Need help choosing a dog

[35remington]

Starting to think a puppy may be in our future. I need some helping picking a breed. Here's what I'm looking for:

*will go for runs with my wife and me
*will retrieve doves
*tracking blood a plus (this one not essential though)
*not scared around guns
*likes to swim
*won't eat our cats
*short hair or doesn't shed a ton
*good around babies

I understand a lot of that list comes down to training and discipline, but I'm looking for a breed that will be responsive to the instruction.

[boh347]

Lab.

[Bigfootwolff]

Lab sounds like a decent fit

[glen]

Boykin Spaniel

all dogs shed- dogs with less course hair seem to be easier to clean up after. Labs have hair that sticks to everything.

[35remington]

Wife says no lab. Can't really figure out why, but it doesn't matter. Labs are out.

[hully1029]

im falling in love with my blue lacy

[boh347]

Then I'd go with a spaniel.

[Rookie28]

Maybe a Weimy?

[dustinztx]

Golden retriever

[ShredLikeRed]

German Shorthaired Pointer! Mine does all the above except he doesn't like guns and doesn't retrieve birds. I got him when he was three last February and I'm working with him on those. But otherwise he IS the perfect dog!

[Dynamic1]

The breeding will be more important then the breed. Make sure mom and dad are both dogs you would want, then you optimize your odds of getting one like them. Most breeds have a wide range of temperaments, abilities, health issues, etc.

[mdmorrow]

Lab

[mdmorrow]

sorry if labs are out then maybe a golden or a flat coat retriever?

[roadgoeson20]

man, I'd strongly recommend against regularly running with a dog. it's awful tough on their joints. they just weren't made for concrete and those beatings. if lab is out I'd look at a gsp if it were me.

good luck

[jefandaward]

Cough up some cash and buy a finished Malinois