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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dogs like a Labrador but smaller

93 replies

FoxRedLabbingtons · 15/01/2022 13:29

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?

OP posts:

Sagaris · 15/01/2022 17:34

Long term beagle owner here - they are equal to Labs with the food liking trait! Not always easy to train, but will work for tasty treats. And the ears! We have 2 ourselves and often babysit our neighbour's puppy - she's 7 months and delightful.

lastqueenofscotland · 15/01/2022 17:37

Yes to borders. Hard no to Patterdales!!
Whippets are lovely dogs too.
I’ve a family member with poodles and they are an absolute delight.

SirVixofVixHall · 15/01/2022 17:39

Loads of Patterdales in rescue, they are very far from a laid back Labrador, I really would not suggest one for your friend.
I think a cross breed would suit your friend, something with a bit of Lab and then a few other things in there, an older rescue maybe ? Rather than a puppy?
The leap from gun dog to terrier is a very big one , terriers suit a specific type of person. Having said that, Border terriers are probably the most easy going of the terrier group. They are a strong dog for their size though.

Keladrythesaviour · 15/01/2022 17:41

Id go patterdale. My friend has a cockerdor (lab X cocker) who looks like a small lab. Very energetic...very.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/01/2022 17:41

@isabelle81

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

I'm trying to keep that secret as much as possible.

I fear them becoming fashionable.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 15/01/2022 17:43

I have a beagle and didn't recommend them as they're bloody strong on the lead and often can't be let off in rural areas as once they catch a scent, they're off which can obviously be really dangerous if there's livestock etc. around.

Mine only weighs 17kg and has pulled both DH and I over on occasion. We've done lead training with him and he's much better than he was, but if he catches a scent, he's off and he completely ignores absolutely all of his training.

They're fantastic dogs and I wouldn't swap him but I think it takes a special type of crazy person to own a beagle they're also VERY different to labradors in terms of training and biddability - they would be a huge shock to the system, I think.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 15/01/2022 17:46

@NeverDropYourMooncup unfortunately I think they're already becoming more fashionable - I see a lot of people with them who had no idea what they were letting themselves in for

GerbilCurse · 15/01/2022 17:51

If she's an experienced gun dog trainer then I'm sure she'll have her own ideas already about breed suitability, although I'm unsure why a lab still isn't an option? If you do the training their size isn't an issue, especially if they're smaller working line anyway. She's probably also familiar with the old adage "labs are born half trained and spaniels die half trained" so only suggest a spaniel if she wants some additional challenge. I never have to worry about my lab jumping onto the dining table/worktops unlike people I know with spaniels the same age. I think people are often under the misapprehension that because they're smaller they're easier to manage in a small house but a lot of them never sit still!

Notsureonusername · 15/01/2022 17:52

I was a Labrador owner. When he died I wanted a smaller dog (also in my 50’s) that I would be able to lift in their later life. I went for a working cocker spaniel. I can easily pick her up. Still a hoover like my lab, full of energy, now has excellent recall but very loyal. My next dog will be another cocker spaniel.

GerbilCurse · 15/01/2022 17:52

And to reiterate what others have said about beagles, we had a couple in our training classes - both were either slow or unwilling to learn!

ILiveAtNo10 · 15/01/2022 17:55

Two of my friends have got beagles, one a teenage dog and one a two year old dog. Both are challenging in a way I wouldn't want to be challenged by a dog!

Umbella · 15/01/2022 17:55

Another vote for a cocker, working or show, both lovely.

Fredstheteds · 15/01/2022 17:58

Cockers are great little dogs! I love terriers too but have cats and yapping terriers not so good. What about a labradoodle - small of course

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 15/01/2022 17:59

@GerbilCurse

And to reiterate what others have said about beagles, we had a couple in our training classes - both were either slow or unwilling to learn!

Beagles aren't slow or unwilling - this is a really common misconception by people who (in the nicest way) don't understand the breed. My beagle was top of his puppy class and performed excellently. But the trainers understood his breed and worked to his strengths.

Beagles were not bred to work alongside humans. They were bred to run off and hunt independently, before baying and calling their masters to their quarry. In other words - they were bred to get humans to come to their call, not to work alongside them like labs and spaniels.

Beagles can be trained to do anything - but you have to motivate them properly. They won't do anything if there's nothing in it for them, and they also bond very closely to their people and are unlikely to obey a random stranger that doesn't have the right reward (food)

When I ask my boy to do something, I can almost see him thinking about whether it's worth it for him to bother! But if I have his favourite food, he can do anything - he has a rota of tricks he can perform, he can do basic agility, he can weave, spin, dance - but only for the right motivation or he gets bored and goes to find his own entertainment!

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 15/01/2022 18:01

Portuguese Water Dog beautiful/non shedding medium size likes people very much so can be a bit Velcro.

Tibetan terrier-also lovely dogs.

We have a cockershit to go with our lab-she is a bit mental and very stubborn-hadn’t realise spaniels are such knobs…!

Huntswomanonthemove · 15/01/2022 18:02

@Mollymalone123

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

I came on to suggest the same. They are gorgeous dogs.

katienana · 15/01/2022 18:05

I have a mini poodle, she's borderline Toy sized. She loves walks but also loves to sleep, she's very affectionate and is fine with being left for a few hours.

wetotter · 15/01/2022 18:05

My two suggestions have been ((more or less) made

Toller - yes they can be hard to find, but worth trying as they really are very like slightly smaller labradors

The smaller, friendlier (less stubborn!) terriers - not as biddable as a lab, but usually very good natured. Norfolk for silky drop ears, Norwich the same dog with prick ears, or Border (not as hard to find).

Clumber spaniels are less nuts than other spaniels, so might be worth a look

mandoforever · 15/01/2022 18:08

Can I suggest a show bred lab bitch.
Ours is active but gentle and very obedient.

tinselvestsparklepants · 15/01/2022 18:14

I have a rescue lab x who is part cockapoo. So she's basically a lab but a little one - she's 4 but everyone thinks she's a pup. She looks like a 7 month old lab pup (was identical to one of that age). She's dreamy.

GerbilCurse · 15/01/2022 18:14

They won't do anything if there's nothing in it for them

Surely that's the definition of unwilling :-)

Baystard · 15/01/2022 18:15

What about a German Shorthaired Pointer?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 15/01/2022 18:17

@GerbilCurse

They won't do anything if there's nothing in it for them

Surely that's the definition of unwilling :-)

But the point is, they WILL do it if you understand the breed and know how to motivate them.

They're not stupid or slow or unwilling - it's just most people try and motivate them like they would a gun breed and wonder why it doesn't work :)

Herecomesthesun70 · 15/01/2022 18:21

@cheapskatemum

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 adopted one. He's such a cutie

FrecklesMalone · 15/01/2022 18:24

I wouldn't go for a Beagle, gorgeous as they are. The ones Ive looked after a very shit recall, stubborn, and pull a lot. Also quite a few health problems. How about a lab/collie cross. We have one and very silky, small (Mum was a gun lab) and obedient.

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