Golden Cocker Retriever: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

Are you looking for an active dog that is sweet-natured, good with kids, and loves to be included in all family activities? If so, the Golden Cocker Retriever may be the right pet for you. This playful and highly intelligent breed comes from Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel parents, and they inherited the best qualities from each one.

Even if you are a first-time owner, this will make a great companion as long as you don’t mind having a canine in toe during most outings. They are gentle, sensitive, but very active. They are also great with kids and other dogs. Their basic care is unexceptional, but there are some facts you should know before you make any final decisions.

In the article below, we will go over all the aspects of this designer breed so you will know whether they are the right pup for you and your family. We will share all you need to know about their grooming care, diet, exercise needs, and adorable puppy ears. If you are ready to learn more, keep reading!

 

Golden Cocker Retriever Puppies

If you have never met a Golden Cocker Retriever puppy, you will quickly see how they can melt anyone’s heart. The fuzzy, playful, and affectionate hybrid has a silly and active disposition. As a mixed breed, this pup comes from Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel parents. Their origins are unknown, but it is believed they came into existence in the last two decades. This makes them a new designer breed, so the information on them is very limited.

However, you can learn a lot about this breed through their parents. For example, the Golden Retriever originated in Scotland and is known for their high intelligence and agility. The Cocker Spaniel hails from Spain, and they were bred as hunting dogs. Both breeds are intelligent and friendly and make great companions.

The Golden Cocker Retriever has traits from both sides. Also known as the Dakota Sport Retriever or Cogol, this puppy has cute antics in spades. Like most young dogs, they are full of mischief and curiosity about the world around them.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Golden Cocker Retriever

1. It’s a Relatively New Breed.

As mentioned, the Golden Cocker Retriever is a new designer breed. Designer breeds became popular around the 1990s, so anything newer is considered young in the canine community.

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2. They Have Startling Ancestors.

The Cogol’s Cocker Spaniel parents were bred to be hunting dogs, but they excelled at startling waterfowl out of bushes and trees. They became a popular breed among nobility and hunters for this reason.

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3. Some of Their Facial Features Are Consistent Even if Their Coloring Is Different.

The Golden Cocker Retriever has brown eyes and a black nose. They are also limited in their fur color. As it currently stands, they are either black or brown.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Golden Cocker Retriever 🧠

This designer breed is a very intelligent and high-energy pup that is sweet, playful, and alert. They are very affectionate and love to be part of the family. Due to the Cogol’s high activity level, they are not recommended for apartment living. They need more space to stretch their legs and play. They enjoy games, agility courses, and other tasks.

The Golden Cocker Retriever is alert but also docile. They will sound an alarm if there is anything suspicious going on, but they are not aggressive and unlikely to bite. As they are easy-going without any bossiness, they are ideal for first-time owners.

As a family orientated pup, the Cogol does not appreciate being left alone. They want to be included in all family activities, whether going for a jog, heading to the post office, watching TV, or taking a shower. They will be happy to hop right in there with you! This will require a considerable amount of your time. This pup has a needy streak, and they need a lot of attention.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

It is pretty clear how the Golden Cocker Retriever feels about family! They are comfortable with boisterous people and are also great for kids of all ages. They love the exuberance of children, and they will be ready to get down and dirty with them in the backyard.

Due to their sensitive and sweet disposition, the Cogol is better at handling small kids than most canines. As they are devoted to their family, they will quickly take on the persona of a parent and follow behind the kids. They have even been known to whine when they know the child is doing something or going somewhere they shouldn’t.

This breed is also a good companion for a single-person home. Under these circumstances, it is better if you work from home or can take your pup with you. They are not going to tolerate long absences well.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Cogol is a social animal that does well with other pets in the home. They are also likely to make friends at the local dog park. On the other hand, they have an alertness that simmers right below the radar. They are quick to recognize someone who is angry or an aggressive dog. Although they are not aggressive themselves, they can be protective of you.

Something else to note is their hunting ancestors. Their prey drive is not overly high, but they might engage in a small animal chase from time to time. As with most canines, socializing your Golden Cocker Retriever when they are puppies is essential to their well-rounded adult personality. This is typically not difficult since their friendly nature will take over.

 

Things to Know When Owning a Golden Cocker Retriever

Now that you know how sweet and loving these dogs can be, you may already be out the door with car keys in hand. Before you hit the gas pedal, however, there are still a few other aspects of the Cogol you should be aware of before adopting this designer dog. Not to worry, we have filled in the blanks on their general care requirements below.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

This playful pup can eat up to four cups of dry food per day. The meals are best broken up between morning and night and can consist of whatever recipe tempts your pet’s palette. However, an energetic canine should be fed a balanced diet that promotes their lifestyle.

Their dog food should have plenty of protein to support their muscles, fat to keep their energy high, and fiber to help their digestion. They should also be given food that has antioxidants, probiotics, omega fatty acids, and other vitamins and minerals. You should aim for all-natural meals with fewer carbohydrates, sugar, salt, and artificial ingredients.

When picking out their snacks, you should go for products that are nutritious and healthy. Your Cogol should not be given table scraps, but you can supplement their meals with good treats. Not only do they thoroughly enjoy them, but they help with training and will create a bond between the two of you.

Your pet’s diet will also change as they age. You should speak to your vet about the best diet for your dog’s age, weight, and health. They may recommend specific brands or formulas that will promote the overall well-being of your Golden Cocker Retriever.

Exercise 🐕

When you adopt a Golden Cocker Retriever, you will have a very active pup on your hands. They will need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily that you can break up into two 30-minute sessions. The Cogol is a great companion if you are a walker, jogger, or runner. They also will follow you on bike rides, and they love to swim. Either way, they will need to get the excess energy out to be content.

Besides the daily exercise, this pup also benefits from playtime, which they should also get plenty of each day. Games such as fetch, tug of war, and chase are great favorites. Tricks, training, and agility courses are also ideal. As they are very intelligent, they do well with mental stimulation.

One thing you should avoid, however, is leaving your pet alone in the backyard for a long time. As we mentioned, they don’t do well on their own and would prefer to be sitting next to you wherever you may be. They can become bored, sad, and destructive if they do not have the proper exercise.

Training 🦮

Training the Golden Cocker Retriever is best done when they are puppies. Lessons in obedience, behavior, and potty training are essential. Exposing your pup to different places, smells, and people is also important. The Cogol is very sensitive and aware of their surroundings. They can easily become depressed or saddened if the atmosphere is tense.

However, they pick up on training lessons quickly. They are very intelligent and ready to please. Positive reinforcement is typically all that is needed to show them the way. You will also want to find a consistent schedule for lessons. You can add them to your Golden Cocker Retriever’s playtime. This dog does well with repetition in conjunction with treats and praise.

As part of their training, you also want to get your pet used to grooming activities. They have a higher-than-average grooming schedule, so getting them used to grooming will make things easier as they grow.

Grooming ✂️

Due to their long, soft, and dense fur coats, they will need to be consistently taken care of by brushing and bathing. They have a moderate level of shedding and a tendency to get tangles, so brushing them with a firm bristle brush daily is essential.

It is also recommended that they have a bath every 6 to 8 weeks, and it is also recommended that they have professional grooming done every 4 to 6 weeks. Bathing a pup with this amount of fur can be difficult. The Cogol is not a fan of the cold, so it’s imperative they are not only washed carefully but fully dried, as well.

Bathing them is also crucial for their fur’s shine and softness. It will keep them clean down to the skin, and because the fur is prone to damage, it helps protect the hair follicles. Beyond that, their care is pretty basic. You will need to clean their ears weekly, checking for mites and wax. Their teeth should also be brushed daily or as often as possible.

Lastly, you will need to file their nails and check their paw pads for cracking and irritation. The Cogol can experience issues with their paws, so you should monitor them to catch an issue before it gets to a painful level. Filing their nails can be done on an as-needed basis. As a general rule, if you can hear them clicking on solid floors, the nails are too long.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Mixed breeds are notably healthier than their purebred parents, but there is always a chance that they might develop health issues that their ancestors may have had. Below, we have outlined major and minor conditions your Golden Cocker Retriever could have throughout their lifetime.

 

Final Thoughts

If you have an active family where someone is always ready for an outside adventure, the Golden Cocker Retriever is a good pet for you. They are sweet, playful, active, and loving. This pup is happy to be part of the family, but they need a lot of exercise and attention. If you are ready to devote the time to this breed, the Cogol will make a wonderful pet.

As far as their care, they are easy to train and have few diet restrictions. Their grooming takes effort, but they are a dream to train and socialize. Overall, you will have an intelligent, happy, and affectionate pal who will be your friend forever if you adopt a Golden Cocker Retriever.

See also:

• Mini English Cocker (Dachshund & Cocker Spaniel Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
• Harrier | Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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Featured Image Credit: fototxo0, Pixabay