Puppy breed help after golden retriever

[Firefly993]

Our 13 year old golden retriever recently passed away. He was a lovely dog but as a puppy I really struggled with him. He was very bouncy, bitey and I had a baby at the time. Throw in post natal depression and it was just a nightmare really. I underestimated how much time a puppy needs and it was my first dog.
However he eventually turned into a lovely dog. We really miss him and I'd like a puppy, we have teenagers now, I feel like I have the time but I am struggling to decide which breed.
We have a small house and golden retriever was quite big so something smaller, the hair was also unreal. A breed that is less mouthy too. We liked the King charles cavalier but I'm concerned about health risks. Dh and kids do not want a very small dog either
Any ideas?

I’ve got a cardigan corgi they are a rare breed, this is my second I’ve had lots of other dogs including gun dogs I think they y the best breed going. They are big dog personalities on short legs. Both mine have been easy going adaptable and loyal neither of mine had/have any hang ups, they are not mouthy or big chewers although being a herding they can occasionally nip your ankle’s especially when excited. They are fairly independent thinkers and are not overly interested in other dogs or strangers but love their family. They will chase livestock. They are happy to walk miles or not they just fit in with your life. They are a healthy breed. They are not a popular breed with backyard breeders or puppy farmers the cardigan corgi club uk has a website and breed dedicated breeders list their puppies.
Their only downside they shed like nothing on this earth and have a double coat.

Cocker Spaniel - from a respectable (well researched) breeder. I have cocker spaniels and golden retrievers. Cockers are just like smaller Goldens only they live longer.

But all puppies bite, OP. And they're all bouncy. Golden's are particularly mouthy, but you will have mouthiness issues with any dog.

Standard poodle absolutely lovely family dogs

Or a moyen poodle

Border terrier. Brilliant easy family dogs.

You will struggle to find anything more reasonable to train than a golden retriever puppy. There is no easier dog

I would say a lab is probably just as easy, but less hairy and normally a bit smaller .

The idea that cocker spaniels are just like smaller golden retrievers has tickled me!

We have a Spanish water dog. Doesn't shed, smaller than a lab, very biddable and very easy as a pup.
Downside can be a bit needy but all in all a fantastic dog

Don't all pups go through a bitey annoying phase?

Portuguese Water Dog.
Mini Poodle (might be a bit small for you though?)
Show cocker spaniel

Is a golden retriever an easy dog to train?
Like I said, I was going through PND at the time and I may not have a clear memory of him as a puppy.
I really want to get this right, maybe a golden retriever is an option, he was a lovely dog.
I'm also a bit nervous about puppy blues so I want to be as prepared as I can.

Golden's are amongst the easiest dogs to train. They are highly intelligent and, on top of that, have a drive - be that food or toys. Dogs that don't have that 'drive' (i.e. Huskies) are a nightmare to train.

FWIW, I had puppy blues with my Golden. Everyone has puppy blues. BUT, when it came to training mine was fully house trained by 10 weeks and had all his commands before he first went outside (recall, heel, sit, down, stay, wait). He was easier to train than the German Shepherds I grew up with!

But, if you're really worried about puppy blues, have you considered a breed specific rescue? Spaniel Aid? Golden Retriever rescues? That would swerve the issues with puppy blues.

I'm fostering a bonded pair of cockers (i.e. must be rehomed together) at the moment and they are literally the perfect dogs. No issues, young etc. These perfect dogs do exist in rescues. You just have to move quickly (there have been 50 applications for the two I have!) and check the websites every few days.

@Firefly993 they're the easiest!

I have a GR and a WCS - the GR was a big puppy but very trainable. The WCS is very loving but way too excitable! The GR calms the WCS down. My parents have a springer spaniel, specifically chosen for them by the breeder - she is very calm, needed very little training and is very loving. Chose the right breeder and you’ll get the right dog

How about a cross breed? Parents have a lab x springer spaniel cross , he's smaller than a lab but very intelligent and easy to train. Does have quite long hair though!

I don’t think there’s many breeds that beat a golden as a family pet.

I wouldn’t recommend getting the same breed twice..I did this. The first dog was lovely and adored, I never managed to love the second dog in the same way.My friend experienced the same thing.

I’m a golden retriever person but settled on a mini Australian labradoodle for size, shedding etc. They are all at least 7 generations ald and well health tested. Ours is just wonderful.

Retired Greyhound.

How odd. I was going to say stick with what you know!
My experience has been the complete opposite to yours - I'm on my 8th pup of the same breed. All have been equally loved but perhaps I've just been lucky.