My dog is old enough now to start to look at puppies. I have a dilemma though - which breed. The majority of Golden owners I hear from say goldens are best matched with other goldens. I really fancied an Italian Spinone or Leonberger. I think the latter might be too much of stretch personality wise (do I hear Missie, tut-tutting ;-)) but anyone on here have experience with IS and GR's? or for that matter a GR and Leo pairing My boy is soft as a pudding; favourite activities are being wet, being muddy and being wet and muddy while sleeping off a walk on our bed. :-D why do I feel like I'm writing his bio for playdog?

I could be selfish and get what pleases me but I'd really like Milo to enjoy his new companion as much as me. Any thoughts?

My 2 year old GR is good friends with a IS that we see regularly on our walks...They dive around the woods together and very much enjoy each others company...sorry I have no other experience than that, It is the first IS I have met! My golden does sound a lot like Milo though (just finished toweling her off after a rather muddy walk)

Good luck with your decision

One of my last litter of puppies went to a lady with a Spinone, no problems at all.

That's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to hear from you both. thanks

I just had a quick look at some websites about Italian Spinone's....this stood out to me...

"For the most part, the Spinone is docile and affectionate, often clownish at times."

Sounds just about a perfect match to me!

tut tut :rolleyes:

A leonberger would be PERFECT for your GR :) they like mud and water too and sharing it with everyone around ;) Mine are so laid back they fall over themselves :) and they are sooo adorable and friendly, and gorgeous and cuddly, and loyal, and,  and.........
;)
and have I told you how wonderful they are?

P.S. I had a pm from your golden earlier and he said a leo lady is what he would choose - if only you'd listen to him? if only you lived closer......:P :P

Well if I had my way I'd get an IS now, then a Leo, then another Leo! :-D I think 4 is a very nice number and I'll have enough fur to go around on 3-dog nights.

Sorry about the PM from Milo, he was very, very drunk at the time. You know teenage boys. In the light of day he says he can't have a girlfriend that's taller than him. Short man syndrome and all. gets it from his dad

Sorry don't have any direct experience of spins living with a golden, but i am owned by two spin girls and a parson Russell who we adopted from the Blue Cross. He ( the parson) is very dog agressive, but he gets on fab with the girls and they with him. They really are the soppiest dogs in the world and really are laid back and would think they would get on great with a golden (seeing they are both gun dogs) and  with both breeds their favorite hobby seems to be getting as muddy and wet as poss. In fact Spins are highly recommended for living with cats as they are such easy going characters. I know mine certainly are and you are only in danger if you fly and have feathers LOL

>favourite activities are being wet, being muddy and being wet and muddy while sleeping off a walk on our bed

Lmao sounds like you are describing the spins that i know! :D

Our three Spins regularly meet a couple of GR's on their walks and they get on fine.  The Spins need a lot of exercise, but you'd be ok with that as your GR will have similar needs.  They are laid back in general, but it's not the whole story :)  They're much brighter than they look and can be stubborn when it suits them :D  Working on the recall is very important, as they can be selectively deaf - they're very good at doing a quick cost benefit analysis in a situation and then pleasing themselves.  They're bung full of personality, and the clownish description certainly fits.  I just love them! :D  Some slobber huge amounts though - two out of my three do, so it's no use being house proud with a Spin!  Mine will get absolutely soaking wet out walking, but ask them just to go out in the garden when it's raining and they look at you as if you'd asked them to walk over hot coals :D 

If you do choose a Spin, have fun :)

I think my GR is a spin in a golden suit. :) I'm off to call the club's puppy coordinator now to start looking for that perfect girl. :-D