Which is Better between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog.

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 Portuguese Water Dog.

Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

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

On the other hand, the Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Golden Cocker Retriever to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Golden Cocker Retriever Portuguese Water Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 24 inches 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Weight 30 to 45 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
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 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
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 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1870 $2860
Price Range $1500 – $2000 $2500 – $3300
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
    		•

    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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog

    Below is a list of where the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:

  • Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Portuguese Water Dogs adapt well to apartment living.
  • Golden Cocker Retrievers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Golden Cocker Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    • The Similarities Between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog

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

  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Portuguese Water Dog.

    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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Golden Cocker Retriever.

    Golden Cocker Retriever Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $1870 $2860
    Price Range $1500 to $2000 $2500 to $3300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Golden Cocker Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Golden Cocker Retriever puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs?

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Golden Cocker Retriever puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Golden Cocker Retrievers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Golden Cocker Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Cocker Retriever or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Golden Cocker Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    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.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Golden Cocker Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Cocker Retriever vs. Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Cocker Retrievers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Golden Cocker Retrievers and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Golden Cocker Retriever Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Golden Cocker Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very good for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK 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 Portuguese Water Dog vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Field Spaniel.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Cocker Retriever versus Kooikerhondje     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Standard Schnauzer     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Australian Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Harrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Scottish Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Norwich Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Havanese     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Swedish Vallhund     Golden Cocker Retriever versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Vizsla     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Pointer     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Samoyed     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Black Russian Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Canaan Dog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Papillon     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Bich Poo     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Saint Bernard     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Australian Cattle Dog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Miniature Pinscher     Golden Cocker Retriever versus English Cocker Spaniel     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Black Mouth Cur     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Black Russian Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Stabyhoun     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Frenchton     Portuguese Water Dog versus French Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Great Dane     Portuguese Water Dog versus Rottweiler     Portuguese Water Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     Portuguese Water Dog versus Berger Picard     Portuguese Water Dog versus Italian Greyhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Eskimo Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Kooikerhondje     Portuguese Water Dog versus Vizsla     Portuguese Water Dog versus Lakeland Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bernedoodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Portuguese Water Dog versus Lhasapoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Samoyed     Portuguese Water Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Portuguese Water Dog versus Cavachon     Portuguese Water Dog versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus French Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chi-Poo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Basenji     Portuguese Water Dog versus Saint Berdoodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.