Is there a breed I'm missing?

[undermycatsthumb]

We are hoping to get a dog in the next one or two years. At the moment our first choice is a golden retriever, and I've contacted lots of breeders of goldens. We've also considered a cocker, but the show types aren't for me and I've read so much conflicting information about whether the working types are suitable for a family pet i.e. not actually worked. We've ruled out labs and flatcoats. So my question is, is there another breed outside those 4 that I should be considering? I just want to make sure we get this decision absolutely right.
Our requirements are - good with kids and a cat; up for long, mountainous hikes; trainable; gentle.
Thankyou!

A smooth collie would be perfect in your situation! Possibly a rough if you don’t mind the regular grooming.

I wouldn’t recommend a Vizsla to a first time dog owner, lovely dogs but hugely demanding in terms of exercise.
Big thumbs up for poodles - I have one and he’s been a great addition to our family. Incredibly gentle and loving. Knows his own mind though! Not as biddable as a labrador.

She rarely barks, much less shedding than our Dalmatian. Much less damage in the house too - not as big so things on tables get knocked off less. She travels well in the car and has a much less delicate belly than the Dalmatian. Not as accident prone either.

She does set though (she would, I guess). She was trained to seek and set on prey on the grouse moors. She’ll get close to ground and stay motionless for about half an hour just staring at a bird. Takes cheese to persuade her to leave it.

Sorry if I missed it. Why not a flat coat?

I wouldn’t go a Dalmatian, unless you are a runner either.

Our working cocker spaniel is amazing with DC including unknown ones who want a stroke. Lives with cats. She's never worked properly, but we do have countryside on our doorstep so she goes a really good walk twice a day which she loves. Also comes sailing with us with no problems so can be sensible when needed.

From what I can see they're very popular with families now.

I'd also like to know why not a flatcoat

We have a working springer spaniel that ticks all your boxes. He is absolutely brilliant with children he just adores them and also adores long walks or runs. He was our first family dog and everyone said we were crazy for getting one but he's been amazing I would definitely get another spaniel.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Get a female so they aren't too big. Lovely tempermeant, bomb proof with kids, love to hike, can be stubborn but with even remotely consistent training are fine.

Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. Ours is an absolute gem. Have a read up on the breed

we puppy walked a GSDxGret... DH was devastated when he passed all his Guidedog schooling with flying colours, he really was the MOST laid back sweetest best natured dog ever. DH really fell for him!

He was very like @Lougle 's dog in looks too...maybe with slightly softer ears!

We had the same criteria as you and went for a working English springer spaniel. Yes, they are bouncy but they are intelligent, easy to train, cuddly and great with children. The family cat takes no nonsense from them whatsoever. They are very hairy though. God, the hair

Anyone any experience of a Brittany? Would they fit?

@undermycatsthumb

Your setter is beautiful LemonRoses - not a breed I'd come across.

I wouldn't go for a cav for health reasons plus I don't like their look (sorry) - it's the same with show cockers (the look). I love Newfies but they're just that bit TOO big!

So other criteria - yes, ideally not too vocal. I'm not really fussed about shedding, don't mind regular grooming (not particularly houseproud and have to sweep constantly anyway due to trail of detritus my children leave behind them as they're constantly in and out of the garden).

I know goldies are huge and hairy - I dogsit for one and we all adore him. The size is a minor concern to me but only because we'd have to make some practical changes eg get a roof box for the car, new tent... nothing major. The exercise part in the early years does worry me, but we would just have to dial down our hikes completely for a year or take it in turns to stay with the dog/go out with the kids.

Why not a lab? It's a good question and the answer will sound really, really silly, but in short it's because my favourite dog in the world is a lab/cocker cross and, because she looks like a lab but is small, actual labs always just seem too big to me. I know that's completely ridiculous given that I love goldies but I just can't get past it

No need to look any further than a Goldie. They are wonderful dogs. You’ll find the bitches are a bit smaller. Our Goldie wasn’t what you’d call huge.

🦮

I have a working springer (that doesn’t work), she’s amazing. She was so easy to train, I think I said sit once and she could just do it. She can easy run for 5 hours on a long walk, but also sleep all day if we only do a short walk. She loves the kids, every night at bed time she runs up and looks in their rooms before going back down and into her bed.

I came on to say a toller. Mine is the best family pet and he spends 75% of his life upside down snoring on the sofa - certainly not bonkers.
He's a bit (lot) greedy though.

Bearded collie.
Sprocker spaniel.
Standard poodle.

Australian Shepherd?

Bassett Hound, wonderful family dog, will keep your floors clean from any dropped food, very loveable and will want to lay at your feet as soon as you sit down.

They are very stubborn though and you will get stopped in the street so people can say hello.

It's already been mentioned but poodle worth serious consideration and they come in different sizes 😀

What about an Irish Terrier?

@SunflowersAndLavender

Rough collie! Very gentle

There was a survey published recently and Rough Collies came out as THE dog most likely to bite.

I think stick with a Golden Retriever. They really are the perfect dog in terms of temperament and biddability. I don't have one, so I can't be accused of bias.

The survey was from Finland (they will have different bloodlines to the UK rough collies), there is a debate as to how it was carried out and how they decided a breed was 'agressive.' Have you even met a rough collie? The police wont use them because they don't bite! Rough collies have a very similar temperament to Golden Retrievers.

Dalmatian?

I can assure the PP that rough collies do indeed bite, and I would not ever recommend them near children.

Op for your criteria, I think the Goldie is the best, bar only a working spaniel IF you have time to exercise them properly.

Another vote for setters. Both English and Gordon! 😊