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Wow, this was interesting to me that two people back to back suggested Corgi's. A lady a few blocks from us has one and while out walking our dog one time we stopped to chat with her over her front fence. I thought at the time that it was just about the perfect size dog. I could see the intelligence in its eyes and was very impressed by the dog overall. So, yes, I *would* consider a Corgi. My biggest concern would be the ability to keep up with us on horseback. When we ride, we have about 200 acres we can traverse and usually ride for 1-2 hours at a time. We ride through hay fields, cross rivers and bridges, skirt a pond and even cross an airstrip. Before our last dog's hip dysplasia made it impossible for him, a trip to the barn was his favorite thing to do. He would run in front of us, stop to explore an interesting smell and then gallop to catch up with us, bound through the grass, throw himself into the pond to get a drink and cool off and generally run himself ragged. Several of the other people we ride with also have dogs who go with us. Sometimes we have as many dogs there as there are horses! So - since our dog became unable to accompany us, that is what I have missed most about having a dog. We only go to the barn 2-3 times a week and the dog obviously lives with us 24/7, but since that is the time I most enjoy having a dog, having one that is ABLE to accompany us and enjoys it, is a must. (I would have thought all dogs would love it but I previously had a Rottweiler/Shepherd mix who trudged around behind us without any apparent enjoyment, so I guess there are some who don't). Anyway, my point to all this is to ask you honestly: would a Corgi be ABLE to keep up and based on your experiences with yours, does this sound like an activity they would enjoy?
I appreciate all the feedback on Border Collies. This is a breed I do have more experience with. Years ago my room-mate had one. That dog was the most intense dog I've ever known. His ONLY interest was fetching his ball and he would do it for as long as you would throw it. Once fetched he'd drop it in front of you then back away a few feet and just stare at the ball, hardly blinking, let alone moving, until it was thrown again - even if that was hours later. He was actually way too intense but very intelligent and had no behavioral issues so my overall impression of him was positive.
Now my niece has a BC. Bella is small and slender and actually only weighs 25lb but is fast and energetic and everything you expect in a BC. She is the frisbee dog and will catch a frisbee for as long as you'll throw it, just as my room-mate's dog was with his ball. She can literally run for hours but my niece said she has never seen her tired - and she's now 5-6 years old. We are all very fond of Bella, but - she has a big barking problem. And, she ended up getting banned from the barn because she not only chases the horses but teaches the other dogs to do it too. They ended up putting a bark collar on her to control the barking and that made a huge difference although even with it on she occasionally can't help letting out a bark or two.
I am partial to the breed despite this but fear that my family's activity level will not be enough for a BC. On the days we go to the barn, no issue - the dog will get plenty of work those days. But the days we don't go are another matter. With multiple kids in multiple activities sometimes we are in and out of the house all day - usually to places a dog cannot accompany us. We try to get a walk in every day but honestly, there are some days not even that is possible. For this reason I have to be honest with myself and say I'm not sure our family is the right fit for a BC that needs to be worked all the time in order to not get bored. Thank you for all the feedback on this breed that helped me to realize this.
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I can honestly say I haven't as I thought they were a very large breed dog. Hmmm...will have to check that out.
I'll also have to check out Labradoodles, as that is something else I had not previously considered. My only qualm about that is the recommendation to buy from a reputable breeder. Good advice but every dog I've had as an adult has been a mixed breed rescue and my plan was to do the same again since there are SO many good dogs that just need to find a good home. So in looking for breed recommendations it is not really that I plan to go out and get a particular breed so much as know what breeds are potentially right for us so that when looking at "mutts", if the mutt contains one or more of the breeds we think are right for us, we can guess that the dog MIGHT be a good match. Hope that last part makes sense
, he's very gentle with all other animals, loves to play. 
