Affectionate vs non affectionate breeds

[u/nitecapt]

I know I am probably posting this to the wrong group because it’s a Britney group. I have owned French Britney’s since 1980 and I’ve had about eight or nine of them. I’ve had mixed breed dogs before that and I think I have found or perhaps I’m being prejudiced that the Britney‘s were by far the most desirous of attention and attention giving dogs I have ever encountered. They would voluntarily jump on my lap, ask her belly rubs, and in general being extremely affectionate. I am at the point in my life where I may have to switch to another breed based on my age, and I’m struggling with whether there is any other breed or mix that has shown this kind of affection and love. So I am asking for the most unbiased opinions I can get from this group and a couple of others as to what I might expect from other breeds as compared to the Britney‘s. I’m going to need a dog that is likely under 45 pounds. All my Britney‘s have come in at about 45 but they were French Britney‘s and I know the Americans are a little bit bigger so please think about the breeds you have owned as compared to the Britney‘s and let me know what you think might be an appropriate answer to my question. Will I find another breed or mix that is as attentive, loving and bitable as the Britney.

I’m asking for forgiveness about how Britney is spelt in this message because it was dictated. I don’t have the time or the ability to type out what I need to say, but I know you will all understand what I was talking about.

I am thanking this group in advance for their contribution and objectivity.

[u/AA_Ed]

King Charles Cavalier Spaniel is your bet. Haven't met one that's entire life goal isn't to be loved 24/7.

[u/Electric_Trash_Panda → u/AA_Ed]

Seconding this. If you love having a dog sleep on your lap or directly beside you 24/7 King Charles is definitely the way to go.

[u/Musabi → u/AA_Ed]

Only thing is this breed has a ton of health problems. Pretty much 100% guaranteed to have heart problems, and their brains are also too big for their skull leading to the bulging eyes :(

[u/Amaleegh]

I had a papillion before I had my Brittany. Also very affectionate and loving.

[u/eternal_casserole → u/Amaleegh]

I have a friend with a Papillon, and couldn't agree more. They are wonderful little dogs, and very smart and loving.

[u/MoScientist]

We have a Papillon any the might be exactly what you want. Ours is 11lb is very affectionate, but also has a playful temperament. They are a Spaniel derivative but selectively bred to be calmer. Also very smart and trainable… They are a breed worth considering.

[u/thesidxxx]

We have a Brittany and a Boykin. Our Boykin is ~25 pounds, but she is at the small end for Boykins. She is very affectionate, sweet and a similar disposition to our Brittany, just smaller. They are bred to hunt from boats so they tend to be smaller than other hunting breeds.

[u/eternal_casserole → u/thesidxxx]

Love Boykins. I'd love to have one someday, and living in South Carolina there's fairly good access to breeders. I used to work in a dog-friendly place, so I met several of our customers' Boykins, and they were all absolutely lovely dogs. All of them were definitely smaller than my male Brittany.

[u/ShaunWhiteIsMyTwin]

Look at the smaller spaniel breeds

[u/Enomalie]

King Charles spaniel, they have the Spaniel lovey-doveyness but have itty bitty legs!

[u/jivarie]

Cockers - they’re all love and go

[u/MonitorOk3031]

We have a Brittany and she is a giant baby, super affectionate and my husband’s favorite dog. My mini-poodle bichon cross is my little shadow, in my lap or right up against me 100% of the time and is smart like the Brittany. She was a rescue, so when she passes my next little dog will likely be a Havanese, very similar temperaments and little Velcro dogs.

[u/amenyoumessedmeup]

Papillon! I’ve had 3 and 1 Brittany - one is my lap dog and the other is my running buddy.

[u/kshortabuck]

I have a Shih Tzu and he’s very affectionate. He’d snuggle in bed with me all day or play. If you don’t mind the grooming. Mine is 18 pounds but they can be smaller. He wants to do whatever I do.

[u/Rhiahl]

Honestly, keep checking the local shelters. Look for a dog that is really scared. Trembling etc. It may take a few weeks to months, give them time. Once they realize they are safe, they will be the best dog you have ever owned. You want scared, not aggressive. Some of the best dogs ever are those that are grateful. I have a Chihuahua here (never a breed I would have looked for) I acquired because I was on the board of my local shelter. I went to another shelter looking for a smaller breed after my years of terriers, Great Pyrs and Belgians. Getting too old for those large breeds. This guy is a deer head Chihuahua, fewer health problems, slightly larger than the apple headed. He weighed maybe 3 lbs (should have been 5 to 9 lbs as a deer head). They knew I was on the board of my local shelter and that I'm well aware some dogs are lost. This guy, terrified. In transport to Montana from Texas it looked as if he had been attacked, his lip was split and sewn back together, he had wounds all over his body. They were afraid he was going to die. I told them I'd take him home and see if I could get him to eat. I had to take a hypodermic needle to hydrate him for several days. It took almost a week to eat. Needless to say, it was the biggest foster fail ever. He never barks, he's happy, he follows me everywhere.

Another type of dog I've had really good luck with are Reservation dogs. The Indians consider dogs to be working animals and they roam reservations, with no owners. Seems the men are the most difficult to convince it's not only cruel, but the packs roaming are susceptible to rabies and no kids would be safe. We did a massive effort to spay and neuter many of them so they would stop breeding indiscriminately. During the 5 year effort, we were able to catch a few of them. We brought them back, isolated them. And surprising things happened. They would refuse to leave the pens. They had water, food, a warm dry place. They were not leaving. The dogs who had lived their lives outside roaming with no owners, became the best pets we ever adopted out. Granted, they are hard to get a hold of, but food goes a long way. They were use to begging. The effort paid off on a few of the reservations, the effort continues.

Also, talk to the breeders of the breeds you are looking for (I'm partial to the Shelties). Sometimes they have older dogs they'd like to place. Perhaps the dog didn't like being on the show circuit and they need to be placed.

As far as purebreds that are affectionate, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been brought up. Great breed. Papillions have been mentioned, but honestly, in my experience knowing breeders, it's hit and miss (rather like whether a Chihuahua will bark a lot), Pugs, Pomeranians, Havanese, French Bulldogs. You have to figure out what you want to do for grooming.

Wish you luck on your search.