Best breed for older people

[FruHagen]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a dog for my Mum who is 80 but active. Anyone have any input on good breeds that enjoy constant company, short daily walks (30 mins x 2) and are good lap dogs?

She has a nice house, garden, loads of time and can walk daily but not for really long hikes/walks.

Ideally we would like an older dog - out of the puppy phase as that would be too much for her.
4 years and older.

Any thoughts welcome

Ex racing greyhounds are surprisingly lazy and cuddly. If she has the space it can stretch its legs in the garden and will be fine with on lead walks. Lots in my village live exactly this life

Agree that greyhounds are lapdogs! They sort of lay across you or against you 🤣

Jack Russells!

i think you should allow the rescue centre to make the decision - they would probably rehome a mixed breed rather than an actual breed, ie, their decision

Don't ex racing greyhounds have really strong prey drives? Can't imagine they would be suitable for an 80 year old woman. There are 2 walked in our local park muzzled at all times as they just go for anything small and/or fluffy. Wouldn't be a sedate walk for an 80 year old.

I have several elderly clients who have rehomed through Pineridge rescue. They match you with the dog and are really good at it. Every dog they have matched has been the perfect fit.

Don't focus on a particular breed. Any reputable rescue will find the right dog for your dm.

I have a shih tzu x bichon that isn't yappy at all and sounds like would be perfect for your mum. I'd be looking along the bichon, shih tzu, cavalier route. A few of the elderly ladies I meet walking mine have rescues. Maybe go along to your nearest and have a chat with them. I dont know if I dare mention pets at home/gumtree on here but there are re-homes on there due to people's job situation changing so it might be an option for you

One thing to consider is whether she will be able to physically cope if the dog is unwell or develops a physical limitation itself. Or if she has reliable backup if such a situation develops.

For instance, my old dog had a back issue last year - he's well recovered but for a couple of weeks I had to support his rear end with a rubber tube thing which was difficult to get in place (some agility required) and then needed some strength to hold up. And he needs carrying up and downstairs. It would be impossible if he was a greyhound or if I wasn't sufficiently able.

Small dogs can be trip hazards

OTOH, it can be very useful to have a dog small enough to pick u ,and carry easily

Try Maltese terrier (white, show up well!) Havenese, Norfolk - all at the friendly/less stubborn end of terriers. Or a bichon frise.

Agree that a rescue might be able to match to a different dog, based on temperament. But check in advance if they have an upper age limit for adopters.

What about a whippet?

The Cinnamon Trust may well have something.
Plus they provide free dog walking services to elderly people (if she’s ever unwell or in hospital etc.)
There’s also a charity (Give A Dog A Home?) who pay rehoming fees for older people. Worth contacting?

RSPCA worth a look.
Ralphy or Alice??
Vets locally may also know of specific dogs that need rehoming.

And Roxy
And Maxi
You can refine search by age and size!!
Now look what you’ve got me doing.

And Finley
Right that’s it. I’m stopping now. 🤦‍♀️

Small dogs can be trip hazards

That has a lot to do with the sense or klutziness of the individual dog. Our previous one (same size and breed) never tripped us up. The current one specialises in lying across doorways or getting under my feet.

What you probably need is a dog previously owned by another elderly person (who has died or had to go into residential care).

Rescue places in your area, or breed-specific rescues are probably the bets places to look.

To be honest, with your mum being 80 I'd only look at dogs 10+, and whatever dog you would need to be prepared to take the dog on yourself full time. There are lots of lovely old dogs who end up in rescue when their owners die/go into care/into hospital/can't cope and many of them are very happy to just potter around a bit and have lots of cuddles. Have a look at Oldies Club

Great input

The dog will not ever be left without a home if anything happens. It will come to me or one of my siblings. It will have a great life either way.

I do wonder if a senior dog would be a good choice. 8 and up? Was worried about health issues though.

I have never considered a dog a trip hazard before but her previous cat was a pain, so maybe a white dog will be good.

Exciting to think of finding this dog. 😀🐩🐶

I am pretty sure cinnamon trust cover all costs related to health if you take on one of theirs. It’s more of a permanent foster IYSWIM.
GOOD LUCK!!

@CMOTDibbler

To be honest, with your mum being 80 I'd only look at dogs 10+, and whatever dog you would need to be prepared to take the dog on yourself full time. There are lots of lovely old dogs who end up in rescue when their owners die/go into care/into hospital/can't cope and many of them are very happy to just potter around a bit and have lots of cuddles. Have a look at Oldies Club

Yes, this. I know this sounds so horrible and a bit morbid, but are you or another family member happy to take on whatever dog you get if your mum isn't in a position to look after it any more?

And I second a whippet/whippet lurcher. Or Italian Greyhound maybe? A greyhound/greyound cross would be too big, but whippets are smaller, and have all the lovely laziness of greyhounds. Such affectionate dogs to have around the house, and most are happy with only two twenty minute walks a day.

How about an older Whippet? Still very attached to sofas and if the prey drive flares up, far less likely to drag her over?

Jack Rusells are barky, aggressive little buggers ime.

Have a look at oldies.org.uk. central register for older dogs available through rescue centres.