A good companion breed for older folks

[MintyfreshSW]

My parents are in their sixties and tbh not the most active. They had an Italian greyhound for 16 years but as she got older she didn’t require lots of exercise.
They were heartbroken by her passing and a year later are starting to consider if they would like another dog.
They would be suited to a smaller breed as they love to take their camper van away at weekends with the dog, and one that’s a good companion/lap dog who doesn’t need hours of walking a day.
Any recommendations?

Can I just share a salutory take?

DM’s parenthetical got a puppy for her 70th birthday. She’s a springer/black lab cross. She’s a lovely dog, looks like a black lab, but is the size of a springer nice personality, but with a fair chunk of spaniel giddiness.

DM is now in her 80s. She lives alone now and has no partner. She’s spent a lot of the last 2 years unwell - mostly cancer - either in hospital or bed bound at home. She’s spent a fortune on dog walkers and boarding, and we’ve muddled along with flexing jobs/annual lease/calling in favours/the knock on effects on to childcare/living in 2 houses etc to look after the dog when DM has been admitted (to hospital) at too short notice to arrange boarding.

She’s now in her 80s, pretty frail and has a bouncy dog to walk every day (the dog still thinks the she’s 3. Her health is not failing!). The dog is also now much stronger than her. DM no longer drives, so I have to take the dog to every vet appt. (Rural, no vet in walking distance).

Your parents’ living arrangements might be completely different to DM’s. But bearing in mind that health can deteriorate quite quickly in older age, I’d look for a small breed that doesn’t need a lot of walking and doesn’t have its own significant health problems.

Another vote for a greyhound. Yes they're a big dog but they lack the presence of a big dog. After a mad 5 minutes in the garden they will sleep the day away.
My 6 year old grey is one of the tallest I've seen but as he spends 90% of his time horizontal it's not a problem. Any decent rescue would know exactly which hound in their care would be a perfect match. Ideally one that has been returned due to owners circumstances and is already familiar with living in a house.
I will never have another breed. They're a bit special 🥰

Apologies everyone. I am a cat/horse not a dog person and my experience is that labs need some activity but tend to be good-natured which for an older adult is a good blend. Getting out for walks together but not being aggressive. Also why I suggested a cat!

Maltese are great little. Enjoy short walks as long as it is not cold and wet. They can get exercised indoors by play fetch.

I agree.

When I was young a friend’s gran got a lab. The poor beast was ( literally) bouncing off the walls in her house through boredom and lack of activity and spent its life being hit with a stick as she tried to get it under control.

Never try to make an animal fit your lifestyle. Only get an animal if you can meet THEIR lifestyle needs. It’s cruel to do otherwise.

Labradors, when fit and well, are high energy working dogs. They shouldn't be fat and they shouldn't be okay with a "plod around the block" unless they're very old (or very young).

They are good natured but they are bred to work. They need good quality aerobic exercise everyday as well as a generous amount of mental enrichment. If they don't get it, you can expect them to destroy your house.

You're right. You don't know much about dogs. Why on earth would you think it acceptable for a Labrador - or any dog - to get 'nice and fat'?

If you're not a dog person why on earth would you post on a thread asking for advice about ... dogs? 🙄

@TootenCarMoon not to mention the amount of space they demand!! The vast majority would be a nightmare in a camper!! Yes they can 'fold up'. But it's a rare one that does!!

@RichPetunia they don't need two hours exercise a day. They need some walks & some mental stimulation to tire them out.

My in-laws have just lost their bichon frise. They are now beyond being able to look after a dog but while they had her she was the perfect little thing for them.

Not to mention the fact that the dog will be gone in a nanosecond if it sees a small furry thing!
I'm all for rescue dogs, but a retired greyhound is a massive no from me.
These dogs have learnt to chaise smaller animals and can't be off lead for a lovely relaxing walk for fear of taking off and actually harming another dog animal.

And despite what random people on the Internet say, a sight hound needs the type of exercise it is designed for: a short sprint at top speed!
If you condem your retired greyhound to a lifetime of lead walk you aren't taking good care of them.

They are big dogs and need the same care and attention as any dog in accordance to their size.

I’d suggest your parents contact a dog rescue and let them know what sort of life they are going to offer. A more mature dog of 5 or so rather than a puppy would probably suit them better.

My DF has one of these and it seems to be the ultimate lap dog.

Totally agree. Instead of focusing narrowly on what breed, it would be far better for your parents to go to a rescue centre and talk to the staff there about which dog might suit their lifestyle. A reputable rescue will want to match a dog to the right home, will offer follow up advice and even take the dog back if it doesn't work out.

Is there any medical reason why your parents don't do much exercise op? It might be worth them getting an older dog that still requires a degree of daily exercise so your parents develop a more active lifestyle. Our dogs get daily long walks and we're well into our 60s!

I apologise for speaking on a topic on which I have no expertise. My words were generally leading up to my punchline of “get a cat”. I’ve been fairly catatonically depressed for months and our new cat/kitten has at least got me up for meal times and strokes when she comes to check up on me. That is a huge advance. No, dogs shouldn’t be obese but they very often are. Apologies.

So sorry that you've been in such an awful place Cecile but glad that the new DCat is helping

Chihuahua

I think the reason so many of us took exception to your post is that it basically encourages people to get an animal that's completely unsuitable for their lifestyle, which has the potential to end in disaster.

Greyhounds.
Wonderful companions and wonderful dogs for retired folk. Very lazy, very calm

@CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau - oh dear, I'm so very sorry to hear that. I was one of those who took great exception to your suggestion that it was okay to have an overweight, under-exercised Labrador. But I'm very glad your cat is giving you a sense of purpose. Dogs and cats do wonderful things for a person's health and wellbeing.

@margotrose I do understand that.

This definitely. Rescue greyhounds are the most lovely dogs. Usually gentle, grateful for a home, need short bursts of exercise and just want to be near you. Total comfort loving sofa dwellers. The farts though…oooh the farts!

Another recommendation for cat!

I know an older lady who is on her second rescue staffy. Both lovely dogs, the first she had for 5 years (dog was adopted age 8 and died at 13) and the newer one is about 6 years old. She’s had her about a year. Both lazy dogs who like sunbathing and snuggling.

I didn't mean for you to apologise. And my issue wasn't with you, it's with the (far too many) current dog owners who overfeed their dogs, don't exercise them enough or look after them properly. The amount of people who tell me that my dog is underweight is staggering (he really isn't). They too believe their dogs are fine, but they're not.
It's a really common misconception that Labs are fat, and you're not a dog person, so why would you think any different, when all you see is fat labs?

I hope you enjoy a snuggle with your cat tonight, and that 2024 is a better year for you :)