Help! I'm looking for a dog breed that....

[Kk Augy]

I'm looking at welsh springer spaniels and cocker spaniels

Border collies, while super cute, are TOO energetic and TOO smart for us- we wouldn't be able to give one the life that it deserved as we wouldn't have enough time for it.

I was happy to help

 

[RiverOtter]

Forgot to mention: I found a really good looking (most dogs have show titles, you can see their pedigrees, they're all health tested, etc) american cocker spaniel breeder that had 2 week old puppies available and sent them to my parents, so we'll see how that goes!

One thing to be aware of with American Cockers. They used to be "clean footed" dogs. Like the old Lady and the Tramp cartoon movie.
But over the past 50 years, they've been bred for a LOT of long, silky coat. Including on the feet. That soft fur picks up every bit of moisture. So if their feet aren't regularly shaved, they can actually get rather painful skin infections. It's the main reason I will never own one, in spite of the fact that I knew several absolutely charming ones in my childhood and love their temperaments. My time as a dog groomer treating yeast infections on the skin and plucking ears (by which I mean hair in the ear canal, it is something that needs done for several breeds, and is painless - UNLESS they have an ear infection, poor things) really brought home how much the breed has changed and it's breeding I cant support.

 

[RiverOtter]

Having said that, it IS absolutely possible to keep them happy and healthy. Learn to shave their feet yourself, and keep it done. It's hardly a horrible task, it just needs to be done more frequently than their regular grooming. Several breeds that need regular grooming have these issues, just not as frequently and badly as the cockers, and I think it's because cockers got floofy very late in the development of the breed, well after the common use of electric trimmers, so show breeders who might trim up their dogs as often as weekly, don't have the same issues as pet owners who bring their dog to the groomer every 8 weeks, which is more than enough time for a nasty yeast infection to set deep in their feet and be awful to treat.

 

[chickentrains]

very nice information river otter, I think you probably have to pluck their ears as well.

 

[BaileyBugBLAmama]

***PSA: We are not adopting a shelter dog. While it is a wonderful thing to do, it is not the right choice for our family. If you do not have a suggestion of an actual dog breed that fits the criteria below (not just a breed that you like or you have) I would love to hear it, but we are not in the positon to adopt.***
My family is totally in the market for a dog. In the past, we've always had, and LOVEd, golden retrievers, but our current house and yard setup just,,,,,does not work for them. We can only sort of maybe fence our yard, and my parents are opposed to electric fences.
We've loved the temperament of goldens, if that gives you a good idea of what we're looking for. The ideal dog would:
-be smaller than a golden, but nothing excessively tiny (french bulldog, chihuahua)
-have fur that isn't much shorter than that of a labrador
-would not drool a lot
-NOT YIPPY. THIS IS A MUST.
-must be active enough to take on walks, hikes, etc (not excessively, but we don't want a couch potato)
-should not be any more active than a golden retriever, in fact, preferably would be less active
-nothing that would constantly chase a cat around
-nothing that would bond exclusively to one person and ignore everybody else
-nothing with excessive health problems (bulldog, pug, etc)
-preferably, but not necessarily, enjoys swimming
What I've come up with so far is:

-cardigan corgis
-pembroke welsh corgis
I'm not sure how much my parents like corgis, but they seem to be very good temperament-wise.
-eurasiers
The problems with these is that my dad doesn't like the spitz look, and they're very difficult to find breeders for.
Other, more common spitz breeds, are more energetic than we're looking for.
-cocker spaniels
I haven't pitched these to my parents yet.

You may want to look into a polish tatra breed

 

[black_cat]

You may want to look into a polish tatra breed

Thanks, I've never heard of those!

 

[black_cat]

Thanks, I've never heard of those!

Oh my gosh they are SO CUTE

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I have a Beagle and she is so we'll behaved! She is kind to everyone, loves walks AND relaxing. She is the best dog ever!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Beagles fit all the criteria

 

[black_cat]

Beagles fit all the criteria

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check them out!