Suggestions for me? Which breed for me?

I am going to say a good ol' Lab!

Or a cocker spaniel?

One of the Setters? Or a Flatcoat would be my vote.

I think with the fact you want a fairly controllable noise level, I would vote Flattie

....but that's only because I helped rehome a NSDTR whose noise level was through the roof - and trust me, after a 5 hour drive.....I Needed Nurofen!

I'm going to throw something in there... What about an Norwegian Elkhound or a Keeshond? The few that I've met have been wonderful dogs, calm, trainable, unruffled by much, good with other dogs, a kind of "take life as it comes" type dog. I dunno if that's breed types, but I've known 3 Keeshonds and 2 Elkhounds who've all been like that.

I had heard that Tollers were generally quiet? I'm aware of the Toller holler which sounds like someone treading on a cat! However I was lead to believe that this was usually only when they were over excited eg swimming and that otherwise they were quiet and don't bark for no reason? But then again, while I've met Tollers, I haven't spent any considerable time with them. I'm hoping to go on a walk and experience the toller holler for myself

I know nothing about Elkhound or Keeshond, I'll do some reading.

Correct - the toller scream is just an excitment thing... ours has a high pitch bark when excited but not the scream/screach. She isnt a barky dog

Thanks all for your thoughts. While I did have an idea in my head, talking it through has settled matters for me. I will continue to read up and of course a lot may change in the next two years! However I'm fairly set on

1st choice - Toller
2nd choice - Flattie

Can I make a suggestion?

Belgian Shepherd (any of them) although a little sensitive (esp the pet bred) they are lovely dogs, easy to train, versatile, aloof with strangers, but devoted to their families

Are Belgians as gobby as GSDs?

hmmm...not sure on that!

Yes but they generally have a much higher pitch.

A friend of mine has a very high drive Malinois Police and competition dog, if you heard it behind a door it sounds like a terrier!

If you meet a toller you will want one!

Lol @ SB. I'm sure Belgians are lovely dogs but I have one gobby dog and I'm not looking for another

I have met them a few times, twice at Discover Dogs (where I fell for them) and once at a local dog show. I've joined a toller forum and several owners are in Surrey and walk together so I'm hoping to gate crash and get to spend some time with them and get a real idea of what they are like.

Have you considered a Rottie?
I know you said

but one would fit the bill for everything else? and you did say prefer not, as in not ruling out a guarding instinct ;-)

Might be a bit excitable on a walk- especially if its a group walk... go and see them in a home environment aswell - see the 'off' switch.

Thanks murph, that's a good idea, although at least if I see them over excited and I'm still interested then that can only be a good thing

Murv the thing is, I already have a large, strong, guardy type dog and I'm not sure another large, strong, guardy type breed would complement him I think rotties are fab but if I ever had one, it probably wouldn't be while I still have Cain.