Give me some breed ideas!

[EagerTaupePlayer]

I don't plan to add another dog until 2027 but I still enjoy thinking about what breed I want next 😂I clearly have no life.

I'm curious as to what breeds others would suggest. My current young dog is a female working cocker. Of course, the obvious solution is another working spaniel, which may end up being the case but I do like to explore other breeds. Open to any breed that fits the parameters I'll outline. Bonus points if it's a vulnerable native breed. Of course, exercise and things outlined would be with an adult dog rather than a puppy.

Must have:

• Moderate in size. At least the size of a Parson or Border Terrier but no large than a female working line Labrador.
• Very active and likely to enjoy high levels of exercise. I'm a canicross runner and competitor. I run three times a week and can do runs of up to 15 miles (although runs of this length would be off lead so likely off lead reliability is ideal). Harnessed runs are typically 5-10K. The dog would need to keep pace with my other dog really and she's no slouch- sub-20 5K in harness. I also enjoy long hikes especially in the summer across the Lakes, Northumbria and the Dales. Daily, if not running, the dog would get 2 hours + of exercise mostly off lead.
• Social with strange dogs and humans. Had a dog in the past who really did not like other dogs. He was a fantastic dog but managing interactions with random dogs was stressful for me- I already have an anxiety disorder so it made me not want to take him to different places.

Nice to have but can live without:

• Enjoys playing fetch and swimming. We live near a lot of rivers and lakes which my spaniel loves swimming in and it's ideal to cool the dog down mid-hike/run.
• Enjoys trick training- I'm not interested in agility or anything like that but I do like trick training.
• On the lower side of shedding.

Breeds I've considered:

• Border Collie- these seem like a good choice but I don't know if they fit me exactly or I'd gel with them- I like the personality of my spaniel and don't know how collies differ.
• Parson/Border Terrier- not sure if they are active enough for what I want and there is the sociability issue.
• Wheaten Terrier- like these and they are ideal size-wise being leggier than the Parson or Border but not sure how active they are.
• Labrador- a good WL Lab is a great dog but I'm not sure if they would be suitable for my lifestyle given how rampant hip issues are in the breed.
• Vizsla- they seem ideal but all the one's I've met have been a bit nervy.
• GSP- nice dogs but all the one's I've met have been very big- bigger than a Lab.

Thanks :)

Before I got to it I was thinking border collie!

Standard Poodle would tick most of your boxes.

Lol, that's definitely the obvious one isn't it? Maybe I need to get meeting some to see if I gel with them 😂

Would these be likely to enjoy the kind of exercise I do though? I always had the impression that poodles were more moderate exercise kind of dogs. Possibly a bit big too, although I do like the miniatures.

I'd be wary of a Vizla, I've met loads of really high maintenance ones recently - they are the dog of the moment round our way.

Australian Shepherd.

You're probably right although standards don't seem any bigger than Viszla or GSP to me. Miniatures are very high energy, someone locally runs for miles with hers.

I'm quite possibly talking complete crap though because I'm a giant breed person and my dog would fulfil absolutely none of your criteria 😁

Good luck with your search for the perfect dog anyway.

Hmmm, the only poodle I know doesn’t do swimming and looks at you like you’re stupid if you throw a ball for him! He can barely manage “sit” let alone any more complex training. Sweet dog and VERY tactile but nothing like a spaniel! Maybe it’s just him?
my friend has a BT and he doesn’t have any socialisation issues and will walk for miles, but others I’ve heard can be very lazy and stubborn when it comes to exercise.

So I am talking crap. Thanks for confirming. No idea why I always thought a poodle was a water dog...🤔

Sorry OP. I might as well have suggested a Newfoundland 🙄(and yes, I am joking, I do know they aren't high energy).

Edited to add; apparently a poodle is a water dog and has webbed feet.

No, don't apologise! I like all suggestions (even Newfies which I do actually like but don't think they'd fancy a sub-20 5K 😂) Poodles are water dogs, originally gundogs but not really used as such nowadays as far as I'm aware. So in theory they should like water but obviously it's not a guarantee with any dog.

A toller - although I imagine they aren't on the low side of shedding.

Australian Shepherd.
Welsh Collie.
Foxhound.

Dalmatian?

My working line lab fits all your requirements, even the lower side of shedding.

Hips shouldn't be an issue if you choose a breeder wisely.

All the standard poodles I know are a fair bit taller than my female lab, although not necessarily heavier, the same goes for gsps.

A Smooth Fox Terrier does fit your bill.
Small to Medium sized
On the vulnerable breed list
Intelligent with bundles of energy!

I have 3 Hungarian vizslas they’re amazing dogs. Need lots of mental stimulation but don’t read into things when they say they need 23 hours of exercise a day they really don’t. Ours get around a good solid hour daily maybe a top me up walk of an evening but we have quite large garden. They're happiest in their human company.

I wouldn't have a collie. They are probe to anxiety and you could easily end up with another dog that is a problem with other dogs. I have collies and mine was fab with other dogs until a bad experience and now he can be reactive. They have long memories.

It sounds like another spaniel or a lab would be a good choice.

I have a Wheaten. He's older now, but when he was younger he was VERY active and loves the water.

My mini poodle is just starting to run with me - he’ll happy do 10k at the moment (he’s only 18mths so hasn’t been doing it long), but I think he’ll be good for 10+ miles, probably up to a half.

My other dog is a Patterdale terrier and she would also tick a lot of your boxes - and she absolutely loves to run. Has trained for 3 marathons with me! She’s not so interested in tricks though.

Not a breed, but I love a Springer x Lab. My current one is working lines for both breeds, very rarely barks, will run all day but curl up for a cuddle in the house. Social with people and dogs but won't demand to say hi. Current female is 14kg so a really nice portable size. Loves swimming and fetch and recall is close to 100% - can recall mid retrieve for instance.

I have two labs and I think they'd be ideal. I don't think they shed particularly heavily, but I say that with the history of owning a 40kg GSDx retriever, who blew his coat abundantly twice per year.

My two year old lab (¾ show, ¼ working) is 18kg, and my 9 month old lab is also 18kg (full working) but has been for a while. It's a lovely size.

Wire haired fox terrier. Would meet the majority of your criteria and they are now a vulnerable breed

They are water dogs. Mine would stand in a glass of water if he could, any chance of a paddle or swim he will take it.
In general super intelligent dogs who you teach so much too. Maybe a touch taller than a GSP, but lighter my male weighs 20kg.
He would run happily and canicross would be no problem.
They are super glue dogs wanting their family together. The first picture is him intently watching Dad through the chip shop window greeting him like he’d been gone a week after he came out.
the second picture is him riding the train and gives you an idea of height.

He’s lovely @Needanadultgapyear the one I know mustn’t have got the water memo!! Not sure I could
cope with a dog that’s so tactile all the time though. He has no respect for personal space!

That's very small for a springer x lab. My friend's cocker x lab is 18kg.