Large-ish, medium haired, friendly and active...

[Backward_Cinderella]

That's what my cousin is looking for in a dog. What do you guys think? She loves Doom and would take him in a heart beat (fat chance) and thinks hes gorgeous. He fits all those standards, but is a... dare I say it... mutt, one of a kind, and I don't know where she'd find another Doom. I'm thinking a flat coated retriever would be good, if she wants something that looks like Doom, but I don't know if they meet the friendly and active bit? I'm assuming because the word "retriever" is involved that they probably are, but I'm not sure.

 

[bnwalker2]

How about a Golden? All that I've met have fit that criteria!

 

[Maxy24]

How active? Is she opposed to a rescue mutt or does she just want some direction as to what sorts of mixes she should look for?

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

She's looking for direction - not opposed to a rescue mutt at all. She'd prefer to not go through the puppy thing unless she finds a pup she HAS to have.
She runs eight miles a day and wants a running companion, she's also looking to get into agility, and has 25 acres of land, two of which are being fenced for use by her new companion.

 

[Lizmo]

I'm sure your cousin can find a litter of pups that are retrievers or retriever mixes that are black...and then just pick one that is friendly, do lots of socializing, and ta da. Okay, lol, if only it was that easy. But seriously, I'm sure she could do that. And it maybe she has to drive a couple hours to find the right dog, she might have to drive for a breeder too.

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

She's not really looking for a PUPPY, but would take one if it snatched her heart like Doom did to me. Bobsie and Doom both came to me when I wasn't looking. lol

 

[Zoom]

What does she consider to be "medium"? And friendly towards everyone or just towards their people?

Either way, an Aussie might be the sort of dog she's looking for. ARPH has a ton right now and they do a good job temperment testing, so if she wants a more friendly dog than what the standard calls for, she can find one! They're supposed to be aloof with strangers, at least at first and they've got a decent protective streak to them if needed. Take a gander around www.aussierescue.org

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

I'll pass that on, Zoom, thanks!
By medium she means, and I am quoting her, "I don't want Afghan hair and I don't want Chihuahua hair," so anything in between, I guess! LoL
I think a border collie would be a great dog for her!

 

[Zoom]

Male Aussies can get up to 65-70 lbs, which is pretty large to most people.

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

Doom is 72 and she thinks he is the perfect dog, lol.

 

[JennSLK]

Retriever or Spaniel type dog.

 

[Boemy]

Border collie, retriever, one of the spaniel breeds . . . those are what popped into my head. There are usually TONS of gorgeous retriever and spaniel mixes on Petfinder.com , I would try there first.

Flat-coated retrievers, IIRC, are a little more laidback than labs and goldens but still active and friendly.

However, many of them have horrible problems with bone cancer and have a shortened life expectancy.

I've seen black labrador / golden retriever mixes who look a lot like flat-coated retrievers, though.

 

[a.baker]

These look like maybe ones she would like. Chinook, Belgian Laekenais or Belgian Sheepdog. They are about 70 lbs. lots of energy are friendly and have medium coats.

 

[corgi_love]

There's Smooth Collies. Very active, very loving dogs. Smooth Collies can actuall have up to 2 inch long hair- mine did! Not all that "smooth"! Very fun dogs, smart and love to go running. Just another breed to think about

 

[DogstarAcademy]

I'd definitely second smooth collies.

I would classify flatties as MORE active than goldens and labs- I think it sounds like she could exercise one enough, but I don't know that I'd consider them moderate energy. ;P

 

[Romy]

Seconding aussies and border collie here. The spaniel suggestion was a good one too. She sounds like the kind of home that could handle a springer, or a german wire haired pointer maybe.

She's in luck if she wants an older medium-ish coated dog that has enough energy for her activities, lol! Those are some of the very reasons people give really nice dogs up.

 

[bubbatd]

Pet finders !!!!

 

[YodelDogs]

Irish Setter

 

[Bodi's Mom]

Before Bodi, I had a Flat Coated Retriever named "Fishy" for 17 years. It took him about 12 years to grow up, but he was the friendliest, best frisbee dog ever. Great with children, other dogs, LOVED the water, was the perfect size at 6olbs. Flatty's are a great breed, but need TONS of exercise. Fishy went swimming every day, hiking and was in over 100 Frisbee Tournaments - so he was a happy, busy dog - just like a Flat Coat likes it.

 

[Maxy24]

Does she have children (what ages?), cats and does she want him to be good with dogs? (I'm looking at petfinder, it's an addiction of mine). does she live in AZ?