Choosing successor to perfect dog: breed recommendations?

[Saskatoonian]

Having resurrected and derailed the PWD thread, I remembered the wealth of experience and knowledge on this board and realized I should ask more broadly for recommendations for the successor to the perfect dog I just lost. She was a GSD mutt - supposedly mixed with lab, but no way. More likely akita. Not a mix I’d ever choose, but she was fantastic - a diplomat among dogs, sensitive and aloof around people, and as dignified and elegant as they come. She started coming to the office with me at 9 weeks and retired last summer at 13 1/2. Inside was sleep / chill time; outside was play time. Simple. She came everywhere with me til November, when she didn’t want to get in the truck anymore, even with a ramp. That was ok: I have a big yard adjacent to a big nature area, and she was happy til it was time.

So now I’m confronted with choosing a successor. I’m not fond of the mutts I see these days, and am inclined to look for a pure bred in part to support responsible breeders and because a little predictability might be a good thing. The job is particular enough that I’d only get a pup.

So I’ve spent way too much time on the AKC website, and come up with some options, but I’d love any other thoughts. I’d like a dog around the same size - leggy 65 lbs (of course I never sticked her) - and (after the necessary training and time attached with baling twine to my belt loop) she will be off leash, including around horses, dogs and cats.

Here’s what I’ve got so far -
Spaniels - French? Irish Water (but the tails…)? English Cocker (so small though)? Springer?
Portuguese Water Dog
Barbet
Norwegian Elkhound

Any thoughts welcome, on these or others, and if there are really good breeders out there, I’d love to know about them. Obviously soundness is key, as is lifespan - I can’t do a dog that’s only likely to live 7-8 years.

[Bluey]

Nixing the norwegian elkhound if you want obedient and compliant and easy going.
They are any but that, opinionated, full of personality and will try you all their lives, live for it, in fact.
I consider them a spitz breed with plenty of personality traits of a terrier.
Fine if you like that, not so much if that is trying to you.
Like our vet called them, “those PITA dogs”.
This was some 40+ years ago, but here was a puppy mill here churning them out and selling them in pet shops.
Cutest puppy around in the window.
Seems that everyone had one of those for a while, with the expected results.
Ours was a four month old left over puppy that the pet shop was going to take to animal control because no one would buy it, was “nippy”.
She made a super farm dog and had incredible herding instincts, but was always a handful if you didn’t make very polite requests of her majesty.
Once she tangled with a doe and it took 40 stitches to put her back together and she still was smiling, so proud of herself for her feat.
She kept losing to porcupines, that was a whole other story.

I would not say norwegian elkhounds are the kind of dog people would enjoy for a sedate pet.
Even into their old age, they are still very strong minded dogs.

[halt]

Not much advice, just good luck. My perfect dog was also a GSD and only lived to be 8. I’ve given up on finding a successor.

I would suggest a GSD but… they don’t live long and it’s heartbreaking because they are the most perfect souls. 7-8 seems the average lifespan for them.

I’d love for someone to chime in about Elkhounds. That’s a lot of fur though. I agree with Bluey that the spitz dogs have their own agenda and you will spend your entire life telling those cheeky buggers no. For your requirements I might rule off any spitz breeds because they can be little demons off leash, even with great training. Same goes for hounds… if they smell something that interests them, they’re gone.

IMHO the best breeds off-leash are herding types. What about a smooth collie?

[Uncorked]

I have to always suggest a lab. I have 2 (one 12 and one 3) they are so loyal and never wander. They both come to the barn everyday and are off leash all the time. We go on long trail rides…the younger one takes the lead and flushes the game and the older one brings up the rear. We have cats at the barn and I have a cat at home…neither lab chases them and in fact with snuggle with them. My youngest came from a wonderful breeder - and I think this is very important - they raise them as family so they are not kept in kennels like at a big breeders. They have one litter at a time and raise them like they are keeping them for their own - they get to go out and wander on the farm (supervised of course) amongst the free range chickens and other critters. They snuggle on the couch with the kids. You get the picture. Here is a link to the latest litter out and about outside (mom is a silver and dad is chocolate):

https://www.facebook.com/fryerkansaslabradors/photos/pcb.1753253604750059/1753253091416777/?type=3&theater

[Saskatoonian]

Thank you guys so much. This is the best therapy, and god knows I need it.

That is EXACTLY what I needed to know about the NE, and it’s definitively nixed. It’s so hard to assess the descriptions - they’re like horse ads ! - all sorts of red flags went up when the JRT description was “bright, energetic and cheerful.” Mmmm hmmm. I’d add a few more words. Not a terrier person.

The herding instinct drives me batty, sweet as collies are. Labs are wonderful but so many I know are absolutely frenetic no matter how much exercise they get. Is yours chill, Uncorked? That type of breeder is just the type I’d prefer.

[Amelia]

I’d have to say lab–or golden. Although, I must say, the first year or two may be a little tough at times. But, put in some hard work, get them adequate exercise and bring them up right, and they are a complete joy for years to come. I lost my perfect dog, my golden a year and a half ago at age 14. I now have a lab puppy that will be a year on Saturday–and while he has been tough, (he was a rescue as well), I’m glad to say he is finally getting better. lol. Good luck whatever you decide.

[FitToBeTied]

We had Norwegian Elkhounds and they were very easy to train. We loved them. They were great on the farm and with the horses. However, they are hunting dogs and they like to hunt. Also, if you are picky about dog hair these are not your dogs.

[Saskatoonian]

Hunting and that coat are two things that attracted me to the NE. A little aloof is also fine. Herding and constantly having to say no - not so much.

[Kodidog763]

I will second the Lab. Just FYI British Labs are often much more calm than their American counterparts. Maybe check out some British Labs before you rule out the Lab.

[Incantation]

I know someone who breeds and show labs. Most of hers are much lower energy than the labs bred only for hunting. They are shorter legged/bigger bodied than the hunting line labs.

[shayaalliard]

My perfect dog was German Shepherd and Golden. calm quiet devoted, walked at heel off leash naturally.Terrified of thunder, she would ask permission to come into the bed during storms. I would spoon her and she would fall asleep, no longer afraid.
My larger mini poodle comes close, but no dog will ever be Cassie’s equal.

[allons-y]

Well you may all know how I feel about my dog pound Pittie. Of course I vote to 1) adopt from a shelter, and 2) consider a Pitbull. I never, ever, ever would have gone this route (Pitbull) on purpose. I thought he was a hound. Absolutley best mistake I ever made. Give them a chance.

[S1969]

What exactly are you looking for in a dog - there is such a huge difference between an Elkhound and an English Cocker that I can’t really see what they have in common.

My guess about Barbet and French Spaniels is that they are difficult to find. I show dogs and I’ve never seen either one. So…unless you have a connection, you might move them to the bottom of the list.

If you are looking for a friendly, happy go lucky sporting dog, Springers are a good choice, as are English Cockers.

I don’t know anyone with Elkhounds but I think their temperament is much more similar to your previous dog. I might look more into this breed and then similar breeds rather than going toward spaniels unless you’re looking for something different.

[Uncorked]

Yes my Lab is very chill. I do take her to the barn everyday and she runs and plays while I am there. But if for some reason I don’t go or it is a very short stay - like these days when it is single digits - she has no problem lying on the couch or her bed and chilling. My personality is laid back and I think that rubs off a bit. I just adore Kona (it is her at 9 weeks old in my profile pic) and she is helping me through a tough time. She seems to know when I need a snuggle or a good laugh and with a Lab you are never short on laughs! She goes everywhere with me…horse shows and vacations…and well has no problem hanging in the truck while I have lunch with friends (only in cool weather of course…otherwise we pick places that allow dogs on the patio - and she lies there very quite). This summer I taught her how to float on a raft with me in the lake…and how to pull me thru the water…to get um another adult beverage. I just have to figure out how to teach her to go down to the garage and get me a beer from the fridge and bring it back to the barn…hmmm maybe this summer! She is so smart and willing to learn anything I want to teach her! My next lab will come from the same breeder for sure…just nice dogs and nice people. They help rehome any that need it so they are not the kind to just sell you a puppy and not look back. Their dogs are family.

[Saskatoonian]

Uncorked, your lab sounds like my girl, other than going out on the lake. Very good to know. And agreed about the chill part.

I can see that my list looks a little eclectic, and promise I’m not quite as crazy / clueless as it appears. Bottom line is that I’ve known and liked a lot of dogs, and am open to a variety. The NE descriptions and pictures remind me very much of my last girl, so of course I have to think about them.

There are some limits. I’m not keen on small dogs or terriers of any size, or pits / pit mutt. Besides, they fail in the other dept: I spend too much time outside for a dog with so little hair, and I like dogs with coats.

Thanks for all the input!

[Bicoastal]

You sound very open. Maybe going to a dog show would be a fun experience for you. If you see some dogs you like, you can chat up their handlers. A slightly older purebred may be just the ticket.

Based on your post on the PWD thread, I think your schedule sounds like a pretty happy doggy lifestyle. How much time/attention do you have at the office [and barn] for the dog? That is the element that has me suggesting maybe an older puppy or retired show dog. Add a few 5-min training sessions, food puzzles, and a lunch-time romp and a lot of dogs would be very content.

It sounds like you need minimal prey drive. How social does the dog need to be, with: people (office?), kids, new dogs?

[Minxitbabe]

Might be a little on the small size for you but Vizslas are wonderful dogs! They are on my list for my first purebred dog. I met some lovely ones when I was a dog groomer and even more when I started dock diving with my boy. Highly trainable and no tail! Just saw the part about wanting some coat a wirehaired Vizsla has a bit more than the smooth.

[Bluey]

@Minxitbabe

Might be a little on the small size for you but Vizslas are wonderful dogs! They are on my list for my first purebred dog. I met some lovely ones when I was a dog groomer and even more when I started dock diving with my boy. Highly trainable and no tail!

The OP requires a coated dog, that leaves so many out, like vizslas.

Now, labs are not that heavily coated, but they will stand cold with the best of them with their double coat and natural fat cover.

[luvmyhackney]

Look at Weimaraner breed. Its the breed I’m looking at after my Chocolate lab, which the lab would fit the bill. Labs aren’t aloof but goofy bundles of fun. Only reason I’m not getting another is because my husband doesn’t want to compare the dogs and thinks it would make him miss our lab more.

My friend breeds Weimaraners and hers are wonderful on the farm and listen really well, they are high energy and ride around on the golf cart and keep the couches warm. Not as friendly as my lab but more protective. My lab thought everyone was alive to scratch and love her. My friend has 7 of them and they are really nice dogs, but she does training sessions daily with them.

[luvmyhackney]

@Bluey

The OP requires a coated dog, that leaves so many out, like vizslas.

Now, labs are not that heavily coated, but they will stand cold with the best of them with their double coat and natural fat cover.

They make nice doggy coats now. You can even get matching dog and human ones.