Breed Comparison: Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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 Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Golden Cocker Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

A very important difference between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Golden Cocker Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Golden Cocker Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Golden Cocker Retriever to the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Golden Cocker Retriever Rhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 20 to 24 inches 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Weight 30 to 45 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
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 11.0 years
Average Price $1870 $1620
Price Range $1500 – $2000 $1250 – $1900
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    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 Rhodesian Ridgeback. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Golden Cocker Retriever is a better pet than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. 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 Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Below is a list of where the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:

  • Golden Cocker Retrievers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    • The Similarities Between the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Cocker Retriever and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    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, Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    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 Rhodesian Ridgebacks is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is 11.0 years.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Golden Cocker Retriever versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    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 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is $1620. The price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback typically ranges from $1250 – $1900. However, the price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback can be as low as $500 and as high as $2850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 175 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Golden Cocker Retriever is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Golden Cocker Retriever Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $1870 $1620
    Price Range $1500 to $2000 $1250 to $1900

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Golden Cocker Retriever and Rhodesian Ridgeback. For different price points, the charts show how many Golden Cocker Retriever puppies or how many Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Golden Cocker Retrievers shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Golden Cocker Retriever or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks 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.

    Do Golden Cocker Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Cocker Retriever vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Cocker Retrievers good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Golden Cocker Retrievers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Golden Cocker Retriever Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Golden Cocker Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very good for new dog owners.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Golden Cocker Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Field Spaniel.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Black Mouth Cur (79 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Golden Cocker Retriever vs Bracco Italiano.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Golden Cocker Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Miniature Poodle     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Biewer Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Goldador     Golden Cocker Retriever versus French Spaniel     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Norwich Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Tibetan Mastiff     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Cocker Spaniel     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Bernedoodle     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Chow Chow     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Dachshund     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Schipperke     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Papipoo     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Briard     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Mountain Cur     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Valley Bulldog     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Beaglier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Tibetan Terrier     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Shichon     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Lowchen     Golden Cocker Retriever versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Portuguese Pointer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Affenpinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Border Collie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Yorkipoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dutch Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Gordon Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Goldador     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus English Springer Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Akita     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dutch Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Kooikerhondje     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Standard Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Brussels Griffon     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boston Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Golden Cocker Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.