Dogs like a Labrador but smaller

[FoxRedLabbingtons]

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?

@FrecklesMalone

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.

I'm surprised you know so many unhealthy beagles as generally they're a very healthy breed - it's one of the reasons they're used for animal testing, along with the fact that they're generally absolutely excellent with people and are rarely ever aggressive..

I was going to suggest a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever also. I have met a few and they are beautiful, lovely natured dogs.

They need a lot of activity and may be difficult to find in England.

A Manchester?

Patterdales are insane - nothing like labs! Steer well clear if you don't have huge amounts of patience.
Jack Russell?

There's a market out there for lab type dogs that weigh in at 15 - 20 kg

I would say standard poodle. Highly intelligent, cuddly and not as strong as a lab.

2nd choice beagle - very lovable and totally velvet of ear

Not a cocker - esp. not a working one. great dogs - but highly energetic.

King Charles spaniel possibly. Vervet of ear and excellent guard dog.

Tibetan terriers do not fit this bill at all - they are fabulous dogs but they are nothing like labradors in personality

I love Patterdales (I'm a terrier person) but weirdly the woman who runs a local terrier rescue organisation said they sometimes end up in rescue because they attract people who like the idea of a small lab, who then find that Patterdale temperaments are very different! Just a thought.
We fostered one who was far too clever for us and very prey-driven, even for seasoned terrier folk.

A small working/ show girl Labrador would be what I’d recommend

SMALLER?! Greyhounds are not small!

But they fold up small apparently.

Standard dachshund? Brilliant personality, can be trained well if you have time to spend on it. Excellent ears 😁

How about a Brittany?

What about a miniature labradoodle? She’d have to look very carefully for a decent breeder but they are probably the most legitimate (if that’s the right word) of all the ‘designer’ cross breeds. I know lots of lovely ones.

@FoxRedLabbingtons

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?

This is my Toller - she's lush! Yes, hard to get hold of and best through a Toller breed group. Females are definitely smaller than males who can be quite big and strong

Have you considered a Patterdale Terrier?

Springer or cocker spaniel? They have great temperaments, excellent with kids, very playful and usually really biddable.

Another vote for Portuguese Water Dog (or Spanish). They’ve got that ‘something’ of a lab about them while being a bit smaller, very sociable and love their grub while very trainable too

A staffy, I'm a lifelong bull breed owner and cannot fault them, intelligent, lovable and happy with a hug or a hike.

Don’t go for a labx collie because you don’t know if you’ll get one that both lookalike a lab and has a lab temperament. A collie temperament is really hard going

Am I wrong to think spaniel? I know they aren't as placid as Labs, I suppose, I wasn't sure what specific traits OP wanted.

Greyhounds/lurchers are nervous ime. Not like labs.

Definitely not a standard poodle. We have them, they're fantastic dogs but easily the size of a lab, both of ours are bigger than our friends lab.
A miniature poodle would be suitable though.

Definitely not patterdales, aren't they known as twaterdales?! 😆

Border terriers are lovely but like all terriers can be stubborn.

Poodles can be neurotic ime and yappy.

Beagles are lovely but hopeless recall.

One of the companion breeds might be good?

Mini Australian Shepherd?

Staffie? Super intelligent, ridiculously loyal, love long walkies and will trot for hours but also happy flopping on the sofa for a nap.

Very keen on biscuits. Of the dog type, obvs.

Our last dog was a rescue of unknown parentage …. When out and about we were constantly being asked if she was a small Labrador, or people would assume she was a young/teenage lab. Lovely happy biddable temperament. I was heartbroken when she died. So maybe look at rescues?