What dog would you recommend for us?

[Champagneforeveryone]

At the outset I should point out, this is all hypothetical at this point as DDogs 1&2 are middle aged but showing no signs of going anywhere just yet. We've had conversations about our next dog and are aware that if we went for a puppy, we would probably need to be finding a breeder a couple years in advance (depending on breed)

We are experienced owners and over the years have had a variety of different breeds. Mostly lurchers or gun dogs (that worked under the gun) but also Rottweilers and currently a hysterically anxious staffie cross.

Have previously had both puppies and rescues. In my earlier life I worked for a rescue and have had a couple of the really tricky cases that were not suitable for general rehoming. This was enormously rewarding but was prior to DH who we both think would find this level of damage / commitment too daunting. Aside from these, more manageable rescues would be happily considered.

Family would be DH and I and ChampagneCat who is spectacularly indifferent to dogs. DS will be at uni by then but will return in the holidays. I work full time and DH will likely be retired by then, if not will be working a couple days a week. We would be happy to have a dog walker etc if necessary but due to my shifts have never really needed it in the past.

Own house with small, very secure garden (near a road so is cat proof, therefore also dog proof)

Basic criteria would be:

• not a toy dog. Small terrier types not a problem but pugs, pomeranians etc don't float our boat. Extremely tall (Great Dane for example) would necessitate a new car which I would prefer to avoid
• not very high energy but happy to go on long walks, in grotty weather etc, but also equally happy to slob about the house. DDog1 is restless in the house and the constant tip tip tip of his paws drives me potty
• not a breed prone to anxiety. DDog2 is a highly anxious rescue and having managed her many and varied issues for the last few years, I would prefer something a little more chilled if at all possible!
• not excessive grooming (OES / Afghan hound types) Happy for regular sessions at the dog groomers and at home, but not to that degree!
• ideally we would like to stick to one dog, having always had multiples. Therefore not a breed that craves other dogs around.

DH has met several fantastic doodle types while at work, but I'm wary as they seem such a cliche now. We do know a fantastic breeder of springer / poodles if we did decide to go down this route. He's also a big fan of scruffy lurchers but ChampagneCat makes this a harder prospect.

I would happily have another Rottweiler, or thinking working lab or golden retriever type.

Basically I think our criteria is too wide and we therefore cannot see the woods for the trees. Obviously at this stage this is all for fun but I would welcome any suggestions

Cockapoo
Miniature schnauzer

I lean towards another Rottweiler too. No shedding, easy to train and can go for a good walk but don’t need acres of space. Also, very handsome beasts and nobody will burgle you with a Rottweiler!

A standard poodle would certainly meet the requirements you've given here, and they have lovely temperaments and a great sense of humour.

Entirely my thinking weasel. The only thing that gives me pause is that my last Rottweiler was my "one in a million" dog and I stupidly feel that another wouldn't live up to her enormous reputation. She was PTS in 2013 so I should probably get over it

pilates, both breeds which we have bandied about.

susu a breed we haven't mentioned but one which I've had only good experiences of in the past. I will add it to my ever increasing list

A poodle would be perfect.

I'm currently sitting a mini poodle and he's fantastic. No shedding, great recall, calm in the house but can walk for miles. He hates rain though

Poodles can be anxious.
I’d say a whippet

If you'd be waiting till the other dogs are gone, then why not a rescue lurcher puppy? There are many in rescue (inc my current foster who is snoring beside me atm) and some rescues are foster based so may have much better information on cat friendliness - EGLR for instance.

Standard poodles are much calmer than the smaller breeds and if raised by experienced owners shouldn't be prone to anxiety - at least not without cause!

We have a miniature schnauzer. She is a wonderful dog.

I have a Springer Poodle Cross and she is perfect!
Good with cat, loves people and walks. Chilled at home.
Also clever/biddable and easy to train, and a good size imo.
Have a look at sproodle/Springerpoo groups on Facebook, but I think our dog couldn't be bettered!

We have a mini schnauzer and she meets all your criteria. The only downside to the breed in my opinion as they can be quite barky as they are hard dogs. As you are experienced dog owners I'm sure you could handle any training needed for that.

Meant guard dogs not hard dogs

I’ve got a bedlington whippet - so a small scruffy lurcher. I know you said possibly not with your cat but not all sighthounds are a no no with cats, especially if the cat is already established and you get a puppy. She’s dreamy - smart, affectionate fun and lazy around the house.

I'm a licensed home boarder of dogs and the easiest ones I've had stay with me have been Jack Russells and cockapoos.
I can understand your reticence with cockapoos as they seem a bit dog du jour at the moment (or should I say chien du jour) but they're easy, love their walks, don't moult and adapt to cats nicely. They can be a bit clingy so there's that to bear in mind.
Another favourite is the Norfolk terrier, amazing little dogs

What about an Airdale? They seem very kind and less nervy than other terriers. Or a Portugese Waterdog or a Wheaten Terrier? Setters are glorious particularly the Welsh or English Setter. Black Flat Coated retriever or a Chesapeake Bay Retriever or Irish Water Spaniel.

Have you considered a Cocker Spaniel or Springer Spaniel?

We have 2 Shih Tzu and a Shih Tzu Lhasa cross
Ideally I’d like a Lhasa or a Maltese. Our Lhasa cross is such a character. It’s better to groom them yourself if you can.

Westie.

pearly a bedlington whippet is actually exactly what DH is after, but not that easy to come by IME.

lady our working dogs were all (recently) springers and cockers. DDog1 is a working cocker and TBH, much as I love him, I have less than zero desire to have another one

gen, a colleague has litter sister cockapoos who are now 9yo (so well before they became popular) who are the absolute dream dogs. I have however seen many more which absolutely aren't!

kathie, mostly breeds that have popped up in conversation over time. Apart from the wheaten which I have limited experience of and all of that only good.

DH and I have also previously looked at endangered breeds, notably the Sussex and Clumber spaniels so that's another avenue for us to explore.

Probably a good job we've got a few years actually

Saint Bernards are pretty chilled out. I have one which lazes around the house but enjoys a walk. Not anxious at all. Very calm temperament.

Norfolk Terrier.

Fab little dogs and pretty much meet your preferences.

PS, Wheatens are wonderful but their coats are high maintenance.

Greyhound? A bitch would be smaller than a male (so medium rather than a large dog), don't shed, don't smell. Walk if you want to but generally relaxed and lazy round the house. Not generally barkers. Ours walks some days for 2x30 mins, sometimes for a couple of hours if we do. Small garden not a problem, ours is small.
Sensitive souls with lots of love to give! Also tons in rescue, sadly, after racing. Please consider, they're wonderful, gentle dogs.

I'd avoid labradoodles , they can be very anxious and needy. Mine is and everyone I know who has one are too. I think they are a bad mixture and I feel very sorry for mine. He's on alert all the time. I only have to shift position on the settee and he's up pacing by me.