What Breed For An Older Lady?

[Perry's Mum]

A Koolie, especially if she takes an older one rather than a puppy. Good with kids, a couple of walks a day are fine, but they do better as inside dogs when people are at home because they are really people in fur coats and want to be with their people. If she is used to working dogs she will need an intelligent breed - anything else would be very frustrating.

[Jed]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I have sold many to single dog homes, they are as happy as, provided they are allowed inside (on the bed is good) and treated properly. They don't need a great deal of training, they simply move in and train you!! But if you want to train one, they excel in agility, obedience, and all sorts of amazing things.

They should have straight, easy to handle coat - a brush (as Cavnrott suggests, a slicker is good) a couple of times a week, check behind the ears for tiny knots, a bath when dirty. Small and agreeable enough to lie around all the time, agile enough for a run every day when adult, if the owner is so inclined.

Fabulous temperament, love to make friends, great with children. Delightful personalities.

What more could she want?

A GOOD responsible breeder who can show heart clear certificates, and who has a good knowledge of the breed, can demonstrate what s/he has done about luxating patellas, and whether s/he knows about CC, EF, Dry Eye and Syringomyelia. Not necessarily test for those things, but knows about them, and can say why s/he does or does not test.

Also a Schipperke --- I don't breed them, as I do Cavaliers, but they are great little dogs. Some are a bit stand offish with strangers, but bond really well with their owners. They are great watchdogs - the ones I know are not too barky - but they would let her know if someone was there. Fabulous natures, and they seem to particularly love children.

I don't think the retirement village would like anything other than a small dog, so am not suggesting anything else.

Shah-tzu's are fabulous little dogs, eminently suitable - but the floor sweeping hair could be a problem -- they would need to be regularly clipped off.

Tibetian Spaniel - should be fine, not sure about the grooming requirements.

Miniature poodle - fabulous, but different from the above, but again, need clipping off, as do Bichons.

I personally think a terrier would be a bit too terrier like for the environment, but could be wrong.

Dacshunds would also suit - very devoted to their owners - although they do shed that short coats, and the longs do need some grooming.

Go to a dog show .... have a look at those breeds, maybe talk to some of the breeders to find out a bit more about the breeds. I'd rock up about lunch time, most of the classes are finished by then, but people are waiting for group --- but before you talk to them, ask if they have finished showing.

"older lady - 50".

Really, 50 is the new 20. 80 is "older lady" these days - and only those who have let themselves go, and some movie stars with bad botox or a too-tight lift!

[Loving my Oldies]

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

I aim to have a couple of Rottweilers when all my littlies have gone to god. By that time, I will be in my 70s. Ask Grumpette :laugh: :laugh:

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

I had to stop myself from being "the crazy dog lady" the other day. Driving home I saw a young man "walking" a young Chihuahua. The little dog wasn't much taller than the grass and he/she was having the most wonderful time, bounding along at a rate of knots. I was so tempted to stop to go Oooohing and Aaaahing.

"older lady - 50".

Really, 50 is the new 20. 80 is "older lady" these days - and only those who have let themselves go, and some movie stars with bad botox or a too-tight lift!

Oh god, I sas a photograph of Kim Novak recently. Tragic !! Edited April 1, 2014 by Dame Danny's Darling

[sandgrubber]

Elderly friends had a beautiful older cavalier from rescue and her was quite happy to be left on his own when they went out - rarely heard a peep out of him.

50 is NOT elderly!

[sandgrubber]

As an older woman (I'm 65 so you can say 'older') who prefers large dogs, I'd suggest one of the smaller hounds. They tend to be ok with a small yard and very sociable. Robust with kids. Noisy if left outdoors at night, but otherwise not bad (not yappy). Beagle, basset, grand or petit basset griffon verdeen, maybe even fox hound. Most hounds will wander, but small units generally have good fences. They're adaptable to a variety of activity levels.

[cavNrott]

This thread sent me searching for pics of Kim Novak. Oh my, what has she done? She was such a beauty and would probably have looked lovely in her advancing years had she not ruined her face. She said "The Ultimate Tinseltown Beauty did come with disadvantages". I'm sure it also came with many advantages. What a travesty to ruin such a beautiful face. She doesn't look younger she just looks weird.

Kylie Minogue now looks like someone else and Simon Cowell needs to quit while he's ahead. Kylie no longer advances year in age with each birthday. I know her age because she went out with out with one of my sons for a few months. She used to be the same age as he is but it seems that no longer is the case.

Hey Dame Dannys Darling: Good for you, you go for it If I hadn't stuffed up my back good and proper I'd still have Rottweilers. They're a wonderful breed and I'm lucky I had so many years sharing my life with them. I miss seeing that beautiful Rottie boof head in and around my home.

Just want to say my Cavaliers lived with Rotties, both my own and a few rescue Rotts I had here. There was never a problem. The Rotties played gently with the little Cavaliers. My Cavs are not the least bit intimidated by any large dogs we happen to meet on our walks. They're more interested in greeting large dogs than little ones.

The 50's are great years. You know who you are and are comfortable in your skin, or at least I was. I actually learned a few things about life that I thought I knew when I was younger. In my 50's I found out I knew very little about anything important in my younger years. I'm still on that learning curve.

[Homeriver]

Thanks everyone. We have been busy researching and having a great time learning about some dog breeds I had never even heard of. I know late fifties is not old. My mum is very active, fit and healthy and probably works harder than I do. I was just trying to communicate her situation, moved past having her own kids at home, single and loves having a dog for company etc. The size of the dog is more due to her living situation. She only has a small yard and the lifestyle village prefers you to have a smaller dog (also the reason for not wanting a yappy breed as the neighbours are very close). She definately wants a puppy, as she is more than capable of doing the basic training and really enjoys that stage. That is why we were thinking of going to a breeder as I want to make sure the parents have had all their health tests etc done.

[cavNrott]

Newbie 1. Good for you for researching for your Mum. I hope she reads the thread because there are some good recommendations to be found in here.

Please let us know what breed she chooses and why she chose that breed. I'm really interested and I'll bet the other folk in the thread are as well.

[Loving my Oldies]

Hey Dame Dannys Darling: Good for you, you go for it If I hadn't stuffed up my back good and proper I'd still have Rottweilers. They're a wonderful breed and I'm lucky I had so many years sharing my life with them. I miss seeing that beautiful Rottie boof head in and around my home.

It really is just a bit of a joke, cavNrott. I am sure if the time ever comes, I'd chicken out. I "cut my rescue teeth" as a pound walker and I used to love the rotties and the big square heads :laugh: :laugh: I just figure that when I really am old and doddery, if I tottered around the neighbourhood with a couple of equally tottery older rotties, I wouldn't need to worry about unwanted visitors.

Newbie 1. Good for you for researching for your Mum. I hope she reads the thread because there are some good recommendations to be found in here.

Please let us know what breed she chooses and why she chose that breed. I'm really interested and I'll bet the other folk in the thread are as well.

I certainly am. I often wonder how these searches turn out. Should be more updates :laugh: :laugh:

[Staff'n'Toller]

Thanks everyone. We have been busy researching and having a great time learning about some dog breeds I had never even heard of. I know late fifties is not old. My mum is very active, fit and healthy and probably works harder than I do. I was just trying to communicate her situation, moved past having her own kids at home, single and loves having a dog for company etc. The size of the dog is more due to her living situation. She only has a small yard and the lifestyle village prefers you to have a smaller dog (also the reason for not wanting a yappy breed as the neighbours are very close). She definately wants a puppy, as she is more than capable of doing the basic training and really enjoys that stage. That is why we were thinking of going to a breeder as I want to make sure the parents have had all their health tests etc done.

Just bear in mind that small yard doesn't have to mean small dog.

A lot of smaller dogs are terriers or derive from workig breeds so they are yappier and have higher energy requirements than hound breeds and others who are quieter and have lower energy requirements.

She is not old, but in 10-14 years she will be 10-14 years older which is why a medium/larger breed is worth considering they can be trained to assist also.

[kelpiecuddles]

None of the retirement villages around here allow medium/large breeds. Anything larger than about cocker spaniel size and they start to get antzy

[VizslaMomma]

This thread sent me searching for pics of Kim Novak. Oh my, what has she done? She was such a beauty and would probably have looked lovely in her advancing years had she not ruined her face. She said "The Ultimate Tinseltown Beauty did come with disadvantages". I'm sure it also came with many advantages. What a travesty to ruin such a beautiful face. She doesn't look younger she just looks weird.

I found Brigitte Bardot and freaked.

[cavNrott]

None of the retirement villages around here allow medium/large breeds. Anything larger than about cocker spaniel size and they start to get antzy

Yep, this ^. Only small dogs are allowed in retirement villages.

[kelpiecuddles]

It's a bit ridiculous actually because some of the best breeds for small house/apartment living are larger ones LOL

[RiverStar-Aura]

Totally agree with you there KC. As a lover of small terrier breeds it's s hugely common misconception that small = easy to live with, calm, less energy etc.

[kelpiecuddles]

Some people I met recently bought a beagle in preference to a basset because the beagle was the largest their village would let them get away with. the ridiculous thing is the basset would have slept all day and spent the rest of it's time leaning on legs for scratches while this beagle is running rings around them...

[cavNrott]

This thread sent me searching for pics of Kim Novak. Oh my, what has she done? She was such a beauty and would probably have looked lovely in her advancing years had she not ruined her face. She said "The Ultimate Tinseltown Beauty did come with disadvantages". I'm sure it also came with many advantages. What a travesty to ruin such a beautiful face. She doesn't look younger she just looks weird.

I found Brigitte Bardot and freaked.

At least Brigitte Bardot hasn't gone the way of plastic surgery to mutilate her face. She has aged naturally, not very kindly but naturally.

[Loving my Oldies]

I found Brigitte Bardot and freaked.

She3's been freaking people out for years. I often wonder how people who are so beautiful can end up looking ruinous. Look at Elizabeth Taylor. She was gaspingly beautiful and ended up a painted hag. Mind you she had some pretty serious illnesses all through her life.

Totally agree with you there KC. As a lover of small terrier breeds it's s hugely common misconception that small = easy to live with, calm, less energy etc.

Things may change as more and more therapy dogs, most of whom seem to be large breeds, go into action. Hopefully anyway.

[VizslaMomma]

None of the retirement villages around here allow medium/large breeds. Anything larger than about cocker spaniel size and they start to get antzy

Been looking up the Central Coast of NSW for a friend.

First page of some villages says 'Pet Friendly'. Sadly that appears to exclude dogs.

[julesluvscavs]

Female Greyhound.

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

Generally quiet.

A dark coloured one might help her feel safe.

Calm demeanour.

Thats the thing with smaller dogs in particular. One does have to very becareful with them getting under your feet. Most Cavs are like little shadows especially at meal times. I once tripped over one of ours and fell. I only hurt myself not my Cav luckily!

Whenever my elderly Mum visits i'm always watching she doesn't trip over them, id hate for to take a nasty fall. Its not the dogs fault of course, they just being right next to us humans ;)