A Detailed Comparison of the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever.

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Introduction

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

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

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chihuahua or the Golden Cocker Retriever.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Golden Cocker Retriever is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chihuahua belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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

Chihuahua versus Golden Cocker Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Golden Cocker Retriever 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 Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever

FactorChihuahuaGolden Cocker Retriever
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/52/5
Life Span10 to 18 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
General Health2/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds30 to 45 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder20 to 24 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1820$1690
Price Range$850 – $2500$1400 – $1750
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua 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 Golden Cocker Retriever. 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 Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Golden Cocker Retriever is 80 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever

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

  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Golden Cocker Retrievers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever 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 Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Golden Cocker Retriever

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

    Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Golden Cocker Retrievers weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Golden Cocker Retrievers are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Golden Cocker Retriever

    The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Golden Cocker Retrievers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Golden Cocker Retrievers is 13.5 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Golden Cocker Retrievers.

    Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Golden Cocker Retriever

    The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Golden Cocker Retriever puppy is $1690. The price of the Golden Cocker Retriever typically ranges from $1400 – $1750. However, the price of the Golden Cocker Retriever can be as low as $500 and as high as $3975. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 68 Golden Cocker Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Golden Cocker Retriever.

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    Chihuahua Golden Cocker Retriever
    Average Price $1820 $1690
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1400 to $1750

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Golden Cocker Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Golden Cocker Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Cocker Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Cocker Retrievers

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

    Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.

    Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Golden Cocker Retriever

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua

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

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

    Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.

    Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.

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

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Golden Cocker Retriever

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    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.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Golden Cocker Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Golden Cocker Retriever

    Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Golden Cocker Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Golden Cocker Retriever?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Golden Cocker Retrievers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Golden Cocker Retriever. 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 Chihuahua and the Golden Cocker Retriever better suits you and your family.