Dog breed! Can I ask for suggestions?

[sunshineandstrawberryjam]

I own three cats. Both DH and I work from home full time. Late teenage DC who tend to come and go a lot so there are a variety of people around. We have a medium size garden (half an acre), and access to the countryside.

I'd be looking for a breed with a low ish prey drive (so is ok with the cats), can cope with a reasonable number of people (so not German Shepherd which we've had before as they do not like comings and goings), is going to be comfortable with about 3 walks per day of 30-40 min each (so about 2 hours per day) and maybe obedience training or similar at the weekends, and then happy to chill out in the sitting room or garden while DH and I work.

We've had dogs before but not for a while (due to kids). In the past we have had GSDs and Old English Sheepdogs but I feel like a GSD would not be a good fit for us these days. Am seriously considering an OES again but just wanted to check what else I might be missing.

Thank you in advance!

Goldie for sure.

I have Border Terriers and they are so good ( well socialised) - they are little dogs who think they are big dogs , & yes they have a chasing thing but well trained they won't worry a well established cat. but if you prefer a bigger dog , my younger BT is best friends with a golden retriever and it is lovely to see them play happily together whilst out for a walk .

A rescue dog, you sound as if you tick all the boxes so they should welcome you with open arms and they cat test the dogs so you'll have a fair idea which ones will be ok with cats.

If you're set on a puppy though I have friends that have introduced a Bichon frise puppy, cavalier KC and a miniature schnauzer successfully to cats. It seems if the pup is smaller than the cats it'll go well because the cats put it in its place early on.

I think you need a Sheltie, always ready to play, walk or just be with you.

this is easy, you need a Labrador 🥰.

Going to chime in with another vote for a goldie. Always ready for a walk, play, snooze or cuddle. Mine matches my energy perfectly. I don't have a cat but mine coexists without any drama with my tortoise and Guinea pigs.
I've been doing research into my next dog. Will either be another goldie or a flat coated retriever.

We have always had two or three flatcoats - they are very much people dogs - they crave attention and physical contact - and I would say a teensy bit more hard work than the goldens my parents had. But very happy with myriad comings and goings and friendly with other dogs.

The bitch we currently have tho is very wick and catches and kills rabbits and would running/swimming birds if not recalled - she does have a prey instinct not just a retrieving one. Her brother is a lot more chilled. Both are obssessed with water!

English and Gordon Setters are lovely family dogs too.

Another goldie fan here

Noted!!

Not opposed to a rescue dog at all, but of the three shelters we've tried so far, two were very negative about the cats, and one just didn't get back to us at all.

That's a shame re rescues. Please keep trying. I would not normally big up the border collie but you have herding dog experience, space and an interest in training. Their exercise needs are overstated compared to their need for intelligent owners who give them a job to do. They are usually less territorial than GSD (unless allowed to become v territorial by being left to run up and down fences barking). They are low to moderate barkers anyway as they herd with their stare. Older ones end up in breed specific rescues quite often as too old to work or circs change for owners. Breed specific rescues are overflowing right now, and lots have lived on farms and are fine with cats. We have had ours since a puppy, she's never been remotely interested in cats (squirrels...).

Labs and retrievers are fab, I rarely meet one I don't like. But there are not so many needing homes right now.

A border collie with cats probably isn't a good idea - though I agree they sound great for OP otherwise.

Cats don't generally appreciate being herded about and collies can be quite nippy by nature. I'm probably bias because I know a family with two border collies and a cat and the cat never comes downstairs anymore 😬

We had a JRT who was brought up with a cat. She had epic prey drive, but any cat we owned she was fine with. She hated all other cats, though.

Most gun dogs are fine with cats if brought up with them. The working lines need something to keep their brains busy and give them an outlet. The hunt-point-retrieve breeds (like GSPs) are wonderful affectionate dogs, but need very clear boundaries or they can be really hard work. If you're prepared to put the time in, you get a lovely companion.

I have a border collie with two cats this minute (used to be three until oldest cat died last summer). She’s never touched them - doesn’t dare! Old cat ruled the roost when she was a puppy so she grew up with a healthy respect towards cats.

A show bred english Springer spaniel might work? They would be fine with that amount of walking as long as some of it was off lead. They are loads calmer than working springers.

They tend to be variable IME. Collies show such a diverse range in drive.

The collies I know that are fine with small furries generally have a job to do like agility, obedience, rally etc. so their instincts are being satisfied. Walking isn’t enough on its own for a collie, well most working dogs really.

I’d be cautious of a Labrador. We’ve got a working bred lab, from coming home at 8 weeks she saw the cat as a play mate. Luckily our cat was used to dogs because we’d had one before and put the pup in her place. They did come to an understanding, but it took time and a tolerant cat

I would consider a vizla, beautiful family dogs. Xx

I have a lurcher. I have lots of friends with lurchers and cats - and they get on very well - they don't see 'their' cats as prey so the prey drive issue doesn't come up. The rescue we got ours from regularly has dogs that have been cat tested - obviously careful introductions are important, but this might deal with the cat side of things. Then you'd have a dog that would be perfect on that much exercise and then chilling the rest of the time (or having a race around the garden).

People will tell you to avoid spaniels but honestly mine is so easy going in terms of people coming and going, can cope with one walk of 45 min a day or a few hours, doesn’t seem to alter his behaviour much. He’ll happily nap all afternoon after his walk and will entertain himself in the garden if I throw some of his food in the grass or give him a long lasting chew.

He’s fine with cats but will chase birds, he does shed a lot though but nothing the vacuum can’t handle.

He’s a working cocker spaniel.

I love Vizlas - but I don't know of a single sane one! We have 4 friends with them and they are SO high energy and nervy.

My DD has one and she is mad for 5 mins then just wants cuddles. But let's the kids jump all over her, not a bad bone in her body. My lhasa on the other hand,, dead easy but can be snappy with children.

Well, there are exceptions to every rule 😉

Not opposed to a rescue dog at all, but of the three shelters we've tried so far, two were very negative about the cats, and one just didn't get back to us at all

Oh that's a real shame, I think some rescues are so hung up on the "perfect family" that they reject people who could be great with the right guidance. Then they complain that they're over full 🤦🏻‍♀️

@OllytheCollie - so, my grandad had border collies when I was little. All were working sheep dogs so although I have massively fond memories of them, I've always been a bit worried about them in homes where they can't be worked properly as they often seem so mad when I meet them in cities.

Maybe an older one at the end of its working life might be different if cat tested. Do you have any recs for breed specific rescues?