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.

Those chuangdong's look like the next candidate for the XL bully lot.

How about an English Setter? Gorgeous loving dogs who love to be out and about but easier than a red setter.

We had one growing up who was just the sweetest boy ever, He was very similar to my Springer in terms of loyalty and eager to please. Definitely less intelligent though so nowhere near as much mental enrichment needed!

(My too choice would be springer as they are the most awesome dogs but I can understand why your mum wouldn’t want another one)

Cairn terrier? Delightful little stubborn buggers. V food motivated, super friendly, small enough to be picked up. Loyal and like to be on the sofa next to you! Can bark but I actually find Goldies surprisingly barky! I've never met a non barky Golden!

I also looked at rough collies, they tick a lot of boxes!

I didn’t get one in the end as I found it hard to get to speak to any breeders seriously but it seems your already in 😄

So, I showed my parents this thread last night and they had a good giggle at some of the suggestions.

Rough Collie – Yes
Working cocker spaniel – Yes
Golden Retriever – Yes
Labrador – Yes
English Setter – Yes
Flat Coat – Yes (but she was less certain given the lifespan issues...)
Collie – Yes
Border Terrier – Yes (but yap worries)

Other dogs were vetoed for various reasons including ‘I don’t like their face.’😫

Her favourites were English Setter and Golden (but that's just because my Golden is such a sweetheart and has slithered his way into her heart). She’s going to speak to an English Setter breeder near us and see what they have to say about the breed (she knows all the other breeds well) and then, in theory, come to a decision on which she thinks is the best fit for her.

Thanks for all your help – definitely wouldn’t have considered either the Border Terrier or the English Setter before now and wouldn't even have had a good reason for ignoring them!

Your mother’s right…. They’ve got to have a nice face fgs! 😄

Border terriers are wonderful little dogs ❤️

If it helps, we have three on our street and none of them yap.

They're so lovely, this is mine...

Oh don’t they just!

Although, looking at their pictures at least they seem have decent conformation unlike the structural nightmares most bull breeds in this country are. The scrotes wouldn’t have to chop their ears off either.

My border doesn’t yap but he does bark in the garden. And we’re still working on recall.

this is him. Sometimes my lip gets stuck on my teeth 😂

Oh please do tell us what she settled on! I would adore an English Setter (or a Gordon Setter) and Border Terriers are a consideration too. My in laws have a pup and he's fitted into the family so well.

She is going for the English Setter! She spoke to the breeder local to us who offered to let her go around and meet the bitch she'll be breeding from later this year - and she fell in love! I practically had to drag her away from the poor woman's house. I must have said 'we should leave soon,' about six times in a two hour period! Poor women probably thought my mum was going to move in there and then...

Her names down for a puppy from that litter and she's over the moon. So once again, just to say thank you to everyone for their suggestions. We genuinely hadn't considered an English Setter before but all the research and the bitches (the woman had two) that we met all suggest it'll be the perfect dog for her.

An English setter is a fabulous choice. I hope she enjoys her new pup!

To meet the needs you describe, I vote for one of the following in order of preference:

Scottish Terrier
Wire Haired Fox Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Whippet
Cross of the above 2.

Sorry, forgot to say why:

All great companions, busy body personalities, like long walks, like chilling.

Aww I’m so glad you’ve decided and what a great choice. I’ve always had a soft spot for setters, though largely Irish because of the colour 😂 but English setters are gorgeous. And a vulnerable native breed too.

Oh I’m so happy for her. Great choice. Please pass on my good wishes - and post a pic when puppy arrives!

Oh, fab. I've only met a couple but hey do seem to be lovely dogs.

Excellent choice!