IggiePiggie

then a greyhound doesn't fit at all. Yeah, we went through the list of breeds we'd compiled and sighthounds were the first scratched out. I own Italian Greyhounds and my sister owns Afghans. We know the deal. And so does mum. What I mean about that is that I think having a dog with a prey-drive could be difficult for her. It would complicate some things which i don't want complicated, like walking etc.

I had a big discussion with her today and we went through some breeds pros and cons and she has decided to go for a Cocker. She has owned a cocker twice before and feels comfortable with it. Talked to a couple of breeders and they have been a bit nervous about the whole christmas thing but my mum is going to call them to set them at ease. Thanks for the help guys. You're right I think the Weimeraner might be a little too much for her. We were just considering it because my mum had wanted one so bad for so long and she bought one in the 90s and it was stolen before it was delivered. So she never got one. But we decided it was a little impractical. So we think we are going forward with a Cocker Spaniel, although we are now doing a little more research into Shelties aswell. ta. xx

My mother has expressed interest in a Weimaraner. Any thoughts?

Shelties are wonderful dogs. I suggested a sheltie! My siblings concern is that it will require alot of grooming. Ask your Mum - does she want a dog that requires regular grooming or not. Maybe get a list from her of things to consider eg coat length, size and then come back and ask for suggestions of breeds that closely match her preferred criteria? If she is thinking in terms of an Iggie something like a sheltie with a lot of coat may not be to her liking at all no matter how nice they are :) I guess my direction has been given in the form of What dogs she has enjoyed and liked that we have discussed. These dogs have been: Italian Greyhounds, sighthounds in general. Cocker Spaniels. French Bulldogs. Now that you mention it, most have low maintenance grooming needs.

Again, sorry about this but i don't think i was very clear. I am trying to get a feel of breeds so we can present them to my mother. She is involved in this process. Re: the considerations. Thankyou for that, they are things I will take on.

Shelties are wonderful dogs. I suggested a sheltie! My siblings concern is that it will require alot of grooming. Sheesh!! The things people worry about. One dog - take it to a groomer every few weeks. :laugh: lol. When you put it like that...

AHHH, i bungled my intentions in the first post. I am sorry for the ambiguity of it. :/ She is pretty active. A couple of walks a day. It would be nice to have a dog that could travel with my mum. My dad still works so it would be nice for her.

Shelties are wonderful dogs. I suggested a sheltie! My siblings concern is that it will require alot of grooming.

Just quickly, we are not going blindly into this, neither is she. We are effectively workshopping an idea at the moment, and I was trying to get some ideas about suitable breeds. I will personally be looking at getting an older dog for her, but may have to negioate with a large family. ;) Oh no don't get me wrong I'm not having a go at you I was just thinking maybe at her age she my not be up for a puppy. I know I'm not and I'm 48 :) I did read it wrong though, I thought it was a surprise...apologies Hahah, i kinda of realised after I'd posted it that i was inviting that kind of interpretation. My bad. I do want people to know though that i am not an ignorant dog-person. I am just trying to get helpful information as to peoples experience of what kind of breeds make good companion dogs for older owners, so we can do more research. Btw, my mum has just retired and she has decided she wants a puppy, she is willing to put in the time for it. She has had 6 children so she knows what she is in for. What I wil be doing to pushing for a dog around the year mark. I having been trying to convince my siblings this is for the best, I personally had a hard time with my second IG, Hank. And I was prepared, as it was only 3 years after my first. Do you think this sounds like a good idea? Do you think a year will effectively make it easier on both parties?

Her last 2 dogs were Daschunds, both had back problems, so we are trying to go for something else this time. RE: the leash issues. completely agree, sighthounds or otherwise. Workin on it.

I am worried about health issues. I am largely ignorant about cavvies but unfortunately what i have heard is that they are prone to several health problems. Obviously most dogs have their issues and breeding has a lot to do with it but would need more info. Thanks for the suggestion, i will look into it.

Just quickly, we are not going blindly into this, neither is she. We are effectively workshopping an idea at the moment, and I was trying to get some ideas about suitable breeds. I will personally be looking at getting an older dog for her, but may have to negioate with a large family. ;)

She does want it. She has been talking about it for ages. The coinciding of Christmas and her birthday just gives us a chance to buy it for her. She does have an idea of what kind of dog she wants, as I said, she would like something along the lines of an Italian Greyhound but she doesn't want to have the restrictions that come with a sighthound. I am essentially doing research for her. Thanks for the response mixeduppup.

So for Christmas my family is considering buying our mother, who is 63, a puppy. I thought i would get a reading on here for what breeds you think would be most appropriate. I have Italian Greyhounds and my mum has always loved them. and she has spoken about how she'd love one, but i get the feeling that they won't quite meet her needs. I think they may be a little too neurotic for her and i think she would like a dog that she can walk occasionally without a lead etc. Although I am sure this is something she could cave on. She needs something very affectionate, which is what she loved about my IG's. She has previously had Cocker Spaniels which is something we are considering. But just hoping for some suggestions for companion dogs for older people. I personally wanted to get her a GAP greyhound however the family has become caught up in the puppy idea, and i am not making any headway in that regards so I just want to make sure we get her a breed that is compatible.

He is back on top of the world. Thanks everyone.

Thankyou everyone. I got a bit hysterical, I have been lucky and this was my first major(or minor) problem This creates a lot of affection for this board. Ahahahaha Thanks again. Eta: bad spelling

Ahahaha, persephone, he looks like a sweetheart... Hank has chilled out now, I think he may have been being a bit precious. He is still sore, but he is asleep now, after a bit of a play on the couch. He even started hassling Borris so I feel like he is much himself again. Redarachnid, I'm in melb too. Hopefully one day we can come and say hi. My sister has a couple of aboukir afghans in sydney... My boys loved them!

He has actually just started playing. He is still sore but he is seeming much more himself. It just really worried me that he seemed so not Hank. But since he has perked up I feel a lot better. He is still sore but a lot perkier. What kind of dogs do you have? I heard that sighthounds take this these abit harder than some other dogs...

It was his third vacc. He is sore and very tired. He will eat but he won't come to me to get food.

Bump! Anyone?

Ok! I just got Hank vacced and chipped. And we got home and he had his dinner and no he is crying when he is moved. And he is just sleeping. He isn't playing like usual. He looks fine and has no specific sore spots. I hae called out local 24hour vet. They said its not normal but the fact he is eating and drinking is good. Has this happened to anyone else??? Should I just take him to the vet???

Can we please have photos of good examples of the breed?

Might have to do some serious work with him and small dogs. Shell, what method did you use to neutralize zero?

On the weekend I took Borris to the dog beach. he was off lead for some of the way and it was deserted. As we were heading up the path away from the beach we came across a man and his yorkie(i think). Anyway, Borris saw him and stared. Then went into a crouch, kind of lay down. Then sprang at him. The Yorkie was crying and i rushed in to separate them. And the man tried to kick off Borris (fair enough, exactly what I would have done) There was no physical damage done. Borris hadn't actually bitten, he had nipped. I put him straight on the lead and apologised to him and his dog. I am just so sad and disappointed. Borris has done a fair bit of socialisation, but i have only just realised that it has almost all been with big dogs. Realising that he can't interact with small dogs, and that I can't let him off lead till we sort this out is a real blow, as he had been doing quite well with socialisation lately. I just wanted to know can dogs be taught to not be dog aggressive, I hear alot of people talk about their DA dogs and they always seem like that is just them and so now their lives are DA tolerant. Also I am wondering if the fact that we had been throwing the ball along the beach may have raise his prey drive, because honestly, the way he crouched was v. "hunter". It was all very disturbing.

That was actually a very light answer I thought I thought the same gareth Treating someone's honest question like it is ridiculous is not only very unconstructive but v. passive agressive.