OK my parents have always wished a dog in their later retirement. My father diagnosed with vascular dementia four years ago, still driving but getting harder to recall his locations.He gets frustrated not being able to complete things but is determined to keep trying. He has a damaged heart and pacemaker and advised try small walks daily. They keep discussing a puppy thou I'm unsure they would cope with puppy months? Mom has ocd  re housework etc and keeping house pristine. I thought an older rescue dog might be better? A gentle older spirit for my mature dad. Any advice most welcome please.

Puppies are trip hazards amongst other things and the smaller the dog, the bigger the chance of an accident! Would they consider something bigger like an ex-racing greyhound? They don't need heaps of exercise and are calm and steady and big enough not to fall over If they don't like the idea of a greyhound, then an older rescue dog sounds great - past the 'puppy stage' and knows a bit about life and what is expected.

I would have thought a retired greyhound would fit the bill. They don't require long walks and are quiet dogs in the home enjoying sleeping somewhere cosy. They are usually trained well on the lead so less likely to be manic pullers which is useful for older people. One of the cons is that they may not be house trained if they come straight from kennels, apart from that an ideal choice.

Agree a Retired Greyhound bitch, short haired, requiring only a couple of lead walks a day, and somewhere to laze at home..

Agree with all of you, an ex racing Greyhound sounds ideal. It's what I will go for myself when I'm too old for my own breeds.

Yes smaller dogs can be a trip hazard! A greyhound could be ideal! I've had a read up on the Greyhound and it may suit a retired one. Trouble is my mom has her heart set on a Bichon?  Or a Westie! Not sure what she will make of a Greyhound. I'll up sell the Greyhound to her and the benefits. Thanks everyone.

My first thought was a rescue greyhound and see that others have also posted the same

Bichons and Westies both need regular grooming and trips to a groomer, the Westie in particular doesn't sound ideal for someone OCD about housecleaning, they will shed hair! I agree with others that a retired greyhound would be a good option. Or if that's just too big, perhaps a Whippet?

A whippet would be ideal, ours is very clean in the house and will take as much or little exercise as you give him. He is very loving, everyone who meets him loves him. I follow a whippet rescue who are often needing homes or foster carers.

Cani1, could you tell me the name of the whippet rescue? My SIL is looking for an adult dog and was thinking seriously about whippets (and secretly so am I)

The only Whippet rescue I recommend is JR Whippet Rescue. They are a registered Charity & been rescuing Whippets for over 40 years. http://www.whippetrescue.org.uk/

Thank you Lexy

ooh checking the website out. I naively assumed whippet meant Greyhound too. My mom used to have long haired cats and that drove her ocd into overdrive yet she loved them!
By me is a re homing centre for retired racing greyhounds so may check that.
Parents have a large bungalow and huge garden!

> I naively assumed whippet meant Greyhound too

Whippets are not the same breed, Greyhound is a different breed. Not sure why the angry face emoticon??

Sorry! I was replying whilst trying to dress as running late for a family meal! I didn't realise or intend to hit the angry face! Thou whilst having tablet tied up round my bra I'm sure I couldn't have found the right button or emoticon for that.

>My mom used to have long haired cats and that drove her ocd into overdrive yet she loved them!

Be aware that all dogs moult. Even greyhounds - but a quick run over with a brush or damp Chamois leather each day should do the trick.

Hope you mean the furniture! and not the dog! Lol

no she means the dog too !

lexy why only that one ? was it you who said once before not the other well known one ?