What dogs are as friendly, biddable and solid as a lab?

[RonaCor]

... but doesn't shed loads?

I know there will always be exceptions, but what are the most affable medium/large breeds?

Our friends swear by greyhounds. Theirs are docile and lazy and beautiful and brilliant with their kids.

How about a standard poodle?

I’d probably say standard poodle/labradoodle too.

Greyhounds are lovely but I’ve yet to see a greyhound race and bounce up to people in the same over the top, obnoxious fashion as a Labrador.
I’m not sure how ‘biddable’ they typically are either.

Yes to standard poodle. Don’t bother with a cross, just get a well bred pedigree std poodle from a pairing with a steady, biddable temperament (as well as the usual health tests and ethical breeding standards - no backyarders or puppy farmers). They are excellent dogs. There’s no sane reason to choose a hybrid of lab & poodle.

(I have a lab and he’s perfect for me, though I acknowledge the hair issue).

Poodles may not shed like labs but they're far higher maintenance in grooming unless you don't mind the dog being clipped short.

Vizsla? Not double coated so less hair. Extremely friendly ( my lab loves Vizslas) Sensitive but people pleasers.kind dogs

The hair shedding from my lab cross is ridiculous! Not having a shedder was on my list of desired characteristics but somehow I ended up with my lovely, daft lab/pointer cross. I could knit a new dog every day out of what is on my floors. So stand firm!

svelteinmydreams the only dogs my lab cross doesn't like locally is a pair of vizlas!

Basset hounds are affable, friendly and solid. Lovely dogs. But they're not particularly biddable unless you plan to carry a pepperami about your person for the next ten years.

Wheaten terrier?

I wouldn't call any of the hounds particularly biddable - friendly though. Greyhounds and whippets are lazy, low maintenance and generally good tempered.

Vizsla/Weimaraners/German shorthaired pointers - all lovely-natured dogs, Vizslas the most sensitive IME, followed by the GSPs. Also all very trainable BUT they are high-energy and need to have their brains worked as well as their bodies or they will be utter pains in the arse. If you go for one, check out the breeding carefully and unless you want a dog to work or spend a lot of time doing stuff with, avoid the working/ field trialling lines. I know a young GSP from trialling lines and while affectionate, delightful and completely charming, she is also amped and ambitious, and was seriously prey driven by 5 or 6 months - tracking and flushing birds, pushing into thick brambles after a scent, going back to investigate the scent left by flushed birds.

I do know a GSP x Lab and that might be a good combo for you - less mania energy than a GSP and less coat than a lab. Lovely dog. Though see PP for possible sheddability of lab crosses.

Had another thought: pointer (English version). You'd need to work HARD on the recall (I know one who is run under hawks and her owner puts a GPS collar on her...) but they are lovely, gentle dogs, not too much coat, and caught be taught to walk nicely on the lead and similar.

Yeah, mine is an EP/Labrador, both working parents actually, but I think his nature is quite lab-like. Not food motivated though!

I've met some lovely standard poodles.

We have a mini. He's quite tall and broad-chested. He's as tall as my in-law's lovely lab (but she is on the smaller side) but not as long.

He's very much biddable and friendly.

His coat isn't hard to manage at all. We have him cut short all over every five weeks for £35. Other than that he might get a brush through from us once a week at most. He doesn't shed at all.

@borageforager

The hair shedding from my lab cross is ridiculous! Not having a shedder was on my list of desired characteristics but somehow I ended up with my lovely, daft lab/pointer cross. I could knit a new dog every day out of what is on my floors. So stand firm!

svelteinmydreams the only dogs my lab cross doesn't like locally is a pair of vizlas!

Ah, our collie has a huge crush on the local vizla! She goes all giddy and girly.

My Lurcher is biddable, but as they’re crossbreeds and generally rescues, it will depend on the individual mix and their background.

The one I have now has always been an absolute sweetheart, adores his family, soft mouthed, gentle with people, children and other dogs, really calm and steady, honestly no-one has ever had a bad word to say about him - and he’ll be next week. He’s Deerhound/Saluki x Greyhound/Bearded Collie and sheds tonnes though.

To be honest I would say he’s far more biddable than most of the Labradors we meet in local parks and fields. Round here the vast majority of Labs are not well trained and tend to have no manners with either dogs or people, so probably more the fault of the owners than the dogs themselves.

Lots of the Lurcher/Sighthound rescues foster before rehoming, so you can get a good idea of their nature before adopting.

The most biddable dog we’ve come across locally is an English Pointer, he’s gorgeous, but as mentioned by a pp, recall is an ongoing mission.

What about a setter? Irish, English or Gordon. Beautiful, good-natured dogs that will make you smile every day. They do shed a bit, but much less like a labrador.

Sorry, forgot I posted this menopause brain. Will have a good read now.

I love hounds/lurchers as they are soft and gentle natured... but not exactly “biddable”

Mine states into the distance a bit more before she decides if she may or may not come back

They are also not greedy, so can’t be bribed with food

And they shed

But only twice a year

If you love labs, just stick with labs?

Thanks all
Seriously interested in a standard poodle (without the bonkers haircut) - are they very sensitive/nervy/aloof though?

We have an English pointer. I would say they are fairly biddable, In that they do want to please, but are definitely prone to ‘doing their own thing’ if inclined 😂 It’s taken a lot of training to get a decent recall with ours, but they are the most loving, even-tempered dogs. Our girl brings us all so much joy 😊

I have 3/4 poodle, 1/4 lab & he is the soppiest family dog ever 🥰.

I'm voting for labradoodle - I've met many lovely sweet ones, in fact they are bred for this very purpose - to be a lovely nature's family dog that doesn't shed. But that standard poodle up thread is a sweetie too. They are smart.. and I'm sure a good upbringing would make them not nervy at all.

My brother has a fox red lab who is beautiful and I don't think they shed the sand either. Fabulous dog!

We have a Parti Standard Poodle. No crazy hair cuts here! He is fab - so laid back and as happy snoozing on the sofa as he is racing round outside. He doesn't shed at all - the reason we went for a poodle.

A Staffy. You will think I’m mad, but unless some fool has messed them up, they are the most friendly, biddable dogs going. Solid - well, yes, physically. Mine is actually very nervous but that’s because he wasn’t properly socialised as a puppy. One of the most utterly maligned breeds I know & a definite case of ‘it’s not the dog, it’s the owner.’

Nothing! Do not get a labradoodle!
Get a roomba!