What’s the best dog breed for parents aged 70 & 72?

[matt21]

Hi all

My parents aged 72 and 70 are still active and thinking about a dog. It will be good for them. They don’t want anything too high maintenance, doesn’t yap, ideally doesn’t shed and want something that looks cute that has a loyal personality. Ideally it would be a breed that gets less active as they grow older but would remain an excellent companion.

Thinking of a Westie, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle or Cocker Spaniel. They liked the idea of a Golden Retriever but my thoughts are they will shed too much and are too big.

[bennno]

Do they really want a dog in to their 80’s? Are they fit enough to walk it a couple of miles per day?

[Easternlight]

I know they're everywhere but cockerpoo. Can be as large or small as you want depending on the parents.

[LimaDelta]

How comfortable are they bending to pick something from the floor? All dogs st. Can they pick it up?

[Funky Squirrel]

Toy breeds, bischion, Maltese etc they are companion dogs and would probably suit the best.

While not the nicest thought, is there someone that can take care of the dog should the worst happen

[Funky Squirrel]

LimaDelta said:

How comfortable are they bending to pick something from the floor? All dogs st. Can they pick it up?

I live in a village with a mostly older population and the amount of dog poo lying about between the council clean ups can be ridiculous. I was surprised to see the culprits were the older folk unable to stoop and just kept waddling along.

[garythesign]

I am 69 and my wife is 70

We have three dogs. Labrador, Collie cross and working cocker. We manage just fine.

Please think about a rescue dog. There are so many needing good homes at the moment.

[Lotobear]

Westie is a good choice - my parents had then well into their 80's. They tend to slow down and become more of a house dog when they get older.

They can yap though

[bigpriest]

Funky Squirrel said:

LimaDelta said:

How comfortable are they bending to pick something from the floor? All dogs st. Can they pick it up?

I live in a village with a mostly older population and the amount of dog poo lying about between the council clean ups can be ridiculous. I was surprised to see the culprits were the older folk unable to stoop and just kept waddling along.

If only there was some grabbing device with a handle they could put a bag over and use standing up.

[Muzzer79]

bennno said:

Do they really want a dog in to their 80’s? Are they fit enough to walk it a couple of miles per day?

This, even with a small dog

Poor health creeps up on you - being a fit 70 year old can be very different to being 80-85.

My in laws stopped having dogs in their late 60s for this very reason and now, in their mid-70s, their decision is proving to be the correct one - no way could they look after a dog full time.

[Huzzah]

Big dogs come with bigger bills and if they develop mobility problems harder to manage. Our 15kg mutt had a leg op, he required carrying out into the garden, up steps and lifting into the car while recovering. Not easy. Difficult with a big dog.

Puppies are exhausting. I'd be looking for a small to medium (5-12kg) 3yr+ rescue mutt. Something they can bond with, physically manage, and lift if need be.

[moorx]

matt21 said:

Hi all

My parents aged 72 and 70 are still active and thinking about a dog. It will be good for them. They don’t want anything too high maintenance, doesn’t yap, ideally doesn’t shed and want something that looks cute that has a loyal personality. Ideally it would be a breed that gets less active as they grow older but would remain an excellent companion.

Thinking of a Westie, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle or Cocker Spaniel. They liked the idea of a Golden Retriever but my thoughts are they will shed too much and are too big.

Out of those, I would suggest Cav or Cocker (show not working). I believe Westies can have skin issues and Beagles may not yap, but they can bark and howl. I can confirm that Golden Retrievers moult a huge amount (well, my mum's certainly does).

Otherwise, as someone else suggested, one of the toy breeds, or a Cavapoo maybe?

Do they have a decent sized garden for extra exercise? My mum is 84 and still has a Golden Retriever but she has a good sized garden, dog walkers in every day and my brother/SIL to help with vet visits, etc.

Or going completely rogue in terms of size, a greyhound fits all their other requirements perfectly (depending on your definition of cute. I think they're cute!) They are very low maintenance, don’t tend to bark, hardly moult and are extremely loyal. They get less active as they age, but don't start off very active in the first place! They can get by with a couple of 20-30 minute walks per day, but can also manage longer walks if you build up to it - mine have done up to 8 miles.

Something to consider is that small breeds are a trip hazard for elderly people (I'm not joking) and a larger dog that's less active is easier to manoeuvre around at home.

Would echo Gary's suggestion of a rescue. Best of luck to them!

[bad company]

LimaDelta said:

How comfortable are they bending to pick something from the floor? All dogs st. Can they pick it up?

FFS they’re 72 & 70, not dead yet!

[matt21]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

My mum in particular is very fit and healthy. Plus we are only 5 miles away and would like a dog too but travel a bit with work. If they got one we would take the dog with us on walks that do we today anyway.

Interested by the idea of a rescue dog. Any recommendations on where to start? We’re based in Northamptonshire. Bit selfish but their concern with a rescue dog is that he/she may have issues that they would struggle to deal with (behavioural etc). May be this thought is misplaced.

[Huzzah]

matt21 said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

My mum in particular is very fit and healthy. Plus we are only 5 miles away and would like a dog too but travel a bit with work. If they got one we would take the dog with us on walks that do we today anyway.

Interested by the idea of a rescue dog. Any recommendations on where to start? We’re based in Northamptonshire. Bit selfish but their concern with a rescue dog is that he/she may have issues that they would struggle to deal with (behavioural etc). May be this thought is misplaced.

Behavioural issues are very valid, you don't really know what you have untill you've lived with mutt for a few weeks. A period of settling, adjusting & training is to be expected, it can take a while. But so can pups from breeders.

We've had a few dogs from dogs trust, and always found them very helpful. Pop into your local centre for a chat. They'll provide ongoing support, training, behaviorist both telephone and home visit if required.

If the worst comes to the worst they'll take the animal back too. ( heartbreakingly we've had this too)


ETA Kenilworth is probably not too far, one of the bigger centres. Lots of dogs from Ireland.

Edited by Huzzah on Saturday 12th October 12:39

[Rh14n]

matt21 said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

My mum in particular is very fit and healthy. Plus we are only 5 miles away and would like a dog too but travel a bit with work. If they got one we would take the dog with us on walks that do we today anyway.

Interested by the idea of a rescue dog. Any recommendations on where to start? We’re based in Northamptonshire. Bit selfish but their concern with a rescue dog is that he/she may have issues that they would struggle to deal with (behavioural etc). May be this thought is misplaced.

If they consider a spaniel or spaniel cross I thoroughly recommend Spaniel Aid (check them out on Facebook or spanielaid.co.uk). They can either look straight away to adopt or (as we did), Foster one. As a foster you get first-dibs to adopt or, if it doesn’t suit you, release him/her for adoption. It’s a great ‘try before you buy’ situation. Spaniel Aid are really supportive.

[dudleybloke]

Rescue greyhound.

[LRDefender]

Lots & lots of XL Bullies looking for homes I hear.....

[hotchy]

Iv got a cavapoo. So king Charles cross mini poodle. Can walk far or short, loves to cuddle but also steal your socks or anything that'll make you chase them... cracking personality.. however does like to bark at the window if anyone dare pass by his world...

They are technically easy to train aswel. Except to let go of socks. That requires food.

[loskie]

A cat.