Breed Comparison: Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Golden Cocker Retriever

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Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Golden Cocker Retriever

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Flat-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.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever Golden Cocker Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 20 to 24 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 30 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1350 $1870
Price Range $1150 – $1800 $1500 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever

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

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very playful.

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

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 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.

    Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Golden Cocker Retriever

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Golden Cocker Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Cocker Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2000. However, the price of a Golden Cocker Retriever can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3975. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 40 Golden Cocker Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Golden Cocker Retriever is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Golden Cocker Retriever
    Average Price $1350 $1870
    Price Range $1150 to $1800 $1500 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Golden Cocker Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Golden Cocker Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Cocker Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Cocker Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Golden Cocker Retriever puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

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

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

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

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

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

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to groom.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to train.

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

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

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

    Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and Golden Cocker Retrievers?

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

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

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

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Basenji     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Sloughi     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lhasa Apso     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chihuahua     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Great Dane     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Carolina Dog     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labrador Retriever     

    Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Cocker Retriever versus Greyhound     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Brittany     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Chow Chow     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Kai Ken     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Maltipoo     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Cairn Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Carolina Dog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Valley Bulldog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Papillon     

    Conclusion: Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Golden Cocker Retriever better suits you and your family.