Help me plan next puppy!

[LabradorMama]

I have one remaining dog, a nine year old Labrador bitch who is absolutely perfect in every way - except she moults like fury and my house is constantly covered in her hair despite daily vacuuming.

I’m planning to get my next puppy next year and have decided that (sadly!) it won’t be another Labrador. But what should I be looking at? Any suggestions/experiences welcome.

I have a decent sized house and garden, work two short days (5 hours) a week out of the house and have a dog walker come in. I have a four year old DS. I have joint hypermobility syndrome so daily walks are good for me and I live in the countryside with plenty of woodland, open fields etc around. I have trained and competed gun dogs for years so training not an issue.

Big issue for me is hair - low shedding is a must.

Any ideas anyone?

Whip whippy whippet!

Goldfish?
Don't most dogs track in mud and moult?
Poodle is what initially comes to mind. The poodle crosses offer no guarantee of non shedding and often come from puppy farmers.
What sort of size were you thinking? Are there certain types of dog yours gets on better with?

Greyhound/whippet types?

maiden never thought of a whippet! Do you have one?

wolfie mud I can cope with but this lab really is another level when it comes to shedding. I’ve considered poodles but the only ones I’ve come into contact with (toy size) have been snappy so that put me off because of DS. Do you have experience with poodles? Have I just been unlucky?

Any size really and my lab gets on with all dogs, she really is an angel

Whippet or lurcher. My lurchers are brilliant, and alas there are always loads of puppies in rescue - the rescue I foster for has just had 10 3 day old pups come in with their mum.

Airedale Terrier!!! Hard work in the beginning but so unbelievably loyal and loving and entertaining!!

Are greyhounds/whippets ok with cats? I’m hoping to add a cat to the family soon too

My first thought was a poodle as well. A standard if you want something of a similar-ish size to a lab or miniature/toy if you want something smaller. Active and bright but obviously very, very minimal shedding.

Whippets are lovely (I've got three) but they can have very high prey drive so you'd need to be happy managing that. I've got three (ranging from moderately prey driven to absolutely ferocious) and don't find it an issue but it would be a deal breaker for some people. They do shed but their hairs are so small and fine they're barely noticeable.

Whippets seem popular! I have always thought they looked very sweet but don’t know anything about their temperament.
Airedales have crossed my mind too, they look like great fun and I’ve heard they can be challenging to train!

Oh dear, forgot to mention I have bantams and call ducks in the garden ... is a whippet off the cards?

We have 2 Lurchers and cats but wouldn't trust them with ducks /chickens tbh. Think you would be pushing your luck there!!

Poodles are bloody clever. They need mental and physical stimulation. I don't have one but I've met a few through ringcraft. Proper funny, smart dogs with a wicked sense of humour! Snappy poodle suggests untrained and under stimulated.
Whippets are gorgeous. Sight hounds and cats can work. We have a wolfhound and two cats. BUT you need to be vigilant. Dog and cats never left alone together. Check garden for lurking kitties before opening door. Stairgate closed. Dog just wants to chase and play but she could do some damage. A dog from a foster home with a cat could possibly work. Some don't have a lot of prey drive.

Ok I guess sight hounds maybe not the best idea. Poodles I’m liking the sound of though, I will do some research. Thank you!

Current resident

I've got a bedlington terrier X cocker spaniel, has the low shredding beddy coat but a lot of the behaviours of a spaniel (runs in zig zags, very affectionate).

Labradoodle? I

Oh bless. Do read up as there are health issues they are prone to and health tests that parents should have prior to breeding (like lots of pedigrees!) See if there's a breed club and perhaps go to a show or two to find out more about them.

Ooh my parents’ neighbour has a bedlington cross, she’s also a lovely dog. Worth a look, thank you Eryri

Plenty of people keep pointy dogs (and other high prey drive breeds) with cats successfully, it's just a case of being sensible and also realistic with your expectations. Being fine with "their" cats in the house doesn't always translate to them being safe together outside and they're unlikely to be trustworthy with strange cats. The Dog Training Advice and Support FB group has a good article about keeping high prey drive dogs together with cats here.

Are the ducks and chickens loose in the garden or would they be securely separated from the dog? If it's the latter then as long as they really are secure then I wouldn't rule out a whippet but I wouldn't trust a whippet as far as I could throw them if they had access to ducks/chickens.

wolfie yes very keen on health tested parents as you can imagine coming from a world of gundogs it’s been a long time since I had anything that wasn’t a Labrador, it’s quite exciting!

breakfastat I know a few people that have taken them on and ended up with more Labrador than poodle so I’m not keen!

cornflake yes they free range throughout the day and are safely shut up at night

cornflake and thanks for the link, very useful indeed

Sighthound and free range ducks and chickens wouldn't be a good mix I don't think.
It IS exciting!
And yes. A labradoodle can be lab or oodle! I know a couple of cocker/poodles crosses. One is very poodle and one looks just like a cocker!!