Which breed of puppy for pensioner?

[nodice]

Please no judgments as I have made them all! Need help choosing a breed of puppy for my mum please. She is indecisive and liable to be a victim for any puppy seller with a sob story unless I direct her to the right breed. If left to her own devices, she will choose with her heart, not her head. Rescue dogs are out so that is not up for debate.

She is an experienced dog owner. She is up for two 30-min walks a day. She doesn't want a dog that needs frequent trips to the dog groomer. It will need to be a small or medium sized dog. A tendency to be good with small children is essential.

She is considering: miniature dachshund, miniature schnauzer, beagle, bedlington terrier.

Any other suggestions, please?

[MothershipG]

Are you up for helping out? What if she gets sick and can't take it out?

No terrier or hound would be happy with that little exercise, a beagle would be completely insane! A Mini Schnauzer might work, some are pretty chilled although not all.

How about a Westie? They seem popular with the older generation and all the ones I know seem content to plod along with their old person.

[nodice]

Thanks mothership! Westie could be good. I agree with the insane comment! I already have a dog and I'm not keen for helping out generally - she is married so there's two of them - but ultimately i envisage if they were long-term ill or no longer with us, there's a chance the dog would come to us. That's why I want her to get it right!!!

[tabulahrasa]

Dachshunds aren't renowned for being great with children, beagles need way more exercise than that and the other two need frequent visits to the groomer.

The ones that spring to mind are either ones that she'll really need help finding a breeder and even then it'd be hard going to find one and end up with a healthy dog...but pug or cavalier King Charles' spaniel...

Or a thinking about the bedlington terrier - a whippet?

[legotits]

Frenchie?

[Out2pasture]

I have a Tibetan Spanial. Wonderful temperament and size. Needs brushing but no formal grooming.

[MarcoPoloCX]

French bulldog, a Pug.

[MelanieCheeks]

Bedlingtons are just adorable! Whippet is a good idea.

[LizzieMacQueen]

A Scottie.

I think 2 x 30 minutes is plenty and a quick comb every so often should suffice.

Is it the thought of paying the groomer that bothers your mum because I'd say that vet and insurance are heftier expenses.

[maitaimojito]

We had a Bedlington when I was a teenager and he loved kids. He loved to run off the lead but was quite headstrong and often didn't come back until he'd finished sniffing out rabbits etc. We didn't have him from a puppy though and I think his bad habits were ingrained! Nowhere near as bad as my friend's beagle however! I wouldn't have one.

Trip to the groomer needed every 6 weeks or so for Bedlingtons but it beats hoovering up dog hair every day to have a non-shedding breed.

[Garthmarenghi]

We had a westie. It was a nut job. And needed grooming regularly.

[DarkLikeVader]

I was going to suggest a whippet or greyhound for the grooming/exercise thing but are they good with children? They're very fragile dogs and if a child falls over onto them..

[CrazyGreyhoundLady]

I would say a greyhound if possible (although I'm a crazy lady when it comes to my hounds) 2 x 20 minute walks a day. Very calm temperament. Brilliant with kids. Incredibly calm and gentle. Minimal grooming.

Vader they are brilliant at getting out of the way (I have two) and are nowhere near as fragile as they look.

[heebiejeebie]

It would be much simpler and happier world if the doghouse had an auto-reply to each new thread - 'Don't get a puppy, rehome a greyhound'.

[Thattimeofyearagain]

Whippet.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Are they seriously wanting a puppy?! They're a ridiculous amount of work. Can't they get a lovely old rescue dog that will love cuddles and a potter about outside?

My one year old Cav would go insane on that little exercise.

[GeorgeTheThird]

Lhasa Apso don't need much walking? They seem good with children, though they can be a bit grumpy with other dogs. Might not meet the grooming criteria though as they need clipping.

[GinIsIn]

How old a pensioner are we talking? Because some of the smaller breeds can live 20 years.... In all honesty I wouldn't get a puppy for a pensioner at all! Have they ever had a dog before?

[ICuntSeeYourPoint]

Pug.

[nodice]

I agree about the rescue greyhound suggestion and have discussed this with her. I will revisit this....

Hear hear on the dog outliving her. Totally agree.

Yes, she's had several kinds of dog most of her adult life so she's not a beginner.

[Wolfiefan]

Whippet? Definitely NOT a beagle. They need loads of exercise. Of your other suggestions the Schnauzers and Bedlingtons I know are hard work and not necessarily good with kids. Dachshunds get lots of back issues and need protecting from kids!
Try a breed selector quiz?
Breed specific rescue?
Don't know how old they are or what their health is like but my mum has a friend who recently got a pup. She's had dogs for years but she's really struggling.
Whippet?
Visit Discover Dogs or other show and ask owners?
FYI if you are worried about things as they get older have a look at the Cinnamon Trust.

[gladisgood]

I would recommend a pug. Would be content with that much little exercise, are super companionable and I have never heard of an aggressive one, and don't need grooming.

Dachshunds are great with kids if socialised/trained properly. Schnauzers and bedlingtons are great dogs also ( they would probably prefer more exercise and WILL need to go to groomers) Beagles, I think would be entirely unsuitable - they need a LOT of exercise ( although the ones I know are fantastic with kids)

Fenella - OP has already said her mum is an experienced dog owner, and that the reason she wants to make sure it is the right decision is because she may well end up helping out with the dog.

[DearMrDilkington]

What about a Yorkshire terrier?

[Wolfiefan]

Westies can be prone to skin issues and cruciate ligament problems. If your parents have any mobility issues I wouldn't have a tiny whizzy terrier pup!

[Budgiebonbon]

Would also like to suggest a Whippet. Little grooming, generally very friendly, would probably be okay on that amount of exercise if they have access to a garden for zoomies.

Ours is cat friendly after a wise old She cat smacked her on the nose as a puppy.

Every mini schnauzer I've come across is quite yappie and their coats are quite high maintenence.