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?

I had Cairns as a teenager, they do need lots of walks and stimulation.

I don't agree that they need loads of walks and stimulation. Good quality exercise is more important than the amount, and you can easily provide mental stimulation at home with slow feeders, snuffle mats and kongs.

The cairn terrier I cared for did enjoy her walks, but what she loved most was company, belly rubs and attention.

Can I suggest an Australian Terrier? The dog world's best kept secret; I've had them for 15 years and they're fun, happy characters without the 'sharpness' of other terrier breeds. They are healthy and tough and their coat needs minimal attention. They do need exercise of course but their favourite thing is to be with their people. Lots of older people have them and one thing that is important is that Aussies invariably love children which for those of us with grandchildren is vital.

Depends very much on the age of the Cairn, you might get away with that with an older one. As puppies, they nip feet. They have a need to run and play fight. Our relished a long walk and run, especially up hills. They were bred to hunt vermin, particulary in piles of rocks. They are a true terrier and fantastic, not a little lap dog like this couple needs.

@goneaway2 she was two, so hardly old.

Another vote for greyhound! I go on a sighthound walk with my saluki/collie etc x (would not recommend!) and the greys are so calm compared to her, they walk beautifully on the lead, and many of the owners are older. I know they must have a prey drive but I never see any sign of it (whereas mine lunges for squirrels etc). They just seem like the easiest dogs ❤️

I learned on here about retired greyhounds - there was a thread and a few owners were dating how lazy they were.

I was out and about and waiting to cross the road when a woman stopped beside me with a greyhound. We got chatting (I love dogs) and she said that it was a rescue hound. DH said ‘I suppose that means a not of exercise!’ and the owner said that no, the dog would spend all day lying on its back infront of the fire is she didn’t drag it out for a walk, in fact it was quite the laziest dog ever (but deserved a rest after racing). Lovely dogs!

Not poodles (as previous posters have suggested). They are high energy dogs.

We have Cavachons (cavalier KGS/ Bichon Gross) and he's a gorgeous dog ( small to medium size). Sometimes only do 1 walk a day and hrs ok with that, but let him in the garden a lot.

Why suggest such an unhealthy breed?

Maybe contact some rescues for an older dog? They wont need the same exercise as a young one and rescues will be able to assess their temperament properly.

I have Tibetan Spaniels, they’re like a cross between cavaliers and Pekingese, beautiful little dogs.
I show my dogs, and although I keep all mine to live out their days here in my home I know a lot of people like to rehome their ex show dogs to allow them to be spoiled rotten and let to enjoy their retirement. You might be well looking for one that’s slightly older, already trained (and heck, is likely even a champion!) and is looking to be a companion.

@PeachBlossom1234 that's a bit sad though isn't it?
Good for you that you keep them but giving them away because they're not winning prizes any more must be hard for the dog.

Definitely a greyhound. Mine is devoted to snoozing. He snoozes in the caravan, in the car, the pub….

He likes routine, so his nighttime snack is nearly as important as snoozing. He’s never going to be the sharpest tool in the box, but he’s such a cuddly, affectionate boy.

They would never regret a couple of Chihuahuas. Sweet, funny, loyal, cuddly. Dearest little creatures ever.

Agree that rescues are best. Senior if possible.

Rescue greyhound. Generally lazy fuckers. And god knows after the abuse they've suffered they need a forever sofa more than greeders need your money

Nice and fat. JFC 🙄

Big breeds like greyhounds and labs aren’t suitable for camper van trips. I had a greyhound, then got a camper……I had to chuck her outside whenever I wanted to open the fridge! After she died I specifically got a smaller dog to suit the camper van trips better.

The problem is, that show dogs are also used for breeding.

Thanks to the government licensing laws, people who hold a licence are told how many dogs they are allowed to keep on their property... so if you want to continue showing young dogs and breeding you are looking at re-homing older dogs.

@QueenBitch666 ive more or less bowed out of this thread because I’m not an expert on dogs and only hung around to make the point that a cat might be an alternative to keep in consideration. But when I said nice and fat I by no means meant obese, I meant one that is settling in to older age, is less active and will therefore want and need less exercise, while having a comparatively sedentary life. I defer to the higher knowledge of those on here but an animal can have a slightly higher amount of weight on it and a lower drive for activity as they age and it’s actually far less worrying than huge weight loss, which generally means death fairly soon. Obesity in younger animals is a horrible problem, I agree. Apologies for expressing myself poorly as I was trying to put myself in the shoes of my elderly grandparents, which I should have been able to broaden my mind beyond. Definitely not defending animal obesity.

@CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau

ive more or less bowed out of this thread because I’m not an expert on dogs

you have posted more frequently and lengthier posts than anyone else on this thread.

The first of which was reckless and daft

the rest of which, about cats, irrelevant

and given you started your post I don’t know much about dogs but Labrador. I know this isn’t the world’s most ethical advice

you clearly knew precisely what you meant

But when I said nice and fat I by no means meant obese, I meant one that is settling in to older age, is less active and will therefore want and need less exercise, while having a comparatively sedentary life.

Stop backpedaling 😂

That's absolutely not what you said at all.

Thank you. I consider myself told off. That’s enough.

indeed

Exactly this
I have had a dog consecutively for the last 20 years. In my 50s and 60s I had rescued lurchers and could walk them for miles
I then rescued a smaller lurchery cross who was 8 as I found approaching 70s I needed a dog I could lift into the car.

From 3 years ago - now in my later 70s - I rescued a cockerpoo bitch aged 5 as I had now moved to a more urban environment. She is portable and happy with a garden mooch, does not yap - an ideal companion dog. We walk twice a day for half an hour.
My knees and hip are giving me gyp but I now have a perfectly suitable 'last dog ever'.
From 70 to 80 is the testing time health-wise for dog-ownership.