A crossbreed dog means having parents that are two, or more different breeds. Take the famous Labradoodle, for example, this is a Labrador crossed with a Poodle.
It was in the 18th century that humans started deliberately producing crossbreeds. Their reason was for practical use, to utilize these breeds as working dogs.
Fast forward to now, the main reason why most households acquire a furry friend is for companionship.
In the late 20th century, the Poodle started being crossed with other breeds, coining the term “designer dogs”. Why the Poodle? The main cause for this and possibly still is, is the desirable trait the Poodle possesses; a low-shedding coat.
And so, the Poodle crossing journey continues…
Table of Contents
The History of the Parent Breeds
Let’s take a look at the Cockapoo and the Golden Retriever and see what may be the traits that are desired for the Golden Cockapoo cross.
Cockapoo Background
A crossbreed consisting of two different purebred parents; the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle.
The breed was first bred back in the 60s in the USA and is thought to be the very first Poodle cross, the original some might say!
We have a full section on Cockapoos with lots of different information about the cross.

Golden Retriever Background
Developed in Scotland in the 19th century, the Golden Retriever is a type of gun dog that assists hunters in retrieving game.
Not only is this breed popular as a companion dog, but it also ranks high as an assistance dog, a guide dog for example.

Why are Cockapoos and Golden Retrievers being crossed?
There is no existing evidence to suggest that this breed is being or has been produced on a scalable basis.
The Benefits of the Golden Cockapoo Cross
Combining these breeds may give you the Cockapoo’s sweet nature alongside the Golden Retriever’s easy trainability. What’s not to love here?
The Cons of the Golden Cockapoo Cross
This is subjective as it comes down to personal choice. For some people, aesthetics (a certain coat color or length) is more important than personality (active or loyal) and vice versa.
Researching breeds and asking questions is key, as well as thinking about your situation. You could start by asking yourself these simple questions; will a Golden Cockapoo breed fit in with my type of lifestyle? Can I give a Golden Cockapoobreed what it needs?
Is a Golden Cockapoo an Ethical Cross?
Putting the dog’s health first is paramount. If the welfare of the animal is compromised, it will then be deemed an unethical cross.
Veterinarians strongly advise against breeding if any of the parents have a condition in which their offspring may inherit, such as entropion (turned in eyelids). Those who go against such advice put the poor pups at risk.
What Can be Expected from a Golden Cockapoo?
Height & Weight
The table below summarises the characteristics of both these breeds.
Cockapoo | Golden Retriever | |
Height | 10” – 15” | 20” – 24” |
Weight | 5-29 kg | 25-34 kg |
Colour | Black, tan, red, cream | Golden, cream |
Coat | Short or long, straight or curly | Long, flat or wavy double coat |
The height and weight will also depend on whether the Cockapoo has been bred from a Toy, Miniature, or Standard Poodle.
Having a look at the parents may give you a slight idea of what to expect in terms of aesthetics and temperament but this is not always a guarantee and especially when it comes to looks.
With regards to health, ask the breeder questions about both parents’ health history.
Both these things will help you make an informed decision when the time comes to choose your pooch.
Maintenance
Regular grooming is always advised to prevent knots from forming in your dog’s coat. This is especially the case with the Cockapoo and Golden Retriever. It is suggested to simply brush the coat weekly as a minimum.
It also means you can check for any injuries or sore patches your dog may have by investigating the coat and skin.
Pay particular attention to those ears. Typical Cockapoos’ ears are floppy and hairy which increases their chances of acquiring infections.
Furthermore, it allows you to bond with your pet which you can easily include as part of your weekly routine.
Health
Countless studies have been carried out and all conclude the same: crossbreeds cannot be classed as healthier than pedigree dogs.
The reason why some people claim crossbreeds are healthier is due to them not inheriting certain breed conditions from their parents. However, we simply can’t predict if their parents will pass these on to their offspring or not.
Here’s an interesting analysis; it is found that crossbreeds are more likely to experience cruciate (ligament) problems than pedigrees.
Hip Dysplasia
Golden Retrievers are notorious for developing this painful inherited condition.
It is caused by abnormal development of the hip joint in growing puppies. The hip joint is classically referred to as a “ball and socket joint”. In this condition, the ball and socket do not fit smoothly resulting in an unstable joint.
It’s important that before breeding, the Golden Retriever in question undergoes an x-ray for veterinary experts to rule out this disorder.
Temperament
This is quite important and should be considered, especially with households that have children or vulnerable adults.
Luckily in the case of the Cockapoo and Golden Retriever, they are often both referred to as the “perfect” family pet; laid-back, loving, and loyal.
However, poor socialization early on in any pup’s life can result in undesirable behaviors. So, each and every dog must be properly trained to prevent this.
Social events such as puppy classes or training classes come highly recommended.
Exercise Needs
The key to exercise is to keep it consistent. Try to avoid the extreme: no exercise all week then a solid 10km hike on Saturday.
Cockapoos and Golden Retrievers are active breeds. Combine exercise with interesting activities, like indoor play.
Stimulation is also meaningful, and both these breeds are intelligent. Try out some agility classes which will get their brain working and help get rid of any excess energy.
Feeding Requirements
Veterinary advice is to feed a good quality diet that is appropriate to the life stage of the dog. Life stage diets can be categorized into three parts: puppy, adult, and senior.
It is important to follow the manufactures instructions on how much to feed per day, split into two or more meals. As a general rule, large breed dogs require more food, so bear this in mind when it comes to calculating costs.
Attend regular weight checks at your veterinary clinic to allow the staff to assess your dog’s weight.
Measuring out the daily amount of food will help keep your dog’s weight stable if deemed a healthy weight by your veterinarian. Guessing the amount may increase the risk of either overfeeding or underfeeding which in turn will cause the dog to lose weight or gain.
Weight gain can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems.
It is always advised to leave a gap before exercise and after food.
Is a Golden Cockapoo Right for Me?
Whether we choose a pedigree or crossbreed, a puppy from a breeder, or an old rescue dog, we need to be sensible. Do your research on the breed in question to see what their classic traits are.
It is also important that the dog breeder you find is registered. This is in the puppies’ interest as it will help lower the incidences of random breeding that can result in unhealthy puppies.