It’s good that Mumsnet IS quite unforgiving about dogs and dog breeding / ownership.
Dogs , especially since Covid where so many rashly bought dogs, have been abandoned in huge numbers.
Bought on whim, with no real commitment.
It’s ridiculous that the farmer sold an active breed to elderly, infirm people like OP’s parents-
The dog is the one to pay the price.
A Whippet breeder refused to sell a Whippet to an elderly good friend of hers, because the exercise alone with a young active breed would have been physically too much to cope with.
A Border Collie is about as active as you could get.
They need a job to do, or they turn neurotic and barky- not their fault.
Generally selling to people who have just lost a dog is also a bad idea- they aren’t ready til they have grieved their old dog.
Too often a new puppy is given up as “It’s not like old Tess”
Dogs are sentient beings- they suffer with changes of home and lack of proper care.
It ought to be far harder for people to buy dogs.( And horses)
Cats need care, too- but can exercise themselves.