Suggest me a (probably) gundog breed!

[EagerTaupePlayer]

Hi all,

Looking for some recommendations for my next dog. I have some ideas but it’s always fun and interesting to see what other people think. I know most people will recommend another spaniel and I’m not opposed to that but would like to see any other suggestions too.

I currently have a 2 year old working line English Springer Spaniel female and a 14 year old Cairn Terrier male. The next dog will not be until after my older dog passes away which hopefully will not be for a while- but I want to start thinking and planning now as I always have two dogs.

My springer is a small one, at just 14kg and 16 inches at the withers. I’m looking for a dog that is a similar size to her really but can compromise on that. I am a single adult with no kids. I work from home and live semi-rurally. I have a footpath at the end of my street that takes me straight out into open countryside across several routes where we can walk for miles. It also has a river running through for swimming and splashing (dogs not me!) and is mostly open fields and some patches of woodland. It goes on endlessly across public footpaths as it joins a national long distance walking path. If I keep walking I can also do an 8-10 mile circuit from my house entirely across countryside that takes me to a large woodland area. I also have a large field at the back of my house which has long grass and I use to do shorter walks and gundog work with my spaniel in. Across the road is a large urban ish park but secure with open fields and a river. Within a short bus or train journey I have country parks, forests, woodlands, more countryside, beaches and a secure dog field with agility equipment.

My ideal dog would be:

• Active enough to genuinely enjoy my lifestyle. I’m a runner. I don’t do mad distances or anything- I’ll run three times a week with my current dog in harness. Usually around 6-8k speed session, 10-20K long run and a 5K parkrun (or alternatively a race) on the weekend. I do as many canicross and dog friendly races as I can. The distances are usually 10K with the odd 5K thrown in. Maybe once or twice a year a half marathon. I don’t run or race longer than a half marathon with dogs. On a normal, non-running day I walk my current dog for 2-3 hours a day but this is all off lead over open country, swimming in the river, playing (some) fetch, doing gundog work finding scented dummies etc. A couple of times a year I take a week off work and spend the entire week doing day hikes somewhere like the Lake District or other national park.
• Friendly and sociable- I don’t need it to be everyone’s BFF but I do want a dog that is not likely to be quarrelsome with strangers or other dogs. I can’t drive and never will drive due to a disability I have and so I get about a lot on public transport. I’m very good at it and we get to some excellent places still. However, this means we are often in close contact with other people and animals. I would also like it if the dog would enjoy playing with my current girl who is quite boisterous and rough in her play.
• Likely to be reliable off lead with training
• Likely to be comfortable being left alone for a few hours when needed. I work from home but obviously as a single adult there are times I have to leave the home and can’t bring the dogs with me. This means the dogs are alone as I have no partner or family member who can stay in with them.

Dogs I have considered:

• Another English Springer- Same as my current dog. Fine but would also like to see if anything else could fit too!
• Working Cocker/Sprocker- again, fairly similar to my existing dog. Same sort of thing as getting another springer although I’ve heard cockers can be harder work than springers in terms of things like recall/anxiety/guarding.
• Brittany- Fairly rare in the UK but I do like the look and size of these but admittedly don’t know much about them. But they are probably at the top of my list currently.
• Welsh Springer Spaniel- Again, I like the look and size but don’t know much apart from some basic research which suggests they could be a good fit.
• Vizsla- These seem ideal on paper apart from being slightly bigger than what I want and I have also heard they can have a lot of problems with anxiety and nerves.
• German Shorthaired Pointer- probably a bit too big for me to easily navigate public transport with.

What I don’t think I want:

• Herding breeds- Initially they seem like a good fit. However, I am admittedly, not much into trick training or agility or what not. I provide my dogs with enrichment at home, I do scent work in the house and play with them and give them lots of natural enrichment and gundog work. But I’m really not interested in training loads of tricks or doing various doggy activities except canicross. Also, I haven’t really clicked well with most of the ones I’ve met- I’m more of a gundog person.
• Terriers- I love my Cairn but terriers in general are not for me and he will be my last terrier.

Sorry for the essay! Would love some opinions. Essentially I’m a gundog person really lol but would consider other options too!

Yeah you need a Labrador. Everybody needs a Labrador.

We have a lab/springer cross from a gun dog breeder. Think slightly less crazy springer in a more athletic lab body. She is 21kg so may be a little above your weight limit.

She is very athletic and up for any training and walks but chills amazingly at home. Lovely temperament. I do Hoopers and sniffy games with her

We also have a Welsh Sheepdog at 15kg. So very intelligent and learns things quick. She also does hoopers and obedience type training. As she is a Welsh Sheepdog she has a loose eye and is upright so unthinkable easier than a Border Collie. She also chills well at home.

Ah, I'm delighted to see a Smooth Collie suggested. They are much less 'working collie' than border collie's I've ever met and love being active and exploring.

My dad was a hobby breeder of Springer Spaniels when I was growing so I have such a soft spot for them albeit they were working gun dogs and not 'pets' like we have nowadays. You hardly see them where I live now (West London) but see LOADS of cocker spaniels.

this

That is a fine looking Labrador - sadly I see the pudgey ones around here

But that isn't ideal for public transport when OP also has a spaniel, as I think together they would take up too much room

(I have real respect for the person up thread with two large dogs, a pushchair and public transport.)

Sounds like another spaniel would be best for you.

Although a well bred Dalmatian could be a good shout- not many well bred ones around sadly.

Another consideration could be a curly coated retriever, quite a vulnerable breed now but would thrive with your level of activity.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Oh he looks like our old family dog. We used to call him a labrasnore because he was a noisy sleeper!

I've owned HPRs for almost 20 years - the gundog group that includes Brittanies, Vizslas and GSPs. I know a lot of HPRs...

They make fantastic running companions and will go forever. The breeds you mention are also enormously affectionate (but not so much that they can't be left alone for 4 or 5 hours),

If you want one at the smaller end of the size scale, look for someone breeding out of smaller parents. People who breed them for work aren't so bothered about breeding bang in the middle of the breed size standard, so you get more of a variety.

They do need training though, particularly those bred for work. They are almost guaranteed to have very high prey drive, so you will need to work hard on keeping that under control. They also tend to be very bright, and can get antsy if you don't work their brains in a breed-appropriate way. So they're not the easiest dogs to own, but are wonderful companions.

Edited to add, they are generally healthy breeds, but check and see what the issues are, and make sure the parent dogs have had the relevant tests.

Weimaraner? Or lab.

What about a standard dachshund? Family up the road own one with a Labrador and she (dachshund) is lovely and so friendly.

I do love my labs, but they take up so much room especially on public transport. And our lads taller than me when standing on his hind legs.

I know quite a few Bavarian Mountain Hounds, they tick all your boxes.

What about a standard dachshund?

For running?!? Most of the ones I see can barely walk without visably being in pain, let alone run! Daschund and running sounds like an oxymoron😁

Agree with others, labrador would be a good choice. Flatties are lovely, but they're so prone to health issues and so many die young. I don't think 'bigger' dogs (not that I count labs are bigger) take up that much room tbh - train them to 'between' for public transport so they settle between your legs and your golden.

Ah didn’t see it was for running. They can run though.

How about a Weimaraner? Great for running, you’ll never need to use the loo again on your own and can guarantee loads of pity looks 24/7.
Apparently they appear in the gundog category but fulfil absolutely no purpose except destroying soft toys.
you’re welcome for the recommendation 😂

Another vote for a Toller - I run, do agility, mantrailing and scentwork with mine. No separation anxiety either.
Females are often significantly smaller than males - mine is 15kg with boys often 18/20+

Only if OP hates her neighbours 😂
(I have one living next door to me and he frequently disturbs us at all hours with the constant barking)

Someone I know breeds Spinones and they seem fab dogs.

Spinones are big, I sometimes meet a couple of males on my walk and they're coming up for 40kg.

But actually it's one thing to consider for the OP, females are generally going to be smaller than males and in some breeds that size difference is more marked than others.

Yes the females I’ve seen I’d say are lab size 🤷🏻‍♀️. Maybe a bit taller but slender.

A working line lab!

I hear you @TheHungryHungryLandsharks but in fairness I had a dachshund who used to run twice a day (with different people) on top of an hour’s off lead walk. She put me to shame as I am tall and she was tiny but she stormed up the hills leaving me for dead. Maybe she was the exception, but she was a much keener running companion than the collie cross I have now.

I mean... there is a reason that various spaniels are so prevalent. They tick boxes....

Another spaniel? Especially with your experience.

I also think the Kooikerhondje is absolutely stunning

@TheGoldenOwl just had to look up a Kooikerhondje and indeed it is stunning.

Never known a dachsie or a jack russell that wasnt a barky little gobshite 🤣🤣🤣

My neighbour has one of each 🫠