What dog would suit Dd and I?

[Queijo]

Up until Dd was was born I’ve always had spaniels (working cockers and welshies) but I moved to a city when Dd was tiny and whilst we do have lots of green space around us I just don’t feel it’s the right environment for spaniels anymore.

Dd is 7, and I feel like she’s a good age for a puppy. I’ve explained the land shark stage and how much she might hate it and she’s spent time with a friend’s puppy and agreed it’s pants but they’re also fun!

If I’m a hardcore spaniel lover what would work for us? I love KCS but honestly with all the health conditions can’t own one with a good conscience. Lab is slightly too big for our house I feel, although we do have a very big, completely fenced it back garden.

I don't really think that a single lab needs a big house. Our labs tend to spend most of their time in the house in one place.

A Toller (Duck tolling retriever) is similar to a lab but smaller

Otherwise, you could look at one of the vulnerable native breed spaniels, and choose one that is less high energy than a cocker
Vulnerable native breeds | The Kennel Club

A toller would be much harder work than a lab. They also scream

Scream? Really?
(genuine question - I've not come across that!)

Clumber spaniel

How about a clumber? They're gorgeous and a lot ploddier than a cocker, but smaller than a lab. I'll be getting a clumber next time (cuddling my lovely cocker right now...)

Maybe a little Chinese Crested Powderpuff. Just avoid the hairless ones unless you want to indulge in skin care routine & dress up for your dog!
They are easy, playful dogs and not to big. Without the manic energy of a Spaniel.

I know they are not everyone's cup of tea but please look past the shaved faces on the Internet pictures!
I had a pair in my early 20's and they were by far the easiest dogs I have had.

You haven't really given enough details, OP.

How big is your house?
How many hours exercise can you devote a day?
How often is someone home during the day?
How big is your garden?
How 'dog savvy' is your child?
How big is the local park?

Realistically, if you have huge parks nearby (like Hyde Park and not some piddly little attempt at a park that is just a very sad slide set) and lots of open space then you probably could get a little cocker. I lived in the city with my two cockers for five years. They got four walks a day through the local park (about 80 acres), I had a small garden that they could go in whenever they wanted. On weekends I drove them into the Surrey Hills for huge hikes etc. They were very happy. It's entirely possible to have a dog in a city and give it a good life - you just have to commit.

You seem relatively sensible (compared to the idiots who usually ask about getting a dog on mumsnet!), so it is worth considering a cocker. I think you might be able to make it work tbh

How about a terrier? As trainable as a spaniel as long as you understand them and quite energy on demand once they are past the puppy stage.

They are really underrated as family pets as long as you buy carefully.

Yep, google toller scream

Please don't get a working cocker or springer. They are working breeds and need space and preferably a job to do. Mine work and spend a good deal of time every day at the yard going free range. They need space and lots of opportunity off lead.
Would recommend a toy breed type ie nothing that is meant to work ie terrier etc Remember Labs are a working breed too..

Get a dachshund, they're really lovely dogs and easily trained as they just love to please.

Show cocker or whippet would be my suggestions.

Good questions!

House is a bog standard 3 bed semi
I’d say an hour twice a day, more on weekends
I’m home all day as I run my business from home and run all my meetings via Zoom.
Garden is about 150ft long and about 30ft wide
Dd is what I would call dog savvy - all our friends have dogs and I’m incredibly strict with how to approach a dog, how to interact and have taught her signs to watch out for. But obv never leave them alone!

We have a decent sized heath (approx. 4 miles squared) about 5 mins from our front door, so there is opportunity for off lead romping.

God I’m so tempted by another cocker, my previous breeder is planning a litter later this year and called me asking if I was ready. I’m just second guessing myself as it’s been 7+ years since I had one, and have never had one in a city. I just love them so much! But want to make sure I’m not getting one for nostalgia and selfishness

I'd say whatever is to your liking in your local dog shelter.

Your garden is huge compared to most gardens in cities! You know the breed (temperament, known issues, exercise needs etc), your child is dog savvy, you can exercise it, house is big enough, you’re home all day…

Tbh I think you’d be more than capable of giving a cocker a good life! They can thrive in the city as long as they still get stimulation, exercise and love 😊

Whatever dog you get, it sounds like it’ll have a life many can only dream of!

A Sussex spaniel could be a good fit

Honestly if you want a cocker and you know them well, go for it. But I would say not a working. It’s not like you live in a 1 bed flat. You have a 3 bed semi with massive garden and plenty time and place to walk and you’ll be with the dog most of the time.

would you regret going for another breed, when you really want a cocker, it could be great but also you might think ahh bugger should have got a cocker.

Go for it. There was the saddest thread I have ever read on Doghouse yesterday, about an overwhelmed mother with a young spaniel. Your dog will have the opposite experience. If you know and love spaniels, get a spaniel.

I might look into a show cocker over a working. There’s no gun dog training near by, which all my old working ones absolutely loved and needed to stop them being crazy little heathens!