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 really wouldn't get a collie. Amazing breed but they need a job and they don't have that stable energy.

Quite! Mid-late 50s is not old and neither is mid-60s if you're healthy and active. In ten years, she will only just be State Pension age. That's more than fit and young enough to have a 8-9 year old Golden/Collie/Lab.

When we go on dog walking holidays she strides off into the distance with her rucksack (and usually all the dogs!) leaving me running along behind her like a little child 😅

Do keep in mind that a rough collie is not like a border collie in terms of temperament. They are very calm, gentle dogs and great companions and the fact that they will be equally happy on a good walk or just lounging about makes it really easy to look after them whatever is going on. They don't need to be working/mentally stimulated like borders.

Mine rarely barked and I was forever being stopped by people asking about him and by small children wanting to know whether he was a lion. I'm so excited for our new one next week. DH is mid 50s and she's a surprise for his birthday.

Other than regular walks like any other medium-large active breed, Rough Collies are not hyper or restless. They have a sweet, calm temperament and just like to relax at home with their people.

Fox red labs are no different than other colours other than the fact that they're almost certainly working lines rather than show.

I find black hairs show up far less on things than yellow/red 😂

We have two female black labs from working lines. I like that I can pick them up if absolutely required.

They're very active outside the house but have always been very chilled inside.

The FRL’s I know from different working lines all seem to have ‘something extra’ than blacks and yellows.

Ahhh I always admire your labs whenever their photo pops up 😍😍😍😍

I have to disagree, however, I actually think the different colours do have different personality traits- as do the show/ working lines. Having owned three different colours, the two black ones I had were very similar to each other, as are the two chocolates and the fox red is different again. All of mine have been from show lines though, no working. Thats just personal preference but they are on the whole a lot lazier than friends and family’s working types.
And greedier 😬

Our two are related but totally different personalities

My first Cardigan corgi never barked the current one barks when people come to the house but nothing like a schnauzer or some cockerpoos.
I’ve had a Pembroke (same as the late Queens) that was a bit more barky but not desperate. I writing as someone who has has an exceedingly low threshold when it comes to barking.
Cardigans are big dog personalities on short legs.
This is mine on the beach.

Go to the collielife website for all info on roughs and smooths (very endangered) and info on litters.

Bearded collies are also lovely but more bouncy and bigger paws.

No offence intended in suggesting a smaller breed!
I was basing this on my parents' experience, who had a big lab/springer cross in their late-50s and 60s. My dad put his back out lifting dog into the boot to go to the vet (dog refused to use a ramp!) and my mum got a shoulder injury when the dog spooked while on lead and yanked her. Both accidents and could have happened at any age really but I think they wished they'd got a smaller breed in hindsight.
But if OP's mum is fit and a good dog trainer I'm sure a bigger breed will be fine - I hope she enjoys her new companion!

I have always had herding breeds: rough collies, border collies, Australian shepherds, collie crosses. Some have been rescues, others from breeders. They have all been amazing dogs: active, intelligent, calm at home but energetic out and about. Any of them might suit your mother's needs.

If I ever branch out from herding breeds, I would go for a springer spaniel (which I know your mother doesn't want) or a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever which might suit your mum very well.

@MercyIsEliminated so years ago she did consider the Aussie Shepherd but she ended up with her Springer instead...

Thank you! Another one for the list

I am in the USA and Rough Collies are rare but Australian Shepherds are EVERYWHERE! Not sure when they took off as the Collie of choice 😄

^^ This!

@Devilshands Aussies are amazing! I currently have one who is simply wonderful. Smart as a whip, affectionate, easy-going, loves to run and swim but perfectly calm and content at home.

Not true! All retrievers are different, some a lot more boisterous and difficult than others. I’m on GR number 4 now, I’ve owned them my entire adult life.

No. 1 & 2 were some of the calmest, most easy going dogs I’ve ever met. No. 3 was more energetic but still relatively easy in terms of training. My 4th girl is now 11 months and absolutely nuts! The first few months were genuinely awful. Very highly strung & difficult to train, massive amounts of energy and constantly raring to go. Don’t get me wrong she is improving and I’m certain she’ll turn out to be a lovely dog but it does go to show that GRs aren’t always so easy!

Australian Labradoodles have spaniel in the mix, essentially a bed of their own, really fantastic dogs.

@Devilshands Aussies can be quite vocal - ours is! And for a relatively big dog she's got a surprisingly yappy bark That said, as she's growing up it is getting better.

I think some barking would be okay. The main thing is not a 24/7 yapper or one that’s going to alerting her every time someone arrives at the door! But definitely point to note - thank you!

⬆️ this, 1000%.

I have a lovely 7 month old Kooikerhondje and I think it could be the perfect breed for your mother. They are, however, rather rare in the UK so I'd also suggest a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever as they are very similar breeds (NSDT retrievers were probably bred from kooikers).
Pros:

• very quiet, they don't really bark as they were bred to lure ducks (totally fascinating how they used to work, and you can still see some of those inbred behaviours)
• coat is easy to maintain, you just have to brush them once or twice a week
• bond very closely with their family, not too keen on strangers, but friendly if socialised properly (and they do not bark at strangers, they just observe from a safe distance)
• very food motivated, so easy to train
• Previously a working breed, they love to learn tricks and are perfect for agility, ours learns very quickly and loves showing off whenever he's learnt something new
• Happy to go on long hikes, but 2 40 minute walks a day are fine if you're busy
• not very big or heavy, so easy to carry if needed
• he's my third dog, and I've never had one that was so happy and good natured, having him is a joy

Some cons can be:

• they get very attached to "their people", so have to be very slowly taught that being left alone is not the end of the world
• can be a little fearful and thus end up reactive if you do not work on it from the beginning (ours is fine because we've known that he can be a bit unsure and worked with him a lot to build up his confidence, but his sisters are both a bit yappy when they meet strange dogs)
• they do not like loud sudden noises, so usually tend to avoid young children
• the gene pool is not huge because the breed almost died out at one point - a responsible breeder will perform genetic testing to avoid inbreeding and hereditary diseases

And here's a picture (his coat is not yet fully developed)

Edited for typos

As your mum had an English Springer Spaniel before, how about a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

I know 2, they seem a bit calmer an lighter build than their English cousins.

https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/welsh-springer-spaniel

I've always chosen by temperament and character. I wanted a dog that was good around other dogs, animals and people, love life (I get severe depression) and be easy to train. So vizslas, bichons and bearded collies. Despite looking totally different and having very different purposes they have a similar outlook on life.

Smooth collie - basically a rough collie without the fur to deal with.

I looked into them a lot, even contacted some breeders last time I was between dogs, they’re rare but that means it’s pretty much only enthusiast breeding them so easy to find good breeders and not huge waiting lists because hardly anyone has one - no clue why, I’d still have one, I ended up getting a rescue and then taking in a neglected farm collie after that, so no room at the inn just now, but next time....

High energy without being manic, nice size, trainable, basically nice all round dogs.