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.

I also have a fox red lab bitch- she is from show lines though and a lot heavier set (36kg). She has been the easiest dog in the world- calm, extremely trainable, loyal and clever.

I then lost my mind and have since got two chocolate labs- they cannot be described as any of the above 🤣🤣🤣 very friendly and fun though 😊

I’d suggest a lab too.

Rough collie. Grooming is easy. Sheds once a year. Will do big walks or happy with an hour. Protective of their herd though and can be reactive to noises and bangs. Lovely nature.

I’m your mums age and I have these they are IMO the best dogs in the world, they have an amazing sense of humour, they’ll easily walk 15 miles or just go round the block, you can pick them up and put them in the car or lift them over a style, useful as you get older, unlike GSPs vizlas etc they are not going to knock you or friends over. I think they are incredibly handsome (as do most people who meet them they are a real talking point), they are slightly aloof with strangers and other dogs, mine will walk past both with giving them a glance which I like, no jumping up at strangers or hassling other people’s anxious dogs, they don’t resource guard or fight other dogs, they are not known to be super sensitive needy or neurotic and mine have never chewed/destroyed anything they are easy to train and I’ve left mine on the odd occasion for up to 5 hours at times with no trouble. I never groom mine from one day to the next they have a particularly fine tail which they use to express the enjoyment of the world in general they are fun dogs rather than boisterous lunatics. Being a rare native breed they are bred by breed obsessed breeders no puppy farms. Mine have all led exceedingly healthy lives never putting a paw into the vet except for routine stuff, Lastly the cardigan corgi association says the maximum you should pay is £1500. The biggest downside for me is that they are herding dogs and will chase livestock and we have a lot here, and they do shed very badly twice a year. In the past I’ve had working dogs GSP’s etc (which will also chase livestock) but they had 400 acres of land to roam over and lead an outdoor life from dawn till dusk, my a friend has a vizla I wouldn’t now at my age own any kind of dog like that for all the tea in China.

The only problem with labs is they want to grow up to be pointers.
A good friend bought a lab for her 70th birthday, she chose very carefully.

Throwing beagles in the mix!

Beagles will steal your sofa, your bed, your duvet, your food. And your heart ❤️

@Devilshands I wouldn't say mine are barky, more like an extended door bell. But yes, the guard dog in them can develop into noisey habits. But I think, as your mum has experience with dogs she'll know how to direct this. Generally, after the first excitement of telling you about possible visitors, Tibetans can be surprisingly aloof once you have invited people into your home.
Again, something I like about them, mine usually interact with visitors who approach them. If visitors ignore them, my dogs will return the favour! I have had a few Tibetans over the years and all where similar in that respect.

Another vote for rough collies. They’re in need of support as a breed and you couldn’t pick a more perfect dog. They love to be outside but are equally happy lounging around (generally in a doorway) and they are really useful when children get stuck down wells or lost in a cave.

Rough Collies are sweet, gentle, intelligent and loyal. They love to go on walks but at home are quiet and just like to flop on the floor near a family member and are not hyper. They are also very glamorous with beautiful looks and get compliments wherever they go. I was surprised that despite their long fur they have very low odor. You do need to brush them a couple of times a week, although we have our groomed every couple of months so her hair doesn't get too long and poufy and rarely brush her and her hair is fine.

We did a lot of research until we decided on this breed and now would always have to have Rough Collies. They are highly trainable, eager to please and do very well with other dogs and cats. They are great watchdogs and let you know if someone is approaching the house they don't know, but are not aggressive.
Some are supposed to have issues with barking but we haven't experienced that at all.
Very good and gentle with children and empathetic, if someone is upset they rush to comfort you.

@cloudtree ha! I didn't realize they had already been mentioned cross-post!

I have a golden retriever and he is the best dog ever. I also like flat coated retrievers and vizslas which are similar when it comes to an affectionate sweet nature. Goldens are the cutest though!

Standard poodle! Excellent family dog. Great with other dogs, lots of fun, loves people and being your best friend. Ours is mostly active, but is equally happy with a duvet day when required. A great community of poodle lovers can be found on line too.

Rough collies are the best. Our new pup arrives next week! Our last one was the gentlest dog I’ve ever known.

This is my boy, he’s 3 and the first dog I have ever owned in my life and I’m 46 today, he’s brilliant with kids, next door’s cat and other dogs and his temperament is amazing. Yes he’s in need of a few walks a day but it’s good exercise and he’s great fun.
he does think he’s human though and has a slight addiction to strawberry pop tarts 😁

Australian labradoodle. My DH chose the breed, I grew up with dogs, so would have had virtually any breed.
We went for that breed because:
Non-shedding
Temperament - had to be good with young DC. They were originally bred to be therapy dogs
Extremely trainable.

Given her age, would it be sensible to go for a breed that needs a bit less exercise than she's doing now and isn't so high energy/big that they risk knocking her over?
I've got a cavalier King Charles spaniel (from a rescue) and she's very "spanielly" and will walk for hours (even now she's old!) but is very chilled out in the house. The problem is the genetic health issues (heart murmur etc) - I probably wouldn't get a puppy of the breed for that reason.
My friend has a Japanese Spitz - nice size, quiet, healthy, and apparently no doggy smell!
If the only issue with a rescue is getting on with your dogs, it might be worth chatting with a few charities? When we were looking, rescues had lots of dogs who love other dogs. Skipping the house training/nipping was great for us, although I know a lot of people love the puppy stage!

Ex-racing greyhound. We’ve had ours since he was 2 and he is a total love bug.

Ours is happy with other breeds, but he delights in other hounds and lurchers. Loves cuddles and walks, likes cafes and pubs.

No waiting list for these beautiful babies, they are hugely overbred by the racing industry. I’d encourage everyone to consider one as a pet.

Thank you for reminding me of this list. As a breed nurd, it's always interesting to me. Glad that the beautiful English and Irish Setters are off the list these days. The Gordon Setter is my fave 🥰🐾

My BF had a Red Setter from shoe lines when I was growing up. She was such a gentle, intelligent and well behaved soul that I've wanted one ever since.

I'm possibly the sane age as your Adam and whilst I probably do the same amount of hiking I'm aware that joint knee replacements are looking in my 70s so if not take on a working type dog now.

Love this idea!

PP is looking for a dog who can hike/ walk 2 hrs

Another vote for fox red lab. My girl is small at 21kg, parents are both driven working dogs but she is happy being a pet, very intelligent, loveable happy dog. People always comment on her nature and that she always seems to be smiling.

I'm sitting here alongside a golden retriever, border collie and cocker spaniel. They are all lovely dogs but quite different from one another. The cocker thinks he's a cat and is currently curled up on my knee, he's also up for walks as long as you like but quite stubborn and not keen on returning to the car when told. He's also the noisiest of the three and likes a good bark for attention. My Border Collie similarly will walk as far as we like and has excellent manners and recall. He is a bit more reserved though and often prefers to chill out in another room so isn't much of a companion around the house. That leaves my favourite! My Golden Retriever is excellent company, likes to sit close by but knows she's too big to be a cat! She loves everybody, dogs and people. She's gentle, quiet and well mannered and also up for walks as long as we choose. Her only bad habit is greediness and I have to separate her at feeding times otherwise she would eat for all three! Good luck in your search for the ideal pooch!

I have one working line Labrador bitch 1y weighing in at 22kg and a 14 yrs old Working Cocker Spaniel. They're up for jolly good daily hikes but it walks will soon need adjusting as I'll be picking up another Lab pup in four weeks time when it'll be back to short puppy walks but the older two will join in some walks. FWIW, I'm an active 70 yr old, take the dogs gundog training, KCGC and do the odd scurry at local events for fun