Can you recommend me a dog breed?

[PooSniffer]

I can’t decide what dog to get. I’m moderately active so the dog would get two 1 hour walks a day, longer on weekends (possibly all day trips to the forest etc). I’d like to take part in agility training (for fun, nothing serious) and showing.
it would have to be a medium to large breed. Good with small children (hence why no rescue).

current shortlist:

golden retriever
standard poodle
Leonberger

this is a while into the future though so only light heartedly window shopping at the minute. I’d obviously research thoroughly before the time came.

Look at Australian Labradoodles, because they are multi gen you reduce the risk of getting the worst of both worlds and really should get the best of both. They are lovely and also available in miniature.

Australian Labradoodles are a cross of at least three breeds, the Labrador, Poodle and Spaniel. Just breeding the mix doesn't result in healthier dogs, breeding dogs who have been extensively health tested for health issues in all three (or more) breeds that make up their genetic make up does. Poorly bred Australian Labradoodles can still end up with health and temperament issues.

I'm a great fan of Border Collies, particularly if you want to do agility and you like the outdoor life. We are on our third now, yes he's young and a bit manic but he's loyal and very affectionate. I'd probably go to a breeder that specialises in the more domestic BCs rather than just pick up a farm puppy though.
Unfortunately they do shed quite a lot.....

There are very few ALD breeders, lots of fakes, but only a handful of genuine ones and they are very good and they regulate themselves well. I had to chance my luck a bit and get one that wasn't pure ALD, but he's been amazing. If I did my research and had the cash to get one from an established breeder I'd be very confident that I'd get a very good dog.

Rescue. Because there's no such thing as a responsible greeder

Oh do give it a rest.

There are not enough irresponsibly bred dogs in UK rescues for all the homes that are waiting, and many rescue dogs have issues and are not suitable for most people.

There are a lot of people out there who give a lot of thought to whether to breed, health tests, the choice of sire, how to bring the puppies up and so on. These are usually the same people who will take a puppy back even when it's a poorly-brought-up adult.

Oh do give it a rest

My thoughts exactly.
Ive worked alongside rescue for many years.

If more people bought from responsible breeders who care about matching owners with the right dog for their lifestyle, instead of one they have chosen for fashion or on a whim or by plain ignorance and stupidity, rescues would be almost redundant.

Rescuing a dog is a gamble, more so than buying a dog whose lines and genetics you know inside out. And I have a rescue dog (along with probably 100 fosters and permanent additions over the years) before anyone jumps down my throat.

100% This. I’d love another Leo but 99.9% of the time in Leo adoption/rescue posts are:

Cannot live with other dogs
Cannot live with small furries
Cannot live with Cats
Must have entirely secure garden (fair enough)
Not suitable for homes with young children
Reactive on lead (trust me a reactive dog weighing anywhere from 55-75kgs does not a pleasant walk make)

But somehow the owner has been approved somewhere as being suitable to own a Leo which they have just not put the effort into owning.

And it Isn’t just Leos this applies to….