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Original poster

Breed recommendations

32 replies

HelloSocks · 05/04/2021 15:07

We are considering getting a puppy in the next year or two as our youngest (have older teens too) starts school soon (DH WFH and I work very PT, so will be at home during the day)
Cannot seem to quite pin down a specific breed though and wondered if there are any breeds we just haven't considered.

I have had a border collie previously, love of my life (dogwise), immensely enjoyed training him and he was a fantastic dog. Shed tons though! Was also less keen on children.
Also had a saluki lurcher, beautiful in the house (aside from fridge opening!) and super calm with children and cats. Great to walk, though mostly on lead because of instinct to chase. Didn't want to know beyond basic obedience.

Our preferences...
Friendly with children/reasonably to very friendly with strangers.
Would love a dog that likes to play fetch and learn new tricks.
1.5 - 2 hours exercise a day.
Doesn't usually mind being alone for up to 3-4 hours.
Any size but prefer medium.
Lowish shedding.
Can be in a home with a cat and rabbit.
Doesn't excessively bark.

We were looking at some kind of spaniel, but I don't know anyone with one to ask/meet one!

Not terribly keen on terriers or on poodle crosses but that's about it!

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Leonberger · 05/04/2021 15:31

Tibetan terrier?

Ylvamoon · 05/04/2021 16:05

Leonberger you beat me!

Tibetans are not a Terrier, they are a utility dog.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 05/04/2021 16:25

Working Cocker Spaniel.
Flat-coated retriever.
Bearded Collie.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 05/04/2021 18:02

Regarding the cat and the rabbit, most dogs if brought up with other animals will leave them alone. I have high-drive working-line gundogs, and they have always been fine with whatever cats we have had.

A Brittany might suit you - large spaniel size, look like spaniels, but are not exactly spaniels, they're a hunt-point-retrieve (HPR) breed. I have encountered some that have been a bit crazy (possibly due to lack of mental stimulation) but others are lovely dogs - though they do need training and a decent outlet for their natural drives. Some of them are great retrievers and would be very happy to play fetch, and they are definitely clever enough to learn all sorts of fun stuff.

In fact, if you've kept up with a border collie any of the HPRs might be worth a look (Vizsla, German Shorthaired Pointer etc). A lot of them have short coats, they are all up for exercise and training and most of the breeds have a great rep with people. They can be very full-on as young dogs, but you've had a BC so... They are on the whole a bit bigger than 'medium' but some lines run at the smaller end of the height standards for their breeds.

Profiterolegirl · 05/04/2021 18:51

Lurcher.

SheenMcQueen · 05/04/2021 18:55

I also think Spaniel.
We have a sprocker - so pure spaniel but Springer/Cocker cross.

She is medium sized 16kg.
Doesn't shed
Very trainable and keen to please
Loyal beyond belief
Bouncy on walks but super chilled at home
Good recall
Great with dogs and humans (including dc)
Squirrel menace.

midnightstar66 · 05/04/2021 18:57

Spaniel was exactly what came to mind with your requirements before I read you'd mentioned it.

DarlingWithoutYou · 05/04/2021 18:58

Miniature poodle ticks all your boxes!

AbbieLexie · 05/04/2021 19:00

Standard Schnauzer

TaraR2020 · 05/04/2021 19:02

Poodle

Astridium · 05/04/2021 19:03

I would love a vizsla but prices seem to have gone crazy during lockdown. We are on the waiting list for a working lab, I would prefer a GSP but have been overruled.

Actually I'd prefer a rescue but we've been looking for 18 months and it's not happening - despite being in what I would think is a reasonable position - 2 people at home full time, no children, no other pets, large enclosed garden

Mojoj · 05/04/2021 19:05

I have a cockapoo and I don't care what anyone thinks about cross breeds etc., he's the love of my life🥰🥰. Fantastically patient with my youngest child who has special needs. A lovable wee rogue who looks like a teddy bear and loves everyone. He's also super smart.

wetotter · 05/04/2021 19:05

So a Labrador, and learn to overlook the shedding?

Inthesameboatatmo · 05/04/2021 19:07

Basset hound, they are very friendly and patient especially with children and love to cuddle and be part of the family, I wouldn't be without mine at all

Frenchfancy · 05/04/2021 19:37

A pointer would be better than a spaniel imo. Not a vizla though if you want to be able to leave them alone.

midnightstar66 · 05/04/2021 19:43

@Inthesameboatatmo my parents basset has just turned 15 and still going. The most loyal dog, amazing with children, my dc adore her. Does shed a fair amount but hair is something you have to accept with a dog.She's been the most amazing teacher to my feisty terrier pup. Personally I wanted something a bit more athletic but she's going to leave a massive hole when she goes

Inthesameboatatmo · 05/04/2021 19:59

@midnightstar66
I'm dreading the day we have to say goodbye to ours shes an absolute angel, have you thought maybe an Irish wolfhound, I've also had one of those and they are just as soppy as a basset but with abit more get up and go ,but the are very large

PixellatedPixie · 05/04/2021 20:04

Every working cocker spaniel that I have met is completely neurotic and incapable of settling down for more than a minute! It’s one of the only breeds I wouldn’t be able to handle as they make me nervous with all their constant flittering.

I have a Bouvier des Flanders who, despite his fairly large size is the calmest and most loving dog I’ve ever had. They are known for being lazy at home but very easy to train and obedient outside the home. I’ve known quite a few of them growing up and they were all like this due to them being a cattle guardian breed. So they have the intelligence and loyalty of a shepherd type dog but are way calmer.

PixellatedPixie · 05/04/2021 20:06

I wanted to add that I have three close friends with working cockers and one of them I have looked after for weeks at a time when his owner was overseas. Even when he is in his own house he is bonkers!

birdglasspen · 05/04/2021 20:57

Flat coated retrievers are beautiful, friendly dogs, love people, love ball chasing are good with other animals and don't shed as much as collies. Their hair tends to be easy to clean up, it's not excessive and doesn't "stick" the way some shorter haired breeds do! They are large though not medium. They are called the 'Peter Pan" of dogs as they don't grow up, in reality this just means you always have an energetic, full of fun dog, when it's time to slow down in old age you will have to take the lead! I'd say pointers and Munsterlanders are gamekeepers dogs and can be bad with small animals as they originally would have been bred to hunt them along with other game.

SheenMcQueen · 05/04/2021 21:29

@PixellatedPixie

Every working cocker spaniel that I have met is completely neurotic and incapable of settling down for more than a minute! It’s one of the only breeds I wouldn’t be able to handle as they make me nervous with all their constant flittering.

I have a Bouvier des Flanders who, despite his fairly large size is the calmest and most loving dog I’ve ever had. They are known for being lazy at home but very easy to train and obedient outside the home. I’ve known quite a few of them growing up and they were all like this due to them being a cattle guardian breed. So they have the intelligence and loyalty of a shepherd type dog but are way calmer.

That is honestly not my experience of working cockers at all. Although our spaniel is half cocker and half springer, she is the most chilled lazy dog at home. Doesn't bark, isn't scared of fireworks, doesn't mind being left for a few hours, doesn't destroy things, etc.

I agree it's the luck of the draw but through her I know many working cockers and they are all well trained and easy to manage.

PixellatedPixie · 05/04/2021 21:36

My neighbours have the same mix that you have and refer to her as a sprocker - half working / half springer - and she is wonderful and calm and her owner (pre-Covid) would take her to old age homes as a therapy dog. For some reason all the pure working spaniels I know well are all a bit bonkers. Maybe they are all from the same crazy line in my area?

Original poster
HelloSocks · 05/04/2021 21:37

Thanks so much for all the replies, definitely giving me some great suggestions that I will look into.

Please do keep suggestions coming if you think of any more!

Looks wise (which is the least important criteria really) I do lean away from the 'teddy bear' look of the cockapoo or poodle type dogs.

If I could find a slightly calmer version of the cocker or springer spaniel then I think that would possibly be our dog.

Or a saluki that likes to play fetch, recall in the case of a squirrel sighting and not raid the fridge would be perfection Grin

OP posts:
toobusytothink · 05/04/2021 21:37

Can’t believe people recommending spaniels - all the ones I know are crazy and the barking is soooooo annoying. Either lab if you can put up with moulting or short haired female pointer a good shout too (female as makes probably too big)

LostArcher · 05/04/2021 21:39

Hovwart - bit like a bigger retriever
English Setter
Bearded Collie
rough collie - bright, softies and laid back
Gordon setter
Wheaten terrier
Tibetan terrier