Cogol Basics
The outgoing Cogol brings together the sweet, gentle nature of the Golden Retriever and the loyal, sensitive personality of the Cocker Spaniel for a sweet family dog who is loyal and loving to all he meets. He gets along with kids, other pets and dogs as well as new faces – so not a nuisance barker and therefore not the best watchdog!
The outgoing Cogol is a fun-loving combination of gentle Golden Retriever and loyal Cocker Spaniel.
Origin
The Cogol is the offspring of a Golden Retriever (dates back to America in the mid- to late-1800s) and the Cocker Spaniel (dates back to the same period in the United Kingdom). While his history goes back over a century, the Cogol himself is much more recent and likely goes back just 30 years to when designer dogs first surfaced. Breeders were trying to develop dogs that were free of many of the health issues experienced by their pure-bred parents and sometimes smaller, gentler or hypo-allergenic.
Pedigree
While the Cogol does not qualify to join the American Kennel Club (AKC), both his parent breeds are long time members. The Golden Retriever joined the “sporting” group back in 1925 while the Cocker Spaniel became a member of the same group in 1946.
Food/Diet
The Cogol is a highly active dog and he will need a nutrient-rich kibble that matches his energy level and speaks to his size and age. Because this busy boy can run into joint issues later in life, its important his food not contain fillers that will cause him to want to overeat to feel full. Additionally, he should be fed smaller meals throughout the day versus be allowed to free feed.
The Cogol is an intelligent, people-pleasing dog who is quick to pick up and obey commands.
Training
The Cogol is an intelligent, people-pleasing dog who is quick to pick up and obey commands, making training fairly easy. Because he is a sporting dog with an instinct to hunt and chase, early socialization will be key to ensuring he knows how to play nice with others. As with any dog, a firm, consistent approach to training with rewards and praise for a job well done will go a long way in getting the results you’re looking for.
Weight
When grown, the Cogol typically weigh between 40 and 55 pounds.
Temperament/Behavior
This sweet-natured dog is a true family pet and thrives on human interaction. He is highly active and intelligent which means you’ll need to keep him mentally stimulated to avoid him adapting bad behaviors such as chewing. He’s a super friendly pooch who loves kids, other animals and new faces so he’s a great first-time dog for any pet parent. Because he has a strong instinct to chase, he’ll need to be socialized while young.
Common Health Problems
Your Cogol is typically a healthy dog however it’s always important to understand the health issues that often plague your new puppy’s parent breeds. For the Cogol, this includes joint issues including hip dysplasia as well as certain forms of cancer.
Life Expectancy
The typical Cogol has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Cogol is highly active and will need at least 1 hour of exercise daily to keep him physically fit, mentally stimulated and out of mischief. This can be done with one or multiple walks throughout the day. Failure to do so may result in him becoming prone to bad behaviors including chewing and barking. A tossed ball in a fenced yard will help tire him out as will regular visits to a dog park where he can socialize, run and play. Note that this dog can be prone to chasing small animals, so early socialization will be important.
The sweet-natured Cogol thrives on human interaction and loves to be kept busy.
Recognized Clubs
Also known as a Golden Cocker Spaniel and Golden Cocker Retriever, the Cogol isn’t eligible to join the American Kennel Club however he is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
The Cogol has the soft, longer coat of his parent breeds and you can expect him to inherit the heavy shedding characteristics of the Cocker Spaniel. Daily brushing is needed to keep his coat tangle free and fur from flying. Regular visits to a groomer may be required to keep his coat looking its best with bathing only as necessary. Because he is a floppy eared dog, it’s important ears be inspected and cleaned weekly to avoid potential infection. If he takes after his water-loving kin, be sure they are fully dried after each swim.
Puppies
The Cogol is a super active pup and in spite of you wanting to try to tire him out, it’s important exercise be moderated to ensure his tiny limbs aren’t injured. Joint issues later in life can be a problem and injury while young can compound it. This little guy is highly intelligent so begin him socialization and obedience training while he’s young – he’ll do great!
Photo credit: WilleeCole Photography/Shutterstock; sarahlaney/Shutterstock; Fasp333/Shutterstock
