We are starting to think about getting another dog to join the family. In an ideal world that would be another Flatcoat. However, we are wondering if it would be more practical to get a smaller breed. So, the question is which breeds should we be thinking about? I guess we are after a small dog with the temperament of a Flatcoat :
- people and child friendly
- dog friendly
- ok with other pets
- up for lots of exercise (when old enough)
I appreciate that you can’t guarantee that all dogs of a certain breed will display the same temperament, but any suggestions would be much appreciated.

A standard poodle obviously!

What about a Cavvie? Is that about the size you're considering? Or a Springer if a little bigger

>A standard poodle obviously!

Ha ha!
Well, after taking a look at your pictures on Instagram (another thread) I am certainly tempted - what stunning dogs!

I hadn’t thought about a springer. The ones we see out are lovely, but are always darting off into the undergrowth after something or other. I just wonder how they would be with our rabbits and fee-range chickens and visiting cat. Maybe that would just come down to training?

A Cavalier was the one breed we did think about. The only thing that put me off was the health issues that have often been referred to on this site .... which must sound a bit rich coming from someone with a Flatcoat!

Cavaliers are prone to so many things, they are a bit of a mess as breeds go.  You'd have to search very carefully to find the right breeder.

What about a Nova Skotia duck tolling retriever?  They are a similar type of dog, very friendly and active.  And healthy, as far as I know.  They haven't been split into show/working lines like many breeds have.  Although the toller scream might be offputting, it would be for me!

Any breed in general terms if raised and trained right should be good around other animals.
Cavvies you will need to do your homework in terms of finding the right breeder who does all the health testing needed. I've found the show bred springers to be a lot less manic and definitely more chilled compared to their working friends.

If you don't mind a little extra grooming how about the Spanish water dog or the lagotto? The latter are a lovely smaller breed.

Cocker spaniel? Ours is fine with cats and guinea pigs, very friendly with people and dogs and happy to have as much exercise as we are prepared to give her! She’s also a bit of a diva but that’s probably more our fault than the breed itself...

I love the flat coats, we meet one on our walks sometimes and she is lovely. If we had another breed I would consider one, along with a welsh springer.

Hi Cal.  We lost our last beloved Flatcoat in March.  We had lost another a couple of years previously, aged just 18 months.  Much as I adore them, we felt we just could not have another as we couldn't face the anxiety about health problems and the possible misery of losing yet another at an early age.  it was a hard decision and we struggle with huge lumps in our throats whenever we meet Flatcoats ...

I looked at many, many breeds as a possible alternative.

No guarantees about health, of course, but we have moved to working labs, carefully researched to find the right breeders who breed for health, temperament and biddability.

We succeeded in finding puppies (particularly our latest) from lines which are passionate about working but are also sensible - not too full on all the time!  They like nothing better than chilling out on the sofa in-between all the active stuff.

They are considerably smaller and "neater" than our last Flatcoat boy and I must admit to finding the short coats beautifully easy after all the hair!

Training them is a joy and they are enthusiastic about turning their paws to anything which keeps them occupied and working with their humans.

We think they look stunning too.

Good luck with your decision - and give your Flattie a pat from me!

having a femala flattie who is not  a lot taller than a Springer and  not as stocky ,she is a round 25 kg  I would consider a second flattie . of course it depends on how much smaller u feel u wish to go of course . Health wise I think it's a lottery with regard to tumours.my current fcr is 6 and doing well and me previous was 10 when we lost her not to cancer as it happens but she had  3 operations to remove tumors over the years.

Well obviously I think so. But you should see the breeder's. We both do our own grooming but she is really amazing at it. Both mine need a bath today actually. Factor that or grooming costs in for such dogs - hours or ££ must be spent on the coat to keep them comfy and healthy (looking handsome is extra again). Spanish water dogs are cheaper in the grooming parlour because they have simpler styles of cut but you can always ask for the poodle to be put in a simple cut too.

TBH I really love flatties so I'd probably get another if I were you, but my husband has a thing about duck tollers too.

Why not think outside the box! I got a Buhund after 40 years of Great Danes and you could not wish for a better family dog. Very active and barks a lot as he patrols the property but very affectionate and chilled out. also very smart and trainable in all manner of dog sports. Not many litters , but a very healthy breed....very few issues.
Louise

Silken Windhound?

Not nearly as high energy as a flatcoat, but happy to walk for miles. Very healthy and long lived, medium size (adult dogs around 18 - 20kg, bitches less).

They are sighthounds but are very trainable, mine are off lead every day in parks, beaches etc. I never worry about other dogs or horses that they meet off lead. They're absolutely fine with cats, my friends chickens and other livestock despite the fact they also race. They just need taught what they can and cannot chase. They are a gentle, sensitive breed, great with children and all people and tend to ignore other dogs who are usually deemed too bouncy or ill mannered for them to play with

Their coats are very easy to care for, a quick brush once a week and even if they're filthy after a walk the mud falls off when dry.

Thank you for all your suggestions: you have given me lots to think about. I have also learnt two new breeds (Lagottos and Buhunds).  I was aware of Windhounds, but only because I looked them up after reading one of your previous posts, chaumsong - they are so beautiful.  Had to google the ‘scream’ of a Duck Tolling Retriever. Sounds amazing, but not sure I could cope with it on a regular basis! Cocker spaniels are lovely – don’t know why we hadn’t thought of them before. Gosh… so many dogs; I am now wondering if it might be worth a trip to Crufts discover dogs to look at the different breeds.

Furriefriends, you are quite right about female Flatties. I forget that they aren’t all as large as our boy – his parents weren’t, but his genes obviously didn’t read the breed standard!

Blay, I understand your reasons for not getting another Flattie. We thought long and hard about the health risks before getting ours. I have owned other breeds, but had always wanted a Flatcoat since I was a child. I gave him a big hug from you and got licked to death in return

Ha, ha - how lovely - Thank You - (and him!).  They love licking, don't they - especially ears, in our experience!

If its not licking then it's the Waggy tail with the whole body moving !

Yes, indeed FF - I love the Full Tail Plus Body Wag so much.  I'm pleased to say our new youngster wags in a similar way.  Perhaps he thinks he is a Flatcoat!

>A Cavalier was the one breed we did think about. The only thing that put me off was the health issues that have often been referred to on this site

You do have to research your breeder and read up on the health tests - and even with all the health we can't guarantee of course - but I currently have a 13 year old who was heart clear till 11.5 years old, her heart clear 7 year old daughter, and 1 year old granddaughter. I have several friends who breed and health test in East Anglia and regularly have dogs that are healthy and active into their teens. So it's not as black a picture as people paint.

I was hoping a cav person would come along . That's cheering to hear

I have 10 Cavaliers ages ranging from 6 months to 12 years....not one has a SINGLE thing wrong with them.

Sad that an opinion given on an open forum is ..”the breed is a mess”.....sometimes I wonder if my considerable effort for the breed as a whole.....is worth it.

please don't give up .our pedigree breeds need people like u

"YOUR BREED NEEDS YOU"

I would love to try and suggest my breeds but being spitz, you’d need to invest in ear plugs too

A friend has a lagotto though and she’s beautiful in both her looks and her nature. My nervous kees dotes on her which is saying a lot given he thinks most dogs are out for him! And he’s also friends with a few FCR bitches too, in fact we say one of them and the lagotto are his girlfriends!

Thank you for the advice on Cavaliers re: health issues. It made me smile to hear the comment about owning 10 dogs and here I am worrying about getting two!

in fact we say one of them and the lagotto are his girlfriends!

Which Spitz have u got keesie .I am guessing keeshond

Yes and Japanese spitz, although one of them NEVER barks

With regards to your concerns with health, I completely understand why you’d be apprehensive to get another of the same breed. I lost my heart girl (JS) a few years ago and I never thought I’d be able to have one again. She was only 8 and had spondylitis, kidney failure and liver failure as well as a huge tumour which made it difficult for her to walk. It really broke my heart to lose her and I felt so cheated as her sire lived to the great old age of 16

My parents then rehomed two js bitches, one being her half-sister and she has out lived her and has no health issues currently aged 9. We just say that our old girl was extremely unlucky, especially in a breed with not many health problems