I am looking to get a dog for my parents as a companion. They are in their early seventies and not too steady on their feet. Due to this a mature dog as opposed to a puppy is obviously preferable. For this reason we have looked at rescue dogs hoping to give a dog a second chance, but remain unconvinced not knowing their true history. Having owned a boxer we are drawn to them due to their gorgeous good looks and loving nature, but accept that such an energetic bouncy dog would be unsuitable. Due to my parents not being too steady on their feet a gentile dog that isn't a jumper is paramount. Temperament is our main consideration as we looking for a sweat natured docile dog. There seems so much conflicting information out concerning breeds it is daunting. There is a risk buying an adult dog from private seller as they may not wholly honest for example stating they are selling the dog due to being allergic to him/her. With this in mind we have considered Bulldogs, but fear there may be concealed health issues, Cocker Spaniels, but worry about rage syndrome, and even the Dorset Old Tyme, but again this is a new and untested breed. Can a wise doggy person offer any advice about the right breed and sourcing a suitable dog from that breed?
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I think a rescue dog is a great idea, try to get one from a foster home that has fully assessed it. For example I rescued an elderly lurcher last year, she has never jumped up, doesn't pull on the lead, is clean in the house and is generally a very easy dog - there are thousands of similar dogs out there looking for a home :-)

The breeds you're considering are all quite small, which means your parents bending down. I know it's not the look you like but a rescue greyhound would make a wonderful pet for an older couple. They're generally very quiet, can be patted without bending, will be happy to spend 23 1/2 hours a day snoozing if required or to go for a gentle wander with them.

i would also vote rescue lurcher/greyound.  They are laid back need little excercise (built for short spurts not long runs) and theere are lots of them :(

i agree about the rescue greyhounds they are so laid back and although people think they need loads of exercise this is not the case especially if it's not a very young dog.
as said before they are usually really good on the lead, will sleep pretty much all the time and love attention.
there are lots of rescues for these dogs and they really need good homes.
in the village near ours i see a lot of older people walking this type of dog with ease and rescue centres  seem happy to place them with retired people.  

some rescues do an older dog for older people type scheme.  usually nice enough dogs that are past the easily adopted out age as lot of folk won't even look at a dog past 3 years old, often pets of older people who can no longer keep them so very suited to older folk as already know the score.  worth looking into.

When looking for our dog we went around all of the dogs homes/rescue centres and there are so many older dogs that have been there awhile simply because they are getting on abit and people generally want younger dogs.
Also don't be put off by how the dog behaves in the kennel enviroment. Chances are it will be stressed and pretty unhappy :( so ask to take the dog by itself with one of the centre's staff. This way you can assess what he or she is like on a one to one basis, how they walk on the lead, how they cope with traffic and strange situations etc. It is also a great way of finding out about breeds that you may be usure of.
As for looking for specific breeds, why not try a breed rescue centre or even consider a cross breed. There are so many crosses looking for a home and I'm sure your parents would provide a loving, caring home for any one of them!
Good luck :)

Have you contacted the oldies club - they rehome older dogs.

http://www.oldies.org.uk

I'm in total agreement with the rescue greyhound idea, was thinking of this myself before I scrolled down to the replies!

Nicki xx

The dogs trust near where I live in north devon are brilliant for the sort of dog you are looking for. They have a website so you can look at all the different sorts size age sex etc at home then contact them. Good luck with your search for rescuing some poor pooch in a kennel at the mo x

Thank you very much everyone for taking the time to assist. There is an obvious consent of opinion  on the greyhound and a very good point about it being a bigger dog and my parents not having to bend down. We continue to visit the rescue centres. Many thanks.

i would also vote rescue lurcher/greyound.  They are laid back need little excercise (built for short spurts not long runs) and theere are lots of them 

Many greyhounds are laid back, but I have seen different too, (so there's no guarantee - if your parents aren't too steady on their feet anymore, then they wouldn't be able to hold a greyhound back that decides to chase the neighbours cat for example). With lurchers it is much more of a lottery! Depending on what is in the makeup of a lurcher, they may need a lot of exercise, they may be very bouncy and they may not be laid back at all (think lurchers with collie and/or saluki in them for example).

I think the best thing would be to let a good rescue organisation know what you are looking for temperament wise and perhaps size wise and then let them advise you on what suitable dogs they have got in, rather than concentrate on certain breeds!

Vera