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!

Ah he's beautiful.

Tibetan terriers are the opposite of biddable. They only do something if there's something in it for them, so while they're incredibly intelligent, you also have to give them a reason to do what you want. Also prone to separation anxiety due to their love of being with their people. They can be very frustrating to train - I've had 4 of them.

Eurasiers are totally family orientated..and actually don't take much grooming..they blow theircoats a couple fo times a year but mostly I just brush mine when I'm relaxing in the evening as she loves it.

Total nanny dog..she'd mother the cat to death if he'd let her, and we have a brand new baby and she is curious but totally gentle . Perfect in the house,, never chewed anything, toliet trained by 11 weeks... and lazy at home. However she does follow me to the loo , the bath....

Rarely barks except if she sees a husky... she's scared of them! nn(despite looking like a very fluffy one herself!)

Have you considered a whippet? Gentle, lazy, don't bark but up for long walks.

We have a (non) working English Springer spaniel. He is 12 now and has always been a brilliant family dog.

He will keep walking/playing for as long as you want to keep going. In the house though he will happily snooze the day away. He doesn't bark excessively and was easily trainable.

Yes hes bonkers and energetic, but always gentle with my youngest who has autism and was 2 and a half when we got the dog. It's as though the dog senses DS needs extra care and space.

A Samoyed? Super friendly and wonderful with children.

A Beagle? Other than being slightly trickier to train than other breeds, they tick every other box. Great with children, very gentle, like a good walk but happy to snuggle on the sofa too. Easy to manage coat. Some can be fairly vocal, but not really barking, more baying and chirping with ours. And they've really cute!

@waitingforsun

A Beagle? Other than being slightly trickier to train than other breeds, they tick every other box. Great with children, very gentle, like a good walk but happy to snuggle on the sofa too. Easy to manage coat. Some can be fairly vocal, but not really barking, more baying and chirping with ours. And they've really cute!

Yours is gorgeous

Here's ours.

Standard Poodle ticks all your boxes! Your description of your perfect dog is exactly my Poodle’s nature.

@cupsofcoffee 😍😍😍 What a handsome boy!

@cupsofcoffee oh, I've assumed a boy, don't know why! 🙈 Sorry if I'm wrong!!

[quote waitingforsun]@cupsofcoffee 😍😍😍 What a handsome boy! [/quote]
And he knows it

He's three now and has finally started to calm down!

[quote waitingforsun]@cupsofcoffee oh, I've assumed a boy, don't know why! 🙈 Sorry if I'm wrong!! [/quote]
he is, don't worry!

Poodles make great family pets. Smart, energetic, and sweet-natured. We clip our poodles into a puppy clip, never the bizarre show clips.

Also, and is a big one. They do not shed.

I have a goldie, he's 10 months and I couldn't imagine life without him.
He is the most gentle dog I've ever come across, so smart and so easily trained. He is around 30kg now so they do grow big and they grow quick but he's a friendly giant.
Never once has he been aggressive/snapped at me - such a gentle loving dog - I'm actually obsessed with him.
The only downside.. the hair!! I really didn't know how much they shed but I wouldn't change it for the world. He is the best!!
If your heart is set on a goldie, go for it! You will never look back!!

I grew up with golden retrievers (4 inc 2 still living) an English setter and a flat coat. I recently asked my mum what her favourite was and she said the flat coat. She was a lovely lovely dog. Sadly died young(ish) of cancer.

The setter was a genius and nuts. Amazing dog.

The retrievers were/are lovely friendly gentle dogs.

I have a (very) mixed rescue. He’s a love and gets on incredibly well with my parents goldies but I think is harder work in many respects. I’ve put lots of time and effort into training and socialisation. My parents frankly don’t and I would still say theirs are more gentle and easygoing

Wouldn’t change him for the world though!

Our 7 month Goldie is lovely - he’s affectionate, calm and friendly. His hair shedding is not too bad but i hoover the floors every day anyway. He loves water and the beach so there is sand everywhere and he is big (and heavy)

@cupsofcoffee phew!

Our girl is 9 months now. She is most definitely in the teenage phase! Haha.

My Labrador was the gentlest dog ever. My present dog is a Lhasa Apso, so cute and soft and cuddly but needs a regular groom.

Lab/ golden retriever cross? I have had both as pure bred , but have met a lot of these crosses, often as therapy dogs. They have great temperament and tend to calm down faster than a pure lab, but still have that drive to please.

Rhodesian Ridgeback. Bitches especially are gentle with children, my DS has grown up with DDog. She's our second Ridgie, and much more biddable and trainable than the big lad was.
Relaxed and calm in the house, you'd hardly know she was there.
Will walk all day, but also happy with a couple of 20 minute quick walks if we're busy. Need a fleece coat in cold, wet weather. Minimal shedding/grooming. Trainable but are sighthounds, so I'd never trust her off lead around sheep, although she completely ignores cows/ horses.

This is her on the ferry :)
Sadly I don't have any better photos on the laptop.

Irish setter. Gentle, clever, great desire to please which makes them very trainable, easy to work off leash etc. Beautiful, athletic and healthy. Great with kids, other animals, sociable but not rough or boisterous.

@fluffysocksgoodbookwine that is a beautiful dog 😍 I’m jealous.

Thank you @Vursayles, here’s a better pic!