Dogs like a Labrador but smaller

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As you might be able to tell by my user name, by ‘like a Labrador’ I mean magnificent in every way. Or at least playful, kind, smart, velvety of ear ( we can take or leave the canine dustbin trait)

My dear friend is a long time Labby owner, currently dogless ( and bereft). She just got the all-clear from a long illness and is looking to retire early (55) and move somewhere beautiful. They’ve decided there’s room in this plan for a pup. She’s not as strong as she was, and the house will be smaller. But they are very active, outdoorsy types. So are looking for a smaller, active dog.

She’d be a wonderful owner to any dog, but any ideas for a smaller breed that would appeal to long time Labrador aficionados?

You can't beat a greyhound. SUPER child, super cuddly and velvety of ear.

Chill...not child!

I've moved from Labrador (as I get older) to Border Terrier. Lovely little and very portable dogs. Super temperament with humans and dogs alike.

@FortunesFave

You can't beat a greyhound. SUPER child, super cuddly and velvety of ear.

SMALLER?! Greyhounds are not small!

Lhasa Apso? I've had two. The first wasn't particularly bright, bless her, but she had all the other qualities you mention. My second, and existing, Lhasa is male and seems more intelligent. I think, like with humans, you can't generalise on this trait! Tibetan terriers are similar, with longer legs

My mum had Labs for over 50 years. She bred them. When her last one died , she didn't feel she could cope with another so had a little patterdale. He is not the same type of personality. He is quite feisty but has the looks of a mini- lab. And the silky ears.

Thank you. Yesterday we talked about border terriers and patterdales. Nice to see they might be options.

Any thoughts on whippets?

My friend has Tibetan terriers and they're v lab like.

The only whippet I know is lazy as anything and won't walk up or down stairs.

Whippets are lovely but you need to watch their recall - some can't ever be let off lead and will chase anything they see, which could be hard if she lives rurally with lots of small furry creatures

What about a miniature poodle? The one I walk is an absolute dream dog. He's small, doesn't shed and is incredibly smart. He picks up tricks and commands in seconds and is happy with short walks or something much longer. He does need regular clipping but otherwise he's pretty low maintenance overall.

Border Terriers seem to be the choice for second dogs where I live for people who already have a Lab. The ones I meet are polite and friendly, with a little ‘spark’ of something that makes them very attractive little dogs.

Working labs are quite a lot smaller-especially the girls.

Ooh, a poodle might be an option.

Numicron the issue with a Lab isn’t so much their size as their strength. We have a male working Lab who is small for the breed, but he’s all muscle and incredibly strong. I struggle to manage him as a fit forty year old when he decides to be a numpty!

A Papillon? Intelligent, good natured dogs who are often used for agility. Bit of a rare breed though, which has the advantage that puppy farms in the UK don't seem to have caught onto them (don't quote me on that though!)

What about a duck tolling retriever? The are the smallest retrievers

Nomicron, mine is working and he’s not small! 36kg of lean muscle

I’d have a smaller lab-like dog but DH is labforlife

Another from-lab-to border terrier person here! My old boy had bad arthritis in his last year, and I had to lift him in and out of cars, up steps etc... he was nearly as big as me! I live alone and knew my next dog would have to be more manageable.

Had my heart set on a BT for a long time before I lost my lab; 4 years on and I have not regretted my choice! Terrier temperament took a bit of getting used to — he’s a stubborn little sod, very clever and totally fearless — but constantly entertains me and loves everyone (so gentle with children!). He does hate German shepherds and Shar-peis, though, and is quite vocal about the fact

Highly recommend the breed. Wish your friend luck

Patterdales look like mini labs but temperament are worlds apart. Can be a bit aggressive, stubborn, selectively deaf…. Of course, all dogs are different. However, you know that in general, labs are gentle, loyal, obedient, trustworthy and easy to train. They are not terriers. Patterdales are!! And possibly the terriers with the worst rep. I ditto pp and suggest poodle.

I'm not a dog person at all - but there is one dog in my life I truly love, it's (she's) my cousin's Border Terrier.

I think if you're used to the trainability and eager to please nature of labs, a whippet wouldn't cut it. Lovely, low maintenance, loving dogs though.

Maybe a standard schnauzer - the bitches are smaller than labs, as are most of the males.

I'd steer WELL clear of Patterdales - never met one that wasn't absolutely off-its-tits mental.

Spaniel of some description?

Working cocker

We went from larger breeds to a cocker and it's worked out really well. Fantastic companion dogs - clever, loyal, active and outdoorsy. Only thing I would say is I am constantly surprised by how strong he is given his size!

Ooh, someone suggested a Toller. That’s a thought. They are beautiful dogs, but aren’t they very rare? She’d be searching high and low for a breeder ( but she’s an experienced gundog handler so that might work well).

My agility teacher has papillons. I always assumed they were toy dogs, but apparently they are sharp, agile little hounds.

Border terriers seem very popular. I knew one as a child and he was fab. I wonder if you can get little coverings to make their ears velvety?

Can't believe no one's suggested a beagle- if you Google them they're described as happy , merry little hounds, great with kids , other dogs and have the ultimate long velvet ears

@ILiveAtNo10

I've moved from Labrador (as I get older) to Border Terrier. Lovely little and very portable dogs. Super temperament with humans and dogs alike.

Very portable

Beagles are very nice, or a cocker spaniel?

Another suggestion for a Beagle. Great little dogs.