Which is Better between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle? A Very Detailed Review.

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Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Goldendoodle: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle 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 Golden Cocker Retriever and for the Goldendoodle. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle.

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

Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldendoodle: Overview

A very important difference between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Golden Cocker Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Goldendoodle is a large-sized dog.

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

On the other hand, the Goldendoodle belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldendoodle: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Golden Cocker Retriever to the Goldendoodle 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle

Factor Golden Cocker Retriever Goldendoodle
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 24 inches 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Weight 30 to 45 pounds 50 to 90 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1870 $2170
Price Range $1500 – $2000 $1500 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Golden Cocker 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 Goldendoodle. 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 the Golden Cocker Retriever is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Goldendoodle is 90 out of 125.

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

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 Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

The Similarities Between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle

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

  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle 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 Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very easy to train.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldendoodle

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Golden Cocker Retrievers are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Goldendoodles weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Goldendoodles are 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldendoodle

    The lifespan of Golden Cocker Retrievers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Golden Cocker Retrievers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Goldendoodles is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Goldendoodles is 12.5 years.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers live longer than Goldendoodles.

    Price of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Price of Goldendoodle

    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 reviewing the prices of 40 Golden Cocker Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Goldendoodle puppy is $2170. The price of the Goldendoodle typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Goldendoodle can be as low as $300 and as high as $32500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4239 Goldendoodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Goldendoodle is more expensive than the Golden Cocker Retriever.

    Golden Cocker Retriever Goldendoodle
    Average Price $1870 $2170
    Price Range $1500 to $2000 $1500 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Cocker Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Cocker Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Goldendoodles?

    A breakdown of the prices of Goldendoodles?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Golden Cocker Retriever puppy or the Goldendoodle 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldendoodle

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Goldendoodles can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Golden Cocker Retrievers shed more than Goldendoodles?

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

    Goldendoodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Golden Cocker Retriever or the Goldendoodle

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

    Goldendoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Cocker Retriever or the Goldendoodle?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Goldendoodles are very easy to groom.

    Does the Golden Cocker Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Goldendoodle?

    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.

    Goldendoodles 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.

    Do Golden Cocker Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Goldendoodles?

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

    Goldendoodles bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Goldendoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Goldendoodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Cocker Retriever vs. Goldendoodle

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

    Goldendoodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Goldendoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Goldendoodles can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Goldendoodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Cocker Retrievers good family dogs? What about Goldendoodles?

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

    Goldendoodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Golden Cocker Retrievers and Goldendoodles?

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

    Goldendoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Golden Cocker Retriever Easier to Train than the Goldendoodle?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Goldendoodles are very easy to train.

    Is the Golden Cocker Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Goldendoodle?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Goldendoodles do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Golden Cocker Retriever or the Goldendoodle?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very good for new dog owners.

    Goldendoodles are very good for new dog owners.

    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 Goldendoodle vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Goldendoodle vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Goldendoodle vs Field Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Goldendoodle

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Goldendoodle 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 Goldendoodle:

  • Labradoodle (78 percent match with Goldendoodle). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Labradoodle.
  • French Spaniel (77 percent match with Goldendoodle). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Cocker Retriever versus Black Russian Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Labradoodle     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Plott     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Shiranian     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Chi-Poo     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Chow Chow     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Australian Kelpie     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Schipperke     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Kuvasz     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Lowchen     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Cesky Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Italian Greyhound     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Cavapoo     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Biewer Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Bich Poo     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Irish Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus American Water Spaniel     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Bulldog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Norwegian Buhund     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Stabyhoun     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Tibetan Spaniel     

    Goldendoodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Goldendoodle versus Shiranian     Goldendoodle versus Pekingese     Goldendoodle versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Goldendoodle versus Dogo Argentino     Goldendoodle versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Goldendoodle versus Lhasa Apso     Goldendoodle versus Newfoundland     Goldendoodle versus Skye Terrier     Goldendoodle versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Goldendoodle versus Schipperke     Goldendoodle versus Australian Kelpie     Goldendoodle versus Bloodhound     Goldendoodle versus Aussiedoodle     Goldendoodle versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Goldendoodle versus Dachshund     Goldendoodle versus Dutch Shepherd     Goldendoodle versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Goldendoodle versus Boerboel     Goldendoodle versus Welsh Terrier     Goldendoodle versus Manchester Terrier     Goldendoodle versus Cocker Spaniel     Goldendoodle versus West Highland White Terrier     Goldendoodle versus Barbet     Goldendoodle versus Jack Russell Terrier     Goldendoodle versus Lhasa Apso     

    Conclusion: Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldendoodle. 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 Golden Cocker Retriever and the Goldendoodle better suits you and your family.