Which breed puppy would suit us?

[RubyRoo2]

We are looking for a new puppy
We had a golden retriever for 13 years and adored him but I do not miss the hair!
We live in a small house, a cottage with no upstairs so really looking for a smaller breed but not tiny.
I like cavachon/ cavapoo but am aware that they may be more likely from puppy farms
My son is slightly nervous of the bitey stage so anything that bites less is a bonus.
Any suggestions?

Cocker spaniel puppies wouldn't be my first choice if your son is worried about the bitey stage.

How much outside space do you have and how much time do you have for walking? Do you want a dog you can happily have off lead in the countryside or are you mostly in town and it's irrelevant if the breed is known for disappearing into the distance at the sight of a squirrel?

If hair/lack of moulting is the main pre-requisite then you could consider a miniature schnauzer? They are very yappy in my experience though and tend to have a delicate stomach. Small and cuddly though.

I'd go for a poodle first, whippets are lovely dogs but I like to let dogs roam a bit off lead and I don't think I've ever seen one off lead so I assume that's the prey drive. Italian Greyhounds are short haired and good family dogs but delicate and needy which doesn't sound a good fit with a small boy and a desire for a dog that is a bit self sufficient.

Labrador? 😁

I have a Cavapoo that sheds like crazy! Not true they come from puppy farms though. With mixed breeds you just don’t know what traits they’ll inherit. How about a poodle?

I know many cavapoos and cabochons and they are absolutely gorgeous dogs.

Miniature schnauzer, super intelligent little dogs, pretty healthy. Need trimming to maintain eyebrows but quite a low maintenance coat with little shedding. Not very bitey. Can like the sound of their own voice so important to expose to lots of new things/ socialise/ practice neutrality early on so they don't learn to bark at everything!

Mini poodle
Mini schnauzer
Cairn terrier

Or if you want something a bit bigger, I would really recommend a beagle. Controversial on MN but mine is 8 now and he's been fantastic.

One of our dogs is a bernedoodle (bernese mountain dog and poodle cross). He is smart, doesnt shed, but he barks incessantly and has to be groomed. I would never have a puppy again. It's so hard.

Show type cocker, lovely dogs.

If you look on the many tears animal rescue website you will see the oodles of poodle crosses discarded by puppy farms. I wouldn’t touch a poodle cross with a barge pole for this reason alone.

Cavs are one of the most unhealthy breeds there are, I love them but I'd never get one because the breeding is so bad. They've actually been banned in Norway because of it.

I'm a dog sitter and I'd also never get a poo cross all the ones I know are a bit mental in one way or another, often not in a good way. Get a straight poodle if you want something poodle like.

I'm another one who would absolutely recommend a show cocker, just wonderful companion dogs.

If you’re used to a dog that likes its independence and isn’t a lap dog I wouldn’t go anywhere near anything poodle based! They’re really needy.

Bedlington?

Bichon frise or a poodle?

If you like the look of a cavachon but want a healthier dog then a bichon is the obvious answer I’d have thought.

Cairn terrier!

Only looked this thread for dogs photos. What a disappointment

Excuse me! There’s nothing disappointing about my cairn, he’s just perfect!

Get one of these, not one of these. 😉😂

So much to consider, everything is thi k i have nailed the breed somethi g comes up in hadn't considered. Show cockers might be good but im a bit concerned about the biting stage.
It's not something im going to rush and really appreciate all the information, rather than relying on Google!

What is your lifestyle like? How much time do you have for a dog?

Are cocker spaniels more bitey than other breeds? You only have to search The Dog House and read the puppy support threads to see it's not a breed specific problem.

FWIW I have had 4 working cocker puppies. Only one was a nightmare biter.

Well considering they had a golden retriever for 13 years chances are that they do.

even if they’ve had a massive lifestyle change in between losing the last one and this one, 13 years of dog owning probably means they are fully aware of the necessary commitment.

Forgot this was MN and you can’t ask a simple question without an issue. I wasn’t implying they shouldn’t have a dog, just asking about lifestyle as personally I think it’s a massive factor in breed selection! Someone who struggles with mobility or walking a lot wouldn’t be a good fit for a ln energetic working breed for example.

Oh we have spaniels. Yes that can go through to cockerdile phase but are clever enough at picking up its unwanted behaviour and it doesn’t last! However I would say if you don’t want a needy dog then think about a spaniel carefully - or any cross breed - if it is an only dog they will latch onto you. They are bred to work with people and need that bond.
I’ve no idea what show bred ones are like for clarity - we have working dogs.

Photo tax. He’s actually a sprocker - incredibly clever, brilliant working dog. Bit obsessed with shoes and socks and isn’t for the novice owner due to his tendency to take the piss if you are slightly not paying attention to him, but couldn’t wish for a nicer natured dog.

We have a cavapoo and he is the most wonderful dog. No hair shedding, no barking, no guarding or biting, so quick to train and toilet. Just a cuddly bundle of fun. Everyone who meets him tells us how awesome he is. We have 3 young children and he adores them.