A dog for my parents?

P

prosefullstop

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 February 2009
Messages
1,609
Visit site
My parents are due to retire next year and want a dog. They want something on the smaller side, amiable, low-key, not chihuahua-sized, and definitely not high energy.

Much as they love Stella, they have dismissed Boston terriers as too energetic. They are leaning towards a pug, and meeting Prince for the first time may well solidify their decision.

Neither of them have owned dogs as adults. Their back garden is small, but they're within five minutes of open countryside and enjoy walking. Any other breed suggestions?
 
I would suggest that they consider an older dog that will have calmed down a little and will appreciate the attention. That way, they also will not have to go through training a puppy if they have never done it before. If they look at an older dog that the high energy will not be so much of an issue - even staffies quieten down considerably once they have gone past 4 or 5!
 
Thanks. Having adopted my last dog, I will make sure that they at least entertain the idea of a Blue Cross et al visit.

Any other breed ideas, folks?
 
I'll say it before Gazey does :D- a skinny dog of some kind?:confused: a whippet or one of Frodo's gorgeous Italian Greyhounds. Maybe visit a local rescue and get a smaller older rescue - lots of cute Heinz's that need homes!:) Even spangles slow down as they age - what about a Cav like CAYLA's Pancake?:confused::D:D:D

I am a bit rubbish as all of our dogs have been gundogs!!:eek::rolleyes::D
 
slinkyunicorn said:
I'll say it before Gazey does :D- a skinny dog of some kind?:confused: a whippet or one of Frodo's gorgeous Italian Greyhounds. Maybe visit a local rescue and get a smaller older rescue - lots of cute Heinz's that need homes!:) Even spangles slow down as they age - what about a Cav like CAYLA's Pancake?:confused::D:D:D

I am a bit rubbish as all of our dogs have been gundogs!!:eek::rolleyes::D
Click to expand...

Good call. I shall add beanpole dogs to the list :D

I don't mean to portray the 'rents as total invalids. Doglet will get at least two walks a day, and there will be plenty of days it will go fly fishing with my dad.

I think they should go the rescue route, too, although there's always a chance they'll end up like my mum's sister, who went to the RSPCA intending to adopt an older Westie and ended up coming home with a one-year-old Border Collie :O Luckily the arrangement has worked out beautifully.
 
an slightly older rescue would be ideal as not quite so much hard work as training an energetic pup from scratch, which needs to pee every half hour! dont know where you are but many tears near swansea has a lot of nice dogs looking for homes, they also get quite a lot of pups for rehoming. their website is updated daily. i got a fantastic 7 week old labx from them a couple of weeks ago. (was well worth the 3 hour drive each way) And rescue dogs need a second chance.
 
I personally wouldn't recommend a big breed e.g greyhound as they are more likely to trip up/get in the way of older people accidently.
I would move towards visiting a rescue centre and finding a dog that seems right to them, one of the older ones that has a sedate outlook on life, there will be plenty in there!
 
SusieT said:
I personally wouldn't recommend a big breed e.g greyhound as they are more likely to trip up/get in the way of older people accidently.
I would move towards visiting a rescue centre and finding a dog that seems right to them, one of the older ones that has a sedate outlook on life, there will be plenty in there!
Click to expand...

You should come to our house - flippin' Jack Russell is under your feet all the time! She has a habit of lying down behind me when I'm standing at the cooker :mad: the amount of times I've nearly ended in a heap because of her is unbelievable :rolleyes: On the other hand the lurcher tends to lie down in a corner out of the way but if he gets in your way at least you can see him :D
 
Do you get border terriers in the states?

My OH parents have an American Cocker - she is very chilled and would be suitable for an older couple.xx
 
Starbucks said:
Do you get border terriers in the states?

My OH parents have an American Cocker - she is very chilled and would be suitable for an older couple.xx
Click to expand...

My parents are in Lancashire. I'm a Lancashire lass--just happen to live in America. :)

I know what you mean about small dogs getting under your feet. Stella and Prince are hazards, too, especially when I'm in the kitchen.
 
Border Terrier? My Grandparents got one a few years ago and absolutely adore him, even my granda whos a tough old git.

Small but not silly sized, energetic enough to go tramping over fields for hours on end, but then if the weather is bad he is happy to stay inside all day/weekend without going mad, perfectly happy to lie by the fire.
 
Ask them to consider an older dog - a rescue perhaps.

If not, I would strongly suggest a Bichon. Wonderful, happy little dogs. A little high maintenance with their coats (but they can be clipped short).
 
Definitely an Italian greyhound, fits the bill perfectly :)

Of course only if they don't mind sharing their bed with it :D

Small (but not chihuaua-sized), happy to sleep all day when indoors, happy to exercise when asked to :D, zero coat maintenance, no 'dog smell', no moulting, excellent recall, very very affectionate and the epitome of elegance :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top