March 20, 2026, 3:46 pm | Read time: 7 minutes
They are considered family-friendly, easy to train, and ideal for beginners—so-called “designer dogs” like Cockapoo or Labradoodle have been booming for years. But do these popular crossbreeds really live up to their reputation? A large British study questions this and shows that many of these dogs exhibit problematic behavior more often than their purebred ancestors. PETBOOK also spoke with dog trainer Katharina Marioth about what she can report from her daily work.
Doodles and Poos–Not as Great as Everyone Thought?
Designer dogs—deliberate crossbreeds of two or more purebred dogs—have become very fashionable in recent years. Especially Poodle mixes, which then receive new names like Labradoodle or Cockerpoo, are considered “all-rounders”: friendly, intelligent, child-friendly, and easy to train. These assumptions significantly influence the purchase decision of many owners. At the same time, there is still little scientific data to actually support these expectations.
Gina T. Bryson and colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College (United Kingdom) wanted to clarify whether these popular crossbreeds truly combine the hoped-for positive traits—or if there are significant differences from the original breeds. Possible risks were also a focus, such as living with children or the long-term bond between humans and dogs. The study was published on March 19, 2026, in the journal “PLOS One.”
The goal was to systematically compare typical behavioral problems in three popular Poodle mixes—Cockapoo, Labradoodle, and Cavapoo—with those of their original breeds. The basis was data from 9,402 dogs from a comprehensive online survey of British owners. Behavioral characteristics were recorded using a standardized scientific questionnaire (C-BARQ), which evaluates various aspects such as fear, aggression, separation issues, excitability, or trainability.
What the Data Shows
Included were dogs that were a maximum of five years old and had already come to their new home as puppies (at most 16 weeks old). Overall, data from 9,402 dogs were evaluated, including:
- 3,424 designer crossbreeds (Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Cavapoo)
- 5,978 purebred comparison dogs (such as Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Poodle)
Factors such as age, gender, owner experience, or health issues were considered. The study was ethically reviewed and voluntarily completed by participants.
The results are clear: Designer dogs overall exhibited more unwanted behavior than their original breeds. Across all comparisons, it was shown:
- In 44.4 percent of cases, designer dogs showed more problematic behavior than purebred dogs
- In only 9.7 percent, they showed less
- In 45.8 percent, there were no differences
This included a stronger fear of environmental stimuli (noises or new situations), more separation issues (howling or destructive tendencies when alone), and higher excitability (excessive excitement during visits or walks). Particularly noticeable:
- Cockapoos performed the worst: In 16 out of 24 comparisons, they showed more unwanted behavior—in all cases worse than both parent breeds.
- Cavapoos were more noticeable than their original breeds in eleven out of twelve relevant comparisons.
- Labradoodles showed a mixed picture: Problematic in five areas, but unremarkable in six areas compared to the parent breeds.
Aggressive behavior toward humans or other dogs also occurred more frequently in certain crossbreeds, especially in Cockapoos.
The “Best” of Two Breeds?
Previous studies on mixed breeds in general have already suggested that designer dogs sometimes exhibit unwanted behaviors more frequently than purebred dogs. At the same time, it is still often assumed that crossbreeds represent a “middle ground” between the parent breeds—neither particularly problematic nor particularly unremarkable.
The study further questions this widespread assumption about designer dogs. Instead of a “best of both worlds,” many of these crossbreeds more frequently show behavioral problems, especially in areas crucial for everyday life.
Dog Trainer Confirms Study Results
Similar reports come from PETBOOK’s conversation with dog trainer Katharina Marioth: “Especially with so-called designer dogs like Cockapoos, Cavapoos, or Labradoodles, I see above-average issues such as increased excitability, associated aggressive behavior, insecurities, low frustration tolerance, or problems with being left alone,” she says.
What is exciting for Marioth is that the study supports this very concretely: “Cockapoos, for example, more frequently show unwanted behavior like aggression directed at owners and strangers, stronger rivalry with other dogs, fears of environmental stimuli like traffic or new objects, as well as separation stress and increased irritability. These are exactly the classic issues that owners then bring to training with us.”
Appearance and Demand Take Precedence with Designer Dogs
When asked why this image appears with Doodles and Poos, Marioth tells PETBOOK further: “A key factor is the lack of or at least very inconsistent breeding control. While many established breedings have clear standards, health checks, and—crucially—targeted selection for temperament, this is often missing with designer dogs.”
Breeding often focuses on appearance and demand, not on character stability or compatibility of the parent animals. At the same time, these dogs are sold at very high prices, which creates a certain carefree expectation among many owners, Marioth continues.
“Added to this is the genetic complexity: When you combine two work-oriented and sometimes hunting-motivated breeds like Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, traits like sensitivity, excitability, and activity level often add up rather than balance out. With the Cocker Spaniel, there are also known lines with increased nervous sensitivity or genetic predispositions.”
The same applies to combinations like Poodle and Labrador Retriever: Both are highly intelligent, work-oriented, and people-oriented—but also demanding in terms of care and activity. Without clear leadership and appropriate support, this quickly turns into overwhelm, frustration, or unwanted behavior, Marioth reports.
“Expensive Doesn’t Mean Well-Bred”
And this is precisely where, according to the dog trainer, a central point lies: “Expensive doesn’t mean well-bred. A high price does not replace careful selection of parent animals, a well-founded breeding strategy, and above all, selection for stable, everyday-suitable characters.”
If these factors are missing, the likelihood of the very behavioral problems she currently observes so frequently increases. However, it is important that, as always, “Every dog is different and should be considered individually despite breed—and no matter what the breeder or seller promises: Every dog needs individual training and consideration.”
Topic Needs Further Research
For research, the study means: Designer dogs cannot be evaluated across the board. Each crossbreed apparently has its own behavioral profile, and the often assumed “average theory” (behavior lies between the parents) could not be confirmed here.
Additionally, the results point to possible animal welfare and safety aspects. Behavioral problems like fear or aggression can impair the well-being of the animals and increase the risk of incidents, such as dog bites.
The results are also relevant for the human-dog relationship: If expectations of an “easy-care family dog” are not met, this can lead to frustration, overwhelm, and, in the worst case, the surrender of the animal.
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Study Classification and Possible Limitations
The study is convincing due to its large sample size (9,402 dogs) and the use of an established behavioral questionnaire. Nevertheless, there are limitations. The data is based solely on owner reports. These can be subjective and influenced by experience, knowledge, or expectations. Although statistical corrections were made, distortions cannot be completely ruled out.
Recruitment through online platforms and social media could also have led to a not fully representative sample. For example, particularly engaged or problem-plagued owners might have been more likely to participate. Another aspect is the influence of environmental factors: Designer dogs were more often held by first-time owners and lived more frequently in households with children. Such factors can also influence behavior.
Finally, all Poodle types (Toy, Miniature, Standard) were grouped together, although they may differ in behavior. Additionally, the results only refer to Poodle crossbreeds and are not automatically transferable to other designer dogs.
Conclusion
The study clearly shows: Popular designer dogs like Cockapoo or Cavapoo are not automatically easier or “better” in behavior than their purebred ancestors. On the contrary, many more frequently show fear, excitability, or other problematic behaviors. For future owners, this means: Thorough research before purchase is crucial—and should be linked to realistic expectations. Crossbreeds also require consistent training and engagement. 1