PapaverFollis
Well-Known Member
Can anyone recommend a breed for an active older couple? They are considering, possibly more than considering, a standard poodle. I'm not sure it's the best choice and want to suggest some other options.
It's my mum and dad. Dad is very like me and will do his research with respect to the breed and the training etc. But might get stuck on a particular idea of a breed and might not match the theoretical knowledge of training with practical skills (as I find myself). Both my parents can be quite... intense? My dad is a complete perfectionist and will put pressure on the dog to be perfect. My mum is generally more chilled out but has a flamboyant way of being that winds my dogs up...
I think they need a laid back but trainable dog. And it needs to be able to cope with the grand children when they visit.
They had a whippet that turned out to be really aggressive and bit my Dad several times before he, the dog, was PTS ( Dad did suggest my mother take him, dad, to Dignitas instead ? ). They might consider another whippet but I'm not sure, are whippets too sensitive? I think they most likely just got a bad egg as I don't think they did anything SO wrong in dealing with him that warranted the aggression. And he was showing reactivity very young.
Rescue dog is a possible but mostly no.
Small dogs are also a no as dad is stuck on them being "yappy".
They won't consider crossbreeds!
I did suggest a Cairn Terrier as the happiest most laid back dog I've ever had much to do with was a Cairn.
They are very active and walk 6 miles a day easily. The whippet got it's legs walked off (again, did this contribute? I don't know).
I'm not entirely sure how much influence I have so in 2 years time when I'm asking advice about the adolescent standard poodle I've just taken on... it's not my fault! But I want to see if anyone can think of any really solid breed recommendations that might sway them.
Thanks.
It's my mum and dad. Dad is very like me and will do his research with respect to the breed and the training etc. But might get stuck on a particular idea of a breed and might not match the theoretical knowledge of training with practical skills (as I find myself). Both my parents can be quite... intense? My dad is a complete perfectionist and will put pressure on the dog to be perfect. My mum is generally more chilled out but has a flamboyant way of being that winds my dogs up...
I think they need a laid back but trainable dog. And it needs to be able to cope with the grand children when they visit.
They had a whippet that turned out to be really aggressive and bit my Dad several times before he, the dog, was PTS ( Dad did suggest my mother take him, dad, to Dignitas instead ? ). They might consider another whippet but I'm not sure, are whippets too sensitive? I think they most likely just got a bad egg as I don't think they did anything SO wrong in dealing with him that warranted the aggression. And he was showing reactivity very young.
Rescue dog is a possible but mostly no.
Small dogs are also a no as dad is stuck on them being "yappy".
They won't consider crossbreeds!
I did suggest a Cairn Terrier as the happiest most laid back dog I've ever had much to do with was a Cairn.
They are very active and walk 6 miles a day easily. The whippet got it's legs walked off (again, did this contribute? I don't know).
I'm not entirely sure how much influence I have so in 2 years time when I'm asking advice about the adolescent standard poodle I've just taken on... it's not my fault! But I want to see if anyone can think of any really solid breed recommendations that might sway them.
Thanks.
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