My daughter wants a dog (we have a deal where she has to feed the family dog for six months and pick up poop) and we will consider.
She wants a small dog. We have a lab lifestyle. Run, hike, camp etc. but do work outside the home.
What small/ medium dogs should we research? (I am so a lab person - never thought I’d be contemplating a small dog!)
Cocker spaniel? Beagle?
Mixed breed with lab in it?
We had several Springer Spaniels when I was a kid. They were great family dogs with calm dispositions. I hate yappy small dogs.
Define “small” and “lab-like”.
How small is small? E.g. I would not consider a Springer to be small, but compared to a lab, maybe. Compared to a Great Dane? Definitely? 
But, if you’re thinking <20lbs = small, it’s not small enough.
I’m assuming that you mean easy going temperament when you say “like a lab”. Generally friendly? But what about activity level? Labs can be pretty big couch potatoes but they are sporting dogs and can/do need activity, especially when young.
First breed that comes to mind is a Cavalier or English Cocker.
What are your thoughts on coat…both are pretty hairy.
Beagle is the right size, and activity level. However, they don’t go off leash or they will disappear. Not as calm as a lab, however a friend has a totally lab like Beagle, and he’s the absolute exception to the Beagle standard.
I would look for smaller “bird” dogs vs hound type hunting dogs. Breeds that work one on one with people. There are a number of medium size breeds that fit the description. Not many small breeds I can think of though.
Labs really come from a broad spectrum spanning totally laid back to extremely hyper. My lab certainly falls toward the more energetic end of the spectrum making my herding dogs look laid back (or at least more focused and we’ll behaved).
Search local animal rescue or shelters and look for a nice temperament smaller or medium mixed breed dog, a young dog perhaps rather than a puppy, but if she must have a puppy they end up in rescue too. Preferably short hair for tromping through the woods. Mixes are usually healthy and can have a great temperament.
Look for a plain brown or black dog (since so many overlook them and go for the “cute” dog), and the plain dog is often the best one with so much love to give.
There are so many varieties of spaniel. Perhaps a field spaniel? Or an English cocker spaniel?
I grew up with spaniels, so when I became an adult, my first choice was a cocker. I adored Emily, but… Dumb as a box of rocks. Not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
But loveable, devoted, fun dogs? Yes.
Mixes are usually healthy based on what standard? I love rescue, and I know dogs in shelters CAN have great temperaments and can also be healthy. But mixed breed dogs are very often afflicted with the same health issues as purebred dogs - hip and elbow dysplasia, eye and heart conditions, etc.
It’s insincere to suggest that a mixed breed dog would be “more healthy” than a purebred dog, particularly a well-bred dog with appropriate health testing.
That said, if the OP is not necessarily seeking a puppy or a purebred, then I would look for a smaller lab mix. With kids - I’d look for a dog/puppy being offered from a reputable rescue organization that places dogs in foster homes after pulling them from shelters.
Thanks everyone! For small I guess I’m thinking smaller than our 55 pound lab (daughter wants a chihuahua- but we’re going to have to compromise to something a little more rough and tumble I think). Maybe ~30 pounds or less.
Needs to be able to hike 5-10 miles. Prefer it’s more mello at home though. Our current dog is best guess a lab/ weim mix and rallies for adventure then takes long naps- perfect energy level for us.
I doubt we would get a puppy. Most likely we would try and get one from the prison training program we got our current dog from. So most likely a mix- but looking for what we should look for as part of the mix.
Thanks!
[QUOTE=4Martini;8782584]
Thanks everyone! For small I guess I’m thinking smaller than our 55 pound lab (daughter wants a chihuahua- but we’re going to have to compromise to something a little more rough and tumble I think). Maybe ~30 pounds or less.[/QUOTE]
This one.
Lab x Chi: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/35632601
He’s a puppy though. Lots of lab mixes on Petfinder. Some cute ones too. I’d look at the rescues that pulled them from shelters carefully and use it as a primary tool for sorting, rather than the cuteness of the dog.
There are some lab/wiener dog crosses around here that are wonderful dogs for what you want.
They also end up in shelters at times, people move and leave them behind, so you may find one of those in the shelter.
They tend to be smallish, very easy going, can go on hikes and long walks and are excellent kid and couch potato dogs when the family crashes in the living room to watch TV.
Our last dog was probably a lab/schnauzer cross. Was listed as such by the shelter, and it seemed very plausible. About 35 lbs, loved to go for long walks, but if the weather was bad she was perfectly happy to snooze on the couch for days. Definitely didn’t get any kind of natural retrieving ability, though, so no playing fetch.
Labs are so common that there are a lot of crosses out there, some of which are smaller and have fairly lab-like personalities.
Good luck in your search!
[QUOTE=S1969;8782591]
This one.
Lab x Chi: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/35632601
He’s a puppy though. Lots of lab mixes on Petfinder. Some cute ones too. I’d look at the rescues that pulled them from shelters carefully and use it as a primary tool for sorting, rather than the cuteness of the dog.[/QUOTE]
How does that physically happen??? Cute dog- I like him!
[QUOTE=4Martini;8782659]
How does that physically happen??? Cute dog- I like him![/QUOTE]
Most likely neither parent was purebred. And/or, the Chi was way too big. Well bred Chihuahuas are very small. You see “pet” Chis the size of small terriers, though.
Snauzer, Poodle, many of the Terrier breeds would be 30-35# with longer, ground covering legs. If there is a particular breed that you find attractive, check with breeders for adult dogs who have completed their show ring career or breeding career and are in need of re-homing.
I see some nice dogs offered on Craig List…I would only buy/adopt an adult dog from CL, I would never buy a puppy as CL ads are fronts for puppy mills. But I see some nice dogs that people need to re home ,
Boston terrier, for sure. Or some variation-just be mindful of heat but my mom’s does fine in the TX heat with all activities.
Or a good mutt-I still think there is a big place in the world for a good ol’ what the heck is it mutt that fits the bill.
Also, tall female dogs will lie down so a small male can get the job done.
[QUOTE=JanM;8782453]
Beagle is the right size, and activity level. However, they don’t go off leash or they will disappear. Not as calm as a lab, however a friend has a totally lab like Beagle, and he’s the absolute exception to the Beagle standard.[/QUOTE]
Both the Beagles that I have/had are Lab like.
The female I presently have is really wonderful, likes everyone, couch potato, would love to go hiking,… we call her ‘Beagle light’ because she doesn’t have a lot of the negative stereotype Beagle characteristics.
The male I had… he was similar, but he was a little more Beagle-ish… in that he would perseverate on how to get into the garbage or find a way to do naughty things, ate lipsticks out of purses etc… He was also a genius, so…
Had he had a lil girl to direct his energy [ie with agility, say] he may have been better behaved. A tired dog = a good dog.
Definitely not an ‘off leash’ dog, but then neither are all Labs.
I would avoid Chihuahua and some of the similar sized breed personally, because IME they can be very snarky, not great with kids, and territorial about their person. Then again any one member of any breed can be contrary as well, so the key is to get her dog from a reputable person who will help insure it’s a good match by knowing the dog you are interested in well enough to know if it meets your needs.
There are a bunch of terrier breeds that are fairly small and capable of hiking etc. We had a border terrier that was smarter than most people. And a friend has a silky terrier that has gone on some major hikes with us, it’s kind of a super tiny dog. I personally like mutts the best and they are generally healthier just because they are a larger gene pool and less prone to genetic issues.
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