cockapoo
UK[ˈkɒkəpuː]US[ˈkɑːkəpuː]
n
A dog that is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.
Etymology
The term 'cockapoo' is a 20th-century portmanteau, a blend of 'Cocker Spaniel' and 'Poodle'. It belongs to a modern trend of creating breed names by fusing parts of parent breed names, such as 'labradoodle' (Labrador + Poodle) or 'puggle' (Pug + Beagle). The name is purely descriptive and commercial, designed to be catchy and immediately indicate the dog's hybrid origins. Unlike words with classical roots, its etymology is transparent and recent, reflecting contemporary practices in selective dog breeding rather than a historical linguistic evolution.
Analysis
This is a modern blended word (portmanteau). It is not segmentable into productive morphemes from a single etymological source. It is formed from the initial syllables of two distinct breed names.
Examples
Their family got a cockapoo puppy because it's known for being friendly and hypoallergenic.
The cockapoo has the intelligence of a poodle and the gentle temperament of a cocker spaniel.
Cockapoos are popular designer dogs that often have curly, low-shedding coats.