Brittany, a Gundog with easy coat and not excessive ears might suit.

The fact that the dog would be able to be with your husband about the chores on a small holding would actually give plenty of excersise and mental stimulation, only needing a standard walk to top it up.

Um, Brittanys are not for the faint-hearted. They range FAR, they have very strong hunting instincts, they are very fast and extremely high energy.

Any of the HPR breeds are going to need someone paying attention to them 100% of the time when they are out and about, or they will learn to go AWOL and chase game...

If you can't deal with a Labrador, there's no way you can deal with any breed with hunting drive including spaniels or HPRs, so forget those.

Agree, I don’t think any HPR breed is right for someone who just wants a dog to potter outside with them, especially in pheasant heaven.

I think I'd be looking at English Setters. Everyone I have met has been a lovely calm dog and well trained despite owners being very casual.

If someone doesn't want a Labrador due to energy reasons, let's face it, there's probably not a gundog breed that's appropriate for them!

These are all large breed, high energy dogs that people are suggesting. Nothing like the bulldogs I see plodding around with people waiting for them to catch up....

Would an older breed rescue be more appropriate
Any puppy is going to need a lot of time put into it before it  becomes that all.round calm.dog  the wanders around with its owner.

My bad, rather thought training a Gundog would mesh in, especially as they had Cocker before.

same here!  Its the thought of all that strolling around land makes me think something a little more vigorous, plus the english setters I have met were super laid back....

I wouldn't go sighthound with all that prey about as would be shame to have to keep on a lead, gun dogs at least do usually recall nicely.

onetwothreefour> If someone doesn't want a Labrador due to energy reasons, let's face it, there's probably not a gundog breed that's appropriate for them!

> <br />These are all large breed

Sorry but not all gundogs are a large breed.  English Cocker Spaniels are within the Gundog Grp.  They are a medium breed, are fantastic companions who will follow you everywhere and if of the 'working' cocker spaniel breed have short coats, hairy ears (but not overly) are fantastic at recall and a loyal lap dog if you want them to be. I have 4 and every one has been a typical puppy (chewing, racing around, digging etc).  All are now described as above and a great dual purpose breed whether pet or worker.

I'd be thinking about something larger which is happy to accompany you around but to chill and watch you do your tasks. What about a Bernese mountain dog?

onetwothreefour:> Bernese mountain dog?

Think you'll find a larger breed suggestion has already been ridiculed by some posters vs the OP wanting a bulldog.

Bloat is a horrible condition that can happen from nowhere and very quickly become fatal.
Sadly we have lost  2 dogs within the family .one was mine an fcr and the other my sisters gsd .
. The gsd in particularly it was very subtle even the vet doubted what was happening even though I had rung ahead with my  thoughts . She had been stretching in the play bow  position although not wanting to play  and was very quiet
It can happen in almost amy breed although some are.more.susceptable so worth knowing the signs.sorry just realised I was reading jodis post from previous page

furriefriends:> Bloat is a horrible condition

Would you be kind enough to explain what 'bloat' is please?  Never heard of it or experienced it..what are the early symptoms and what treatment is given?

If you’ve already had a cocker, why would you not consider another? Show type might suit if working type is too active - show types are by no means couch potatoes, and if coat length is a consideration, they can be clipped.

Also other smaller spaniels - field, Sussex, even Clumber or Welsh Springer.

Miniature Schnauzer are quite hardy little dogs, need clipping, but when clipped are smart little beasts.

Or even one of Brainless’s Elkhounds?

Bloat that often leads to gastric torsion . Is life threatening condition any suspicion us an urgent vet visit.
The stomach becomes fill of gas and then twists causing extreme pain and cuts blood supply to tissue.  Sadly death often follows unless it can be operated on to rectify. Even the  its touch and go . Your breed is one that can be prone
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/bloat-dogs   https://www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/gdv-bloat-in-dogs/   a couple of links to explain more

Its one reason  why feeding twice a day and not exercising for an hour or 2 before or after meals is suggested. Exact causes are still not known although there does appear to be a genetic predisposition

Tagging on the end here. Im amazed at some of the breeds being suggested, other than the greyhound which may or may not be suitable most of these other breeds are pretty active and do need either good mental stimulation and or a good amount of exercise when adult.
Bulldogs also can walk a good distance and can be pretty active too, I know many who go for hikes, have taken part in flyball and agility too.

The OP hasn't come back to give any more info and not sure they will so this thread doesn't seem to hold much purpose until they do.

The breeds bred to be companions are probably the best ideas if exercise is wanted to be kept to a minimum. Yes some giant breeds can be very lazy like the Mastiff or the Neo but thats very chalk and cheese with a Bulldog. So we do need to know what other traits the OP is looking for in a breed of dog.

There are plenty of healthy Bulldogs being bred where they have been fully health tested in terms of the parents. Its finding a good breeder and getting onto a waiting list like with any breed.

> There are plenty of healthy Bulldogs being bred where they have been fully health tested in terms of the parents.

That is just not true, virtually no Bulldogs are Hip Scored, yet they are known to be virtually the worst for Hip Dysplasia.

I have seen a few fit bullies, healthy for their breed, but that's setting the bar rather low.

The OP were concerned with the health issues of their deceased Cocker, a Bulldog would be a whole another level of issues.

A Bulldog is a fairly large dog, even if not very tall, certainly heavier than my medium size breed.

Reading the extra info the op has given .ie they have a small holding, surrounded by farm land.  They own Highland cattle and goats atm .lots of.pheasant around
The op works away from the home but husband is at home all.day  very busy not having time for 2 hour walks. 
I wonder what that really means regarding a puppy of any breed ? Puppies are time.consuming and it takes a.good while  before they are ready to safely potter around behind the owner . Assuming the land is secure
Still think rescue or older dog maybe a better option

Compared to many breeds maybe in comparison they aren't the healthiest. Hip scoring over here within the breed is few and far between and yes those which have been scored are imo appalling results 

As far as the breed itself goes without comparing it to other breeds as there really is no other breed to compare them to if we are honest there are healthy specimens and good breeders but far more greeders, bybs and commercial breeders who don't give a damn about health, type and temperament.

If they want a breed and size no issue and the property is fully fenced in then a sighthound might be the way to go, so Greyhounds, Wolfhounds, deerhounds etc.
But there is little to compare them to a Bulldog thats for sure.
Smaller brachy breeds would be along the lines of Frenchies, Pugs, Boston and so on

Thank you all for your comments. We’re going to do more research and then make a decision. This discussion has created more questions for us that we have yet to answer.
Thank you again. An amazing forum.

Re Bulldog hips so few have been scored under BVA you cannot extrapolate, is it a true picture or just dogs with obvious HD issues scored.

I have taken the OFA figures:
https://www.ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia

You can't get a more laid back dog than a Flat Coat.