Dog breed recommendations for an older couple

[ItsAllFunAndGamesUntil]

Evening all!

I wonder if I could get a little advice on behalf of my parents.
They absolutely love dogs and after our family dog (collie x) died several years ago, they didn't feel they could have another as we also had a lunatic cat that tolerated the dog, but just would not be doing with a new one!
Sadly, the cat passed last year and my mum in particular is now desperate for a dog. They are in their 70s, really quite active for their age, so walks twice a day wouldn't be a problem but obviously they wouldn't want to be trekking for miles with a dog that needed endless exercise. They're home a lot of the time so that won't be a problem either, but they do think they'd be better suited to a more placid, easy going breed.

They'll be looking for a rescue so it'll likely be a cross breed, but I wondered if anyone had any suggestions as to what type of breed would suit them?

Many thanks in advance and Merry Christmas! 🎄☺️🎄

I have a pug and would definitely recommend. But not a puppy as they are hard work! Don't need loads of walks, loves to sit on or near you, loyal and sleepy.

Sorry, also to add - they have an enormous garden!

Rescue sighthound.
Pointy ddogs are the best.

Cavelier King Charles spaniels are gorgeous. Easy to train and affectionate.

Not a pug. Too many health issues. Also no to a cavalier for the same reason.
Big or small?
How much grooming could they do?
(There are online breed quizzes you can do to get ideas!)
There is an event at Crufts if you’re anywhere near there. Discover dogs. Meet different breeds and chat to owners.

Greyhound! There are branches of the Greyhound Trust all over the country matching these lovely lazy pointy faces with new homes. They are giant couch potatoes and don't need loads of exercise. We got ours in April and she's fabulous!

Greyhounds are fab dogs.

They look big but fold up pretty.small, they're sofa dogs but are happy to walk and best of all there are loads in rescue looking for a home !

Brilliant, thank you! I did think greyhounds initially but wondered whether it was a myth that they didn't need epic walking.
My mum will absolutely dote on any dog they get so a greyhound sounds like a perfect match.
Thanks again! x

They absolutely do not need lots of walking. Somewhere safe to have a run and then a VERY comfy bed to sleep on all day. They’re built for short bursts of speed and not all day endurance. Soft surfaces are a must (they will take over your bed/sofa given half a chance!) and take good care of their teeth! Greys often suffer with bad teeth.

Was going to say greyhound but see you have already been persuaded.

I recently rehomed (I foster for a general rescue) and older greyhound to a retired couple and she is perfect.

She'd have been totally happy with a short walk or two a day but equally grew to love long slow ambles through the countryside.

I was recovering from a long stay in hospital and she matched her walks to me. Sometimes 25 mins, sometimes a few hours at a slow pace with lots of stops.

She was a wonderful dog, gentle, kind and I fell totally in love even though I only had her for a few months.

Everyone seems to assume (not on here) that elderly people = small lap dogs. Some of these are massively high energy and need loads of exercise - Jack Russells I'm looking at you.

Greyhounds all the way. For everyone! My older lady even made best friends with my kitten.

As others have suggested a greyhound would be perfect. They don't need hours of exercise. My mum had an ex racer who loved to sleep in front of the fire, he was a lovely big gentle dog. Lots needing homes. Try the Forever Hounds Trust, we had a rescue whippet x greyhound from there.

To reinforce how amazing pointy hounds please advise your dm we took on an ex poacher's ddog. She lived outside alone poor thing.
In no time at all she became a sofa sloth...
Intend to add to my brood quite soon if a rescue dpuppy comes along...
Any suitable candidate in the North East to be sent my way...

Just came on to suggest a retired greyhound and spotted that lots have already suggested them. We have two from the greyhound trust and they are the gentlest, most low maintenance dogs ever.

Despite never lived indoors, neither have had any accidents in the house and settled in really well.

I'm a childminder and they are totally unbothered by the children and walk beautifully on the lead.

Lots of great points already but to add to them, I sometimes think a bigger dog can be better than a small dog for someone who is elderly because it's much harder to trip over a bigger dog. You see them standing in the way :)

Yet another reason to look at greys....

Was going to recommend greys as well, my df and stepmum are in their seventies and have had rescue greys for years, lovely, placid friendly dogs who love nothing better than sleeping in front of the fire

Definitely a greyhound! If you’re in the south east then try Hersham Hounds www.hershamhounds.org.uk/ your parents will be able to walk a few of the hounds and they’ll help find a dog that will suit them. Good luck!

I'm looking to re-home a dog and greyhounds sound absolutely perfect - I work from home and need a dog that's happy to snooze while I work. Only thing is we have two cats - is it possible for them to live together happily?

@mairzydoates The rescue place should be able to tell you that - often it’s a no because they’ve been trained to chase small furries but I’m sure there are exceptions.
I’ve also heard Greys described as cats in dog form because they are so elegant, like to sleep, need their comforts etc so sounds ideal for your parents @Itsallfunandgamesuntil