I ask this for a friend who hasnt got a computer. My friend and her husband are in their early 60's and dont know which breed of dog to choose, in the past they have owned Labs & golden retrievers, but this time they are looking for a small to med breed that is smooth haired and easy to train, i cannt think of any breed that would be suitable, so i hope that you all can. All replies welcome.

If they don't mind the squashed face what about a pug? I have a friend with one and it's a fabulous dog, full of fun, obedient but a real character. Their looks put me off them but I have to admit if they're all like this little chap they're great dogs.

Doh! I missed the obvious choice, and in my opinion far more beautiful choice :D A whippet? Although it's a hound they're very trainable.

dont know much about them but how about the
Boston Terrier
Bassett Griffon Vendeen (petit)( not smooth coat)
Cairn Terrier                                         ""
Basenji
sussex spaniel                                       ""
Corgi

I think Basenjis can be very difficult to train..? I did a bit of research about them a while back and I think the recall aspect can be a bit of a nightmare!

As I said dont know much about these breeds just a few to consider  which are the correct size then people can give thier opinion on them so thanks Zarah!
Cross that breed of the list then... :)

Well, is just my opinion..others may think otherwise :D

I think a Boston Terrier would be a good recommendation though, or a pug as mentioned above. My mum's aunt and uncle are in their late 80s and they have a rescue pug - an adorable friendly little dog and very easy to look after.

What about the Pinscher, Miniature Pinscher and French Bulldog?  Don't know anything about them - just the only other breeds I could think of that were small to medium and short haired.  I think I'd go for the whippet out of all the breeds mentioned so far - but then I am a hound person.  Sweet natured, love to race about and love a cuddle.  Such beautiful eyes as well.

All the French Bulldogs I've met have been delightful. :)

a spanish water dog.
thats why i got them once i am to older for my flatcoated retrievers this is the breed i be keeping in my old age.

Are they short coated?  I thought they were hairy?

Smooth coated Fox Terrier?

The temperament description here makes them sound like a very big handful :D

The ones I have met have been very sweet natured, but they are a terrier, and certainly a lot nicer than the run of th mill Jack Russells I meet.

they are short if you clip the coat off too 3cm or you leave it to grow to 12cm and then the coat will cord,you DO NOT GROOM THE COAT.it will naturely cord.you can clip then off twice a year.they dont moult either.the learn quckly good and bad things.but a little dog with big personialty

I've got to say Australian terrier, they do ahve a wiry coat but it doesn't shed (much).
A friend is curretly thinking of a Beagle as it's a smaller dog that is still a dog dog...that is how she put it as she's had a  retriever and a dalmation in the past.
Karen :-)

I'm not sure that beagles are known for their obedience! 

how about a Lancashire heeler?
Chris

I've often thought it a shame that beagle's don't have the same temperament and trainability as a labrador. They'd make my idea of the ideal pet dog.

Dachsie?   There's 3 coat types & 6 varieties to choose from!

Pugs are a handful, my sister has one and she's the wildest dog I know!

Poodle?  Very intelligent and the coat only needs clipping every couple of months.

just to say that lots of the beagles i have bred have got their gold citizens awards very early, lots answer to sheepdog whistles and ring a bell at the back door to go out to the toilet!...............doesnt get much better than that.....lol
but yes they can be stubborn but consisancy in their training seems to be the trick and keeping them focused on you and not other things......fairly easy as they are well known little gluttons and will bo anything for even a minute crumb of biscuit or cheese, so i wouldnt dismiss them totally.
Pauline

My aunt's beagle was lovely - very well behaved in the house/garden. His one fault was that he couldn't, reliably, be let off the lead and he also would escape from the house given half a chance (although he would always come back) :D  But he had a beautiful temperament. This was thirty plus years ago :)

Daisy

Sounds likeevery Beagle I ahve met.  there are a few my way and they do go off lead in the country park, but thir owners know not to e in a hurry when they do :D  Yes they are little pigs, so food training works well.  They are also not that difficult to manage, which is sadly why they have been bred as Laboratory subjects.

I'm impressed Pauline!

It really is a personal thing.  One mans meat is another mans poison.

For example the last dog on earth I would wish to own would be a cocker spaniel, yet they are the ideal dog in other people's opinions.

I think they need to keep an open mind, make a list of things they simply can't have in a dog, and things that they must have, and then look at what breeds were bred for and what their basic drives are and whether they can live with that.

for example a breed that might fit the bill would be a Beagle, but could they live with the scent hound mentality and general do as they please attitude off the lead,.

In other ways and at home they can make very nice easy going dogs.

Thank you for all your replies, i will suggest all the breeds you mentioned. :)

As the owner of goldies and cavalier s I would think a cavie would be perfect, same kind of temperment all wraped up in a smaller parcel

I often recommend cavaliers to people, of course pointing out that there are health problems to watch out for specifically as with any breed.

Lindsay
x

I agree cavs are  ideal

Yes but not shortcoated.

I would recommend Cavs too - you can easily get them trimmed with short feathering which will then be easy to care for. :-)

I have to agree - a whippet!  Wonderfully affectionate and, once past the puppy stage, real home-dogs;  lazy, just want a sofa to lay on.  They feel the cold terribly and hate the wet, so a coat is essential.  Compulsive thieves though.  How about an Italian greyhound?  I don't know much about them, but they are smaller than a whippy.

If I was to have another breed I would have a whippet, after handling a few in junior handling classes a few years ago I just fell in love with them. I would definatly not recommend a Basenji as they are not the easiest to be trained though very quick to housetrain though!

How about a rescue staffie, there are loads of them. They are loving lap dogs and will follow their owner round like a lost sheep. Easy to train and low maintanence.

Thanks everyone, i will let my friend know. :)

My friend is interested in a pug, can anyone give me some details please regarding price and the breed clubs secretary.

Pug breed clubs:
NORTHERN PUG DOG CLUB. Sec. Mr P Davis. Tel No: 01427 728464
PUG DOG CLUB. Sec. Mrs A Nicholson. Tel No: 020 7352 2436
SCOTTISH PUG DOG CLUB. Sec. Mr S Payne. Tel No: 01560 322119
WALES & WEST OF ENGLAND PUG DOG CLUB. Sec. Mr J Phillips. Tel No: please contact the Kennel Club for details.

From what I understand, prices are very high - between £1000-£1500!

They are a lot of money is it because they are quite rare, i have only ever seen 2 in the Bournemouth area, one in Verwood and one in Ferndown.

Oh by the way Jeangenie thank you for your help.

Also West Pennine Pug Dog Club Secretary Mrs Marian Granger Tel 01827 282575.
Pugs have just come in at no 20 on the most popular breeds list,we have 6 :-D
Margaret.

Thank you Baz.

I have been told there are 4 colours of Pugs, my friend is interested in seeing a picture of a silver & apricot pug, is there a web site i can go to to see any pictures to show my friend.

here's an apricot pug  http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/mdh/06843.htm  ;-)
Margaret

Just to let you all know, my friend has bought her pug and she cost £1,000.

Good choice  :-)

My friends pug is such a sweet and friendly little dog, i am very tempted my self.