Golden Cocker Retriever: Is the “Forever Puppy” Actually Real?

Last Updated on April 26, 2023

Known by different names – Golden Cocker Retriever, English Comfort Golden, Dakota Sport Retriever, or simply Cogol, this hybrid is a mix of the Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever.

Having famous parents, it’s easy to see why this designer dog’s fame is also on the rise.

If you’re interested to know why everyone’s going crazy about The Forever Puppy, stay with us and keep reading!

What is a Golden Cocker Retriever?

The Cogol is relatively new to the canine world, and as we mentioned earlier, it’s the crossbreed offspring of the Golden Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel.

Aside from being part of the AKC’s Sporting Group, getting a glimpse of what the purebred folks are like in terms of looks and personality will help us learn better about the Cogol.

The devoted and friendly Golden Retriever

Endearingly called Goldie or Golden, this type of Retriever was initially bred as a gun dog in the UK. Although they’re the third most popular household canine worldwide, this breed is actually split into two lines – as hunting companions and as pets or dog shows.

One of the distinct characteristics of the hunting Golden Retriever is having a darker and shorter coat.

The average size of full-grown Goldens has a height of 21 to 24 inches (53 to 61 cm) and a weight of 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kg). They’re recognized for their golden, silky locks, and a kind expression that would make them irresistible to pet and cuddle.

Golden Retrievers are not only friendly but also intelligent. They may be the classic family dog and are a great choice for a canine friend if you have kids, yet if you tap into their gun dog instinct, they’d enjoy and excel chasing tennis balls and frisbees.

The doll-eyed Cocker Spaniel

Cockers are often seen in dog shows with their luscious hair and big doggy eyes giving everyone a taste of their sweet expression. They’re loved for their whimsical look with their floppy ears and fur that flows whenever they run.

They may look like models with hair that you don’t want to mess up, but they literally demand to be touched!

With a height of only 13.5 to 15.5 inches (34 to 39 cm) and weighing about 20 to 30 pounds (3 to 13.5 kg), this breed is AKC’s smallest spaniel.

Aside from being mischievous and using their dreamy eyes to get away with anything, Cocker Spaniels are active, alert, and intelligent. They’re also gentle and happy little doggos.

You may be asking, is it the American Cocker Spaniel or the English Cocker Spaniel included in the mix?

Just like Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels have two distinct lines: the show line and the field line.

In the US, Cockers that are bred as pets or for conformation events are referred to as American Cocker Spaniels. Those that are bred to continue their hunting roots in the UK are called the English Cocker Spaniel.

Does the AKC recognize the Golden Cocker Retriever?

The American Kennel Club does not recognize crossbreeds, but the American Canine Hybrid Club does.

The first Comfort Retriever (the original name of this mix) originated in 2003. By 2009, the International Canine Designer Registry recognized the breed and has changed its name to English Comfort Golden or Dakota Sport Retriever to avoid misuse.

What does the Golden Retriever & Cocker Spaniel mix look like?

Before we describe this pooch, keep in mind that the physical features of mixed breeds can vary, and it’s not always half Golden Retriever and half Cocker Spaniel. And not one puppy is the same as its littermates.

Ideally, the aim attributes of the Cocker Spaniel-Golden Retriever cross is a medium-length coat, floppy ears, and a smaller build than Goldies.

Before we continue, here’s a quick video to give you an idea of what a Golden Cocker Retriever can look like:

Most of the time, this hybrid looks like a mini Golden Retriever, but it has a broader head compared to the Cocker Spaniel. They have deep-set eyes that are slightly almond-shaped that can either be shades of brown, green, blue, or particolored. Their ears are quite longer than Goldens, and they touch the cheeks.

Golden Cocker Retrievers can have a tail that’s curved, long, and points upwards. Some of them can have tufts of hair between their toes.

Unpredictability is a package deal when you get a crossbreed as a canine friend. So, if you prefer knowing what your pup will exactly turn out, this may not be the breed for you.

Size: Why are Golden Cocker Retrievers called The Forever Puppy?

There’s been word going around that this designer dog is described as a “Forever Puppy,” claiming that it will remain as a Golden Retriever pup in appearance. While this is true for some of them, not every dog will grow or stay the same.

Generally, the Golden Cocker Retriever can grow anywhere between 13.5 to 24 inches (31 to 61 cm) in height. For weight, it can be as low as 25 pounds (11 kg) or as heavy as 70 pounds (32 kg). Most of them will fall in the middle of those numbers, which is around 30 to 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg).

They may be little, but the exercise requirement of the Golden Cocker makes them suitable for homes with a big yard or somewhere in the country. They can be okay with apartments, too. Just make sure that it’s not too crowded, and you let your dog work out every day.

How about a toy or mini version of the Golden Cocker Retriever?

As the “Forever Puppy” is a subjective and relative term, there are ways to get this mixed breed that will be small for the duration of its life.

We mentioned the miniature Golden Retriever, right? Now, cross that with the Cocker Spaniel, and you’ll get a mini Golden Cocker Retriever. If you’re wondering how mini Goldies are made, they have a Golden and a toy/mini Poodle for parents.

Another way to produce a smaller Golden Retriever-Cocker Spaniel crossbreed is unnatural and unacceptable.

Did you know that some fidos that look so small and really cute are lab-made? They suffer from a skeletal defect called dwarfism. What most people don’t know is it’s actually causing them discomfort, a lot of pain, and they’ll be dealing with health problems throughout their lives.

You might want to consider this factor whenever you’re tempted to buy miniature and teacup versions of dog breeds.

Coat and colors of the Cocker Spaniel-Golden Retriever cross

Your four-legged friend can have a very long fur like the Cocker, or quite short like the Goldie. But you can be sure that it’s smooth and silky, which is seen in both purebred parents.

They have a water-resistant hair, with the undercoat helping them keep warm.

We can’t expect all the Cocker Spaniel & Golden Retriever mix to have a gold coat, because Cockers come in a variety of colors. This one parent is seen in black, white, tan and white, black and tan, red, blue, chocolate, parti-color, roan, and merle.

This designer dog is not hypoallergenic. Cocker Retriever Spaniels are moderate to heavy shedders throughout the year.

So, with all that variation, the appeal with this crossbreed is a unique mystery pup.

What it’s like to have a Golden Cocker Retriever as a pet?

Taking clues from its parental breeds, this canine us also happy, sweet, playful, active, and intelligent. And you got it right! These are traits that will make them a great family pet, even those with children!

Not only that, but they also interact well with other fellow dogs and can serve as an excellent watchdog.

We want to emphasize the hunting background of the Cogol’s parents, so it’s no wonder that they get to inherit their strong prey drive. If you have cats, rodents, birds, or any other small pet, we don’t recommend you to get this furball.

And just like its folks, this fido is not known for being aggressive. Still, all dogs, no matter the size or shape, is capable of nipping or biting whenever they’re in situations that are unfamiliar or makes them nervous.

What you can do if you’re visiting someone who has other pets is put a muzzle on her, which is a solution that most owners do. Other than that, socialization and training is the answer.

Speaking of trainability, it’s not going to be a problem with the Cocker Spaniel & Golden Retriever mix because they’re keen to please. During training, always keep in mind that this pooch is sensitive, so be assertive without doing anything negative as your dog will get hurt easily.

Just be prepared for an energetic pup and train her as early as possible.

Cocker Retriever Spaniels may differ slightly from their parents’ personalities, but even purebreds can have a behavior that’s way off the norm.

Care requirements for Dakota Sport Retrievers

As one of those breeds that serve as the people’s dog, you definitely don’t have to be an experienced owner to get this hybrid as a pet.

The one thing that would probably need your time is grooming, as this fido is high maintenance when it comes to their hair.

Get ready for grooming

With long, luscious coats, you might have been ready for this. Owning a Golden Cocker Retriever means you’re up for brushing its fur once to thrice a week, bathing every six to eight weeks, and bring her to the professional groomer twice a year.

Looking at the Goldens and Cockers grooming needs, they also have coats that can’t be left unattended for long. They have ears, chest hair, and trousers that can easily become tangled and matted. So these are the parts that you’d have to pay attention to daily.

If your Dakota Sport Retriever inherited the Cocker Spaniel’s hair, then you can get a few home grooming tips in this video:

Other weekly tasks that fall under this category are wiping and cleaning the ears (especially after taking a bath or a swim), clipping your pet’s nails, and brushing her teeth. If she’s on a wet food diet, then dental care should be done daily.

Do they have special dietary needs?

No, they don’t. Dry kibbles, wet food, and raw diet – each type of dog food have their own advantage and disadvantages.

The factors that you have to consider when figuring out how much to feed your dog is her age, size, activity level, and on some occasion, health.

In general, it’s best to feed your Golden Cocker Retriever dry kibbles that are made for medium- to large-sized dogs. The texture of this type of dog food help scrape the tartar off your fur baby’s teeth, which is healthy and means it can somewhat minimize the need for brushing their teeth.

What most owners do is look at the back of the dog food bag for the serving suggestion. There is a better way than feeding your canine friend based on the number of cups. Some may say that the Golden Retriever-Cocker Spaniel cross need about 2 cups of kibbles. But it’s way better to provide the daily calories that your pet actually requires.

For this crossbreed, they should be fed 1,000 calories a day and should contain about 13% fat and 25% protein.

Exercise to avoid obesity and other health issues

We stated earlier that this is an energetic breed, just like the Goldie and Cocker Spaniel. That’s why a fenced backyard (playpen for pups) is a necessity that will guarantee some work out for your dog while keeping her from wandering off.

That is not enough, though. Make sure you set aside 45 to 60 minutes of your day to take your Cocker Retriever out for a walk, a jog, or a hike. There are times that they would need two sessions of exercise to avoid pent up energy.

While indoors or if you can’t take her out due to bad weather, simple games like fetch can work. Once the sun is out, treat your doggo for undertaking activities such as trekking that will make her satisfied. Not just because of the change of scenery and new scents, but also you took the time to bond with her.

As they say, a tired dog is a happy dog. You’re doing your responsibility by making sure she stays in shape, and it will also keep undesirable behavior at bay.

Health problems that a Golden Cocker Retriever might have

It’s fairly common to hear the term hybrid vigor connected to mixed breeds, which means they tend to have longer lifespans compared to their purebred progenitors. Despite that, it’s still possible for these canines to develop genetic ailments.

You also have to consider the generations of inbreeding that makes crossbreeds vulnerable to a few illnesses.

Goldens and Cockers are popular breeds, but not without their own quirks that they can pass on to the Golden Retriever & Cocker Spaniel mix.

Both parent breeds can suffer from seizures that are associated with hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as epilepsy.

Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to hypothyroidism and mast cell tumors.

Cocker Spaniels have more health concerns like glaucoma, cataracts, seborrhea (skin disease), liver disease, and congestive heart failure.

These are for precautions as your Dakota Sport Retriever may or may not inherit these conditions.

Aside from the usual role of owners – feeding, grooming, exercise, you can get a puppy that’s from a line of Goldies and Cockers who reached old age. Not the females, though! Older female dogs aren’t supposed to be used for breeding.

You should also only purchase puppies from breeders who always prioritize the health welfare of their breeding stock and their litters. This can be challenging, but with proper documentation and medical records of the dogs, plus a good pedigree line, you can take those as good signs.

For life expectancy, both the Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel live good and long lives. So, we can expect the same thing for their mixed-breed descendant with a general lifespan of at least ten years.

Buying a Golden Cocker Retriever puppy

The price of a Cocker Spaniel-Golden Retriever crossbreed can be influenced by factors like the breeder’s or kennel’s location, the pedigree of the puppies, training, and in some cases, travel cost.

For a Golden Cocker Retriever puppy, expect to pay anywhere between $500 to $2,000.

It will all be worth it if you know you’re purchasing your new family member from a reputable breeder who welcomes questions and ask important ones in return. He or she should also allow you to visit the dogs and their home, as well as encourage you to observe and get to know the parents and their puppies.

Responsible breeders also have a history of vet visits, genetic tests, and health guarantee.

Golden Retriever & Cocker Spaniel mix breeders

If you feel like you’re ready to take a look at a few pups, you can start browsing online by visiting the website of Dakota Winds Ranch that’s located in Madisonville, TN. There’s also Taylormade Mini Goldens that’s in Eagle Mountain, UT.

For now, they’re the only kennels that have a Goldie and Cocker mix. But, there’s no harm in checking out the Golden Cocker Retrievers available on PuppyFind.

Dakota Sport Retrievers for adoption or rescue

Choosing to adopt a dog is a noble act. It’s also easy on the pocket as they’re usually around $300. You might be interested in giving an older fur angel, and other Golden Retriever or Cocker Spaniel mix another chance to be loved and have a new home.

• Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue (Capon Bridge, WV)
• Oldies but Goodies Cocker Rescue (DC, MD, and VA)
• Retriever Rescue of Colorado (Evergreen, CO)

Goldendoodle vs. Golden Cocker Retriever

The Golden Retriever/Cocker Spaniel cross is either compared to or mistaken as the Golden Retriever & Poodle mix. Some are just curious about what is this designer breed’s connection or relationship with the Goldendoodle. They’re two different crossbreeds.

One similarity is that the mini Golden Retriever can be a mix of a Golden Retriever with a Poodle or a Cocker Spaniel.

Comparing their size, the Cogol can be a little taller, as Goldendoodles have a maximum height of 20 inches (50 cm) and can weigh 50 to 90 pounds (22 to 40 kg). If there are more Cocker genes in the Cogol mix, then they can be smaller than a Goldendoodle.

This Poodle mix has a curlier coat and has a better chance of being hypoallergenic. It makes the Goldie-Poodle cross a better option for those who have allergies or would prefer minimal fur around their house.

Pros & Cons of the Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel mix

You shouldn’t get the Dakota Sport Retriever if you spend most of your time away from home as they are prone to getting separation anxiety. It’s a breed that’s suitable for paw parents looking for an active canine buddy who enjoys spending time outdoors.

And since they’re moderate to heavy shedders, they’re high maintenance and need frequent brushing. With that said, it’s also not for those who have allergies.

If you have no problem with dander and enjoy being on the move, the Cogol is an excellent family dog that is trainable, loving, happy, and polite.

We encourage you to get this hybrid if you’re not focusing on the “Forever Puppy” tagging that this pooch has. It’s the perfect match if it’s more about what you can offer as a family and give the love it deserves throughout its life.

Share with us your opinion about the Golden Cocker Retriever. Better yet, if you have this doggo, tell our fellow dog lovers what they’re like!