Golden Cocker Retrievers are the beautiful blend of a Cocker Spaniel and a Golden Retriever. They are known to be lively, caring, playful and intelligent. They are low maintenance, despite being relatively high-energy dogs, but they are also easy to train and alert watchdogs. As a hybrid dog breed, the Golden Cocker Retriever will inherit aspects of both the Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever parent breeds. As with all cross-breeds, it is impossible to say that the hybrid will be consistently one type of dog. It may be more like one of the parent breeds than the other at certain times; it is never a 50/50 even split. To get an idea of a likely outcome, it’s necessary to know more about both parent breeds.
Golden Retrievers
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are not considered a purebred dog because they lack consistent traits. They are generally friendly, active and child friendly dogs that need consistent exercise; though they are not exceptionally high-energy dogs, they do require regular attention and exercise. They are exceptionally intelligent dogs; about 70% of guide dogs in the United States and Canada are Golden Retrievers. They are also considered one of the best breeds of dogs when considering agility and competitive obedience. A remarkably beautiful dog, they tend to come in varying shades of mid-length, blond hair. They need to be groomed every so often in order to maintain their general upkeep, as they shed quite heavily at a seasonal rate, like most dogs of their fur type.
They are one of the more popular show dogs. Despite being highly intelligent, their friendly nature makes them quite unsuitable to be used as security or professional guard dogs. but they do make incredibly good companions for the blind or deaf as guide dogs.
They were initially bred as gun dogs to retrieve shot fowl, hence the name ‘retriever’. They have a keen sense of smell, which makes them ideal for this particular job. They have a natural love of the water, which can become somewhat troublesome in older age when ailments like arthritis begin to affect their limbs. In youth this is less of an issue as they have a thick coat that repels water to a decent level.
Although they need a substantial amount of exercise, they should be kept a close eye on and penned into a decent sized garden due to their instinctual tendency to wander. Their general temperament makes them the United States’ third most popular family dog, in terms of registry anyway.
They exist in three primary types: British, American and Canadian. The British has a broad skull with a more muscular forequarters than its counterparts. It has a lighter colored coat and tends to be a little taller than the American version. It also has rounder and darker eyes than the other versions. They have great endurance due to their retriever heritage. Although more muscular, over all, they do tend to be prone to putting on excessive weight, particularly in older age.
The Canadian type has a thinner and darker coat that is often a little shorter than the others. It’s also a bit taller than the other two, usually reaching heights of about 24 inches. Like the American version, it has a more triangular eye, in comparison the round eye of the British Golden Retriever.
American Golden Retrievers are less muscular and have the darkest coat of the three. They have an elegant and balanced run, making them look quite like the poster dog of golden retrievers, which is why they are frequently cast in advertisements for dog foods. They are frequently the result of imports of British versions, which are seen as most desirable for their temperament and general appearance.
But overall these versions show more or less the same traits. Golden Retrievers are good family pets, especially because they are patient and pleasant with children.
They are generally equally pleasant with both strangers and people more familiar to them. Their trusting and gentle character makes them poor guard dogs. Unprovoked aggression towards other people, dogs or animals is considered surprising in a Golden Retriever and is not consistent with the general character of the breed. They are rarely nervous or timid dogs either.
They are exceptionally intelligent dogs, ranking as the fourth most intelligent dog in the world in terms of trainability, command and obedience. Despite being a very much fun-loving dog, they have the patience to sit quietly for many hours, as they would have done whilst hunting with owners to retrieve shot fowl.
Other characteristics that correlate with their history of hunting are their love of water and their inherent size suitable for jumping in and out of boats. Their trainability is another feature of this heritage. Their obedience is unparalleled, and they will often work until they literally collapse, which is why it is important not to over work them.
They have an estimated life expectancy of about 11 to 12 years. Their breed is subject to numerous ailments, which is why at least a yearly check up with the vet is so important. Hip dysplasia is a common disorder in Golden Retrievers. If bought as a puppy, an examination by the vet to check for hip dysplasia is highly advised. Cancer is the most common reason for death in Golden Retrievers, with about 61% of Golden Retrievers dying of cancer on an annual basis. Cataracts are also very common in Golden Retrievers, but generally these diseases do not occur until older age.
Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are generally considered to be a happy and playful breed of dog. Like Golden Retrievers, they were initially bred to be used in hunting, and thus they have a relatively high energy level. This means they require a lot of energy, though not as much as other dogs, such as pitbull terriers. They require about 30 minutes a day. They are easily trained and friendly dogs that are happy to hang about the house and interact with a family. They are a small to medium sized dog with a good temperament.
Much like the Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniels belong to two dog types: the British and the American Cocker Spaniels. Originally bred as hunting dogs, Cocker Spaniels are believed to have originated in Spain around the 14th Century. While Retrievers were used to do just that, the Cocker Spaniel was used to sniff out fowl and send flocks into the air by starling them for the shooter to take his aim. They would also use their acute vision and smell to source the dead or wounded birds once down. They also have a soft mouth, which makes them ideal for retrieving the said fowl as well.
The primary difference between the American and the British Cocker Spaniel is that the American Spaniel is smaller with a shorter back, a dome-like head and a shorter muzzle, while the English variety is taller with a narrow head and chest. The coats of Cocker Spaniels come in a variety of colors, from black to red to gold. Rarer colors do sometimes occur, such as all white or light golden colors.
In the United States, the Cocker Spaniel ranked as the 23rd most popular dog to own, but previously, as far back as 1936, it was the most popular dog in the United States. The British Cocker Spaniel is the most successful dog at the UK’s most popular dog show, Cruftus. In the UK, they are the second most popular dog to own. There are some physical differences between show strains and working strains in the UK. The show dogs are bred to the conformation standard, while the working strain is bred for ability at work, and as such a number of physical differences have appeared. Working dogs tend to be larger with flatter heads. The coat is also shorter and finer than the show type and has less feathering. The working strain tends to be more energetic than the show strain as well.
Cocker Spaniels tend to have an average life expectancy of 10 years. Like the Golden Retriever, the most common cause of death is cancer. Common health issues include ear infections and eye problems, such as cataracts. Hip dysplasia is another common problem in Cocker Spaniels.
Cross Breeding
Golden Retriever and Cocker spaniel together
So-called ‘designer dogs’ are at the center of a huge, moneymaking industry. Rare hybrid dogs can cost a lot. Golden Cocker Retriever’s price can range from $1,000-2,000. Celebrity endorsements have only accelerated the concept of ‘designer dogs’, heightened by mass media attention. The dangers lie in the concept that crossbreeding dogs secures only the desirable characteristics of the parent breeds, eliminating the usual ailments that each breed is associated with. Promoters of this industry have gone as far as to say that cross-bred dogs are ‘hypoallergenic’, which means that hybrid dogs won’t affect those who normally suffer from allergies from dogs. This is a myth, and in fact many cross-bred dogs are far more vulnerable to illnesses and infections than pure-bred dogs.
The idea of a bigger gene pool offering more qualities is not necessarily true, although in some cases it does lead to a perfectly healthy dog breed. Thankfully this is the case with the Golden Retriver and Cocker Spaniel crossbreed.
Golden Cocker Retriever
Golden Cocker Retriever
Characteristics
Golden Cocker Retrievers are a large breed of dogs, known to be cheerful, sociable and intelligent dogs. Like most hunting breeds of dogs, they are incredibly intelligent and very loyal. They take many of the same characteristics from their parent breeds.
As they derive from two hunting dogs, they have a great ability as a watch dog. They are great at barking to alert their owner of any danger or potential intruders. Although not considered a protective breed, they are alert to danger and so will usually warn their owner of any intruders.
As with most intelligent dogs, they are good with children. They understand their own power in comparison to a child’s and act accordingly. They are also very patient with children and are unlikely to react badly to a child’s persistent toying with them. This makes them great family pets, who will become integrated into your pack with great ease and affection.
The Golden Cocker Retriever is a loving, playful and intelligent mixed breed. In the house they are generally content and calm, but they also love to be outside and playing either alone or with their owner or other dogs. They can be both energetic and calm, depending on the situation. They form strong bonds with their owners and are generally very affectionate and people friendly. This means they are capable of being alone for short periods, but may become agitated if left alone for longer periods. They are a social type of dog, so they tend to be friendly and good natured with both humans and other dogs.
They love to play, so by taking them down to the park or for long walks and a game of fetch, you’ll receive great affection and loyalty, growing the bond you have with your dog. Neglecting your dog will naturally lead to resentment and general bad behavior. Without this, they can become irritated and hyperactive. So it is important that, as an owner considering a dog of any kind, that you are also active or at least happy to be active with the dog.
They love to please their owner and have a strong desire for working and general activity. These qualities make them great to train. Their intelligence and listening skills will become evident in no time. They also enjoy the mental activity of training, another sign of their intelligence. Despite their pleasant dispositions from the parent breeds, they should be introduced to socialization at an early age so that they become accustomed to other dogs. offering positivity and rewards for good behavior is a sure way to develop them into a loving and responsive dog. Avoid harsh treatment, as dogs generally don’t respond well to this, unless it is warranted.
Check out this cute Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel Mix. Isn’t she adorable?
Coat
Thankfully, they are low maintenance, and require less grooming than both parent breeds. They have a shorter hair than most Golden Retrievers, but maintain the same softness and density of the Golden Retriever. Due to their intelligence, they are incredibly easy to train. They respond very well to most commands, and will respond nearly all of the time after perhaps 8 or 9 repetitions.
They have a dense, medium and water resistant coat that they have developed from their ancestors. They come in a wide range of colors due to their eclectic background. They have been known to develop coats of black, gold, black and tan, cream, brown, white and yellow.
Weight
They have a maximum weight of about 65 pounds and a maximum weight of about 24 inches. Their average life expectancy is about 12 years, which is average for a dog breed of their size.
Possible health conditions
Golden Cocker Retrievers are affected by the same ailments as their parent breeds. In the case of these hybrids, heart problems, epilepsy, cancer, cataracts, hip dysplasia, allergies and skin problems are common enough, particularly in older age.
Conclusion
So if you are considering a Golden Cocker Retriever, they are definitely suited to a family that is prone to outdoor activities and suitable for young children. They’re a loving and intelligent dog that will offer you great affection if treated right. Train them and socialize them from an early age to ensure good behavior and an easier dog to manage.
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