which dog for me?

suki1964

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Getting your first dog is a big change at any age, someone in their sixties has been coping with change for sixty decades!

I so hope not

pinetree

Hi further to my last posts I forgot to say to check out the difference between the king charles and the cavalier king charles, the cavaliers are trainable and some do agility etc they are anything you want them to be good luck in your hunt:)

ka7e

Another vote for the Shetland Sheepdog here! We "downsized" to one after having Labs for years. Loved the Labs but always had the show type, much calmer and less boisterous then the norm and probably a bit dimmer :rotfl:. So many Labs seem a bit manic nowadays and we meet a lot of unruly ones in the park.

A well-bred Sheltie is AT LEAST as intelligent as a Lab. They are very biddable and can be happy with 2 or 3 short walks a day though some excel at agility and can keep going all day long. The coat does not need extensive grooming, a good brush through once a week is fine (maybe a bit more when they are moulting). Some can be a bit less outgoing with strangers but they are very affectionate with "family". They do have the "Ahhh" factor and everybody wants to say Hello - a lot of people think you have a Collie or Rough Collie puppy.

http://www.sheltiesofuktype.org/photo%20of%20the%20monthApr11.htm

lidlest

moneylover wrote: »

would love to hearpeople's views on these dogs and other breeds I should perhaps consider

Three beautiful choices, and I have had all 3 at one point or another

Lab's need tons of exercise and will kill you when they sit on your lap LOL.

I currently have a King Charles and a Cocker. The cocker is very energetic and needy, not mad though, easily trained and way smart. The King Charles is as dumb as toast, but so damn cute and lovable, he just wants cuddles. He will have some silly half hours which are fun to watch.

I would get all three

hethmar

Im a tad concerned you favour a lab because it can be petted without bending down. Does this mean you have some agility problems as dogs, particularly big dogs, will require a lot of physical fitness. A lab will get older with you and there was a point with our old girl where we were having to lift her in and out of cars and upstairs, so you need to think of the future with the dog you choose and not just the moment you get one.

The spaniels may be a good choice as they can sit on your lap or the sofa with you but they do tend to have quite a lot of health problems.

Im thinking a schnauzer may be a good choice for you.

Dont forget all these dogs will have breed rescues and also end up in general rescues, so dont dismiss an older dog which will have a history and a formed character. Puppies are very hard work, all that pooing and weeing and chewing. If you have never had a dog before this may come as a big shock for you. Not to mention, if you have always had a clean and tidy house, the dirt, smell and hair everywhere! Just want you to be aware of whats involved. Schnauzer have a tight curly non moulting coat and a lot of character.
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=9

Also check out Many Tears

http://manytearsrescue.webs.com/dogslookingforhomes.htm

ali-t

hethmar wrote: »

Im a tad concerned you favour a lab because it can be petted without bending down. Does this mean you have some agility problems as dogs, particularly big dogs, will require a lot of physical fitness.

That is a bit unfair, the OP is only around 60ish. Personally I prefer a dog that can be petted without bending down and my rott is perfect for this and I am only in my 30's with no health issues. My dogwalker is in her early 60's and has bullies, handles a rott, staff, lab, collie and a little furry thing. I have more trust in her ability than many of the younger dog walkers in the area.

If the OP did have health problems there are ways round everything if she has her heart set on a bigger dog. Ramps for cars are great and there are many other aids if the OP decides to go down that route.

I agree with you about shnauzers though, they are cute and have loads of personality, are good burglar deterrants and are very cheeky and best of all come in different sizes for those who do and don't want to bend down to pat them

Fire_Fox

suki1964 wrote: »

I so hope not

Ha ha I don't know, you could make some serious money by being the only human alive for six hundred years! I won't edit, hopefully it'll give someone else a laugh. :rotfl:

hethmar

ali-t wrote: »

That is a bit unfair, the OP is only around 60ish. Personally I prefer a dog that can be petted without bending down and my rott is perfect for this and I am only in my 30's with no health issues. My dogwalker is in her early 60's and has bullies, handles a rott, staff, lab, collie and a little furry thing. I have more trust in her ability than many of the younger dog walkers in the area.

If the OP did have health problems there are ways round everything if she has her heart set on a bigger dog. Ramps for cars are great and there are many other aids if the OP decides to go down that route.

I agree with you about shnauzers though, they are cute and have loads of personality, are good burglar deterrants and are very cheeky and best of all come in different sizes for those who do and don't want to bend down to pat them

Hi, I dont think I was being unfair, if the OP has never owned a dog in their life they may not be aware of just how much physical work it is and IF they did have a back/mobility problem then best to address the restrictions it may cause before getting a dog - remember, the OP could be in their late 70s by the time their new pet passes on. Im the same age as the OP and I can tell you carrying my disabled Parson Russell about definitely does my back in and I have times when I am in severe pain. There is no way that I could be carrying around a 15 year old labrador nowdays as I used to 10 years ago.

Your 60 year old dog walker will doubtless have spent her life with dogs of all sizes and has a lifetime experience of controlling them, this is a completely different kettle of fish to the OP who is a dog virgin.

We see a gentleman of 70 over the park sometimes with his young lab. The guy is being dragged along by this youngster and doesnt have the strength to control him. Apart from anything its a danger to himself and the dog if he cant control a boisterous youngster. When you are young yourself this doesnt even occur to you, it certainly didnt occur to me in my 30s when I used to be knocked over regularly by one of my mad dalmatians.

nonnatus

Good God, how patronizing are some of the replies on here?? OP didn't come here for a judgement on their age or how long they've got left to live etc :mad:

I'd go for a Toy poodle. VERY intelligent, easy to train, quick to HOUSEtrain, can be energetic but just as happy curled up on a lap, minimal fur shedding (if any). Just make sure you learn about how to look after the coat. It's a bit like an African afro and needs special care but the rewards are enormous .

Have fun x

Fire_Fox

FWIW Hethmar I think you made some fair points about the needs of the dog rather than focussing on the OPs current age. I'm hurtling towards 40 and I'd have been glad to have those points made if I was considering a larger breed.