I want a Labrador, just smaller…
Discussion
Hi,
I’ve had dogs for years and for me, the perfect dog is a Labrador. We love their temperament and the way they interact with humans and other dogs.
However, life changes mean that we’re looking for a smaller dog. I’m mid 50’s and hope to retire shortly. We intend to do a lot of travelling over the next 10 years, possibly 6 months each year in our motorhome exploring Europe. I don’t want a big dog when I’m retired and a motorhome is a small space.
Likewise, I can’t stand small ‘yappy’ dogs with a Napoleon complex. A dog that is always barking is awful and it always seems to be the small dogs.
I’m keen on a spaniel but wife says absolutely no way as they are bonkers and never stop. We would walk a dog about 4 to 5 miles a day.
I know I want Goldilocks (not too big, not too small) but temperament is key.
Any breeds that you recommend?
Many thanks
Ps - we don’t like ‘wire haired’ dogs either…
I’ve had dogs for years and for me, the perfect dog is a Labrador. We love their temperament and the way they interact with humans and other dogs.
However, life changes mean that we’re looking for a smaller dog. I’m mid 50’s and hope to retire shortly. We intend to do a lot of travelling over the next 10 years, possibly 6 months each year in our motorhome exploring Europe. I don’t want a big dog when I’m retired and a motorhome is a small space.
Likewise, I can’t stand small ‘yappy’ dogs with a Napoleon complex. A dog that is always barking is awful and it always seems to be the small dogs.
I’m keen on a spaniel but wife says absolutely no way as they are bonkers and never stop. We would walk a dog about 4 to 5 miles a day.
I know I want Goldilocks (not too big, not too small) but temperament is key.
Any breeds that you recommend?
Many thanks
Ps - we don’t like ‘wire haired’ dogs either…
Edited by A900ss on Monday 28th April 11:53
Edited by A900ss on Monday 28th April 11:54
Spaniels are probably the direct comparison but as you mention, pretty similar mentality but require a lot of exercise. Staffies are pretty similar across the board, bit calmer and just need to be socialised early so they don't become solitary souls.
Crosses are obviously a route to check but availability can be an issue, something like a Corgidor or Bassador?
Another thought, fox red lab, and a female? They're generally smaller than the other types of lab, I know 3 and they're all around the 18-20kg mark rather than any of the other labs I know which are all closer to 30kg even at the lower end.
Crosses are obviously a route to check but availability can be an issue, something like a Corgidor or Bassador?
Another thought, fox red lab, and a female? They're generally smaller than the other types of lab, I know 3 and they're all around the 18-20kg mark rather than any of the other labs I know which are all closer to 30kg even at the lower end.
We’ve got two Spaniels, a Springer and a Cocker. One is 11 and the other is 3. They’re not bonkers in the slightest, pretty chilled out as it goes. The ones I’ve seen that are a handful are because the owner can’t be arsed to manage them properly. Don’t buy into the hype that they're insane or uncontrollable, they're really not.
Edited by Batfoy on Monday 28th April 14:13
Juan B said:
Australian Cattle Dog
Absolutely not this. Our friends have a male, he's easily as bulky as a lab and has the most intense drive of any dog I've met. Genuinely more intense than even the working German Shepherds and Malinois I've spent time with. He also has the most ear splitting bark - which appears whenever he's remotely excited.They were bred by crossing Border collies and dingoes (!) to chase cattle across Australia. Not to chill in a motorhome.
TikTak said:
Another thought, fox red lab, and a female? They're generally smaller than the other types of lab, I know 3 and they're all around the 18-20kg mark rather than any of the other labs I know which are all closer to 30kg even at the lower end.
Strangely enough, it’s a female fox red that we currently have (on her last legs). She’s around 25kg and if we could make another female of her around 18kg, it would be perfect. As has been said, labs do vary in size, but no guarantees really unless you get an adult.
I would also back up the suggestion of a show type cocker (not working type!) as generally less mad. Ours was lovely.
We've had three whippets, and they can be hard work as puppies/youngsters. The one we have now certainly is!
Another thought - labradoodle bred from a smaller poodle type (not standard).
My first dog was a staffy cross, and he was just like a miniature black lab. Good natured with people and other dogs.
I would also back up the suggestion of a show type cocker (not working type!) as generally less mad. Ours was lovely.
We've had three whippets, and they can be hard work as puppies/youngsters. The one we have now certainly is!
Another thought - labradoodle bred from a smaller poodle type (not standard).
My first dog was a staffy cross, and he was just like a miniature black lab. Good natured with people and other dogs.
chrisch77 said:
We had a similar requirement when we got our dog and settled on a Cockerdor, i.e. a Cocker Spaniel x Lab cross. Our Cooper also came from short legged lab stock and is about 2/3 the size of a full lab, but the same cross breeding can result in anything between spaniel and lab size.
Winner! The labrador head but a half-size body 
+1 for Whippet mentioned above (I'd have said Greyhound if size / space wasn't an issue)
Energetic outdoors, lazy indoors, so probably ideal for travelling where they can snooze in the motorhome for hours and then have a nice walk or run as required. My experience with the couple I've met (same with Greyhounds) has been very calm, gentle and quiet dogs.
Anecdotally they're pretty trainable too, and minimal grooming needs is probably ideal for travel..
Energetic outdoors, lazy indoors, so probably ideal for travelling where they can snooze in the motorhome for hours and then have a nice walk or run as required. My experience with the couple I've met (same with Greyhounds) has been very calm, gentle and quiet dogs.
Anecdotally they're pretty trainable too, and minimal grooming needs is probably ideal for travel..
We’ve got a lab called Luna , some can be big, but our was the runt of the Litter , she’s amazing, my third lab, amazing temperament, can be the most lack lustre dog or bonkers mad when in play mode, but she’s smaller being the runt but amazing nonetheless the less, her twin brother was called tiny , it was an ironic name 🤣, here her doing what Labs do.
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