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 :)

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, I'm loving finding out about different breeds. Toller is a good shout.

Absolutely love the look of English Setters and Rhodesian Ridgebacks but both are going to be very different dogs to train to be off lead than a spaniel I imagine. Would need to do more research. There used to be a man where I used to live who had an Irish Setter. He'd let it off lead at the field and the setter would find someone and walk with another dog and walk with them, owner nowhere in sight 😯Spoke to the owner once who said the dog had no recall (although clearly the owner wasn't helping himself by allowing the dog to practice ignoring him!). It was a lovely natured dog though.

Yes, I agree that is more ideal than social. Perhaps tolerant is a better word? My old terrier wasn't aggressive but he had a very short fuse with other dogs. I don't necessarily need or want a dog that wants to go to dog social events or anything, just one that is unlikely to get involved in scrapping with other dogs (unlike my old terrier...)

My cocker, on the other hand, thinks other dogs are amazing. It's taken a lot of work to get her to focus on me around other dogs and it's still ongoing.

Not a breed, but I have a small shaggy lurcher who would be just as happy going for long runs as he is sleeping all day. He doesn't shed, but also doesn't fetch (chases ball, doesn't bring it back).

We have a GSP and he’s 27kg but he’s quite sturdy. I’ve met a few that are lab sized, slimmer. They fit all your boxes, with bells on, except maybe the size. Perfect Canicross doggies, will run and wander with you for miles. Lovely gentle temperament, loyal, adore being trained, snuggle up nicely, oh I love mine so much. I’d have 10 if I could

Lab fits your spec completely.

What about a harrier ?

What about a smooth collie - active but not as nervy as a border also on the endangered breed list.
or irish water spaniel
or curly coated retriever - they are built for water and are lovely and very active.

I would second this.

Had a Kelpie cross lab when I lived in Australia and ticks all of your boxes easily. She wasn't too big either.

Vulnerable breed, Welsh Springer Spaniel would fit your criteria I think.
Labs and hips, buy a puppy from a breeder who fully health tests, hips, eyes, elbows and genetic tests as it will give the best chance of a healthy pup. These days, Hips 0:0 are not uncommon.