Recommend a dog breed for widowed aunt?

[moorx]

otolith said:

If she wants something to make her feel safer, does it need to be a medium sized or larger dog? Something large that doesn't need much exercise. Greyhound?

A greyhound wouldn't necessarily meet the requirement of a guard dog/watch dog. They don't generally tend to bark much in my experience - too busy sleeping!

[TAV75]

OP here,

thanks for everyone's replies, you've given me some interesting pointers.

I was wondering what the forum members think of the English Bulldog as a possibility?

[moorx]

TAV75 said:

OP here,

thanks for everyone's replies, you've given me some interesting pointers.

I was wondering what the forum members think of the English Bulldog as a possibility?

Personally, I would worry about excessive costs (purchase and potential vets bills/insurance). Any particular reason why you've come up with that breed as an option?

[otolith]

moorx said:

otolith said:

If she wants something to make her feel safer, does it need to be a medium sized or larger dog? Something large that doesn't need much exercise. Greyhound?

A greyhound wouldn't necessarily meet the requirement of a guard dog/watch dog. They don't generally tend to bark much in my experience - too busy sleeping!

Hmm, that's maybe no good then.

[rscott]

otolith said:

moorx said:

otolith said:

If she wants something to make her feel safer, does it need to be a medium sized or larger dog? Something large that doesn't need much exercise. Greyhound?

A greyhound wouldn't necessarily meet the requirement of a guard dog/watch dog. They don't generally tend to bark much in my experience - too busy sleeping!

Hmm, that's maybe no good then.

I'd agree with moorx. The only way either of our greyhounds would catch a burglar is if he tripped over one of them....

[Lazermilk]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

5 figures?

It wouldn’t need much excercise but they do have health issues from what I’ve heard.
We have the French variety and he’s had issues with allergies, seems to be more or less under control for now but it’s not cheap at the vets, although insurance helps.
He isn’t a great gaurd dog either, usually asleep so doesn’t hear anything
Although when he hears someone at the door he will alert us, they very rarely bark for no reason.
Wouldn’t change him for the world though!

[dhutch]

moorx said:

A greyhound wouldn't necessarily meet the requirement of a guard dog/watch dog. They don't generally tend to bark much in my experience - too busy sleeping!

It much barking when calm, asleep, but they will bark when they are not happy, or atleast our greyhound collie lurcher will.

Lovely dogs, but like all dogs need training and discipline.

Daniel

[Glasgowrob]

Older rescue staffie would be.my shout here

Rescues are chock full of them unfortunately great breed brilliant natured and dare I say it big enough to add a bit of security as well

Although in all my experience with staffies the only danger is being g licked to death

[otolith]

rscott said:

otolith said:

moorx said:

otolith said:

If she wants something to make her feel safer, does it need to be a medium sized or larger dog? Something large that doesn't need much exercise. Greyhound?

A greyhound wouldn't necessarily meet the requirement of a guard dog/watch dog. They don't generally tend to bark much in my experience - too busy sleeping!

Hmm, that's maybe no good then.

I'd agree with moorx. The only way either of our greyhounds would catch a burglar is if he tripped over one of them....

I'm thinking more of the old dear feeling comfort in having a larger dog around than the actual deterrent effect, but yeah, a bit of barking wouldn't go amiss.

So, what's moderately large, lazy, but woofs at strangers?

[Glasgowrob]

Lazermilk said:

5 figures?

It wouldn’t need much excercise but they do have health issues from what I’ve heard.
We have the French variety and he’s had issues with allergies, seems to be more or less under control for now but it’s not cheap at the vets, although insurance helps.
He isn’t a great gaurd dog either, usually asleep so doesn’t hear anything
Although when he hears someone at the door he will alert us, they very rarely bark for no reason.
Wouldn’t change him for the world though!

we also have 2 of the French variety, one of whom at 18 month old has generated 6 and a half grand of vet bills so far.

[KrazyIvan]

Before she gets a dog, I would suggest she heads out for a good 30 to 45 min walk twice a day in all weather. If she finds it too much or doesnt like going out when it's cold and wet, then she really should not get a dog. If however she does it with out fail for a few weeks and enjoys the exercise, then fire away.

Westie would be a good call. As I know of a few older people who have them and they do make great company.

[KrazyIvan]

Oh and whatever she gets, as it's her 1st she really should get a reputable dog trainer in to help her, it can save her a lot of behavioural issues further down the line.

Every bad dog is backed by a useless owner saying they don't know why fluffy is so aggressive.

[dhutch]

KrazyIvan said:

Every bad dog is backed by a useless owner saying they don't know why fluffy is so aggressive.

This.

Bar rescues, which had this till they gave up and are not on their second owner trying to pick up the pieces and save the dog from its childhood.

Exactly the same with humans.

Daniel

[bigmowley]

Pembroke Welsh Corgi. If you can find one.
Need regular but not massively long walks, very intelligent and easy to train, excellent "guard" dogs, very switched on to intruders or disturbances to their territory. Very loyal. Suitably posh and with the necessary bearing for elderly relative, everybody loves them, other dog owners very chatty which is good for meeting and interacting with other people for the AR. Lots of Queen type references from all and sundry.
Only downsides are they are not hypoallergenic dogs and they do shead Corgi Glitter around the place once a year or so. They are quite good a rounding up small children with the odd nip on the ankle, easy to train out though

[227bhp]

Bedlington Terrier.

[Jakarta]

familyguy1 said:

King Charles cavalier spaniel is my vote, lovely nature.

Whatever she gets, try and get an older rescue, less walking and there's a lot that need homes.

Absolutely this, our little fella sleeps all day and comes up for cuddles when he wants.
Seems to enjoy barking at the back of the sofa too, whether that makes him a good guard dog I don't know, probably not.
Bliss Cavalier Rescue are a good place for rescues, can be found on Facebook.

[CardinalFang]

Shih Tzu? Small enough to be picked up & be a lap dog, but much bigger personality than their size would suggest. Not at all yappy, clingy, or annoying & also non shedding. They can take either a short walk round the block, or a decent yomp: our longest was probably 8 miles. Playful, but also happy with his own company. We got some very strange looks from friends when we chose one as our first dog, but I think he 100% believed he was actually a german shepherd, but without any "short bloke" cliche's. Otherwise I'd say Yorkie, Maltese, Bichon.

Our second dog, was just a slightly larger variation on the same theme - a Tibetan Terrier (female). Again non shedding, with a friendly affectionate nature, but I've met a couple (ours included) who didn't like strange men (ooh err) - callers she didn't know at the door got a barking & if they came in, would be growled & glowered at from a distance, but she was never nasty about it & perfectly relaxed & happy if an introduction was made. Might be a good thing for an elderly widow, though - protective but not aggressive. Definitely need more exercise & was more demanding overall though.

Definitely a good idea for an elderly female on her own. My mother in law used to dog sit ours, but I've been working from home for the last year & she really misses the companionship & also the opportunity to go out & chat. There's a social side to dog walking, which your aunt could really enjoy too. I see a lot of the same people whilst out walking & bumping into them at the weekend, is a good opportunity expand your circle of acquaintances. There might be local formal/informal walking groups around?

Always worth checking inherent breed health issues, breeders, forums etc, or speak to a vet?

Good luck, CF

[pikeyboy]

227bhp said:

Bedlington Terrier.

Yep I’ve got one they are fabulous. Great characters non shedding.

Edited by boy on Monday 15th October 16:48

[227bhp]

boy said:

Yep I’ve got one they are fabulous. Great characters non shedding.

I once looked after one for a couple of days, it was a fantastic dog in every way apart from the way it looked. I would have one, but I couldn't own a dog that looked like a sheep. After two days I was getting fed up with people saying 'aww, it looks like a little lamb'. I researched it a little and she was typical of the breed, they have very good personality traits and I was sad to see her go.

[pikeyboy]

227bhp said:

I once looked after one for a couple of days, it was a fantastic dog in every way apart from the way it looked. I would have one, but I couldn't own a dog that looked like a sheep. After two days I was getting fed up with people saying 'aww, it looks like a little lamb'. I researched it a little and she was typical of the breed, they have very good personality traits and I was sad to see her go.

They do look fluffy and cute but they are a proper terrier at the end of the day. Lamb and Lion😉