Which is Better between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever? A Very Detailed Review.

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Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Golden Cocker Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Golden Cocker Retriever

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Overview

Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are similar in size. The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Golden Cocker Retriever belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Golden Cocker Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Curly-Coated Retriever Golden Cocker Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 20 to 24 inches
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 65 to 100 pounds 30 to 45 pounds
Life Span 9 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1870
Temperament Score 91.7 percent No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Golden Cocker Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Golden Cocker Retriever is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Golden Cocker Retriever is a better pet than the Curly-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Golden Cocker Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are most different:

  • Curly-Coated Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Golden Cocker Retrievers are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Golden Cocker Retrievers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    • The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever

    The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Golden Cocker Retrievers weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Golden Cocker Retrievers are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Golden Cocker Retriever

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Golden Cocker Retriever

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Irish Setter.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Golden Cocker Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Golden Cocker Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Golden Cocker Retriever:

  • Dalmatian (80 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Field Spaniel.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Golden Cocker Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Golden Cocker Retriever to other breeds:

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sloughi     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Chow Chow     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bearded Collie     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Biewer Terrier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Manchester Terrier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Giant Schnauzer     Curly-Coated Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bulldog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier     

    Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Cocker Retriever versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Dogo Argentino     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Puggle     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Mal Shi     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Yorkshire Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Coton de Tulear     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Cairn Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Leonberger     

    Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever better suits you and your family.