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What Breed For An Older Lady?


Homeriver
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Female Greyhound.

Why: Less likely to get caught up 'under feet'.

Generally quiet.

A dark coloured one might help her feel safe.

Calm demeanour.

I was going to suggest a greyhound as well, sounded perfect until the rough and tumble bit with the kids. My two greys love kids but would hate to be roughed up.

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Oh why do I bother. Every time I post I get some narkie response. What on earth is wrong with suggesting someone have a look at Pet Rescue - she can pick a purebreed from there as well "you know" if that is what she wants.

Sorry, it was narkie. You are right.

I find it wears thin to see the rescue agenda continually raised in threads asking for breed suggestions FOR PUPS on a purebred dog forum. It would also be nice to see breed suggestions that actually relate to what characteristics the person is seeking in a dog but that's not your fault.

However, if I posted "go to a registered breeder for a purebred pup" in "looking for a rescue dog" threads, what do you think the reaction would be?

Pet Rescue is a lousy site for searching by breed. You can't. Philosophical reasons no doubt but "small, medium or large" is pretty useless for searching for temperament, maintenance or coat type which is where breed is very handy.

:thumbsup:

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Options, if I were in that lady's position, that I could consider:

PetRescue search. I type in a Google search of a breed label and 'Pet Rescue' & it brings up profiles of examples that rescues have labelled. Further enquiries can show if they've had good reasons for the label ... like documentation known. Can also tap into specific breed rescues. But important to note that the labelling may simply be a 'best guess'. If the dog is in foster-care, valuable information can be pulled about behaviours & socialization (& with whom).

Pity the lady wasn't Sydney because Denise at PAWS has had very good Tibbies with excellent temperaments in foster-care over the years (with thumbs up for breed characteristics).

Mature Age Purebreds, for adoption on the Dogzonline Breeders' Pages. I've very successfully adopted retired showdogs from good breeders who know their dogs well.... & socialized them well. I found the breeders' advice & information spot on. The very characteristics which lent themselves for dogs adjusting well to showing, can transfer well to a pet situations. The particular breeds I'd be considering would be Cardigan Corgi (laid back & versatile) and a Tibbie that's already shown some self-sufficiency in its make-up. I have respect for those registered breeders who ensure some of their mature dogs.... & any that they've responsibly taken back... go to suitable good forever homes.

The Tibetan Spaniel Association of Victoria bridges both... & extends interest to other states. Whilst also providing breed information & puppy buying guidelines.

http://www.tsavaustralia.com/rescue.htm

So Breed Clubs can be worth checking out, too.

Edited by mita
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Would a Border Terrier suit ?;i am not sure if they are yappy but have read they are fond of children.

I have known two Westies ;one was a male who barked at anything or anyone around.The other a female was much quieter but then it can get down to individual dog and

and how they are trained too.

I think browsing Pet Rescue and reading the profiles can be a good way to decide what you want in a dog and what you don't and may well steer you to a particular Breed

that has the temperament you are after.

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I'd also suggest a schipperke. Not just because I have one, but they are really a big dog in a small body! Take add much or add little exerciser as you'll give, have no doggy odor, easily trained. I have been told that they are not a very calm breed as a tibbie or a Cavalier, if that's the sort of demeanor she's after. But then again there are individuals in every breed.

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I know many mature aged ladies with cocker spaniels around here. They seem to suit them really well. I agree that a greyhound would suit well as well

I'd agree with a cocker, they don't have a small dog personality and love to be loved. But they are still small enough to carry when you need to and stick in a bath tub for a wash.

My only suggestion would be to get one over the age of 4 if she doesn't want a seemingly eternal puppy

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Hi

I can completely recommend a Mini Snauzer my mum just got one awhile ago and she is great, my mum just turned 70. I also own and would recommend a well bred Aussie terrier, they will bark if someone unknown turns up but will stop with command, well mine does anyway. They are great dogs will take a little exercise, don't really shed much and are quiet intelligent little things. This is my third Aussie now and I would never be without one. Also a Tibetan Spaniel would be good, I don't find them as trainable but great with kids and like to have there own time, not much grooming but shed a little, soft little dogs.

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Female Greyhound.

Why: Less likely to get caught up 'under feet'.

Generally quiet.

A dark coloured one might help her feel safe.

Calm demeanour.

I was going to suggest a greyhound as well, sounded perfect until the rough and tumble bit with the kids. My two greys love kids but would hate to be roughed up.

Thanks for the extra info, I will save it away in my memory bank. :)

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In her position I would be going for a calm, mature dog from a breeder in one of her preferred breeds. Many Border Collies could happily live in that situation as adults but not as puppies as could many larger breeds like Goldies. Except for Shelties, who can be very vocal, she will not find many breed with a similar temperament to what she is used to. Corgis would possibly be the closest but they are still different to the larger herding breeds. Lappies could be an option but I don't know a great deal about them. If she wants a puppy she should be looking at less active breeds, rather than smaller breeds. Often the larger breeds are less active. I know that Japanese Spitz often live in apartments but mine runs around the yard far more than most of the Borders I have had and runs flat out when let off lead in a large area. So even though he is smaller and easier for me to lift, he is still from a very busy breed. Other breeds I considered downsizing to are Mini Poodles, Tibbies, Schipperkes and possibly Whippets but I am not a short coated dog person.

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I have another vote for the CKCS.

We had one previously who had no issues being the only dog,

and Kokoda was until the age of 2 as well.

However we now have 3 :D so no one is lonely anymore haha

(Just need one more to complete the four colours ;) )

The are certainly able to play with kids, mine don't mind a bit of rough and tumble too. people are often amazed at that, the tiny pretty looking dogs who arent afraid to roll around on the grass and play a little rough, mine also love swimming etc.

One of the three isn't fond of strangers walking into the house and you have to tell him that strange people are friendly, but the other two love everyone from the first second of meeting haha

They love walks, and mine would walk all day, though they still don't go crazy if a walk is missed. Something i never understood- though am thankful for :laugh:

Henry only barks if i am holding a ball while at the park- otherwise you never hear from him, Deniki barks occasionally at passing dogs though not every time nor 'yappy' and Kokoda only barks at the postman and when he is super excited while playing :)

They aren't a typically yappy breed.

Grooming wise, i rarely (I know! :dropjaw: ) brush my crew. Maybe once a fortnight on their feathering.

Though my boys aren't as heavily coated as some other Cavs around. Deniki probably will be once he is fully grown, but in the meantime my very infrequent brushing is totally fine :)

If you have any questions about my Cavs, feel free to ask :)

(Photo was todays trip to the beach :) )

post-42249-0-15693200-1396334888_thumb.jpg

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Some of us "older ladies" like all sorts of dogs :p (when this older lady downsizes ..a Chinese Crested will be top of the list - but I have no kids to consider .)

Any dog good with kids , and calm etc has something to do with breed , and a LOT to do with training .

I have know Koolies who are fantastic with housebound older folks..and labs who have so much drive and energy ....

I second/third letting the person read through BREEDS 101 .there she can read up on the basics..and learn a lot :) It's a useful resource!

My thoughts also run toward a young adult or a mature ,well socialised dog of her chosen breed ...

Hope she has fun ! :)

Edited by persephone
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I would recommend tibetan spaniels too. They have an independent spirit and manage some time alone quite well. Ours are great with kids of all ages as long as they are treated with respect. We have young children and they are devoted, loving companions for them. They also interact well with other children and gentle with little ones (toddlers). They enjoy walks but don't need heaps of exercise. They are generally great little house dogs who are happy and cheerful as long as they are part of the family. They don't really need a big yard (ours think walking to the fence is a long way!). I have to say they can be a tad stubborn but will mostly do what we ask if we make it worth their while. It's great mental stimulation for us humans trying to outsmart and outwit the tibbies!! Your Mum's criteria is similar to ours when we were looking into breeds. Cavaliers, chihuahuas, whippets and tibbies were all on our short list.

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However, if I posted "go to a registered breeder for a purebred pup" in "looking for a rescue dog" threads, what do you think the reaction would be?

Probably: that's a good idea. In fact, many time over the years I have read suggestions for someone to consider breeders when they are looking for an older dog. Your prejudice is showing :)

Pet Rescue is a lousy site for searching by breed. You can't. Philosophical reasons no doubt but "small, medium or large" is pretty useless for searching for temperament, maintenance or coat type which is where breed is very handy.

Considering how long PetRescue has been around I would suggest that this is intentional .... how many people have a set breed in mind and end up with another sort even more suitable simply because of the exposure m :shrug:

Late 50s isn't exactly that old :D . This poster is considerably more than that and she walks 5 dogs twice a day (most days - it has been a ghastly hot summer).

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However, if I posted "go to a registered breeder for a purebred pup" in "looking for a rescue dog" threads, what do you think the reaction would be?

Probably: that's a good idea. In fact, many time over the years I have read suggestions for someone to consider breeders when they are looking for an older dog. Your prejudice is showing :)

It's not prejudice. It's frustration.

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I'm also a little blown away by the idea of 50 being an 'older lady' LOL. My mum's in her 50s and gets up every morning and goes to the gym and walks every night, she'd have no trouble taking on and training pretty much any breed you threw at her. :laugh:

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I'm also a little blown away by the idea of 50 being an 'older lady' LOL. My mum's in her 50s and gets up every morning and goes to the gym and walks every night, she'd have no trouble taking on and training pretty much any breed you threw at her. :laugh:

In all fairness, the living arrangements of this older lady :laugh: :laugh: have to be taken into account as well.

And the age of the vast majority of posters :D :D

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I agree the lady's living arrangements being in a 'lifestyle village' probably means she can only have a small breed of dog.

She's only in her 50's. Aren't the 50's said to be the new 30's?

I had Rottweilers in my 50's and spent every Sunday running around the obedience oval.

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Oh I agree it needs to suit her, I just feel a little concerned about the statement of 50 being considered 'older' :laugh:

I met a couple of lovely chihuahuas the other day that belonged to a family, they were confident and outgoing and well trained, i also met a couple that used to do agility where I trained my dog! I think as long as it wasn't mollycoddled and was properly socialised a chi could actually work quite well. Certainly they aren't what i would call rough and tumble but the ones I met were happily fetching a ball for their kids and tearing around like little loons in the park. LOL

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