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 got our first ever dog a few months ago after years of waiting for the right time and a lot of research l. He’s a working cocker Spaniel as wanted a high energy dog as I’m a keen walker and I have 2 very active teens. He’s high energy but also very loving and loves to cuddle up for a nap during the evenings after a busy day.
between us we have time for long walks every day but he needs a lot of mental stimulation too. Very glad we got him and he fits perfectly with our family

How about a Boston terrier

They’re a brachycephalic breed - that means lifelong breathing issues and limited exercise needs. She wouldn’t touch one!

Sure they’re great for some people, but not for her.

He is STUNNING!!!

Definitely another one to research a bit more! The only issue is not good with loud noises (can’t rule out grandchildren in her future…)

Border terrier!

My little dog is the best dog ever. She doesn't bark or chew. She's SO eager to please that she's super easy to train.

She's clever and funny and has the cutest face. She will walk for miles but if for whatever reason (doesn't happen often) I can't walk her, she's not bothered

She is the friendliest happiest dog in the world and I love her to bits.

However. She stinks.

😂

I had a cavalier King g Charles abd if I was getting another dog I'd get the same. Fairly dim but very happy dogs. I'd try to get a bichon frise Cross to avoid the fur molt.

I do think cross breed might be better but you need to be very careful that there is any common genetic issues for the breed. Like bad hips in a lab. How do you check that on lab doodle? Do cross labs even have these issues?

@WellWillWoll my only concern would be how small they are! Two of dogs are quite rough when they play and I wouldn't want a dog to get hurt (and realistically my dogs will spend a lot of time with my mums - we do a walk together a day, they spend a full day a week there etc).

@DyslexicPoster she won't take a doodle cross. Too hard to ensure it's coming from a good home and most breeders don't do any health checks on the parents! A Cavalier is probably too small/not enough exercise requirements.

@Devilshands

I hear you. My BT is a girl. She was the runt of the litter and very small but she LOVES other dogs. She'll happily play with any size dog and goes running up to them like they're long lost friends 😂

Her current favourite is a Spinone. They look so funny leaping about together. Very Little and Large!

Mine might be small but she's got no idea and I'm not going to tell her 🤭

Ours just goes into his box if overwhelmed... So at least you won't have to worry about the dog jumping at your toddler 😅

Working line lab.

Generally healthier than goldies (lower rates of hip and elbow dysplasia). Easier grooming wise. Similar lovely, gentle temperament. Very biddable so training is as easy as it gets. Can walk for miles but is very calm around the house.

I wouldn't do a Toller as someone suggested. Not only do they bark they scream and it's really unpleasant! I think a lab is othe obvious choice but if you want something a bit different a well bred Rhodesian ridgeback is amazing. They can go for miles but quiet in the house.

@Devilshands
I've got an Australian labradoodle and there are responsible breeders out there who do all the genetics testing.

Australian labradoodles are wonderful, they have all the best traits of numerous breeds. Here's some blurb
The Australian Labradoodle currently consists of 6 different breeds in its origin. The confirmed and approved parent breeds of the Australian Labradoodle are the Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy, Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coat Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel.

Mix them up, and the answer is a Goldador. We have two (ages nine and three) and wouldn't have anything else. Super calm and reliable around other dogs/people/children. Ours walk twice a day for an hour off-lead, happy too to go for all-day walks. Love water, fetch, chase, anything outdoorsy.
Very easy to train/biddable. Super relaxed indoors, just make sure they have their own sofa/easy chair and you will have a friend for life.
Frost and blue skies this week, they come home after an hour out and snuggle up in the morning sun for a sleep toether.

Thanks all!

To confirm; she won't take a cross-breed or a mongrel - just her personal preference.

On a working lab - definitely a possibility. Again, one of the ones that my dad and I just sort of skim by when we consider dogs for her!

Rhodesian Ridgeback's can be quite protective of their property and people, can't they? And reserved with strangers. Obviously those characteristics can be trained out with enough training but I'd still have reservations...BUT I have never met one and am going off word of mouth/basic research here - so very happy to be corrected!

@WellWillWoll will add it to the list then! I'm always worried by little dogs getting hurt etc. which is ironic as my 10 year old cocker, who is only 12KG, is the boss in my house and definitely the most feisty! So you make a valid point! Thanks!

Just another one, as I saw one the other day and thought how amazing they were. Walks for miles and miles, so lovely and docile

Scottish Deerhound

Are you able to link to health tested breeders please, as we are considering. PM is fine of you'd rather not say publicly.

Just rescue. Feel so sorry for all the unwanted dogs sleeping alone in shelters tonight.

Curlies are very often incredibly inbred owing to the tiny gene pool unless your breeder is really on it. with all the recessive genetic and rumour risk that comes with it.

goldies are great. I wouldn’t recommend a working line dog if any description unless your parents have a job for it to do. Show will be just fine but make sure the coefficient of inbreeding is low and there are many verifiable generations, and that ALL the health tests have been done on both parents.

*tumour, not rumour

Chaungdong hound. Good size, will take a long walk or a snooze. Very very new breed to the UK, only one breeder currently but gaining popularity. Very ancient breed from the hills of China, look exactly the same as they did 400 years ago and very little in the way of health problems. Worth a look into

I have a border terrier. He is 11kg but is solid and sturdy. We had a cockapoo (absolutely not recommending these, they’re fucking wired, never again), he was also 11kg and there wasn’t much in it between them size wise, cockapoo was longer and not as sturdy as my border. He is ridiculously friendly but I know some borders are a bit dog reactive. Mine is so lovely. He’ll walk forever but also happy to sleep all day. Cat and child friendly. Though he does bark but only in the garden, never anywhere else, he learnt how to bark from the cockapoo. There was something else I was going to say but I’ve forgotten.

i do not recommend a curly coat as I have been told they are very prone to cancer due to small breeding pool.

He is absolutely beautiful.X

Miniature poodle. Because they are really fab dogs.

Thanks all for keeping the suggestions coming!

I just had a quick google of the Chuandong which are described as a 'natural guard dog' - so that is immediately ruled out. And the one breeder in the UK doesn't actually appear to directly answer any of the questions in the FAQ so definitely wouldn't go there...

As flagged before: no rescues.

I would never have considered a Mini poodle before - always had in mind they didn't need much exercise (and I really should know better). But it's been added to the list

Scottish Deerhound - to short a lifespan!

I'm having dinner with my parents tonight so let's see what she says (I'm expecting the inevitable 'oh I don't know! They all look so lovely') 😆

A labrador - loving, attentive and generally easy going !