Golden Cocker Retriever

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-15 years
The Golden Cocker Retriever is a hybrid breed of the Cocker Spaniel and the Golden Retriever. Both breeds are loving and known to be great companions, which means you will have a well-mannered and even-tempered pup on your hands.

This breed is considered to be healthy for the most part, but poor breeding practices can lead to trouble and complications. Some health concerns you need to keep your eye out for include OCD, cancer, bloat, epilepsy, AIHA, joint dysplasia, patellar luxation, and hypothyroidism.

OCD, or osteochondritis dissecans, is a disease that affects the cartilage in your pup. This disease will cause the joints to become sore and you may notice that your pup is unable to move around as easily as before. This condition is common in retrievers.

Cancer is always a concern in any dog, but your Golden Cocker Retriever may be predisposed to it. You should work with your veterinarian to ensure that the proper screenings are done to monitor for any cancerous cells in the body.

Bloat is a fatal condition when it is not treated promptly. This condition occurs when there is too much air in your pup’s stomach. This causes the stomach to expand and leads to pressure placed on other organs. The additional pressure does not allow your pup’s organs to work correctly and may block blood flow.

Epilepsy or seizures can occur in your Golden Cocker Retriever. This condition often does not appear until your pup is about two years old, but it can be first seen at six months of age. Seizures range in severity and are often accompanied by a loss of consciousness, convulsions, and sometimes foaming at the mouth.

AIHA or autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a disease that affects the immune system in your Golden Cocker Retriever. This condition attacks and eradicates the red blood cells in your pup’s body.

Joint dysplasia is a term that describes both hip and elbow dysplasia. This condition occurs when the joint does not fit properly into the socket, or there is a deformation of the joint. Dysplasia causes pain and can lead to arthritis.

Patellar luxation is best described as a loose knee or dislocated knee. Your pup may be more likely to dislocate their knee if there are any development or growth issues in the knee area. If your pup has a luxation, he or she will often hold his or her leg elevated in the air and may have trouble walking.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid is unable to function properly. This can lead to trouble with your pup gaining weight or your pup may become obese.

The Golden Cocker Retriever has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Golden Cocker Retriever is considered to be an intelligent pup that likes to explore and be independent. You will find that your pup is loving and comes to you for a cuddle or two during the day. Many Golden Cocker Retrievers will be close to their human companion and will form a bond that is very strong.

This breed is sociable and is not aggressive, so you can expect your pup to get along with other animals and also children. In fact, your Golden Cocker Retriever will be gentle with young children and play with them day in and out.

Exercise is essential for your pup and should be part of your pup’s daily routine. Your Golden Cocker Retriever will enjoy a game of fetch, jumping into the water for a swim, and running around with enthusiasm. You should walk your pup at least once per day, twice if possible.

The Golden Cocker Retriever has a willingness to please you as his or her owner, so that means training is simple and easy. You should not run into any problems with training and you will find that your pup is happy to listen to you.

Grooming

You will find that your Golden Cocker Retriever sheds a minimal amount and not nearly as much as its parent breed the Golden Retriever. You will need to brush your pup a few times per week to ensure that any loose hairs are removed and that tangles and mats are kept away.

You do not need to bathe your pup on a regular basis and only need to bathe him or her when he or she does not smell good or is dirty. You will often find that a dry bath or even a wipe down with a damp cloth will do the trick.

You should clean your pup’s ears once per week with a cotton ball and cleansing solution. You should avoid placing anything into your pup’s ears to clean them, as this can unwillingly cause injury. You should only clean the outer portion of the ear.

Lastly, you should trim your pup’s nails once per month to ensure that they do not grow too long. Overgrowth of the nails is painful and can lead to splitting or breaking.

Diet

Your pup will consume anywhere between 2.5 cups to 3 cups of dry food per day. You should feed your Golden Cocker Retriever a healthy, dry kibble that is made with all natural ingredients and not fillers.
 

Find A Golden Cocker Retriever Breeder

Golden Cocker Retriever Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Golden Cocker Retriever

Cost

A Golden Cocker Retriever puppy will cost you anywhere between $500 and $1,100. The price of your pup will depend on the breeder you choose, but always make sure to inspect your pup and check his or her health records before you make the purchase.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Golden Cocker Retriever is a friendly and affectionate pup that feeds on the attention from his or her companion. This breed gets along well with children and other pets. You will find that your pup enjoys being active and he or she will enjoy jumping in the water for a swim and running around in the backyard. You will find that training is easy and your pup does not provide you with any problems when you do give him or her commands. This breed makes a wonderful pup for your home and will integrate quickly and easily into your family. This breed ranks a 1.

 

Golden Retriever

Cocker Spaniel

Boykin Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel