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.

NerdWhoEatsMedlar
Is it a doodle on the right of the picture?

Otter hounds are amazing. They're not very doodly though, they're a bit more aloof, very solid and would look ridiculous in an urban setting. I'd love one.

German shorthaired pointer x German wirehair pointer, the result of an illicit meeting

Show line Labrador, all the positive qualities of a lab but lazy too meaning happy to chill as required and also go mad with all the other family dogs on demand! Show labs tend to be smaller and slightly less boisterous

Miniature poodle also fits the bill. Active, graceful, intelligent, devoted, trainable.

My husband is 57, so around your mums age maybe. Yes, people should be thinking ahead for the next 10+ years when getting a dog but he is fitter and more active than many many people more than half his age, sounds like your mum is similar too. It’s a bit rude people assuming just because she is close to 60 she should be picking a lazy lap dog. Definitely a poodle though, standard or miniature 😆.

Arguably against talk guidelines, but I'm withdrawing my post on the grounds that it's total bollocks, because of a maths error (which is a permitted correction)

In your shoes Id avoid anything high energy. I'm 58 and recently lost my two old labs and ended up with a lurcher pup. It has been a tough time training him (8 months) and you honestly forget how difficult pups can be!

I am also fit, we are both retired, but I simply don't havre the strength to hold a bouncy strong dog that I did. My labs were working x show and 40kg at an ideal weight!

I'd recommend letting your mum choose the breed/dog, I think Id be quite resentful of having a dog chosen that I struggled with.
Current dog is 19kg, doesn't shed much and is super easy to clean after a muddy walk. All considerations as you get older.

I second this- it's a brilliant website.

Show labs tend to be smaller and slightly less boisterous

The opposite actually, show labs are almost always going to be bigger than labs from working lines.

I'm going to say a large Munsterlander. Looks and personality of a springer but bigger

And all the people pointing out that her mum is getting older are overlooking the fact that so will the dog! Whatever dog they get is not going to remain a crazy bouncy puppy forever.

Other than that, I'm just here to admire all the lovely dogs. 🐕

Border collies all the way! Smaller than a Lab and easy to train, smart and sweet. I have just cracked and adopted a new puppy as well as my 3 year old. I get a lot of cuddles from the adult collie - this pic is her begging for my dinner.

Wouldn't touch a flat coat due to health issues and short life span.

Huge difference between a collie and a goldie!

The collie will need a lot of time and attention not necessarily mega walks but lots of interaction. A goldie way less.

If she is a spaniel lady I would stick to spaniels. I know you said no springers but they can be the easiest of the spaniels.

Just to add - my mum is 57 and her golden retriever died this year. She is fit and healthy but says she wouldn't have another dog of a similar size, because he was very heavy for her or my stepdad to lift when he got old and ill. They did lift him eg in and out of the car, but it was a struggle. By the time a new puppy got old, they'd be in their 70s and even less able to lift a big dog.

@TooExtraImmatureCheddar You can just get a car ramp for dogs. It's easily solvable.

did I mention rough collies?

They're the best

Yes to this! I have a bedlington x whippet and she's a glorious girl. She's affectionate, loyal and makes me laugh every day. She's also a terrible food thief but I wouldn't change her for the world.
I couldn't recommend this cross enough - scruffy lurchers are the only dog you'll ever need :)

Large munsterlander? Lovely things?

You can't beat the happy go lucky, sunny, confident disposition of a goldie. Mine is happy with a 2 hour romp but probably would prefer a slow sniffy walk for an hour.

Awful as a pup, I would have sold her to anyone at the door for 30p but after the first 6 months she's my perfect canine companion.

She woke me up last night by wagging her tail in her sleep - right into my mouth. Delicious.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! It's amazing how many breeds have been mentioned that even though I know of (and love) I just wouldn't have thought of.

Not being barky + loving exercise are her key requirements. Barking is her red line!

On the comments re. her age – this woman is never going to slow down (unless something significant happens!). It’s in the family genes – my grandad was doing 10+ miles a day with his Collies well into his 80s, as was his dad. In ten years she will only just have hit the current State Pension age - so she's definitely not on her way to the graveyard yet!

On some of the breeds mentioned...

TT – if it is a bit barky it will drive her insane.
St. Bernard – not enough exercise (she really does want one – two hours a day)
Rough Collie –I considered one instead of the Golden I ended up getting and did love the litter I went to view...as did my mum, so actually definitely one to consider (which I wouldn’t have thought of as it’s always one that never comes up– so thank you!)
Corgie – same as TT – a bit barky?
Poodles – one of the few dogs that she actually doesn’t really have strong feelings about either way (not sure why!)

So I think I have strong contenders;

Fox red lab
Rough collie
(Potentially) Corgie
Golden @BigBundleOfFluff mines 14 months now and I feel your pain about those first few months! Not even sure I'd have charged 30p. I'd probably just have thrown him at them and run away😂
Collie
Cocker Spaniel

Collies can be barky buggers!

I am amazed at the age comments on this thread. I work with people with dogs who at 58 are not affected by their choice of getting dogs or the dogs they are working at the moment. 58/60 isnt old. 70 isnt old for many hardy dog owners.

When did 58 become old!

Get a dog and keep fit and healthy!

I would suggest a greyhound they are great for slightly older people and very easy dogs. Very loving and soppy too.

I am amazed at the age comments on this thread. I work with people with dogs who at 58 are not affected by their choice of getting dogs or the dogs they are working at the moment. 58/60 isnt old. 70 isnt old for many hardy dog owners.
Ditto. I did the morning walk this morning with a friend who is 77. Two miles, no problem - she is in better shape than her elderly dog. I was helping at a field trial in icy weather a while ago. One of the judges - on her feet for six or seven hours - is over 80.

Obviously everyone ages differently, but keeping fit with your dog is a very good way of finding off decrepitude.

Is she good at training dogs? If so, a golden retriever because you simply can't get a more placid, obedient breed imo.