The mythical easy dog

[picklemepopcorn]

DM is talking about getting a dog in a few months/years time, as we will be losing my beloved DF. .^

Is there such a thing as an easy dog which will need very, very little walking? Long term, we can take the dog if it proves too hard for her to look after. Short term, if she wants to, it would be nice for her to have the best opportunity to make it work.

So is there a dog which can cope with a 30 min walk a couple of times a week, and trips into the garden the rest of the time? I know there are other options, like a dog walking service. It would be helpful though to start with a dog that would like a lazy layabout lifestyle!

Any suggestions? I know the answer is probably no, but on the off chance?

I don't know a great deal about breeds as I am a passionate rescuer. Though I was caught out when the puppy I adopted as a lazy breed cross turned out to have been crossed with a high energy, high prey drive terrier type! I need something a little more reliable for DM. She is thinking in terms of a cavapoo, I think. (Don't start me on that...)

Getting a dog for your mum in her circumstances is a very irresponsible and miserable thing to do - to the poor dog, not your mum.

I got a puppy 2 years ago. Since then I have met sooooo many people/dogs on our walks. I would def consider an older whipper/greyhound. They love to laze around. One owner I met said she took hers on a long dog walk twice a week and then just 'topped' them up with shorter walks the rest of the time. I would have loved one but dh wasn't keen.

We have a border terrier. He's a ball of energy because he's a pup, however I've met numerous others that are a lot older and happy to plod along. Likewise, older Jack Russell Terriers.

Make friends with your local Rescue. I'm sure there's a suitable dog out there. Like you said, you're happy to pick up the slack.
(For what it's worth, chances are we'll be loosing my DF this year too. My mum is still fairly active but lives 5 hours away from me. I'd love her to consider getting a dog in the future)

An older (rescue) whippet can be brilliant, my grandfather had them until he was 95!

They are calm in the house, love a warm place to sleep, and a 30 minute walk every day seems to do the job once they are not too young.

They are also quite clean (non smelly, imo, and not shed too much).

I'd get a dog walker though, as dogs really need to go out every day.

Our very frail elderly neighbours have a rescue whippet/staffy cross who used to be a manic bundle of energy, but now (aged maybe 7?) gets a long walk three times a week from a dog walker, and a 10-minute stroll to the postbox on the other days.

They would recommend a greyhound or whippet without the staffy bit mixed in.

I'd push her towards a cat...a Siamese would be ideal TBH.

It's like having a dog you don't have to walk, they active seek your company, will quite happily come when you call them and do things like play fetch with toys, OK, they're not quite as trainable as some breeds of dog, but they are affectionate, playful and really good company - without the exercise requirements of dogs.

My elderly mother bought a dog, a little one when she was still able to walk. It was a big mistake. She thought she would be able to walk it, but it pulled and ended up not ever being walked unless we were visiting. The poor little mite went quite round the bend. I rehomed it within six months. Please don't do this OP.

Maybe she could look at fostering one of the older toy or miniature poodles on this site? See how it works out?

That gives me lots of options and ideas, thank you all. I don't think a cat or a budgie, as we couldn't rehome within the family due to existing dogs.

As I say, I won't be encouraging it just nudging her in a helpful direction if she were determined. She is quite strong willed. I'd hate her to get into a situation she couldn't manage.

If she cant pick up poo she can't get a dog. Could you see if there's a PAT dog local?

I'm so sorry but the helpful direction to nudge her in is well away from getting a dog - she really doesn't sound like she can manage one and it would be cruel to both your mum and the dog to let her think it's a good idea.

I agree with pp's, it just doesn't seem fair on any dog.
But somebody mentioned a budgie and after a bit of googling, I think a budgie/cockatoo could be a really great pet for her. Much less maintenance and still very affectionate and good company apparently...

My parents got a dog in similar circumstances. Dad was terminally ill and mum saw a request in a church newsletter for someone to rehome a small middle aged dog from a divorcing family. They took her and she was a wonderful companion for the last 6 months of my fathers life and the next 7 years of my mother. I did notice that for my mother a lot of her grief got refocused into anxiety about the dog and constant fretting about her health, feelings etc. overall it was a wonderful thing to do and helped my mother adjust to widowhood.

I read your first post and wondered whether lending her your own dog might be the answer (then I read it more carefully, and I see that it wouldn't be the right dog for her).

Rather than her getting a dog and waiting for it to go wrong, though, might it be an option for you to foster/adopt another calm dog that then visits her for much of the week, but comes home to you for a good walk? You say that you would take in her hypothetical dog if she got too frail for it - why not start with one that you actually have some say over?

How about a house rabbit?

We're too far away, unfortunately, for a timeshare arrangement. PAT would be great, they have fundraised for PAT recently. That won't help her in terms of company, though.

I certainly can't stop her doing anything she wants. I could vigorously disapprove and all that would happen is that she ignores me and does it anyway. I'm just gathering information so that when the time comes I can steer her away from poodles, and towards an older dog and more placid breed.

There are all sorts of other things to sort out, and it may never happen. I want to be ready in case it does, that is all.

Thank you to the pps who told me their experiences and breeds.

We have rescue greyhounds and it's not true that they don't need walks - all ours have loved long walks and even running with me. They're often just not confident enough to demand them .
Unless it's a much older dog I wouldn't recommend one for your mother.
Even the oldies can surprise you with a mad bout of energy when the seasons change/there's snow/cat teases them. They might be gentle but they're still big dogs that need managing.

Greyhounds still need walks and can be strong when they want to be. Also exracers can be reactive and undersocialised, what if one runs after a cat and pulls her over. Both greyhounds and whippets still need waking and aren't as lazy as people think. I've known quite a few problem dogs that have been greyhounds!

To be honest I don't think any dog, big or small should be left without a daily walk. Its more the mental aspect rather than physical. I think the only options would be a daily dog walker or no dog unfortunately.

My friend has a chihuahua who doesn't need walking every day (dog hates walks especially in cold and rain) and when does get taken out it's only short walk. She tends to sleep for most of the day and is perfectly happy if that helps

Whatever you do dont get her a Ridgeback my boy is tireless can walk / run for ages LOL !

I'm not sure I agree with the article down thread about daschunds. We have a LH and it can be surprisingly strong (has broad chest/ strong shoulders) despite diminutive stature, as they were bred to chase and dig badgers out of holes. They can also be quite reactive/happy too. Ours definitely has the strength to pull over an elderly frail lady. And they are v quick and if not properly trained, can run quickly in front of you or run off after a cat. Easy to fall over! And of course, you are continually stooping to attend to them.

I'm not sure I would recommend a house rabbit either, much as I love them, as they are totally silent and easy to fall over because they can creep up on you without you being aware they are there ifyswim

I agree with the pp that the only potentially suitable match might be a very old doddery miniature of some sort. A family relative has an ancient poodle/Bichon cross which just needs a daily totter around the block, but it still does need to go out (albeit briefly) once a day. And of course with elderly dogs come (generally) high vets fees and lots of extra care. My relative is constantly back and forth to the vets, so not sure if that would be possible for your mother.

Agree with the op about the benefits of dog walking for the elderly though; it's a really great way to meet people and conquer isolation, people are much more likely to stop and chat if you have a furry with you, but just don't know if this could work if your ma can't manage regular walks. I hope you find a solution op.

Agree with others that a budgie might be better (I know not good from your perspective op) mainly because it's manageable, and one doesn't have to stoop to look after it. I'm a bit uncomfortable about the ethics of keeping single birds though, and birds in cages for that matter.

If she's determined to get a dog, could you point her at the Oldies Club where you can filter down to 'calmer and quieter' plus 'good with other dogs' (which you'll need, if you're to take it in when she can no longer keep it)?

I saw dachshund mentioned I have an 8 month old mini smooth I have restricted mobility but do walk him every day a couple of short walks he loves napping on my knee he is currently here right now!. But he is Also very energetic at times and stubborn which is a trait of that he has breed.

The elderly lady over the road rescued an adult shih tzu and the elderly man further down has had three or four geriatric staffies and now a doddery Yorkie. He has links with a rescue so I imagine he gets offered the elderly ones as he generally has a new one as the last one comes towards the end of its life. They are both in their eighties now.
The lady has a dog walker five days a week and her grandsons walk him on the weekend. Outside of the walk he is very happy to be a lap dog. The elderly gentleman is fitter than the dogs he adopts tbh so walks them himself twice daily he's gone about an hour each time but I'd guess half of that time is chatting if I'm honest. They seem very happy dogs and it is lovely to see them having loving homes in their twilight years.
Would your dm be happy with an elderly dog and a dog walker?

I have a Chihuahua and she is very easy. Only needs very short walks. They are also a very loyal, loving breed and want to spend all their time with you so are great company. Having said that my Chi is quite happy to be left and doesn't cause a fuss.