My Dad has recently had a stroke and he now has to be in a wheel chair. I have always wanted a dog and never been in the right situation but now that we are settled we feel that we could get a dog to have as a companion. We have done a lot of research on dogs and I think that a Golden Retriever is the best option due to our circumstance but it would really help if anybody could recommend a good breed of dog that would cope well with a disabled person in the family and would be quite laid back.

thank you for any advice!

Hi Sara,
My Mum has Parkinson's Disease and while she doesn't use a wheelchair indoors she has severe problems walking. Two dogs have been brought up with Mum's problems a BeardiexBorder Collie and a Beardie and both have been marvellous but you will need to but the time in when the pup is young. Our present boy Cava will move out of the way as soon as Mum stands up and also knows not to push past her.

I think a Goldie might do very nicely, but why not contact Canine Partners for Independence and ask if they can offer you any advice. Good luck I know that often Cava can brighten a very dull day for mum and I
Anne

hi,
sorry to say this but i wouldnt be recommend a Golden Retriever as some are not so layed back when they are young , so they might not best be suited to yours and your dad situation at the moment.
I personaly would go for something like a King Charles Cavalier or a Greyhound.
Retired Greyhound make excellent companions, and dont need that much excersise, and can be notoriously
lazy.
with your dad having a stroke and now being in a wheelchair i feel the worst mistake you would be making is to be purchasing a breed that needs lots of excersise, and one that could turn out to be a little boisterous when young.
JMO, Jane. :)

what about a bully jane! :) they dont come much more laid back lol. and are quite happy to plod along beside a wheelchair/pram.

oh tanni,
however could i have forgot the bulldog:D i would recommend a bulldog , but they are slightly difficult to get hold of, pups are like golddust :(
Jane.

I have GSD's and they are great family dogs, but they need a lot of exercise, certainly when they're young. If I was in your situation, I'd go for a greyhound. I know the look of them is not for everybody, but they have amazing temperaments, and don't really need a lot of exercise. They'll be happy to sleep in front of the fire!!
You have to be careful with cats etc, as they'll tend to chase them, but other than that, I've only heard great things about Greyhounds.

Good luck

Lisa

na id get him a scotty or a westy

what about a cocker spaniel?

How about a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

I was going to suggest a Cavalier as well, They are a very gentle breed, loving everyone, like exercise but can make do with garden exercise. Big enough not to fall over but small enough to be easy to handle [$ of course are the original dual purpose breed 15th century ladies lapdog & gentleman's sporting dogs(Woodcocks i think is what they used to be bred to retrieve) ])

They are fairly low maintenance too no stripping or trimming & a easy groom coat:)

Thanks for all your advice first of all. Especially to Anne. Its nice to see that your dogs bring your Mum lots of happiness!
We did think about a cocker spaniel but then a friend told us they can be a bit snappy! I was thinking possibly a sheltie? I am quite into the retired greyhound idea though. We have a centre quite close and they are lovely dogs! My mum fancies a cavalier and they are cute looking dogs but I was hoping for something a bit bigger!

Anymore advice is welcome!

They might be small in size but big in personality:D

Try going to a local show & if there is a breed you like ask the owners about them :D

Hope you find the "perfect"dog for you

Just off the scrub a naughty cavalier who has been trying to dig to China Again ! :O

hi,
why not go looking around various rescues and see if theres any you like the look of? take them for a walk and see how you all get on? there are many dogs of various breeds up for rehoming due to different circumstances ,and, you never know you just might fall in love:D
Jane.

If you decide to get a sheltie then you must make a commitment to many hours of grooming every week. Although the coat is fairly tangle free, many have very heavy coats which need a lot of grooming to prevent it getting out of hand and it is something which you will never be able to shirk.

Whichever breed you feel is right for your family try to meet one in its home first to help you decide if it really is the right breed for you, its very different looking at pictures and meeting a dog on the street to actually meeting one in a home. :)

Regards
Dill

Hi there

I'd definitely go for a Cavalier :) they are loving, easy to train and very gentle with kids and other dogs!!

But that's my opinion i'm biast when it comes to Cavaliers :)

Hope you choose the right breed soon

Michelle

Hi...

What about a Cairn Terrier?

My 16 year old daughter is disabled and in a wheel chair. We got a pup a few weeks ago and the pup is super with her. Cairns are very intelligent, loving, nimble on their feet, big heart, great with kids, easy to groom - strip once a month if non show and can occupy themselves so don't need constant attention.. they do love their cuddles though and let you know how pleased they are to see you ;). Independent little guys but full of charachter. They also do well in agility and obedience.

I can let you have some links to recognised Cairn clubs if you are interested.

Regards Dave

Why not get a monngrel? They're loving and loyal, and if you got a middle aged one, you wouldn't have to worry about how big it would grow to either. If you bought one from a family, you could ask them about its personality etc.
I hope you find what you're looking for anyway!

I know they're larger than a cavvie or a GR but ex-racing greyhounds make wonderful laid back dogs, especially the oldies :)

Thanks again for all the advice! Its all helped…

We are thinking in the direction of a rescue dog but I am worried about how it will react to dad. A lot of these dogs wont have been around wheelchairs and the last thing I want is to get a dog and then it to get scared of the wheelchair or aggressive towards it. I know that this isn’t very likely to happen and I understand that I will have to get the dog used to it anyway but it is a fear of mine!

Hi Sara

Dont be totally put off your Golden Retriever idea, i've got a 3 year old male GR, and yes he was a little buggar when he was younger, but more naughty than hyper, he is the most laid back dog i've ever met. he's an absolute dream to won and i could never have wished for such a nice natured dog. He will adapt to any situation and he always wants to please.

Good luck with your search

Gem xx

go to WWW.DOGSFORTHEDISABLED.ORG ... I'm dissabled myself, and I sent an e-mail, they wrote a letter back with the aplication form, saying I can apply when i'm 17 (in a year), they match you with the right dog, and train them to do things for you like...

*Help with taking the washing in and out of the machine.
*Opening and closing doors.
*Picking up dropped or fallen objects.
*Help when shopping (they even have health card that enables em to go into restorants!).
*answer fone.
*and alot more!

Luv Lea.
x

thanks Lea and Gem. The thing is we are looking for a companion dog because my dad has to try and do those things for himself but it was useful advice! I do really want a golden but a puppy may not be the best at the moment!
So many choices!!!!
Thanks for everyone’s advice!

Hi...

I posted earlier - my daughter is 16 and in a wheelchair.

Do think about what you what role you want the dog to fill. I know you like the idea of a Golden [lovely dog] - what does your dad want a dog to do? Be a companion - not need much exercise, a dog to cuddle on his lap or have close by that is a friend?

Why not contact some training clubs that specialise in companion dogs - see what they recommend based on the wants/needs of your dad.

Suggest making a list first... head it Must have - desirable - Must NOT have ... then maybe check out breed profiles to narrow choice down then contact a companion training club... or 2... and get their advice. Then talk to breeders of those breeds you have short listed.

It is natural that everyone here will advocate their breed as the best, I already did heh ;). Another decision is dog or bitch.

Part of the reason for our breed choice is that a smaller dog would be more easily controllable on a lead by my daughter. She hasn't the strength to handle a 'big' dog. There is no doubt that the Cairn does think its a big dog though ;). Don't do what i originally did and discount 'small' dogs - keep an open mind. I am so glad my eyes were opened.

Apologies for the list thing... work in sales projects so its something I do in my day to day life all the time, doesn't guarantee success but reduces the risk of failure ;).

I wish you and your family LOTS of luck, and remember the puppy stage can be fun too - and it doesn't last for ever ;)

regards Dave

Thanks a lot Dave! All you had to say was very useful. Its such a difficult decision!

I did make a list of good/ bad points of a golden retriever but shortly after went to visit the RSPCA where there were so many lovely dogs! I don’t think my dads the kind of man to have a little dog on his knee but don’t worry, I haven’t ruled them out at tall!

I hope we have as much luck as you finding a new friend!