Dog for my G-Ma

[HayleyMarie]

So my mom is planning on getting my G-ma a dog. With my G-Ma's consent of course. My Papa has cancer and we have no idea how much longer he is going to live for. And we are thinking a dog would not only help with the healing, but it will help keep her busy and have a companion.

-A little about my G-Ma, She is very active. They own a large trailor park and also live in it. She regularly goes on walks. They have about 40 acres of just farm land and trees in the pack of the park that she goes for walks on.

-Im guessing a small to medium dog. My moms thinking chihuahua, but I don't get the right feeling with the breed for my G-Ma. Im thinking it might be too small, especially for the outback walking and the amount of snow we get.

-Brushing is probably not a huge deal either, nor is shedding.

-A dog not so barky as she lives in her trailor park

-A breed thats good with other dogs, if my G-Ma goes traveling and what not the dog will be staying with my parents, and they have 2 other dogs.

-I have not decided if a puppy or an older dog would be the way to go, she would have lots of time for training a puppy, but I guess if we found an older rehome pup on kijiji or somthing as long as is does not have huge issues, that would be ok too.

SO GO!!!

 

[lizzybeth727]

I'd recommend an adult dog, unless you go with a puppy from a breeder. Either way it seems important that you get a good feel for the dog's temperament (or potential temperament) before committing to it.

My first thought was shih tzu. They're still small, but bigger and more sturdy than chihuahuas. Their coat is also a little better suited to the cold weather.

 

[Muttkip]

First thought was a Shih Tzu!! They fit the bill PERFECTLY <3

 

[JacksonsMom]

Havanese? They came to my mind first.

Always got a fantastic personality, super friendly with people and other dogs, easily trainable, small but not TOO small, non-shedding but do require grooming of course.

 

[CharlieDog]

Or a tibetian spaniel?

 

[Sit Stay]

I thought Havanese too

 

[BostonBanker]

Cavalier

*cue discussion on never getting one because of health*

 

[stardogs]

Why not some little random bred mutt that's a rehome? Seems like you could easily just find a dog that suits her personality-wise, especially if it's an adult from a home setting. I've met some pretty nifty lab/beagles or shihtzu or chihuahua mixes.

 

[vandog]

My G-parents have two dogs from me - a 1/2 Shih Tzu, 1/2 Peke and a Shih Tzu.Please see my thread on Shih Tzu's under breed information about grooming. They must, MUST upkeep the hair coat. I have worked at a boarding facility (large scale, 350+ dogs) and have dealt with way too many cases of neglect from the elderly re: their dogs hair coat maintenance.

I would recommend a Shih Tzu if they would be able to afford grooming and the frequent haircuts needed, and a MinPin or other short haired small breed /mix otherwise.

 

[Kat09Tails]

How about a whippet or a smaller size greyhound?

 

[lizzybeth727]

Ooooh, cavalier, that's a great suggestion.

(I see myself in 50 years with a cavalier. It probably won't be my first. And of course by then they'll have all the health problems solved. )

Havaneese are great dogs, but I actually had an "older" (I wouldn't say "elderly") friend who really wanted one but could only find a couple of breeders and the puppies were super expensive. Good (and bad) thing about a shih tzu, they're pretty easy to find in shelters/rescues.

Also easy to find in shelters/rescues? Random poodle-y mixes, and also random terrier mixes. Either of which could be a great option as well.

 

[JessLough]

My grandmother has both a shih tzu and a terrier/chihuahua mix. The terrier/chihuahua mix is fine in the country and going on long walks and is fine in the massive amounts of snow they get (well, so is the shih tzu!) The chihuahua mix actually looks like a miniature short haired Rosey <3

 

[HayleyMarie]

Thanks guys.

I think we will be keeping out eyes open for an olderish rehome puppy or young adult