What breed?

[RainCloudsInTheSky]

We lost our dog about 6 weeks ago and are starting to think about potentially getting another around spring time.

We would ideally like something medium sized, non moulting, good with older kids and easy to train.

many ideas? We think a golden retriever would be lovely but so big and moult. Labs are fairly naughty if my friends labs are anything to go by. Any ideas what may suit us? Thanks.

Sorry @RainCloudsInTheSky that reply was for you. I can't seem to quote at mo!

Staffie

Soft coated wheaten terrier? They don't shed, my boy has a wonderful personality and was easy to train. I keep his coat quite short.

@twistyizzy I'm not doubting there are many dodgy doodle breeders but there are also many dodgy breeders of pedigree dogs.

Let's be honest, most breeders are in it for the money, they're not just doing it to better the breed. Poodle crosses are (mostly) lovely looking, intelligent, biddable dogs, who are often used as therapy dogs. Why is it so hard to believe a reputable breeder wants to create more of these?

All pedigrees were crossed at some point. Poodle crosses aren't bred with flat faces so they can't breathe or any of that other ridiculousness. Really can't understand the snobbery around them.

@CellophaneFlower working breeders will only breed to continue/enhance lines and take great pride in their breeding.
You can't sat that poodle crosses are "mostly" anything because there isn't a breed standard to judge against. Indeed there are many of them with RG/anxiety issues and behavioural problems because you are mixing 2 high energy breeds, both of which can have anxious tendencies.
The "snobbery" is due to the immensely high churn of these mongrel crosses for £££. My trainer works with RSPCA and police on puppy farm rescues + prosecutions, without exception they are likely to be factory farming poo crosses.

@twistyizzy oh well, I'm very happy with my pup. She has great parentage and is enriching my life massively.

I pointed out to OP that there are decent doodle breeders out there, which is true. I spent 2 years looking at breeders and litters prior to making my choice. I would do the same with a pedigree too and not assume KC registered means all is well... as it's really not worth the paper it's written on.

I would do the same with a pedigree too and not assume KC registered means all is well... as it's really not worth the paper it's written on.

Most people who recommend a specific breed on here would also recommend, or if not explicitly stated assume it as a given, that a prospective owner will research the breed and look for a reputable breeder. No one here likes a puppy farmer, whether that's of pedigrees or crossbreeds. But equally no one could deny the current popularity of poodle crosses has led to an absolute explosion of backyard breeders churning them out, just as happened to Staffies a few years ago and various other breeds/crosses over the years.

I have a bedlington/whippet. Most of them are bred as working (i.e. hunting) dogs, so people tend to breed with specific characteristics in mind and because they want to keep one from the litter. So it's mostly backyard breeders but they tend to know what they are doing and are not just churning out litters of cute puppies for money. Mine is a lovely dog, occasionally a bit nervy, but otherwise pretty laid back. He doesn't moult, and doesn't smell that doggy (house doesn't stink of dog like a labrador house would). When not zooming around like a lunatic, he spends most of his time asleep.

My working female Goldie isn't huge. She's about 29kg. Wouldn't class her as medium but they are all not massive. She's a dainty wee thing.
And they are the bestest.

Actually just wanted to add that my bedlington whippet is very small. Though doesn't look tiny because tall and skinny. If you wanted a bigger one you'd be looking at a whippet type lurcher with maybe a bit of greyhound in the mix somewhere, or a bedlington/whippet/collie mix.

Any of the sighthound (greyhound, whipped, italian greyhound) or sighthound-cross (lurcher) breeds would probably suit.

Whippet sounds like it meets your needs best: not too large; short-haired, very little moulting; very relaxed (or "aloof" as KC call it) temprament; they are unlikely to do many tricks without effort and experience on your part (not the smartest breed), but they will learn what is not ok and generally don't have the motivation to do anything naughty -- they just want to curl up and be pet! Need far less exercise than you would expect.

Generally misbehaving in dogs is caused by them being understimulated. Get something with an energy level that matches the amount of exercise you are able to reliably give it and you shouldn't have problems. Think about what the breed's "job" was before being a pet.

Avoid any of the poodle mixes, despite what the breeders & advocates claim they're currently one of the most puppy farmed types of dogs & many of them do shed.

They are an often unknown quantity in health, temperament, coat types & size.

And one thing many people who don't want to deal with clearing up dog hair don't seem to realise is that the dog may not shed everywhere, but they need a rigorous & often costly grooming routine or they end up becoming a welfare issue due to matting.