Does this breed exist?!

[Renovationhell]

Just for a bit of fun before all of the rescue obsessed jump on. My rescue is currently sat at my feet. We also have many years training, socialising and owning dogs between us but also know genetics trump most things!

My sister has always had Newfoundland’s. She loves everything about them except that they just aren’t very portable and don’t fit easily in caravans or holiday lets. Ideally she would shrink a newf for her next dog but as that’s not a thing she’s been wondering if there was anything else that she may like.

What she’s looking for:
KC reg breed only. No crosses. Bonus points for rare breeds. She does show.
Medium exercise requirements. No mad collies or needing hours of running to be able to sit still.
Cuddly affectionate personality. Personality is most important.
Friendly to everyone, kids and strangers included.
Something happy to go anywhere the family goes so pretty robust and not easily spooked.
Small/medium.
Don’t mind fluffy, grooming isn’t an issue. Prefer no curly coats that need to go to the groomer.
Doesn't need to be a genius but biddable.

What she doesn’t want:
Nothing that barks all the time.
No brachys, staffies or bull breeds.
No sighthounds (own chickens and rabbits!)
Nothing that can’t be left for 2mins without howling the place down (sorry poodles that’s you!)
Nothing bred to fight or guard.
No spaniels/ pointers etc (sorry spaniel lovers but they are just too busy and I’ve met so many nervy ones!)

The dog would want for nothing, live on a small holding and would be included in every aspect of family life so although the threads lighthearted it’s important to get the right fit.

Having probably offended most of the doghouse is there anything left?

American Akita?

Happy to go out but lazy enough to not be telling you they want to go out or be a problem.
Will not give a single fuck about being left alone but will be suuuper excited to see you when you get back.
Is a genius. Is biddable in the right circumstances. If I ask him to do something he doesn't want, I'll see him ignore me and have to put my stern voice on. He will roll his eyes and do it at the speed he wants. For example "come here" will be done after a big, slow stretch. Personality is quirky and I love that he's got his own mind, judges everyone who comes in your house and watches everything.

Not one for small kids really or first time owners. Some are aloof and don't want to cuddle but apparently some are really cuddly. Also a small holding? Small animals will get eaten so only if it's arable.

@OneAquaGoose We've got a TT and he's gorgeous - the most chilled, affectionate, friendly little guy who loves to play.

Norfolk Terrier - the best of dogs and meet all your requirements.

My golden retriever needed a huge amount of exercise, at least 3 hours walk every day (also a huge fan of wallowing in black mud... or better still, slurry pits!). He then needed constant games and mental stimulation when he got home and basically never slept in the day. He just wanted to be chased around the (large) garden for hours at a time, and if I ever finally managed to convince him I really couldn't manage anymore and he let me sit down I'd then have to throw toys, play tug-of-war or tickle his tummy non-stop. He was A LOT of work and after 18 months we bought him a pet springer spaniel to try and take some of the load, which did help... a bit. The spaniel was much, much easier. I was certainly not expecting a golden to be so high maintenance and I'm extremely grateful I managed to find the time to dedicate to his happiness, I would have felt very guilty if I hadn't been able to meet his needs. He was working type which probably makes a difference, but I would think it would be a very rare goldie who wasn't significantly more demanding than a newfie.

We have a Mini schnauzer, he loves all people but not many dogs and can be a bit barky. Never sheds, although he has to be groomed regularly. Very affectionate and a real little character. He travels well and is fine in cafes and restaurants etc as he is massively food motivated and is hoping for a titbit.

Shiba inu are unusual in this country, quiet and small/medium. They aren't needy but they do enjoy being petted.

Eurasiers were developed as a breed to be pets.
They are very beautiful - pricked ears, fluffy coats.

Beyond that I'm afraid I know bugger all about them - Discover Dogs at Crufts might be the place to go and meet some.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are like much smaller Goldens but with a similar coat. The ones I've met have been lovely, and fairly active. IIRC they are as a breed quite inbred so I'd read up thoroughly on their general health.

ETA, Damn! Quoted wrong post! This is meant for @Renovationhell

West highland terrier (Westie) although I have to admit, he can sometimes have a stubborn attitude (westitude I believe it's called).

But he's adorable and ticks most of your boxes although I have never known a dog to fart as much. I'm not sure where that appears on your list!

We made the same journey from a huge rescue black Newfy to a little black (with white bits) rescue Lhasa Apso. He was a miniature version of his larger predecessor and just as affectionate and cuddly

How about a Polish Lowland Sheepdog? I’ve known a few. All owner by the same person, all shown and all lovely natures. Lot of coat to groom but rare and showable. I’ve known one Eurasier and it was a bit of a nutcase tbh, very neurotic but that may have been the owner.

Definitely start on the British endangered breeds list.

Lancashire Heeler anyone?

Irish Terrier or Kerry blue.

Please consider one of the British Breeds on the vulnerable list

I immediately thought terrier from your list.
I have a JRT who is a bit anxious but rescued from a poor breeder.
My lhasoapso/ JRt cross is the dog your sister wants, loves a cuddle, happy to be on her own. Not fussed by other dogs, walks for miles or sleeps for days. She is very low maintenance coat too just a daily brush.

Cairn terriers are a rare breed and lovely terriers very robust, clever and loyal.

Terriers in general are easy to live with if you are happy to put the work in to train them.
I rescued my first JRT as a companion for my neurotic husky. We called him the General, he was in charge and everyone knew it, such a lovely family dog. Lived till he was 20, blind and deaf as a post but still loved a romp on the beach and his daily walks.
I wouldn't have anything but terriers now, portable, big personalites, fun to train and versatile for sports/ hikes and lovely to snuggle with. Even my anxious current one is a lovely dog and seeing his confidence grow with investment in his training is very rewarding.

Loads of ideas! Thanks all. She does have small kids plus ponies, chickens, ducks and rabbits. Hence I was worried about terriers and sighthound types.

Poodles are too high maintenance for showing.

Not too keen on schnauzers just because a friend has one and if none stop barks at everything plus rubs it’s soaking wet beard on everything 😄 She’s also not a toller fan as she’s shown alongside some grumpy ones.

Goldens are amazing but getting a high energy neurotic one is a risk!

So far I’m looking at eurasier and shelties.

Would love something off the endangered breeds list. Will have a look!

Corgi

Golden. The puppy stage is a bit manic, but they train pretty easily. All our girls have grown into calm friendly adults. They don't need miles and miles of walks- but they do need company as they don't do well shut in on their own for hours every day.
The girls are smaller, calmer and more biddable than the boys.
We currently have 2, both snoozing by the fire.

Can’t believe Cairns are considered rare now!

presumably they don’t fit the “teddy bear” doodlydoo /pug/dachshund fashions.

now on the kennel club watchlist.

such a shame. I may have to think about getting one 🫣. Had one as a kid, amazing dog.

I was going to say a goldie too. I have two, a chilled boy and a higher energy girl. Both times the breeder was spot on with their personalities. Don’t need loads of exercise to chill out but would be happy to be out for hours if you wanted to be.
Or if you wanted something less common and a bit smaller how about a flatcoated retriever?

I have my eye on a bolonka
They seem to be like Havanese were when originally imported
They aren't kc registered yet though as not recognised yet but breeders seem very on the ball

A schipperke. Fewer puppies registered per year than almost anything on the vulnerable native breed list.

English Setter?

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/gundog/english-setter/

The small, basset version of a griffin (PBGV) is known as "the happy breed," is rare and fits the bill perfectly! There is one near me and it just wags and wags.

If shortish legs are off putting (it's nothing like the English basset) they also come in normal leg length and grande versions.

God I couldn’t have coped with that.

3 hours of excercise a day - that’s bananas! You must have been fit as a fiddle and the dog too. Mine would probably cope with that much excercise, but she had to give up her hopes and dreams of such a life pretty quickly as none of us here have that amount of time to invest. We did do a lot of brain work until she was about 3 and calmed down though.

tollers could be a good call although they are less friendly and more aloof as a breed.

Westie, but they might bark!

Alaskan Klee Kai (I get points for rare breeds)

But best of luck finding a breeder! House of Klee Kai is the very best but their wait list is largeeeeeeee.