Golden retriever personality but smaller

[Chipshopninja]

So I'm being (hopefully!) premature thinking about this but my Golden Retriever is the best dog I've ever had and I have had dogs all my life.

He is only 6 but I've found myself wondering about what I will do once he goes.

I couldn't have another Golden after him. I would always be comparing.

Plus as much as I love him I would like something smaller next time.

When I Google for this it comes up with Cocker Spaniel but they may be too crazy for me and recall is an issue in my experience.

So is there any dog with a Goldie personality but smaller?

If not rhen what medium dogs would you recommend? All I know is gundogs

I have considered a Sheltie but don't know enough about them

As a PP said, Bitches are considerably smaller, so much so that I (and my own Dog Goldie😁) can sex them at a mile away.

I have a friend who has Cairn terriers and they seem to have a lot of similarities to goldies in terms of temperament. Could be worth looking into.

How big is your boy? The male GRs I know are around 36/37kgs whilst the girls are 28kg which is quite a significant difference. If you want a smaller golden that would seem to be the obvious choice.

Working lines tend to be a bit smaller again, but require a bit more work, although i suspect not much difference to a spaniel tbh.

Labs are normally a bit smaller than golden retrievers if you wanted a different breed (the reason they cross labs and grs for guide dogs is to make them a bit bigger). I'd be wary about flat coats due to the health issues (cancer) in the breed.

@ZimbleFox its true that my boy is bigger than most pure bred Labs you see.

And most female Labs are considerably smaller & daintier so I think that’s a good suggestion for @Chipshopninja

They could also choose a different coloured Lab to make comparisons with current dog less likely. Labs generally have a wonderful temperament & are full of energy outside the house but very chilled at home (sleep a lot).

Please don't get a crossbreed unless you're rescuing it.

If you're looking for the calm, chilled, doe-eyed side of a Goldie, a Cavelier King Charles spaniel would be perfect. But, unless they're from a very reputable breeder who is working to breed out health issues, then be careful with heart and eyes.

Not sure why people are suggesting Tollers and Beagles. Both breeds are mental 😁

@SquashedSquid my Toller certainly was never mental even as a puppy - she was a lovely calm, even tempered softee (only problem we had was the fluff-shedding...)

I was about to say these seem to be getting quite popular.

I have a friend who breeds, works and shows Tollers and hers are all batshit 😂 Lovely dogs, but hard work.

Maybe yours are from a calmer line.