Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall: Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food
“Give your active Cockapoo all the energy he needs all day with the Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food. It’s an excellent source of energy – not to mention essential nutrients that support growth and healthy development. It’s a well-rounded dog food that’s packed in tasty goodness!”
Best Value for the Money: Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
“Wondering if you can get your pooch all the nutrients he needs without spending a fortune? Heck yes! Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food contains premium quality ingredients and formulated to support your Cockapoo’s growth and active lifestyle.”
Best for Cockapoo Puppies: ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
“Your little fur ball needs a well-balanced diet from its early years to ensure proper growth and development as he grows. The ORIJEN Puppy Food has a comprehensive list of high quality ingredients specifically intended for you Cockapoo puppy’s nutritional needs.”
The sweet-even-tempered Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle (usually toy or mini)! These small/medium breeds inherit qualities from both parent breeds, so they need the best dog food for Cockapoo designer dogs to make sure their mixed qualities are catered for.
One of the most notable Cockapoo features is a soft, hypoallergenic coat. Designer breeds are also prone to allergies, which can affect the coat and skin.
It’s essential that their diet nourishes and moisturizes their skin and coat, as well as provides for their energy levels. Here are 9 dry dog food recipes we recommend for your Cockapoo.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Best Dog Food for Cockapoo
- 1. Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food
- 2. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- 3. ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
- 4. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- 5. Blue Buffalo Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- 6. Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- 7. Acana Singles Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- 8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food
- 9. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Dry Dog Food
- 1. Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food
- Dietary Considerations for Cockapoos
- Choosing the Best Dog Food for Cockapoos
- Questions & Answers
Best Dog Food for Cockapoo
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for Cockapoo:
- Best Overall: Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food
- Best Value for Money: Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
- Best for Cockapoo Puppies: ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
- Best for Skin and Fur Nourishment: American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Cockapoo Seniors: Blue Buffalo Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Skin & Coat: Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Allergies: Acana Singles Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Immune System Health: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food
- Best for Dogs on a Joint Supplement: Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
1. Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food
Best Overall: Subheading
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Key Features
- Unusually high in Omega-3 fatty acids
- Good protein and fat counts for Cockapoo adults
- Joint supplements added for support
- Probiotics to help make digestion easier
This Wellness Core grain-free dog food contains enough protein and fat to suit energetic Cockapoos. It has one of the highest Omega-3 levels we’ve seen, which will help keep your dog’s hypoallergenic coat nourished. You won’t find many common allergens in this food, and the Omegas will help prevent the skin from itching as a result of food or environmental allergies.
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Impressive Essential Fatty Acids
Both the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are high in this dry dog food, which makes it great for keeping skin moisturized and fur sleek. Vitamin A and vitamin E have been added, which support healthy skin, cell healing, and immune response.
Your active Cockapoo will make good use of 15% fat, which comes from the fish ingredients and canola oil. The 34% protein comes from a variety of fish, and will keep your dog’s muscles strong.
High levels of glucosamine and chondroitin protect the joints against impact during exercise. It can also help prevent a luxating patella, which can happen to some Cockapoos.
2. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Best Value for Money: Excellent quality dog food made specifically for small breeds
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Key Features
- Just over a dollar per pound of kibble
- Available in bulk servings (40-pound bag)
- No chicken ingredients for sensitive Cockapoos
- Packed with high-quality fruits and vegetables
Diamond Naturals Small Breed formula dog food contains premium quality ingredients and is very budget-friendly. Not only does it cater for the nutritional needs of small breeds, but it contains an impressively healthy ingredient list. This nutrient-dense dog food has lower calorie levels than many other dog foods on the market.
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Premium Quality, Best-Priced Kibble
The ingredient list includes lamb, lamb meal, and egg product to give your dog 25% protein. The 15% fat comes from chicken fat, which should be well-received by all dogs.
It’s not grain-free, but healthy carbohydrates include white rice, pearl barley, oatmeal, and ground sorghum. These are high-quality gluten-free grains, and offer great fiber and minerals. Kale, pumpkin, spinach, carrots, and blueberries bring a full spectrum of vitamins to each mouthful.
Excellent Omega fatty acid levels come from flaxseed and chia seeds. K9 Strain probiotics ease the digestive system, and L-carnitine is a great supplement that helps to stimulate metabolism.
3. ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
Best for Cockapoo Puppies: Puppy-specific recipe ideal for a developing Cockapoo
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Key Features
- Multiple protein sources, including organ meat for extra amino acids
- Variety of vitamin-packed vegetables as carbohydrates
- Good levels of DHA and EPA to help your pup develop properly
- High levels of Omegas to nourish both skin and fur
A Cockapoo puppy will get all the nutrients they need from the comprehensive, healthy ingredient list of Orijen grain-free puppy food. Multiple protein sources contribute to the 38% protein, which will help your little one build muscle and develop efficiently. DHA and EPA nourish the cells of the eye and brain so your Cockapoo puppy grows healthily inside and out.
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Complete & Balanced Cockapoo Puppy Food
Food allergies can develop over time, but it’s less likely that a puppy will suffer from a sensitive stomach than an adult dog. So your Cockapoo puppy should thrive on the variety of proteins in this puppy food, which include chicken, turkey, eggs, flounder, mackerel, and herring.
The many fish ingredients, plus organ meat, offer high fatty acid and amino acid levels. Both of these go a long way towards promoting good coat and skin health.
As well as the necessary DHA and EPA, you’ll find joint supplements to protect those little joints from a young age. The final touch is probiotics, to help your puppy’s digestive system deal with all ingredients.
4. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Skin and Fur Nourishment: Contains a full range of supplements for skin and fur
Key Features
- Extra vitamins and minerals added
- The addition of DHA makes it suitable for puppies and helpful for adults and seniors
- Good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joints
- Omega fatty acid levels nourish the coat and skin
American Journey offers a variety of recipes, but we recommend the salmon and sweet potatoes grain-free recipe for the best skin and fur nourishment. It’s for dogs of all life stages, so it’s ideal for families who have more than one Cockapoo. Chelated minerals increase mineral absorption, which can help with digestion.
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Excellent Quality Ingredients and Supplements
This dog food contains deboned salmon, which contributes to both the high protein count and the Omegas of this dog food.
High-fiber, slow-release vegetables like sweet potatoes, peas, and chickpeas give your dog a little energy boost. Their main energy will come from 14% fat from chicken fat. Dogs with chicken allergies can consume the fat without a problem – the allergy is to the meat.
DHA helps Cockapoo puppies’ development, but also benefits adults and seniors by nourishing the eyes and brain tissue. Joint supplements offer a strength boost in dogs of all ages.
5. Blue Buffalo Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Cockapoo Seniors: Supports a healthy immune system, digestive system, and joints
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Key Features
- LifeSource Bits support a healthy aging immune system and oxidative balance
- Glucosamine and chondroitin protect joints as they age
- Contains no corn, wheat, or soy
- Lower in fat to accommodate age-related slowing of activity levels
A senior Cockapoo won’t be as active as he was in his younger days. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dog Food for seniors caters to the energy levels of older, less active dogs by reducing the fat count, preventing excess calories going to waste. Aside from having healthy protein and fat levels that’s well within the nutritional requirement for a small breed senior, this dog food is also fortified with immune-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
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Full Spectrum of Useful Supplements for Senior Dogs
Your senior will get 28% protein from deboned beef, beef meal, fish meal, lamb, venison, and egg product.
Seniors’ digestive systems can also slow down, which is why healthy, fiber-rich carbs are important. This grain-free dog food is made with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots to stimulate digestion. L-carnitine is added to help your dog metabolize energy-rich ingredients more easily.
Apart from vitamin and mineral-packed LifeSource Bits, this dog food gets an extra boost of goodness from fruits like blueberries and cranberries. Last but not least, joint supplements keep older joints tough, while taurine keeps the heart stronger.
6. Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Skin & Coat: Unusually high Omega fatty acids across the recipe range
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Key Features
- Large range of recipes (salmon & sweet potato best for Omegas)
- Great protein and fat levels for typical Cockapoos
- Real meat as the first ingredient for high protein and amino acids
- Raised levels of joint supplements
Cockapoos who need extra coat and skin nourishment would thrive on Merrick’s Grain-Free Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe. All recipes in the range contain impressive Omega fatty acid levels, with the salmon being the highest, closely followed by the chicken flavor. Every recipe contains ideal nutrition for an active adult Cockapoo.
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Nutrition for a Healthy Skin and Coat
You’ll find 4% Omega-6 fatty acids and 1% Omega-3 in this dry dog food, both of which are unusually high and will nourish the skin and fur. It contains no chicken ingredients so it’s suitable for Cockapoos with allergies. If your Cockapoo has no allergies, the chicken recipe is close behind, with 4% and 0.8% respectively.
The protein and fat content varies slightly across the recipe range, so if you want to rotate flavors, make sure the new flavor choice will still give your dog what he needs.
Sweet potato, apples, and blueberries increase the fiber and vitamin content in all grain-free recipes. Joint and heart support are an added bonus.
7. Acana Singles Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Best for Allergies: Avoids common allergens and suitable for all life stages
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Key Features
- Excellent recipe range so dogs with sensitive stomachs don’t get bored
- Contains muscle and organ meat for higher amino acid levels
- DHA and EPA make it suitable for puppies and great for seniors too
- Added probiotics help your dog with allergies to digest their dog food more easily
A limited ingredient recipe is the best dog food for Cockapoos with allergies. With this grain-free recipe range, they’ll be able to stay away from proteins they’re allergic to, but still have a variety of flavors so they won’t get bored. It’s suitable for Cockapoos of all life stages.
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Healthy, Interesting Recipes for Cockapoos With Allergies
Five grain-free recipes offer interesting variety, and each of them contains almost exactly the same nutrition. 31% protein comes from a single source protein ingredient, which includes muscle meat and organ meat.
It has 17% fat which is a good amount for typically active Cockapoos, and DHA and EPA on the ingredient list means it can make a wholesome Cockapoo puppy food too. Sweet potato and pumpkin are super carbohydrates that will keep your dog fuller for longer.
This dog food contains moderate to high Omega levels, joint-strengthening glucosamine, and taurine to improve heart health.
8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food
Best for Immune System Health: Fortified with extra vitamins and minerals for dogs who need a boost
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Key Features
- LifeSource Bits offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for improved health
- Three different recipes with brown rice and healthy proteins
- Nutritionally formulated specifically for small breeds
- Smaller kibble size to accommodate little jaws
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula recipe is made for small breed dogs. Not only is it jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but this dog food comes in three flavors and has a smaller kibble size to accommodate little jaws like Cockapoos’.
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Immune Boosting Additions for Small Breed Dogs
Blue Buffalo Life Protection recipes are designed to add extra vitamins and minerals to your dog’s diet through their innovative LifeSource Bits, which are generously mixed through the normal kibble.
Choose from chicken, lamb, or fish. Each dog food recipe contains brown rice as its primary carb source, which is complemented by barley, oatmeal, sweet potato, and potato. Real blueberries and cranberries add flavor and even more healthy vitamins.
Omegas and glucosamine are present. Although you don’t see it on the guaranteed analysis list, the ingredient list shows the presence of L-carnitine.
9. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Dry Dog Food
Best for Dogs on a Joint Supplement: Excellent nutrition specific to small breeds
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Key Features
- High protein and fat levels make this dog food suitable for very active Cockapoos
- Extra vitamins and minerals added to promote health
- Avoids many common allergens and contains some superfoods
- Omegas and probiotics added
Taste of the Wild dry dog food is ideal for Cockapoos who don’t need joint supplementation, or who are already on a glucosamine supplement. The protein and fat content makes this grain-free dog food an excellent choice for energetic Cockapoos who can burn off the fat during the day.
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Ideal Dog Food for Active Cockapoo Dogs
The protein sources in this dry dog food include venison, lamb meal, duck meal, and fish meal. Avoiding chicken makes this dog food suitable for many Cockapoos with sensitive stomachs.
Legumes are the main carbohydrate source in this dog food, and offer rich fiber content. Raspberries and blueberries improve the flavor and add vitamins without increasing the calorie count.
Proprietary probiotics and Omegas help nourish your Cockapoo inside and out. This Taste of the Wild recipe is also grain-free and contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The kibble is a smaller size to cater for little mouths like Cockapoos.
Dietary Considerations for Cockapoos
Proteins
Even though Cockapoos aren’t big, muscular dogs, they need a high protein level in their dog food. Small breed dogs are energetic, and they need adequate protein levels to maintain healthy and strong muscles.
Dog food for Cockapoo adults should contain at least 25% protein to meet their nutritional needs; very active dogs and Cockapoo puppies can handle more than 30%.
Protein should be the first ingredient on the list, and it should be animal protein. A single protein source is ideal for Cockapoos, but those with strong stomachs can handle multiple protein sources within one food. Plant protein is acceptable if it’s further down the list and second to animal protein.
Cockapoos are prone to food allergies. Chicken (including chicken meal) and egg products are common protein ingredients that your Cockapoo may have an allergy to. Dog food flavors are usually named after the animal protein they contain, so take note of what food your dog reacts badly to and avoid it.
Carbohydrates
The fat count in dog food is responsible for providing your dog with energy. But carbohydrates offer energy too, although less than fat. They’re also responsible for adding flavor, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to dog foods.
Fruits, vegetables, and grains make up the carbohydrate content of dog foods. Fruits and vegetables are always first prize, and should be present even if the dog food contains grains. Sweet potato, pumpkin, and other squashes are ideal for adding extra fiber as well as vitamins to your dog’s diet.
Whole grains are acceptable as long as they’re gluten-free. These include white and brown rice, barley, oatmeal, millet, sorghum, and quinoa. Corn, wheat, and soy should be avoided at all costs. It’s non-nutritious and can contribute to allergies. Grain-free dry dog food is perfectly acceptable as long as the carbs include healthy fruits and vegetables.
Vitamins
Just like humans, Cockapoos need a range of vitamins to keep them as healthy as possible. Many of the necessary vitamins and minerals will be found in the natural ingredients of their dog food.
Vegetables and fruits in particular are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. That’s why we recommend dog food for Cockapoo puppies, adults, and seniors that contain fruits and veggies, even if they use grains too.
Vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may be present on the guaranteed analysis list as extra additions. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to health problems. Generally, the only way you’ll be able to tell if your dog has a vitamin deficiency is by doing a blood test at the vet.
If the vet feels that your dog needs a vitamin boost, we recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dog foods. They’re high in vitamins, thanks to a special formula.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
The Cockapoo’s non-shedding, hypoallergenic coat needs a healthy dose of Omega fatty acids to keep it sleek, shiny, and soft. Omegas are not the same as the crude fat in your Cockapoo’s dog food.
Crude fat provides energy. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids offer nourishment for the coat, preventing it from becoming dry and brittle. If your dog suffers from food allergies, a good amount of Omegas in dog food for Cockapoo adults and puppies will also soothe skin-related symptoms by keeping the skin soft and supple.
Even if your dog doesn’t suffer from allergies, Omegas will keep the skin and coat healthy and may help to keep allergies at bay. Our premium choice recipe dry dog food, Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food, offers extremely high Omegas that would benefit any Cockapoo.
Puppy food for Cockapoo pups needs to contain DHA. This is a fatty acid that builds eye and brain tissue effectively, so it’s highly beneficial to growing puppies. It’s also wonderful to see in a senior dog food, as it will keep their eyes and minds strong.
Zinc
Vitamins and minerals perform small functions within a dog’s system, but they’re highly important to keep the immune and digestive systems healthy. Cockapoo dogs need a variety of minerals, but zinc is one of the most important that needs to be present in dog foods.
Zinc is an important mineral for Cockapoos because it improves thyroid function and contributes to skin and fur health. Proper zinc levels also strengthen the immune system.
It’s found in abundance in meat, which is another reason a high-quality animal protein source in a dog food is so important. Most of these dog foods for Cockapoo dogs contain adequate levels of zinc.
The only time you may need to supplement with zinc is if your Cockapoo is eating homemade dog food. Consult with your dog’s vet before giving your Cockapoo a zinc supplement, as high levels can be toxic to dogs.
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Cockapoos
Your Dog’s Age
The best dog food for a Cockapoo depends on their age. Although some dog foods are formulated for dogs of all life stages, not every dog food will be suitable for every Cockapoo.
Puppies
Puppy food for a Cockapoo must be high in protein; upwards of 30% is great for growing pups to build muscle. A small breed puppy food also needs to be higher in fat than an adult dog food, as puppies tend to expend more energy.
A puppy food for a Cockapoo must contain DHA. This fatty acid is highly important for developing puppies, as it builds eye and brain tissue. EPA is often found with DHA, and it helps to reduce inflammation.
Seniors
Dog food for a Cockapoo senior should have a lowered fat count. 15% is optimal for an adult, but a senior dog food should contain 10% to 12% depending on their activity level. This prevents your older dog from gaining weight if they can’t burn off all the calories from fat in a normal adult dog food.
Joint supplements are helpful to keep aging joints strong and prevent patellar luxation, which can happen in Cockapoos. L-carnitine is a great supplement to see in a senior dog food ,as it helps your dog to use energy efficiently. Taurine may benefit heart health, and DHA keeps your aging dog’s mind and eyes healthy.
Activity Levels
Active Cockapoos
As a general rule, the more active your Cockapoo is, the more protein and fat they need in their dog food. Fat is the most important energy-providing nutrient, and an active Cockapoo will be happy with 15% to 20% of it. The higher the fat count, the higher the calorie count will be.
A high protein level will maintain muscle mass and strength. Joint supplements are also helpful for highly active dogs, even if they’re small breeds.
Less Active Cockapoos
Dog food for Cockapoos that are less active due to age, injury, or illness should have a lowered fat content but keep a higher protein count. Less activity means fewer calories burned, and those calories need to be removed from the dog food in fat, not in protein.
Cockapoo dogs who are less active because they’re overweight need a weight management dog food. These also have reduced fat levels but often contain L-carnitine, which helps your dog’s body to utilize its energy efficiently.
A high protein count is still essential, as more muscle means faster fat loss. If your Cockapoo doesn’t have a medical reason for being less active, it’s advisable to add a daily walk to their schedule to help improve their health.
Allergies and Reactions
Because Cockapoos are a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, they tend to inherit the allergies from both parent breeds. It can be hard to anticipate what specific allergies your Cockapoo may have, but expect your Cockapoo to have a sensitive stomach.
You’ll need to observe your Cockapoo dog when they’re eating. If they show reluctance to eat their food, or they have diarrhea or constipation immediately after their meal, they may be allergic to something in that particular recipe.
Common ingredients that cause allergies include chicken (real chicken and chicken meal), lamb, beef, potatoes, legumes, and cereals (grains containing gluten – corn, wheat, and soy).
Limited ingredient diets could be the answer to handling allergies. A single source protein and small variety of fruits and veggies will limit the chances of your Cockapoo having a bad reaction. You will need to do some detective work to find out which proteins your Cockapoo reacts badly to, and make sure to feed your Cockapoo a dog food without it.
Questions & Answers
What Human Foods are Cockapoos Allowed to Eat?
If you’re planning to feed your Cockapoo a raw or home-cooked diet, they can eat any protein as long as they aren’t allergic to it. Fruits and vegetables are nutritious, apart from onion, peppers, garlic, citrus fruits, nuts, and grapes/raisins (these are highly toxic).
Avoid feeding your Cockapoo dog any human food containing sugar, artificial flavors, caffeine, alcohol, or baked goods. For a comprehensive list of what your dog can’t eat (and what to replace it with), check out this article.
Are Cockapoos Picky Eaters?
It’s common for a Cockapoo dog to be a picky eater. This comes from their Poodle side! Because they’re also prone to allergies, it can be difficult to find a dog food that suits both their sensitive stomach and their pickiness.
It’s wise to choose a dog food that has a variety of flavors in its recipe range. American Journey offers a great range of flavors. Acana Singles offers five limited ingredient recipes and is the best choice for Cockapoos with allergies.
What Are Cockapoos Allergic To?
Every Cockapoo is different! Ingredients to look out for include chicken, lamb, beef, potato, legumes (peas, beans, and lentils), and above all, avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Corn, wheat, soy, and other grains containing gluten can cause allergies as well.
Don’t assume that a grain-free dry dog food will reduce allergies. Not all grains cause allergies; in fact, healthy, gluten-free whole grains can provide essential minerals and vitamins without causing any allergies.
How Much Exercise Does a Cockapoo Need?
It’s difficult to say how much exercise your Cockapoo will need. Cocker Spaniels are working dogs, and have high exercise needs. Poodles are also high-energy dogs. Therefore, your designer Cockapoo should have a need for between 15 minutes and an hour of exercise per day.
As long as your Cockapoo is getting at least a daily walk, they should be happy. But we advise varying their exercise a little to prevent boredom. Leisurely walks, harder runs, wrestles, and a good game of fetch are all activities your Cockapoo will enjoy. Some Cockapoo dogs may even enjoy a swim, thanks to their Cocker Spaniel genes!
