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!

I’d also like to recommend a cav. They’re like spaniels lite. But they are technically a brachycephalic breed which is on your no list. I checked in with a vet before I bought one who said they weren’t particularly brachycephalic though and didn’t commonly have the problems that the likes of bulldogs and pugs have. Not so long ago, their heads were a real source of health issues. But not so much of a problem anymore. But they do still frequently have heart murmurs. Which commonly turn to mitral valve disease, but not imminently and they can still live quite long lives.

edit to add: big disclaimer that I don’t have any real expertise of their health, only limited understanding from my own experience and from what I can translate from the vet and other owners we meet out and about. I think my point was: don’t put them on the no list because of their health if you think they’re an otherwise good fit (they really are wonderful dogs) but maybe have a chat with a vet.

Another schnauzer
pretty much perfect for your needs

Border terrier? Absolutely adorable, and the calmest terrier around.

Or shitzu - bred as lap dog, doesn't bark but maybe too small?

Soft coated Wheaten terrier?

Anything but a cavapoo !!

If it's the "known quantity" that makes them want to get a puppy, I'd suggest considering an ex racing greyhound instead. A good rescue/rehoming place will know the dogs' personalities and advise which ones would suit your parents, and typically they will have had a very orderly life beforehand.

Given you might end up looking after the dog, there are two pluses for you: firstly an ex racer will be a little older so less chance you end up having to take it! Secondly, they have relatively low requirements for exercise and stimulation... a much easier prospect than something which might require over an hour's walk a day at a minimum.

PPs comments about "other" spaniels seem sensible too. (From the dogs I know).
Whippets are lovely but get the wrong one and they can age you years because they bugger off into the fields for hours, deaf to your pleas!

An older rescue whippet would be a great choice though. As retirees your parents are very well placed to bid for one...

I would go for a mini poodle or a cairn terrier.

Not a working cocker! Lovely but need such a lot of everything - training, attention, walking.
Prone to anxiety and resource guarding too.
So many nice dogs of all ages and types in rescue - you know what you are getting with an adult dog. They would be perfect for many dogs.

If they are dead set on getting a puppy then consider border terrier, Bichon frisée, whippet - usually these are all fairly healthy, friendly, trainable, like walks etc but without the intensity of a working cocker.

Not a Cav as so many health problems, I'd go with a working cocker without too much "red" in its pedigree.
Speak to breeders and find out if the parents have the all important "off switch" I have three cockers and they all are working dogs but they'd be fine as pets

Retired Greyhound.

Sorry to sound daft @booktime1 , what do you mean by "red"? Like when champions etc are marked on pedigrees (my memory may be failing me here 😆), or other red flags that this dog may be a total maniac!?

I grew up breeding working cockers and springer and agree they'd be exhausting.

Unpopular opinion - but where I live there are LOADS of trendy cockapoos around.
(They're the new Frenchie in these parts). I look after one for weekends quite regularly for a neighbour (I offered as I don't have a dog atm) and it's a dream. Minimal hair, really chilled in the house, likes a nap and a cuddle but loves a walk. Even takes itself off to bed at 9pm!
I believe there was a craze of breeders in the last few years and now supply outstrips demand so there are lots in rescues.

@NewKidOnTheBloch red= FTCH (field trial champion). I chose a nearly full red pedigree as I wanted to work her but for a pet owners you wouldn't want much red as they will be higher energy + drive. That's why it is so important to do your research on the parents + breeder.

A Maltese would be wonderful here.
I'd avoid anything -poo as they can be a bit hit and miss with energy and trainability due to genetics.

Lhasa apso? Lovely dogs and trainable though they can be quite stubborn

It’s a shame about the schnauzer because they can be pretty great little dogs. I ‘ve had three, two of which have been very chilled and one barky.

How about a more trainable terrier? I’ve got a border and she’s really smart and I find her easy to train (but I’ve been an agility trainer for 14 years and have taught loads). She’s small, affectionate, sparky, she was barky as a young pup but has really settled down now she’s just turned a year. She’s easy to live with most of the time and is happy to do a mad agility session or laze around looking neglected and tragic.

She does need at least an hour of off lead stimulating exercise a day and I do a lot of games and brainwork with her too so she gets a lot of input. Her current status whilst I type this. She’s not had a walk yet. She has come from more ‘sparky’ lines as that’s what I’ve wanted. Some are very laid back.

Cairn!

very underrated dogs. Never see them at all these days.

we had one and it was such a lovely dog.

Ooh what about a Norfolk terrier? My mum is about to have a litter.
Yes red is field trial champions, you might find a keeper bred dog better than a trial bred one

Shetland sheepdog? I've known some very nice ones.

Border terrier or retired greyhound.

@BestIsWest - I've known a few schnauzers, the most recent one is chilled and soppy and generally just a good easy dog, another was a barky little fiend, and ours was barky and completely off his trolley. All completely non aggressive and adorable, but the barking with ours was something else and honestly he was mad as a bag of badgers, so they understandably don't want to risk it 😆

@Newpeep - Oh just look at that poor tragic neglected beast, thank you for the pic! I lean more towards slightly scruffy terriers (not that yours isn't a handsome boy) than sleek spaniels. Borders are among my faves, I'd love one one day.

@booktime1 - I couldn't quite picture Norfolks so googled. I know it's not the biggest consideration, but they are seriously cute and I bet pups are adorable.

Thanks all for the suggestions, I'll look into a few properly and pass them on. I do worry a bit about some of the practicalities and am invested in them getting this "right", but I'm secretly looking forward to a potential new pup to love.

Newpeep - I meant girl, sorry!

Being involved in the training world many many people in their 70s, 80s and 90s! get pups and honestly it works out wonderfully. They do have back up plans if things go wrong - family, friends, the pups breeder have all taken dogs when the worst happens. Sometimes they are rehomed within the training community ( I have helped rehome dogs this way). So as long as they have a back up plan then it’s fine. I’d not worry about age at all.

…and she says ‘thank you the Treat Dispensers are doing a TERRIBLE job of trying to keep her in a show coat so she’s requested to go back to her Stripper once her season has finished to make her look FABULOUS again’ 😂

Totally agree re poddle x. See post above. I never thought I would have one but she's the easiest dog I ever had and so affectionate

I have a Border. Game little dogs and very cuddly.

Tibetan terriers and rough collies are both lovely dogs. My in laws are in their 70's and have a Tibetan.

I had a rough collie growing up and she was a fabulous dog in every way apart from her coat needing a fair bit of maintenance. Might be a bit bigger than you were thinking but they don't need massive amounts of exercise.