Which breed + why?

[Devilshands]

I know it is the the unspoken rule amongst doggy people that you don't gift dogs as presents (and trust me, I do 100% agree with this in theory). However, my mum lost her dog (Springer) a month ago. My dad wants to buy her a puppy for her birthday in a few months and has raised it with her. She has agreed and was over the moon - said she doesn't care which breed as it's the companionship she is after (and she does genuinely mean this which makes it ever harder and if we gave her options she would dilly dally for years and we'd all have probably have died of old age before she decided!).

She's fit (under 60), WFH, v. experienced in owning dogs, large house + garden. Only requirements are: no yapping/barking and not a Springer.

Pretty much 90% of dog breeds would suit her, which doesn't help my dad or I narrow it down at all! I'm torn between a Golden or a Collie but my dad's team Flat Coat or Cocker. As you can see...we're an indecisive and useless bunch. We're all massive dog people so it shouldn't be this hard but it really is.

So, dog owners of mumsnet: when you got your dogs, which breed did you get and why? Really keen for ideas and also rationale of why that breed, to help my dad and I come to a decision before I lose the will to live and just get her a gerbil.

We went with a golden retriever (and have owned them for my entire adult life) due to their lovely nature. Such social and friendly dogs who are always happy, eager to please and just adore spending time with their owners. That’s not to say they are easy though, as puppies they can be very challenging. Lots of energy, extremely mouthy and at times (especially now in the teenage stage) quite stubborn. Our girl is 11 months now and life is only starting to feel normal again…!

Stabyhoun, medium sized, spaniel enough to be familiar but rather different.
https://stabyhounuk.com/

I'm a similar age to your mum and have decided dogs need to be less than half my weight.

I have a vulnerable native breed

There are spaniels on the list - maybe you'd like to consider one of those? One advantage is that these breeds are generally produced by breed enthusiasts, not larger scale commercial producers

Vulnerable native breeds | The Kennel Club

Both a Stabyhoun and a Golden would be a good fit (I have a golden and the Stabyhoun looks v. similar in terms of personality to what her Springer was like!). Only downside of the golden is the life expectancy is a tad shorter than I think she would ideally want...

Not to sure about a vulnerable native breed -although one of the Setters might be a good idea! Never considered them before!

Thanks for the suggestions. For some reason I'm just on a total mindblank on breeds!😤

Do not be tempted by a pointer, far too hard work.

If she wants a challenge, try an Airedale.

Otterhounds look just like Labradoodles

Curly coated retrievers are unbelievably beautiful but can be as manic as my pointer.

I also find harriers tempting. This probably means they are unsuitable.

A well bred (crufts lines) Staffy is a dog of joy.

Anything that needs a lot of grooming like a Schnauzer is a pain, although some people like the beauty parlour aspect. Their vocalness is variable.

Why don't you go to a local rescue and see what's there? There may well be the perfect dog waiting for her..!

As above, why don't they go to a rescue centre and choose together? It is all very well picking a breed and buying a puppy but you can't guarantee what it will turn out like. If you go and choose an adult rescue then more or less what you see is what you get.

Gordon setters are beautiful dogs. Very well natured.

We now have a pointer. Not sur why a pp says they are too much work. They need a lot of exercise, but then so do collies.

In theory a rescue would be great.

BUT I have three dogs who spend a fair bit of time (at least a day a week - and this is non-negotiable as I have to leave them there to head into the office) with my parents (ageing from 10 years - 14 months) Bringing a rescue into that would be unfair on the rescue (given how many are deeply traumatised and have problematic behaviours) as they'd want time to bed in as just them and my parents and we couldn't give them that. Plus most rescue dogs can only cope with one other dog maximum - let alone three (one of whom is a Golden and 14 months so a total liability)! A puppy would be better able to acclimate more quickly, ime. Probably should have mentioned the other dogs before!

Gordon Setter does sound good, actually!

Curly Coat Ret. also - but not sure how good they are with other dogs...

Setters are absolutely beautiful dogs but very difficult. Had one in the past and I wouldn’t have another if I’m honest. They’re a working breed, incredibly high energy and need a job to do

All of these seem like busy working breeds. How much work does she want to do with them?

Absolutely no offence meant but a lot of these dogs seem to be high energy dogs? I know she’s only sixty, but maybe consider how much energy and exercise and training she may want to undertake!! Ps just thinking of the fact she said no springers

No I get that! She's under 60 but v. fit. We're talking 10-15 mile hikes a day on holiday etc.

She was very specific on no Springers as she loved her old one so much (and it was such a perfect dog) that she doesn't think her heart could take another/she would constantly compare the new dog to the old one if they were the same breed. So it was that, rather than the energy!

She won't do something like SGWC or proper working with them. But 1-2 hour walks + an hour or so a day playing is very realistic. With a Collie, she'd probably do agility as she's done it before - but not likely with other breeds!

Our Gordon setter was not difficult at all. She wasn't the cleverest of dogs but she was incredibly good natured and very loyal.

Re 'high energy working breeds', a lot are split between working and show lines. Working golden retrievers are a different ballgame compared to the show lines, same with cockers, springers and labs - and the setters. There is a show line English setter around here and she seems to be delightful and not too full-on.

The hunt-point-retrieve breeds don't yet really have a work/show split (developing, more in some of the breeds than others). You can dig into the lines if those breeds interest you and find one whose training, exercise and mental stimulation needs match what your mum wants to/can give. Breeders will be able to advise in detail, but if you want a quiet life stay away from field trial lines - lovely but bonkers!

I always suggest Samoyeds in these - such beautiful dogs, intelligent and friendly, always happy looking (smiling Samoyed). Downside is they can be quite barky 😋🐾 - here's mine - not been groomed for a while and has winter coat on

@EdithStourton GSPs have already started to split working and show.

Picking the right puppy from a litter is also key. As you get older you pick a calmer pup (note to self: the bouncy, chase me clown is likely to be hard work)

Lurchers are fab ddog.. Great with people and other ddogs. We even have 2 dcats! Underestimated as a family pet...
Love a long walk or a lazy day.. Zoomie mad or total sloths!

Golden or a Flat Coat. We've had both.

Fantastic nature, gentle and calm down eventually 😀

I love all the breeds you mention, but think may be a working line goldie may be ideal, as they would be more than up for the longer walks and be keen for constructive play/training, but not have such a need for a job as a BC or working cocker?
I think it depends partly on how much your mum wants a dog to go on nice long walks with, or one she can train up to do something (could be anything, agility, hoopers, scentwork?). If you think she would enjoy training it for a purpose (she may do if she has done agility before), i'd say a border collie or working cocker. For nice long walks, any of the breeds you mention would be a good fit. Working cockers can be very keen to go off hunting and developing selective hearing, so i'd avoid them for an easier life (although i love them and have 2 at home!).

An alternative would be a poodle (any size!) - can be very clever / trainable and active.

I disagree. Some rescues run open kennels and the dogs are perfectly well adjusted and in fact far more socialised than breeders' puppies. I've worked in shelters and the idea that ALL the dogs in there have behavioural issues but bred dogs don't is a total misconception - you can get very resilient, well socialised, balanced and loving dogs in shelters, (and you do get bred dogs with health and personality issues) and the people looking after them often know them very very well. Please be open minded to a rescue!

Flat coats are wonderful, but they have a very high death rate from cancer at a young age.

I wouldn't go for anything super high energy at that age - I know she's fit now but she needs something she can still cope with in her early seventies.

A golden sounds like a perfect fit
A friend of mine shows and breeds them and they are amazing dogs so adaptable and lovable balls of fluff

Your mum sounds similar to mine in age and activity and my dm favors Labradors, she has 3.

Ok I am going to vouch for the fox Red Labrador. I have a bitch, she’s neat and small about 27kgs. She is now 3 and I find her gentle and calm in the house (we do not have young children and I WFH and DH retired) . Soooo easy to train, very short coat and all fox red females I meet seem to be wonderful in temperament. I do think they need company and can get easily bored when young. But works for us as similar age to your Mum

Another vote for pointers/HPRs - we have Vizslas and Weimaraners; love them both but the Vizslas are definitely more manageable and just so goofy and loving (suuuper Velcro). Easy to train and they do need lots of activity, BUT if there’s the odd day when we can’t do a “big” walk (e.g. during the worst of the summer heatwave, or if they’ve injured their paw) they are happy napping and doing brain teasers at home. You definitely get crazier ones and calmer ones though so definitely agree with PP point about choosing the right puppy.