Help me find a breed for my parents?

[NewKidOnTheBloch]

My parents are experienced dog owners, having owned various breeds from goldens to a spaniel mix to a mini schnauzer, but they haven't had a dog for a few years. They would now like a pup, and I'm trying to think about which breed would suit them best.

This has come up now because they are falling in love with a newborn working cocker litter. I don't think this is the right breed for them now but I'm struggling for other suggestions - hopefully you lovely doghouse people can help me with some ideas!?

Details:

Them...
-Parents fit early 70s.
-They live in a residential area in a large town. -There are a few decent green spaces accessible on foot (parks & playing fields) , and other more "interesting" walks/areas within a short drive (woods and rivers).
-Garden which isn't tiny but not big either.
-Both retired obvs and able to afford insurance/training/whatever.
-Young grandchildren, with various attitudes towards dogs from v nervous to loves every beast they come across 😆 No childcare, just visiting.
-Able and willing to give a decent amount of exercise, but i think they would struggle with the sheer amount and variety needed for a working cocker given their ages and where they live.
-Rescues have been discussed, but they have decided they don't want to risk a dog of unknown background now, and see this as their last opportunity to have a pup.

Dog...
-We all loved the mini schnauzer but he was neurotic and barky so wouldn't risk another.
-Not a tiny toy breed or a large breed, or one of the poor buggers with their nose between their eyebrows.
-Not a westie.
-They want something loving and trainable.
-Mum does have a soft spot for spaniels I think (hence paying attention to this litter), and they seem to be either highly intelligent or daft as a brush, is that fair?

My dog knowledge is not up to scratch here, so I'd be grateful if anyone has any suggestions!

Not a working cocker, they don’t have an off switch. A show line cocker would work but working ones are seriously hard work. I fostered one for a while and I hadn’t realised there was such a difference between the two strains. There’s always Cavalier King Charles spaniels too, although they might be too small going by your list

If they want something spaniel-y but not intense, if you can find a good breeder a cavalier is a lovely dog. And VERY adaptable so would be happy doing a lot now but if for whatever reason they need to slow down in 5 years would be happy with that too.

Or a clumber spaniel for a More unusual but lovely dog with so much personality and less full on than a cocker. Won’t be super easy to just find a puppy mind.

WCS are working dogs and need a job to do (gundog/agility/scentwork) otherwise they can become bored/anxious/destructive etc. They are also prone to Resource Guarding and separation anxiety if not trained correctly.
They are highly intelligent and trainable if you know how and well trained ones make fantastic dogs but they need work + training ie not just 6 week puppy classes. Prey drive kicks in at 6 months so recall needs proofing prior to that.
You also have to teach them where their off switch is, they are bred to work outside all day in all weathers so relaxing doesn't come naturally to them.

Our cavalier is bigger than average, so is about cocker size now he's fully grown. He's pretty much perfect - happy with a long walk or a couple of shorter ones, great with children, incredibly loving. He's just a brilliant little dude.

I'm about the same age as your parents and currently also fit and well. I wouldn't dream of getting a puppy after our old lurcher goes. I can't guarantee to be fit for the next 12-15 years. Are you or another family member happy to take the dog on if they become infirm? Would they consider an older rescue? There are plenty of breed specific rescues if they want a particular breed.

I was going to suggest a Cavalier too. Lovely dogs and usually pretty good around children - important for the grandkids!

I've thought along these same lines, as have they I think. Yes I would take the dog if it came to it in the future, I don't have a dog now because it's not the best fit for our lives but obviously grew up with them and love them. I can't convince them away from a pup though, the "unknown" element with young grandchildren is the sticking point.

Interesting so many have said cavaliers. We actually closely knew one years ago who was gorgeous but the poor thing had various health problems which might put them off. I see healthy bound-y looking ones around though, so I imagine it's down to luck and breeding.

Cavapoo’s seem lovely. Lots round my way but some are quite bouncy! I would seriously think about a puppy though. Without being negative, as someone else has said, are you prepared to have the dog if/when their health declines. It inevitably will in the next 10/15 years be.
There are so many rescues out there, with many ‘sound’ dogs available- especially through specialist breed rescues. ( Owner died/ ill etc)They are usually fostered temporarily so fully vetted.

@NewKidOnTheBloch it is all about researching your breeder carefully and making sure they health test correctly. Any good breeder will have a waiting list, some can be up to 1+ years. That's when people end up buying from puppy farms because they want a puppy now and can't be bothered to wait so they go for a puppy with no health tests/paperwork etc.

I dont think early 70s is too old for a puppy! They will have more time and money for the dog than many younger families with kids etc.

I also think that 70 year olds are capable of making up their own mind on which puppy they want!

Show cocker, although until you got to the bit about spaniels I was going to say whippet.

Personally I would avoid any cavapoo like the plaque - I would have wcs over them anyday.

Many cava poos are nervous , horrendous health and neurotic

Thank you 😊. And I agree, but they have asked me for my opinion.

@Righttherights cavapoos aren't a breed!

obviously plaque is as worrying as plague!

Why aren't my replies working properly 🤦‍♀️ That was for *IngGenious

I’d avoid (any) spaniel x poodle as you can’t know which breed traits will dominate

Might they consider a vulnerable native breed? There are spaniels in the list

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

I know crossbreeds are not popular here but we got a wheatendoodle last year. We have always had 2-3 dogs and a range of breeds, lab, boxer, lurcher, springer x, etc.
The wheatendoodle is the easiest by a country mile. Lovely size, very easy to train, always wants to please, loves walks but will also cuddle next to you forever. I have often thought she would be fantastic for my dad but he's 83 and knows he's too old for another puppy.

Another one suggesting a show-line spaniel. Working-line are bloody hard work by comparison. I have working-line gundogs and one of them, locally known as a delightful dog, turns into a little shit if not given a regular outlet in terms of work or training.

I wouldn’t recommend a cavalier. They are gorgeous little dogs but they suffer terribly with heart issues and also syringomyelia (spelling?) I did look at the breed years ago and it seems you can’t avoid these issues by just testing.
Also worth thinking of how much grooming they are prepared for.

If they have dog experience, how about a Tibetan Terrier? (Not a Terrier- more a utility dog.)
I have to admit, the puppy stage is challenging, but once you've reached the other end, and with concistent tainting you have a lovely dog.
They are not bothered about long walks - they are happy with a quick one around the block or miles on end exploring the countryside, as long as they can be witht heir humans - so quite future proof.

Only downside is high grooming needs.

Gorgeous pooch gemandjule, you can tell he is a very Good Boy ❤️
I didn't realise there was such a big gap between show and working cockers, we'll have a little look. We know a working cocker (unrelated to this litter) who is the best dog, calm affectionate and intelligent. She's also a rural living impeccably trained and used gun dog, and there you have it!

I've remembered, another good dog I know of is a Tibetan terrier - biggish but possibly just small enough, he's cuddly, quiet, and calm, although doesn't seem to have an abundance of intelligence. Any experience?

Thanks all, I appreciate the ideas and chat 😊

Good crossed post Ylvamoon 😆

@NewKidOnTheBloch if she is a working gundog then yes she will have had years of training. Mine is 2 and a half and half over 400 hours of training. Everyone we meet comments on how well behaved she is, as if that happens by magic 😁