Posted on 01/16/2014 9:00:37 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
Like many people in late middle age, I find myself wondering if my next dog will be different. I have long shared my life with retrievers — active, field-bred dogs who throw themselves with joy into every situation (and every puddle of water bigger than a dinner plate). Their boisterousness is infectious: My dogs make me happy. But in 10 years, or 15, or 20, will I be up to the demands of dogs like these?
Or will a nice, quiet little spaniel be the dog I need?
My answer may be different than others, even among people of similar age (55), health (reasonably good) and activity level (decent, could be better). I live in a rural pocket near an urban center, and I can always walk out my back door and engage a bored retriever in a heart-thumping game of fetch in my horse pasture. But I won’t always be able to lift a sick or injured 70-pound dog, and that’s an unchangeable truth. These types of concerns explain in part the increased popularity of small dogs as baby boomers like me approach retirement age.
Smaller May Be Better
So, yes, size does matter when you're choosing a canine companion for your golden years. But so do energy level and health history. Energy level is important, because if you choose a small dog thinking he’ll be easier to keep exercised and entertained than a large one, chances are you don’t know anyone who has a Jack Russell. And the health history is important in choosing any dog, but especially so when you’re on a fixed income, as most retirees are. The health history may tell you about any preexisting health conditions that your dog may have, but of course, it's not a guarantee that the dog won't develop health issues in the future. An easygoing or at least kid-tolerant temperament is also a must, especially if you have grandkids over regularly.
Before I start suggesting specific breeds, I have two other recommendations. First, get an adult dog. With an adult dog, you are more likely to have a good idea of health history and temperament, and you’re past the time and money involved in raising a puppy. Second, check out shelters and rescue groups to get a great pet — breed mixes may often have fewer health problems than their purebred counterparts. If you want a purebred puppy, be sure to find a reputable breeder, because if you don’t, you may end up with a poorly socialized dog or a dog with health issues who doesn’t measure up to the full potential of the breed. (You may also be supporting puppy mills if you choose the wrong source for your pup, and you don’t want to do that.)
French Bulldog
Martha Stewart is one of an A-list of celebrity fans of the French Bulldog, a stylish small spark plug of a dog with a solid disposition. While the Frenchie is a brachycephalic breed with all the baggage that comes with that, if you take the trouble to avoid casual or puppy-mill breeders, you’re likely to have fewer health problems. (And do take the trouble: Poorly bred French Bulldogs can have their respiratory systems so compromised by their flat faces that they need surgery to survive.)
A healthy French Bulldog is a solid companion, especially if he can be with you all the time. While not exactly known for their athleticism (they tend to overheat easily), if kept fit and trim, the Frenchie is a wonderful walking partner. Sharing the bed may take a little getting used to, though, since these dogs tend to snore. But in the eyes (and ears) of those who love them, that just makes the Frenchie more endearing.
Poodle
There’s a reason why Poodles have remained popular decade after decade, especially with older people. They’re personable, easy to train and have a lively sense of humor (they laugh with you, not at you). They are also relatively clean, low-shedding dogs who are easy to maintain as long as you keep regular grooming appointments (or learn to maintain a short “puppy clip” yourself). The Poodle is part of the original popular crossbreed, the Cockapoo, and the “poo” influence is seen in the names of many others, including the Labradoodle, the dog that kicked off the modern cross-breed craze.
The Toy Poodle is very popular with people who want a fun tiny dog, but the miniature may be a better pick if you need a dog who’s a little sturdier and more capable of a good long walk. Trick training is usually a breeze with these dogs, and once trained, Poodles seem to live to keep you laughing.
Schipperke
One of the more long-lived dogs, the Schipperke is a sturdy little breed with an easy-care coat and shoe-button eyes that are always asking, "What next?" If you live with a Skip, the answer could be, “Anything.” Take up kayaking, or buy a sailboat — heck, move onto a sailboat and head for an around-the-world adventure. Equipped with a life-preserver in case he goes overboard, your Skip will love you, because after all, this breed was developed for onboard living, as a ship’s ratter from Belgium.
Want to stay on terra firma? That’s fine too. Put in a dog door so your Skip can patrol the perimeter, and plan some long hikes. The Schipperke may be small, but he’s indefatigable. But always keep the leash on: He’s fast, and always ready to show the squirrels just how fast — even if there’s a busy road between him and them.
Maltese
If you want a dog who sheds the least, get a small, long-haired dog and keep your pet clipped short. The Maltese fits the bill here perfectly. Although the Maltese in the show ring is a perfectly groomed, shimmery wave of floor-length white fur, the same fur goes easy-care when the dog is kept clipped short.
That’s not the only benefit of the breed, by far. Maltese are in the same general family as many dogs developed solely as companions and lapdogs, such as the Bichon Frise, Havanese, Bolognese and Coton de Tulear. The Maltese and its related breeds (as well as cross-breeds with these breeds in them) are incredibly attentive and tuned in to their owners. As one of the smallest breeds on this list, Maltese are also the most portable — and fragile.
Thinkstock
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
If you’re on the more active side, and comfortable with a dog who’s smart, determined and strong-willed, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi might be a good fit. Long known as the dog favored by England's Queen Elizabeth (who also fancies her Dorgis, a double dose of short-leggedness that’s the offspring of a Corgi and a Dachshund), the Corgi’s strong will is kept somewhat in check by the limitations of those little legs.
They don’t seem to be aware of the problem, though, which means you have to do your best to keep your Corgi from injuring that long back. That means stairs for the bed or couch, and ramps for the car. And yes, lifting: Although the Corgi is a relative small dog, he’s no lightweight, especially if you don’t watch his diet. But a better companion for an active life is hard to find, which is why Corgis are the darlings of the equine set, along with the hard-charging Jack Russell.
Again, these are just some general suggestions to get you thinking before you choose a dog who’s no longer a good fit with your current circumstances. We all age differently, with different abilities and expectations, and just as there will be people who take up mountain climbing in their sixties, there will be people in their seventies who do just fine with German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. But most of us will probably be happier with a smaller, less demanding dog to keep us company in the final decades of a dog-loving life.
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I am feeding her Blue now. She eats slowly and that's a good thing. When I take her to the beach she never tries to take off and always wants to get to the car before me. She is just under 2 years old and extremely calm and quiet but does bark when she hears something outdoors...and goes off to investigate. She never barks for no reason.
She is really a low maintenance ( in terms of energy) and excellent dog all the way.
Our experience has been the exact opposite of yours. About the only thing our old girl has ever done wrong was to drop a load on the couch where my wife sits after we put her in a dog kennel while we went on vacation. We still think that was intentional on her part.
Sorry but since you seem to be interested I was also going to mention the lack of shedding.
also: BTTT
We have a 17-month-old purebred black brindle Akita. His predecessor was an Akita/Husky (we guess) mix. Your girl is very typical.
I’m 71 and when I walk Sumo in the winter and tell him “Careful! Slow for Mom!”(sometimes “Old Mom!”), he looks back at me and switches to a gentler slope or slows down to wait and follow my lead. While he loves to run, he has low stamina due to overheating and will be happy with a 20 minute run while we sit and wait. He comes back to us, ready to go home. The last dog would just walk with us for a short time and then turn around and go home and wait on his own. He knew his own limits when he was old.
I think he sleeps 60% of the time, although he insists on family recreation time, which is a good game of fetch and floor soccer with one of his balls. Outside in his pen, he does run and play by himself.
Loving and attentive breed. I do think about him outliving us and also about being 82 when his life is done. I know I couldn’t deal with a puppy at 82 or a large working dog, either. Our vet thinks that Shih Tzus are a wonderful breed of small dog. I know someone with an older one that is kept in a puppy clip. DH is unsure of having a tiny dog, though.
My husband is only 63, so hopefully, if I go first, he will have Sumo around for awhile. If something happens to us both, I hope our vet will be able to find a final home for him.
Our last AkitaX had significant rear end deterioration for about the last year of his life. He was 12+. As a show up, we were never that certain of his true age. Sumo’s line has consistently lived to 13 without a lot of back end problems. We tried to keep Bo, the AkitaX, for longer than we should. We were being selfish, as he was the perfect dog. This next time, I am praying for the strength to know when it is time and to let him go. It is very hard to do.
I hate thinking about all this and live in denial. My husband made a 2-person litter for our vet as a way to handle heavy dogs in need of being carried. So, if anything happened, I would call the vet for assistance. Barring that, our Sheriff deputies are usually very willing to help and so are the Animal Control crew.
He was scots/irish Parisan French. married a Yankee. They had poodles in sets.
That’s a funny story ;’)
“also: BTTT”
or bumpedy bump... :)
You did get her young! Most that I’ve seen available are 2 years and up.... Still very young tho considering they have such long lifespans for dogs of their size.
Yours sounds like a great dog. I have lots to look into and consider, and I appreciate your answering some of my questions. :)
1. Rescue mutt
2. Rescue mutt
3. Rescue mutt
4. Rescue mutt
5. Rescue mutt
Oh yes. Those Schnauzers are smart and have long memories. I have no doubt that the load on my typewriter keyboard was pay back for leaving Woofie alone for the morning. We were not aware of the extent of damage that he did to our house until after we replaced the carpet. We’d forgiven him time after time, but he just kept doing it and escaped notice time after time. He targeted the rooms we didn’t use very much.
Their ears really add to their expressiveness. Cute!
Hmm, shedding. It’s not a huge issue to me but a low shedder would be a bonus. We already have two cats so we just kind of live with brushing hair off of any/all surfaces. A little more won’t hurt. ;-)
Go to the SPCA and rescue a mutt. You will have a dedicated lifelong friend
Just lost our second rescued Doberman. No finer dog in the world. Bred to be your best friend and protector. Extremely smart.
Thanks for the chuckle - that’s funny!
She came over from Taiwan.
So. Strong work. You are actually doing the right thing.
How hard is it to find one that’s good with cats? I never worried about our kitties around the other dogs we’ve had. Would it always be a concern with a greyhound?
How they behave around kitties depends a lot on how stong their prey drive is. Most retired racers are tested by the group adopting them out and the dogs are rated for how well they get along with other animals.
My brother's dogs were said to have fairly weak prey drives, but one of them did kill his daughter's guinea pig when they were in the back yard together. One house he lived in had wild rabbits that would come into the back yard and the dogs did like to chase them. They only managed to catch/kill one, though. That was the one who didn't act like a rock, but attempted to run away.
Greys are sight-hounds, so while their vision is quite keen, their sense of smell isn't that good. The rabbits who froze and acted like rocks were able to escape because the dogs were able to smell that a rabbit had been in the backyard, but weren't able to pinpoint the exact location.
I understand that they aren’t watchdogs, but are they inclined to at least alert when strangers are at the door?
LOL! Yeah, they're not good watch dogs unless consider them watching the burglars steal all your stuff is being a good watch dog.
The only alerting my brother's dogs did was to trot over to the door after it was opened to see if they could get some pets from whomever was entering.
They never barked when the door bell rang or when someone knocked on the door. I only ever heard one of the two dogs bark once and even then it was only a loud, deep woof-woof, then back to silence.
They don’t have a lot of meat on their bones. In a home with mostly hardwood floors, would a dog bed and a few area rugs suffice?
Yes. A dog bed and a few rugs will make them happy. They like nothing more after eating than to curl up on their bed and be covered with a blanket so they can take a nice long nap so they're well-rested in preparation for good night's sleep.
Like I say, they sleep a lot. LOL!
If there are any negatives to the breed, what would you say they are?
Being sight-hounds, they can't really be trusted off-leash. If something catches their eye and they decide to give chase, they'll be gone in a flash. Their acceleration is so strong, that they can tear the pads right off their feet if they start out on asphalt.
Also, their explosive speed means that if you've got your hand wrapped around leash when they take off, you'll probably end up with a broken wrist. To keep this from happening, my brother puts the ends of his leashes in the belt loops on his pants. The dogs are well-trained
Greys are different from all other breeds. They are the formula 1 of dogs. Everything about them is built for pure speed. They don't have an undercoat of fur and don't have a layer of fat, so they need to be kept warm in colder climates. My brother lives in Los Alamos so when he takes them out in the winter and it's below a certain temperature he puts flannel pajamas on them and doggie booties on their feet to keep them warm. P
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