Dog wanted for older lady

Soleil_lune

Yep border collies are lively little devils! We had one when I was a teen, but we had a 150 feet long and 100 feet wide garden, and so walking her was not as necessary - although we did walk her most days.

I say King Charles Spaniel - my grandparents had one when they were in their 70s; their's was a cute gentle docile dog. A yorkie, or a scottie. All smallish, but not teeny.

Katiehound

Never mind looking for a particular breed as there will always be exceptions to the rule! See what the charities mentioned above have to offer her and go from there.

PollyOnAMission

I agree with Cinnamon Trust and also retired greyhounds, especially if there is an oldie in need.

catkins

I too would suggest a retired greyhound. They need very little exercise and make very loving pets. Although largish dogs they tend to be very gentle and all the ones I know walk lovely on a loose lead. Don't believe the stories about them always chasing or even killing cats either.

There are always lots of greyhounds looking for homes and considering the start most of them have in life they deserve a warm loving home for the rest of their days.

paddypaws101

Without wanting to sound negative....your aunt may find that some rescues are not happy to home to a person of her age. I know she is fit as a fiddle now, but the worry is that she may not always be.
Sorry to sound negative.
I think you would need to have a contingency plan in place so that if...heaven forbid....auntie were to fail in health, then you or another family member would take the dog on.

Hermoine

Thank you, everyone, that's really helpful, and I will definitely get my aunt to talk to the Cinnamon Trust as they sound lovely.

chris_n_tj

I would also try the oldies club. Great buunch of people that do their best to rehome oldies x

http://www.oldies.org.uk/?cat=2

teddysmum

chris_n_tj wrote: »

I would also try the oldies club. Great buunch of people that do their best to rehome oldies x

http://www.oldies.org.uk/?cat=2

I was just going to suggest them. Despite the title, their dogs are not all old, many are youngish middle aged.


Perhaps fostering for them would suit the lady, as it's a way of helping without long term commitment.


I notice that above cavaliers have been suggested (assume the person saying King Charles meant cavalier as the King Charles is a much rarer breed), but though I love them (have two left of a foursome) one has to be very careful about where they are bred, because of the two devastating diseases that bad breeders have spread . ie MVD and SM)

ejsmith

Cavalier King Charles are lovely but the health risks are high. Sitting here with a bearded collie (lovely, but quite high maintenance and probably not for elderly people) and two bichon frises I'd have to recommend the latter. A lot of people who have beardies when younger go on to have bichons as they age. Don't believe any of the rubbish on the net saying they are difficult to train, they're not (which is one reason I have them, I like an easy life). No major inherited health problems, good temperament, they will walk as far/little as you like - the one drawback is the grooming. They don't moult so need trimming, which a lot of people do themselves, and I keep a comb by the sofa so they get combed little and often. The rescue page is here http://www.bichonfriserescue.co.uk/. The kennel club site might help too http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/. Worth speaking to local vets too.

If you live alone a totally empty house is difficult to bear so I hope you find the right dog for her soon

savingjenny

I too would say a retired greyhound. She may be up to an hours walk at the moment, but the chances are she won't be in another 5 years. So a dog that will happily downscale to a quick pop out is needed.