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.

Go look at miniature bull terriers.

King Charles Spaniel - from a proper breeder. And by proper I mean one who breeds to older breed standards and for health - not small head fashionable prettiness.

My best fiends mum sounds completely similar. Had spaniels all her life and lives the breed characteristics but getting older.

Her best fired is one of said proper breeders and she got a puppy from them.

I dog sat when they went on holiday for 2 weeks and was totally converted.

She was a proper dog - had the spaniel drive and character but in a smaller package. She could walk for hours and lived nothing more than getting wet and muddy with my working breed dog.

But equally she was a total lap dog (it's what they were bred for) and just excellent company.

The perfect dog for an older active person - can take it up a gear but equally happy with some low key days. Total cuddle monsters and sweet as anything.

I foster dogs and dog sit for friends so have a lot of dogs around and I was surprised as how much I loved the breed. Really good fun dog but with the benefit of being totally calm and Dane in the house. Best of both worlds.

Proper little spaniel without the crazy!

God sorry for the spelling - you get the jist.

Jack Russell thingy.

Why, I have no idea 😂

Bedlington terrier.
Mine is the best dog in the world.
The only downside is the gro9ming.
Also, finding one who is clear of copper toxoplasmosis is a quest in itself.

I had a show cocker. He was perfect for me, happy to go on long walks but then snoozed away when I had things to do. Sociable and friendly with other dogs, loved people, small enough to be relatively portable when he got older and needed to be carried upstairs! Great personality and very slightly bonkers. I miss the silly old bugger.

We have an Australian Kelpie - cousin to the Collie but a bit more unique.

They are a very active working breed, but ours doesnt work and is mroe than happy playing with his Golden brother, daily walks and napping.

They are THE most entertaining dogs i have ever come across in my life

@Devilshands Instead of buying a puppy as a birthday present, buy tickets to go to Crufts in March, specifically to visit the Discover Dogs area. Your Mum can then see every single registered breed there is, meet the dogs, talk to owners and find out the good/bad about each breed.

Narrow the breeds down then contact both the breed clubs and owners/breeders. Talk to the breeders, find ones you like especially when they plan to have a litter. Go and see them, meet the dam (and possibly the sire), check pedigrees and health tests, all being well and if the breeder is happy, go on a waiting list for a puppy of the chosen breed.

This is a sensible course of action, buying a puppy to fit a specific date is not always the best course of action as tempting as it may be to fill the void of losing a much loved dog.

Thanks, all! Please do keep the recommendations and rationale's coming!

Activity levels (1-2 hours a day) are definitely as important to her as ability to have a good hug - which is why Goldens/Retrievers/Cockers were my dad's/my initial thoughts. I'm just team collie because they're so lovely!

@schloss Sadly, can't go to crufts as we're on holiday then! We know enough about dog buying though (four dogs in 15 years between us and I showed my Spaniel for years) that we know what to look for and find breeders etc. It's just the pinning down a specific breed as for some reason we just kept circulating back to the same four breeds and writing off other dogs without actually really having a good reason! Understanding why people got the dog they did helps us broaden our horizons and may stop us discounting a breed we may just have walked past/ignored before

If your mum is 60 now, she could be 75 by the end of the new dog’s life.

That's a shame you cannot make Discover Dogs as there will be breeds you haven't even thought of!

To add a suggestion in the vein you have been mentioning - the Duck Toller. It would fit all the requirements but smaller than FCR, Golden Ret breeds.

Three further breeds, the Lagotto, the Spanish Water dog and the Kooikerhondje are worth looking at.

I personally would avoid cocker spaniels. I know at least 4 people who’s dogs have died young with cancer related diseases and another who’s cocker went blind very young.

Another vote here for a FRL. My girl has just turned one and is a dainty 21kg but I assume she's probably still got some growing to do. As long as she gets a decent walk most days (happy to miss the odd day as long as she's kept entertained with some brain training games) she's an absolute pleasure. Was easy to train, is super eager to please, her recall is 100% (so far! Touch wood!) to the whistle and she's super smart. Doesn't require a lot of grooming upkeep. I could go on and on all day lol. Here she is looking like she's posing for Gun Dog Monthly 😂

So I gather - I heard a talk by a longstanding breeder who trials her dogs a few years back. Another breeder I've spoken to says the show dogs are straighter in the shoulder to get the flashy gait which isn't much good in the field as it wastes energy. You still get dual dogs - I know one who has done well in the show ring and wins trials. By all accounts, anything with recent German lines is better off in the field.

I think much the same is true of Weims.

Bang on about picking the puppy. There can be huge variation in a litter.

@NormaLouiseBates she is stunning! And without wanting to sound weird, lovely definition in her legs/back! Not an inch of fat - so lovely to see!

Definitely one to consider! Thank you 😀

Thank you! The fox reds only come in working strain so they're naturally a bit leaner than their show cousins but I do keep a very close eye on her weight and body condition!

I've got two GSPs and I love them to bits but I'd say avoid them! They need good off lead exercise most days and a job, and they're prone to separation anxiety. We do gundog training, scent work and agility because the devil makes light work for idle pointers.

I vote golden retriever if you don't mind the hair.

I have a fox red lab girl too, she is 18 months now and a total joy. Previously we had a male black lab who made it to 14, when it was time to think about a new pup I still wanted a lab, but thought a different colour and sex would help avoid any comparisons. It definitely did.

She is from a working line so was incredibly easy to train, with a lovely gentle, fun nature. Does great with off lead walks, consistent recall but is a lap dog on the sofa too. And past the relentless landshark stage so shoes are relatively safe. Shes very clever, she can seek out her hidden toys if we ask her to find them by name and if I ask her to find a rogue DC at dinner/bedtime she heads straight to them. And can smile on demand

Please forget the retrievers, setters and Spaniels! Most are high energy and as she gets older might struggle to keep up with them!

I think your mum really wants a Tibetan Terrier. They are not a terrier, but a utility / guard dog, therefore have a low prey drive and won't stray to far ... in theory
I would say, they are an fun loving dog, intelligent, a bit mischievous and thrive on their owners attention. So if she is looking primarily at companionship, Tibetans are perfect! Her Tibetan will be happy with a hiking holiday or just a quick walk around the block! (My boy even attends agility training!)
And really, if you think about it, in Tibet, the Buddhist monks would give these dogs as presents and good luck charms - never to be sold! .
So you could not get her a more thoughtful present!

And yes I am bias, as I have Tibetans, but how could you resist this beautiful fella?

@Ylvamoon they're a bit barky though aren't they? No barking required in her house! Otherwise I agree, a TT is worth considering! Thank you - wouldn't have thought of one otherwise

St Bernard, lounges around, sleeps most of the time, only needs two short walks a day. Rarely barks. Friendly around other dogs and people.

If she loved her Springer, but doesn’t want the comparison, how about its cousin the Welsh Springer (am assuming your Mum’s was an English, but if not vice versa).

The Welsh have always been less popular, can never 7nderstand why - but smaller, but less wired, very attractive dogs.

I'm in my 40s and would struggle with a high energy dog due to chronic illness I have. Saints are lazy and don't need much walking and just plod along.

Little scruffy lurcher.

Why? Because I had a boyfriend with a whippet when I was younger and she was wonderful and I fell in love with her but I do like a scruffy dog. Mines whippet/bedlington and a fantastic dog - easy, obedient, sleeps all day, happy walking for ten miles or a 20 minute march round the block, genuine and kind and generally perfect.

His only flaw is that he is a shocking food thief!!

This website has pretty accurate write ups for each breed www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/dogbreeds/