Pet Breed? Therapy Minded and Heat Tolerant Suggestions - Page 2

I worked at a Vet Clinic for about a month before I decided I couldn't handle it, and during that time I felll in love with a greyhound they had in boarding. I was never fond of them before, but after spending time with her I decided when I get old and too frail for a working dog, that they are a breed I wouldn't mind having.

I felt awful for her, her elderly owner broke her hip and was boarding her while she recovered. She had been in that tiny 4x6 kennel for 3 months already when I started there and was still there last I knew... over a year later. :'( That's 2 5 minute walks a day for that poor old dog, and thats as far as companionship went for her. Just awful. :(

Greyhounds are lazy 35 mph couch warmers. They are happy to go for a walk or maybe a jog, but they are usually mild mannered, sweet tempered and wimpy. They suck at obedience and agility. But want a quiet loving dog you got it. And some of the smaller females are barely 45 lbs.
They are pretty long lived, through cancer gets them. Never a good guard dog though they will sometimes bark. Next to nothing in the grooming department.
Beagles were are beagles. I'll never own one but i have a student that has a really nice little male that he's doing a lot with. Dog is still young but i expect him to do a lot with that pup.
If shelties came in a short coat i might consider one. And if they could bred out the yapping. Smart but a lot of grooming.
What about a papplion?

NO Shelties...We had 2 of them...the female passed away a few years ago but the male is still here...Too damn much hair/grooming and too damn mouthy...yap yap yap and then yap again...at a high pitch...NO...

~Bob~

Is there someone available to screen dogs in the local shelters and rescue agencies where the patient lives? Sometimes an excellent candidate can be found at a shelter/rescue, but it takes an experienced person to select and test the dogs that would be suitable to find the right dog for this patient(s).     The advantage with a rescue agency dog is that most times the dogs are fostered in homes where their true personality/character can be assessed vs. the stressful shelter which is not the best place to make an assessment.    If a shelter/rescue dog is found, it's a win-win for both dog and person.

I think Koots is right. If that could happen, it would be less about the BREED and more about the individual dog, its personality & suitability, and the way it relates to your friend as a new owner.
However, one word of caution : it does sound a bit like you are having to persuade your friend that she should have a(ny suitable) dog. I would walk very carefully on that path, it might be that you find the 'perfect' dog and yet it still won't work if she'd rather not have a dog. That would not be in the interests of the dog ...

I wouldn't rule out the shelter option. I happen to have a friend who does foster shelter dogs. She found her mental health dog, too, a Jack Russell terrier with terrible teeth! LOL But, apparently with the right vet who cared, (one vet just was going to yank out all the teeth!) and now, it is a beautiful relationship.

I would take a shelter dog, if the right one came along, but it would have to be kinda perfect, and well, perfect dogs don't get fostered out!

I really can't expect this person to be fixing dog anxiety or neglect, or who knows? BUT if the right dog showed up for none of those types of reasons, yep, I'd take it on a plane with me!

Because if I find the dog here, I'll have to fly it to ... there!

On another note... I am intrigued with the Papillion! This person is very style wise and "put together". There might be a connection there! Does anyone here have any real breed experience as far as temperament?

And the Beagle, too, seems to conjure up warm fuzzy memories, from recent talks. I wouldn't say this isn't a possible good choice, either.

I want to do a search, and then make the argument for company. That is my plan to help them.

I do like papillion's as well.... little dogs with "big" personalities - without being satanspawns. They are very intelligent. My friend who breeds LC showline shepherds, her daughter had one and he was the sweetest! Died very young though, I can't remember why, exactly, but I know it was genetic, and I know it was pretty gruesome (bled out).

Beagles are not easy to train dogs. These guys are home bodies. Beagles are not just laying around the house all day, if they get a chance and hit scent, they are gone!

For a low energy household, a Beagle is not a good fit whatsoever.

I'll second that, BE - I was surprised to see Beagles even being considered.

Me, too....

Are you even sure they WANT a dog?
What about a retired, easy going German Shepherd Dog?
A lot of them are very good pets...