few obvious extras that buyers on this page almost always need. We do not keep specific picks for these — the Amazon search results for each are consistently good.
Both suit Y-front. Small-Medium for Cockapoos, Medium-Large for Labradoodles.
Typically £15–£40
Find on Amazon →A Labradoodle needs a bigger slicker than a Cockapoo to cover the coat in reasonable time.
Typically £40+
Find on Amazon →Both absorb water heavily. Waterproof essential for UK winter walks.
Typically £15–£40
Find on Amazon →