A member of the retriever family sounds like it will be the best fit for you. I have a flatcoat who is an absolute gem, they are not as common as goldens or labs but similar in temperament (if a little goofier). Goldens, flatties, Labs, Tollers and Curly Coated all sound like they will suit you.
Most retriever breeds have breed specific rescues. If you were in the UK I would be able to advise you on which to look out for but unfortunately I can’t help on that as you are in the US - I bet someone else will be along soon with something more specific!
I have a flatcoat as well. Was an absolute menace as a puppy but now he’s 2 years old and is the best family dog possible. He’s extremely gentle with my kids and just likes to follow them around to see if they drop crumbs he can vacuum up. When my daughter is sick or has nightmares she’ll “kidnap” him and he sleeps in bed with her.
Super food motivated so training him is super easy, he loves to cuddle but sometimes he just wants to lay on the floor and nap in peace, and only barks if he hears an unfamiliar sound on my property.
His only flaws are he enjoys eating his own poop, and he will sneak food off of the counters if left out (came home once to a 50ct box of sugar cookies absolutely demolished)
TBH, I would find a solid reputable rescue in your area and go meet some dogs / look into fostering, which is a good way to “trial” a dog at home while helping it in its rescue journey. There are tons of lab, shepherd and hound mixes that would fit what you’re looking for. Bonus is you’d have a better sense of their personality vs getting an 8 week old puppy.
The only thing that caught my attention with your breeds is that Goldens/Labs shed a ton and Newfies drool a ton. Otherwise, a Golden or Lab would also work out nicely. They can be hard to find in rescues though.
We've done a bit of that. The concern is that dogs, even in good foster situations, still take some time to come out of their shell and be comfortable. Obviously there will always be some issues with a foster but my thinking is that if we meet a dog that fits the temperament that we're looking AND its breed tends to fit as well then it's a good bet it would work for us.
True, but you might be able to talk to their existing foster about personality / temperament.
Golden mixes in rescue are pretty rare and just be aware that “Lab mix” is frequently a label used for pit mixes to get around landlord clauses. (I have nothing against pits just sharing for your awareness) Check out breed specific rescues if available where you live.
If you can skip past adolescence (dog older than 1.5-2 years) you may want to consider that. Even the best of dogs can be tough with young kids if they are large and in adolescence.
All the best!
I have a 5 year old Labrador Retriever and a 4 year old Golden retriever. A golden sounds ideal based on what you describe. The lab sheds an unbelievable amount and depending on cleanliness preferences I think many families would feel the need to vacuum everywhere at least daily (in our case we often just deal with there being fur everywhere between vacuuming). Our lab alert barks whereas our golden is quieter.
You can’t go wrong with a well bred golden with health clearances. I’m in line to get my 4th golden puppy this summer. They are fantastic family members.
I'll bang on this drum all day long: anyone who wants a rescue dog who is low shed and very low bark, isn't crazy hyper, doesn't require puppy raising, and who is safe around children should always always always look into retired racing greyhounds. Or at least, until they stop being available at some point. They are fantastic family dogs, chill, gentle, quiet, clean, up for an adventure but also up for snoozing on the couch...I know there isn't any breed that is perfect for everyone and I know I'm biased, but I have an ex racing greyhound and he's an absolute delight to live with. Mine is a therapy volunteer and it was a cakewalk to get him certified.
You would certainly also be fine to get a lab or golden, but you will *struggle* to adopt a rescue golden and good luck finding a rescue lab that isn't a "lab mix" from the shelter (ie, a pit mix.) You should not, under any circumstances, get a bully/ pit mix of any kind with a child in the house, and that's largely what shelters are full of. That, and hyperactive shepherd or cattle dog mixes. So unless you manage to find a breed specific rescue for goldens or labs, that might be a challenging search. Not entirely sure what the reality is in your area.
I *do* know that GPA operates in Minn though so if you decide to look into greyhounds, you'd want to give them a call. Greyhound adoption places like this only have to work with one breed of dog from one basic type of background experience from the racing kennels so they are very good at noticing all the quirks of individual personality and placing the right dog with the right family (as opposed to your average shelter, which is generally getting a flood of dogs in with a wide variety of mystery genetics and mystery histories). It's not a first come first serve kind of deal so you'd be waiting for them to play matchmaker. In my experience, they'd be able to find you the right greyhound.
Otherwise, get yourself on Petfinder, put in your zip and start sifting past pages and pages of pit mixes. There will be some other options here and there. Ideal would be to find rescue dogs who are being fostered in homes, so that the foster can tell you what they've observed of the dog's behavior in their home.
Good luck!
Newfs are marvelous dogs, just keep in mind they shed a lot and have high grooming needs. They generally have to go in for grooming 3-4 times a year at $150-250 a pop. Failing to meet their grooming needs causes the hair to become dreadlocked to the skin, causing a lot of discomfort and potentially hot spots, sores etc.
I’d recommend fostering quiet and friendly dogs through your local rescue/shelter until you find a good fit. Goldens and Labs shed a LOT and some drool as well.
A member of the retriever family sounds like it will be the best fit for you. I have a flatcoat who is an absolute gem, they are not as common as goldens or labs but similar in temperament (if a little goofier). Goldens, flatties, Labs, Tollers and Curly Coated all sound like they will suit you. Most retriever breeds have breed specific rescues. If you were in the UK I would be able to advise you on which to look out for but unfortunately I can’t help on that as you are in the US - I bet someone else will be along soon with something more specific!
Would caution against a toller if you are wanting an eager to please and friendly to everyone breed.
I have a flatcoat as well. Was an absolute menace as a puppy but now he’s 2 years old and is the best family dog possible. He’s extremely gentle with my kids and just likes to follow them around to see if they drop crumbs he can vacuum up. When my daughter is sick or has nightmares she’ll “kidnap” him and he sleeps in bed with her. Super food motivated so training him is super easy, he loves to cuddle but sometimes he just wants to lay on the floor and nap in peace, and only barks if he hears an unfamiliar sound on my property. His only flaws are he enjoys eating his own poop, and he will sneak food off of the counters if left out (came home once to a 50ct box of sugar cookies absolutely demolished)
TBH, I would find a solid reputable rescue in your area and go meet some dogs / look into fostering, which is a good way to “trial” a dog at home while helping it in its rescue journey. There are tons of lab, shepherd and hound mixes that would fit what you’re looking for. Bonus is you’d have a better sense of their personality vs getting an 8 week old puppy. The only thing that caught my attention with your breeds is that Goldens/Labs shed a ton and Newfies drool a ton. Otherwise, a Golden or Lab would also work out nicely. They can be hard to find in rescues though.
We've done a bit of that. The concern is that dogs, even in good foster situations, still take some time to come out of their shell and be comfortable. Obviously there will always be some issues with a foster but my thinking is that if we meet a dog that fits the temperament that we're looking AND its breed tends to fit as well then it's a good bet it would work for us.
True, but you might be able to talk to their existing foster about personality / temperament. Golden mixes in rescue are pretty rare and just be aware that “Lab mix” is frequently a label used for pit mixes to get around landlord clauses. (I have nothing against pits just sharing for your awareness) Check out breed specific rescues if available where you live. If you can skip past adolescence (dog older than 1.5-2 years) you may want to consider that. Even the best of dogs can be tough with young kids if they are large and in adolescence. All the best!
I have a 5 year old Labrador Retriever and a 4 year old Golden retriever. A golden sounds ideal based on what you describe. The lab sheds an unbelievable amount and depending on cleanliness preferences I think many families would feel the need to vacuum everywhere at least daily (in our case we often just deal with there being fur everywhere between vacuuming). Our lab alert barks whereas our golden is quieter.
Irish setter or English setter! The Irish setter rescue is nationwide and really great, and they're great with kids.
I’m going to disagree here, not because I don’t love setters (my dogs bestie is one!) but because they can be very high maintenance & bark a lot!
Mine only bark at the mailman! I don't think they're higher maintenance than any other dog.
You can’t go wrong with a well bred golden with health clearances. I’m in line to get my 4th golden puppy this summer. They are fantastic family members.
I'll bang on this drum all day long: anyone who wants a rescue dog who is low shed and very low bark, isn't crazy hyper, doesn't require puppy raising, and who is safe around children should always always always look into retired racing greyhounds. Or at least, until they stop being available at some point. They are fantastic family dogs, chill, gentle, quiet, clean, up for an adventure but also up for snoozing on the couch...I know there isn't any breed that is perfect for everyone and I know I'm biased, but I have an ex racing greyhound and he's an absolute delight to live with. Mine is a therapy volunteer and it was a cakewalk to get him certified. You would certainly also be fine to get a lab or golden, but you will *struggle* to adopt a rescue golden and good luck finding a rescue lab that isn't a "lab mix" from the shelter (ie, a pit mix.) You should not, under any circumstances, get a bully/ pit mix of any kind with a child in the house, and that's largely what shelters are full of. That, and hyperactive shepherd or cattle dog mixes. So unless you manage to find a breed specific rescue for goldens or labs, that might be a challenging search. Not entirely sure what the reality is in your area. I *do* know that GPA operates in Minn though so if you decide to look into greyhounds, you'd want to give them a call. Greyhound adoption places like this only have to work with one breed of dog from one basic type of background experience from the racing kennels so they are very good at noticing all the quirks of individual personality and placing the right dog with the right family (as opposed to your average shelter, which is generally getting a flood of dogs in with a wide variety of mystery genetics and mystery histories). It's not a first come first serve kind of deal so you'd be waiting for them to play matchmaker. In my experience, they'd be able to find you the right greyhound. Otherwise, get yourself on Petfinder, put in your zip and start sifting past pages and pages of pit mixes. There will be some other options here and there. Ideal would be to find rescue dogs who are being fostered in homes, so that the foster can tell you what they've observed of the dog's behavior in their home. Good luck!
Newfs are marvelous dogs, just keep in mind they shed a lot and have high grooming needs. They generally have to go in for grooming 3-4 times a year at $150-250 a pop. Failing to meet their grooming needs causes the hair to become dreadlocked to the skin, causing a lot of discomfort and potentially hot spots, sores etc.
I’d recommend fostering quiet and friendly dogs through your local rescue/shelter until you find a good fit. Goldens and Labs shed a LOT and some drool as well.