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'm not far behind you! I'm early 70s, still quite fit, but I know the time will come when I'm not. Our rescue lurcher is 13 this year and I so hope she's not my "last dog". If I'm lucky enough to have another it will be a 7+ rescue. I hope you and your dog have many more years.

There was a lady local to me who had always had Great Danes. Her last dog was a cavachon, and she said at first it felt like she was walking a rabbit on a lead.

Whippet!

@CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau How ridiculous to advise a working breed. Clearly zero knowledge of dogs. Recommendations like this are the reason our rescue centers are overflowing. Unbelievably irresponsible.

I am the very same person, yes, and I later explained that to me that basically amounted to a stern “no” when I referred to being strict, which is normally beyond me. I think I’ve apologised and clarified for both mistakes and I think you’ll find my main recommendation was about cats! Which I do know about and can both require significantly less of an older person who might need rest while also providing some activity and stimulation. I have apologised for that too but stand by it, it was just off-topic. Also off-topic is that I’ve never hit anything in front of anyone and any violence or aggression in my nature is generally channelled towards myself in a fairly serious way. I would never advocate cruelty to animals. Please stop @ing me because having been scolded for being verbose and accepted it already you don’t need to take up the baton on that one. Thank you.

Don't make irresponsible and unpleasant comments if you don't want to be called out on them 🙄

I have been, I’ve accepted it and apologised.

I think the suggestions of rescue dogs or the Cinnamon Trust are good.

I remember going round a dog rescue kennel on its open day and seeing some older dogs whose owners had died, which I found very sad.
These were dogs who didn't have behavioural problems and didn't need vast amounts of exercise or training.

Some were Staffies, which do seem to be a good choice, breed wise.

As a dog owner myself and having fund raised many years for several breed specific rescues it is a baton I feel perfectly entitled to pick up. If you don't want to be corrected don't post on a public forum.

You have picked up, I’ve apologised and you’ve proceeded to follow me round the site punishing me for something. If you want to have a vendetta against me start your own thread please, we’ve taken up enough space on this perfectly nice person’s thread.

Can people please stop with the comments against Celcile. She said sorry days ago and it's beginning to feel like bullying/a pile on.

Thank you @CormorantStrikesBack, I truly appreciate that. Now can we get back to dogs :) I appreciate that my suggestion about cats wasn’t, well, appreciated but it has been made and responded to and I would prefer if those with expertise about dogs posted to help the nice OP. Thanks everyone x

Anyway back to dogs. Sausage dogs are popular around here.

Although my sister says she always has larger bleeds because she’d trip over small ones (she hated our old Jackie).

Anyway back to dogs. Sausage dogs are popular around here

Again, I'd really, really advise doing a lot of research before getting a Sausage Dog, especially for an older person.

Most will walk for miles and need regular walks and can suffer with severe separation anxiety, especially the miniatures.

Also bearing in mind a high % of dachshunds end up with spinal issues.

Oooooo poor little things! I like terriers myself.

That's true too @Nonamesleft1. Lots of people don't do any enough research before getting a Dachshund.

Sausage dogs are bred to hunt badgers - they're really not cute little companions. They need a good amount of exercise and mental stimulation and can be very hard to toilet train too.

Any sort of spaniel mix would be a terrible idea for an elderly owner. FAR too much energy.

I second all the recs for a bichon - one would be perfect for OP's parents. Maybe a lhasa apso or shih tsu would work too.

Where is the OP btw?

Sausage dogs are bred to hunt badgers - they're really not cute little companions. They need a good amount of exercise and mental stimulation and can be very hard to toilet train too

Also very true. I find it astounding that people buy them without doing any research on the breed.

Oh gosh @IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads I'm so sorry that your DM has Cancer and is getting more frail.

I think your comments are not only a lesson on which breed to choose but also factoring in how much money the
DDog is likely to cost and being realistic about how you are likely to age and where wound be a good place to live. I can't imagine going into my 70s without having a GP, Pharmacy, Vet, main bus line, Supermarket etc all being within walking distance.

I ADORE cats but sadly my parents are very much dog people :( thanks for the suggestion though!

Thank you for the thank you OP, that’s generous of you. I hope you all find the perfect companion for them.