Beautiful to look at, energetic, and intelligent, the Golden Cocker Retriever Mix scores high points. This super intelligent doggie will quickly integrate into your household and be happy to follow your lead.
The Golden Cocker Retriever inherits the best qualities of two of the most popular purebred dogs: the Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel. Despite being relatively small, this hybrid pooch has a strong gait, high energy, great health, and is the ideal pet for an active family.
If you are considering bringing home a pup, this article will help you decide if a Golden Cocker Retriever is the pet for you. You will learn about common health problems and how to care for and groom your new doggie. You will also find out about this breed’s temperament and personality. But, before getting into all that, let us learn more about the physical attributes of a Golden Cocker Retriever Mix.
What Is A Golden Retriever Cocker Spaniel Mix Called?
A Golden Retriever Cocker Spaniel mix dog is also called a Cogol or Dakota Sport Retriever. This breed is sometimes referred to as the ‘forever puppy’ due to its smaller stature.
History
The Golden Cocker Retriever breed appeared only two decades ago. This dog is a cross-breed between a Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel.
The Golden Retriever originated from Scotland and was bred as a hunting dog. The Cocker Spaniel was first bred in 14th century Spain as a sporting dog.
Over the years, the Cogol has become one of the most popular dogs due to its agile, athletic, and highly intelligent nature.
Physical Traits
Cogols don’t all look the same. This is because the Cocker Spaniel parent comes in many different colors and markings. Still, your Golden Cocker Retriever will borrow some physical traits from each parent.
Your pooch will have a fawn, golden, or black medium-length coat. The ears will be short like the Retriever and floppy like the Cocker parent.
Fido will have a medium-length snout, a black nose, and dark eyes.
Size
The Golden Cocker Retriever is fondly referred to as the ‘forever puppy’ because it looks like a puppy despite its age.
Your Golden Cocker Retriever will indeed remain smaller than the Retriever parent. But, the dog will continue to grow in size and weight and mature past the puppy phase.
As a grown dog, you can expect your Cogol to stand at 20 to 24 inches and weigh about 30 to 45 lbs.
How Long Do Golden Cocker Spaniels Live?
The expected lifespan of Golden Cocker Spaniels is 10 to 15 years. Because they are hybrid dogs, Cogols are generally healthy. But, many years of inbreeding can result in this breed inheriting some of the parents’ disorders.
Let’s take a look at some common health issues of Golden Cocker Spaniels.
Cancer
Compared to other dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are more prone to cancer. Studies show that 50% of the Golden Retriever population dies of benign or malignant cancer.
As an offspring of the Golden Retriever, your Golden Cocker Spaniel is at risk of getting cancer. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help with the early detection of cancerous cells and timely treatment.
Entropion And Ectropion
Entropion and Ectropion are common diseases in Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels and can be passed to the Golden Cocker Retriever offspring.
Entropion occurs when the eyelid rolls inward, causing the lashes to rub against the eye surface. The result is irritation, pain, and ulcers, which can interfere with the dog’s vision.
The opposite of Entropion, Ectropion, is a condition where the lower eyelid rolls outward. This dries out the tissues in the inner parts of the eyelids, leading to conjunctivitis and obstructed vision.
Epileptic Seizures
The Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel are among the pure breed canines in which seizures are prevalent.
The particular type of epilepsy that affects these breeds is idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). IGE has a strong genetic basis, and the disease can be passed to the Cogol offspring.
How To Take Care Of Golden Cocker Retriever Mixes?
You must prepare to give your pet the best care to ensure a long and healthy life. Here are a few recommendations for caring for your Cogol:
Diet
To stay strong and happy, your canine buddy needs healthy, balanced meals.
Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels are prone to obesity and can pass on this condition to the offspring. To keep your Cogol from unhealthy weight gain, opt for wholesome, well-portioned meals.
I recommend Pet Plate’s nutritious, grain-free, and high-protein meals. The kibbles are made using healthy and delicious ingredients such as ground beef, carrots, sweet potatoes, and lots of other goodies that even the pickiest dog will love.
Water
Remember to give your active pup plenty of water. I usually add some dental water additives to my dog’s water bowl.
The additives help to whiten teeth, fight bad breath, and keep tartar and plaque at bay, all while keeping Fido hydrated!
Multivitamins
In addition to healthy food, give Fido high-quality multivitamins.
A good multivitamin supplement will provide your pup with the essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth.
Canine supplements are generally safe but consult with your vet before giving multivitamins to your dog.
Exercise
Golden Cocker Retrievers are high-energy dogs. Your pooch will require tons of exercise and is, therefore, more suited to large outdoor spaces.
Give your dog about 60 minutes of daily exercise. This should include at least two walks per day. Cogols also love running, swimming, fetch, obedience training, socializing with other dogs, and treasure hunting for mental stimulation.
Are Golden Cocker Spaniels Aggressive? Temperaments Of Golden Cocker Retriever Mixes
Golden Cocker Spaniels are good family dogs with a playful streak and a big heart. But, this breed can also show signs of aggression.
Below are some temperament traits you should know before bringing a Cogol home.
Protective
Golden Cocker Spaniels have a protective streak, a trait borrowed from the Golden Retriever parent. Your pooch will not be a nuisance barker but will bark to alert you to visitors or unusual activities around your home.
Cogols make for a wonderful watchdog and are ready to protect your home and family.
Aggressive
Cocker Spaniels are ranked among the most aggressive dogs and are prone to Cocker Rage Syndrome.
Cocker Rage is an inherited syndrome triggered when a person approaches the dog while it is dozing. The pup then snaps and savagely attacks and bites for a few minutes before suddenly stopping and looking sorry.
Every Golden Cocker Spaniel is different, and yours may or may not be aggressive. With plenty of socialization, Fido can become gentler and friendlier.
Playful
Your Golden Cocker Spaniel will be full of energy and love to goof around. From fetch, running, and swimming to obedience and agility games, this breed is happy to spend hours playing in the great outdoors.
Intelligent
The Golden Cocker Retriever is an intelligent breed. This trait is inherited from the Golden Retriever parent, which ranks fourth out of the ten smartest dog breeds. Your Cogol will need plenty of engaging games and activities with the family to keep the mind sharp and kick away boredom.
Do Golden Cocker Retrievers Shed? Grooming Tips For Golden Cocker Retriever Mixes
Golden Cocker Retrievers are moderate-maintenance dogs. Your pet will need regular grooming to stay in tip-top shape. Here’s how to meet your dog’s grooming needs.
Brush The Coat Daily
Golden Cocker Retrievers shed moderately and are therefore not hypoallergenic. Daily brushing will prevent matting and hair damage.
I also recommend getting a de-shedding tool to keep the shedding under control. My favorite is the Furminator Undercoat Tool.
The Furminator will trim your pet’s undercoat and remove loose dead hairs without bruising the skin or damaging the coat. The tool comes with an ergonomic handle for ease of use and a nifty release button to dispose of the cut hairs.
Provide Regular Baths
Bath your pooch using a high-quality shampoo every 6 to 8 weeks. An excellent choice is the Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo.
This gentle, soap-free shampoo does a really good job of brightening and whitening a dirty and dull coat. It is also gentle for sensitive skin and will leave Fido itch-free and smelling fresh.
Maintain Oral, Ear, And Nail Hygiene
Clean your dog’s ears at least once a week and after every swim to prevent infections.
In addition, it would be best if you also brushed Fido’s teeth once a day to avoid plaque and tartar build-up. Remember to add some dental additives to the water bowl for stronger, healthier teeth.
Lastly, your canine buddy might not always be up for it but try to trim those nails at least once every two weeks.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Golden Cocker Retriever Puppy? Golden Cocker Retriever puppies cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on the quality of the breeder. The price can be higher when you include medical expenses such as blood work, spaying, deworming, and insurance. Non-medical expenses such as food treats and toys also add to the cost of a Cogol.
Which Is Better Cocker Spaniel Or Golden Retriever? Both the Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel are excellent dogs. But, the Retriever is the ideal family pet. This dog is kinder, gentler, and more eager to please. Both are intelligent, but the Retriever is easier to train. Retrievers are also playful and should get along well with the kids and other pets.
Why Do Cocker Spaniels Stink? A Cocker Spaniel will smell if it has fallen sick. This breed is prone to skin and ear infections, causing a foul smell. Blocked anal glands are another reason why your dog can stink. Your Cocker will also smell if food and moisture accumulate around the lip folds, leading to a smelly mouth condition.
