Are Cockapoos Born Curly?

  • By: Kirsty Lunn
  • Date: August 12, 2022
  • Time to read: 3 min.

When it comes to Cockapoo dogs, what you see as a puppy may not be what they look like as adults. If you are planning to adopt a Cockapoo puppy, you may be asking “are Cockapoos borns curly?

Cockapoos are a mixed breed, so there is no set type of fur it could have at birth, yet most aren’t born curly. Some Cockapoos inherit the curly hair gene from the Poodle while other Cockapoos will inherit straight to moderately wavy fur from the Cocker Spaniel.

There is no way to tell what the Cockapoo puppies will look like at birth. On this page, we’re going to discuss if Cockapoos are born curly and when the dog’s curls will develop. Keep reading to learn more.

Are Cockapoos Born Curly?

While many Cockapoos have a curly coat, some will have a straight coat. Whether or not the dog has a curly coat will ultimately depend on whether its traits lean more towards the Poodle genes or Cocker Spaniel genes. Cockapoos with more of the Poodle’s genes present are more likely to have a curly coat.

That being said, if a Cockapoo puppy is carrying the curly coat gene, you will not be able to tell. Newborn Cockapoos have a very short coat. Dog owners will not know what type of fur their puppy is going to have until the dog is 26 weeks in age. Once the dog reaches 26 weeks, it begins to grow mature fur. 

If you notice a Cockapoo develops wavy hair as it grows, there is a chance that those waves could turn into curls as the dog gets older. Cockapoos that carry the curly fur gene tend to get a curlier coat as they get older. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that a Cockapoo dog will or will not have a curly coat.

When Will a Cockapoo Be Curly?

Since Cockapoos fur changes as they age, it could take up to two years until the curls are fully present. If your dog carries the curly fur trait, its fur may appear shaggy or wavy when it’s younger. In many cases, the dog will develop tighter curls as it gets older. However, some Cockapoos don’t get curlier coats and keep the wavy texture.

This is why every Cockapoo should be judged individually, as one puppy in a litter could grow to have a flat coat while another grows to have a very curly coat. 

Is There a Way To Guarantee a Cockapoo Has a Curly Coat?

There is no way to 100% guarantee that a Cockapoo will grow to have a curly coat. It is believed that if an American Cocker Spaniel breeds with a Miniature Poodle, there is a higher chance of the curly fur gene being present. This is because this mix usually results in puppies with 75% of the Poodle gene.

If a Cockapoo was bred by two Cockapoo parents, then the presence of a curly fur gene isn’t as strong. This is also the case if a Cocker Spaniel breeds with a Cockapoo. For the best chance of a dog with the curly gene, there needs to be a strong presence of Poodle genes in its DNA.

Final Thoughts

Are Cockapoos born curly? Cockapoos aren’t born curly. If a Cockapoo is going to develop a curly coat, that will appear as it becomes an adult. There is no way to tell when a Cockapoo puppy is born what texture of fur it will have.

Owners can typically start to tell after 26 weeks when the dog’s adult coat starts to grow in. Even then, it may take longer for curls to develop.

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