Info On These Breeds

[bossyboo]

Hi everyone,

My mother is in the process of looking at getting a dog. She particulary wants one with little to no shedding. It will be an indoors dog, and will travel abit with her and her husband. They have a nice yard not huge but big enough. These are the breeds she is thinking of: Westie Terrier, Irish Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten and a Snauzer. She is 65 but still reasonably fit so the dog will get a small walk a day and play in the yard but plenty of time with her inside. Does anyone have any pros cons on these breeds or owns them? Or any other suggestions Thanks

[dotdashdot]

My parents have a mini schnauzer, and he is the most wonderful, smooch and undemanding (except for cuddles) dog that I've known. He has a tendency to be dominant to other dogs, but that is more a "Benji" thing than a breed trait I think. He isn't a barker, but does vocalize when excited. He can't go for big walks in summer, as even when clipped he can get quite hot (much quicker than my breed, Dalmatian)

I don't have a lot of experience with the breed, he is the first mini schnauzer I've ever known, but he is a great little ambassador :)

[megan_]

I don't think as all walk per day is enough for a mini schnauzer though.

[kelpiecuddles]

She might struggle with a Wheaten, they are lot bigger than her other options and are quite stubborn and wilful, need a fair bit of exercise too. Beautiful dogs but not for the faint hearted!

[julesluvscavs]

Hi :)

You might find this section helpful also. http://www.dolforums.com.au/forum/62-dog-breeds-101/

[smisch]

Lowchen.... we had a pup go to a similar style home only issue she may find is they'll require clipping mind you most of the breeds will that you've suggested. They're easy going ours are happy with the occasional walk or a good play in the back yard... but tbh mine spend their down time on the bed or in their beds or on the couch or following me around. They minimal shed (as In the most we get out of them is when we brush them) you don't have to keep them in breed trim out oldest girl is just neat and tidy...

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

As much as I love Irish Terriers, I think they would be too much of a handful for someone older.

A Westie is a great little dog but be sure to look at the parents thoroughly and make sure the dog doesn't have skin allergies.

There is a good Westie Rescue if they wanted an adult rather than a puppy to spend time on training - housetraining included - that can be hard work for an older person.

[smisch]

Tbh wouldn't recommend an irish they are stubborn as and can be pretty full on. An older schnauzer may suit or one bred with a soft nature I can recommend someone who might be able to help there

[Bjelkier]

Have they looked at a Havanese? That breed would suit quite well from what you have described

[RuralPug]

Yes the Lowchen does tick all the boxes. The downside is the regular clipping required, which may be a pest if they intend to travel for lengthy periods.

Indeed all the breeds she has mentioned will require trimming or stripping, plus the Irish, the Wheaten and the Standard Schnauzer are fairly large and dominant types. The Westie is a typical terrier, can be stubborn, but is at least smaller! If she means the Miniature Schnauzer, that has more of a poodle-ish temperament, as does the Lowchen, but needs regular clipping as well.

If they do fancy terriers, then the Australian Terrier is a fantastic small breed and it will tick all the boxes too, plus a brush a couple of times a week is all the grooming it will ever need. I would venture to say the Australian is more easily trained than any of the other terrier types shortlisted in the original post.

Whichever breed they do finally choose, always look carefully at the breeder and the lines to avoid health problems.

[Dogsfevr]

Mini Schnauzers should be very social dogs to all,they are territorial & will let you now someone is at the door .

They need clipping every 6/8 weeks & regular brushing .

I do agree with looking at options that will aslo suit the traveling & the type of areas,low shedding has its advantages but it also has its pitfalls.

The biggest thing iw ould say from the breeds that are listed is there like chalk & cheese so it depends on what they based there liking them on .

We do groom alot of Irish Terriers owned by older people & they are all super dogs & certainly have an easier coat to maintain .

[Darkrai]

I would advise against an Irish and Soft coat they are both a full on breed and wouldn't be suited for an elderly person.

All the breeds mentioned are grooming required and should be done every 6-8wks.

Just remember being Terrier's ie vermin controlling breeds Westies and Mini Schnauzers have strong big teeth and can leave a nasty bite when not trained right (but that's like any. Breed).

I would probably go with a westie lol

[persephone]

Have they considered a Cairn Terrier ?

My elderly(not really dog-savvy) Aunt had one for 12 years ... and she was just wonderful ..ended up spending the last half of her life in a tiny unit/yard ..but with no complaint . She was such a cheery and companionable girl :)

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Have they considered a Cairn Terrier ?

My elderly(not really dog-savvy) Aunt had one for 12 years ... and she was just wonderful ..ended up spending the last half of her life in a tiny unit/yard ..but with no complaint . She was such a cheery and companionable girl :)

Great suggestion - the Cairns are fantastic as are the Australian Terriers - I've always wanted one.

I know where there is a 7 yr old Aussie Terrier boy needing a new home if anyone's interested!

[Yonjuro]

My parents are in their 70s and have a mini schnauzer. I also had one and they are wonderful. Grooming is actually pretty easy with a good pair of clippers. Keeping the beard a bit shorter also helps in daily care. I think they are are a remarkably robust little dog, very smart and loving.

[Sandra777]

Elderly - dear god the woman is 65 not 95!!!!!!!!

There's a big range of breeds there - Soft Coats & Irish are quite different to Schnauzers.

What does she like about these breeds - "non shedding" is a bad place to start looking for a dog, start with temperament & size and go from there.

For me a Border Terrier would be something to look at, small enough to be an inside dog, hardy enough to be active and very low maintenance in the coat departments.

[Airedaler]

A bit bigger than most mentioned here but has she thought about an Airedale Terrier. Low shedding, still a terrier but nowhere as hyper as the Irish. Yes they can be stubborn and they do need good socialisation, particularly in the early days and you need to set very definite rules but once this is done they will be fairly happy to be part of your family. They will need some stimulation though as a bored Airedale is not a desirable companion. Having said that it does not take a massive amount of effort to stop them being bored. You will need quality and consistent training as a puppy to begin with though.

Ideally you would have them clipped at least 3 times a year. I do mine more now but only because I like them shorter and it is easier to clip every 10 - 12 weeks than leave it until they are longer. On going grooming, between clips, would include at least weekly combing, trimming of feet and importantly between the pads and around the genitals and mouth.

[Sheridan]

I grew up with an irish terrier and have had several wheaten terriers.

I would advise against the lady getting either breed despite her being still young. Firstly, they are both large breeds, around knee high, and are highly energetic. A small walk per day and a play in the yard will not do either breed. They are still energetic up to old age, so if they live to around 15, they'll still be highly energetic up to 13-14. My last wheaten did not slow down until he got Cushings at 14 and even then he was still into everything. My sister's irish terrier is around 13 now and he jumps, runs, plays football, and is still the most energetic dog I've seen. You cannot take the jump out of a wheaten or an irish no matter how much training.

I would suggest a smaller dog at least.

[Rascalmyshadow]

Rather than terrier types have they considered a bichon, they are non shedding, quite robust, generally have nice temperaments and they are not as active as the other breeds mentioned.

[bossyboo]

Hi Thanks for all the responses..

So after reading everything , I guess we've outed the Soft Coated Wheaten. Although she still is keen on the Irish, but we may need to look into that further. Her ideal companion is.. Small/Medium dog, low shedding, like I said exercise in the yard and a small walk a day. It would get heaps of companion time with her and her husband, and they would definetly toilet train and obedience train it. So after doing some research ourselves she likes the Snauzers mini.. and the Westies.. She has had a Australin Terrier growing up. A Question about the Cairns are they low shedding and is the coat heavy do they do well in a hot climate? As she likes the look of them aswell. Not too sure on the Airedale thought they might be abit big? I don't know a lot about them though. The lowchen might be a possibility just the grooming might be too much. Sandra777 a Border Terrier is also another they seem to like although they have never seen one in person before.. She is extremely excited about getting this dog and wants to make the right choice.