Best Dog For Special Needs

[jasperlad]

Hi, We are looking for a new dog to replace a Labrador who sadly passed away. We have particular needs that in that first and foremost it must have a great temperament as it will be a home with an additional needs person. Secondly it must be a medium size animal (we found the good old Lab a little too large) due to peripheral blindness of a member of the family may not see it if too small and thirdly, minimal dropping of fur! We were looking at the 'mini - labradoodle' but does anyone have a view?

[jasperlad]

Can I thank everyone for your contribution to my search, its difficult to rate a 'Best Answer' as each one has added value to my understanding. As a family we do plan to meet with both breeders, and for the purposes of not ruling out the possibility, we will visit rescue centres as well. Our search is narrowing thanks to the guidance you have all offered and I will come back and let you know which way we have gone when 'we' have been chosen. which I guess is really how our minds will be made up. Thank you all.

[lankeela]

Parson Russells as well as being a 'terrier' do tend to moult harsh white hairs which stick to everywhere! They are also on the smaller side and what I would consider a 'trip hazard' for someone with impairment. I would go slightly larger for safety. If you were to go for a working bred Lab they tend to be slighter build than the traditional ones.

[Tilly2]

Can I put in a vote for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

[lankeela]

They are certainly tough enough to take any amount of rough handling (I don't mean cruelty, just that they will not worry if someone is not as gentle as some breeds might). They are medium size too and are known as 'the nanny dog' so provided you got one from healthy parents with good temperaments they may well be the right choice.

[sfby]

You could consider a middle-aged (6-8 years) ex-racing greyhound. In my experience they are gentle, quite lazy (3 x 20 minute walks per day will do, although they will go further if you want to!) and very good on a lead.

Not sure if they fit the "medium-sized" criteria, but ours was about 60cm (2ft) tall at the shoulder and weighed about 27kg (4stone & a bit).

[saxy_jag]

"Can I put in a vote for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?"

I've never owned a staffie but I have known one or two and my son has one - as well as a three-year-old child. They don't shed much, are very intelligent and - if you take your time choosing and allow yourself to be guided - are excellent with children. There are, sadly, hundreds of them in rescue simply because so many have them as fashion items and then realise there's more to keeping a dog than they first thought. Suggest you visit a reputable rescue organisation such as Dogs Trust, or one of the numerous dedicated breed rescue places. You could start here: http://www.staffierescue.co.uk/

[welshlibranr]

my cocker spaniel would be perfect, she loves everyone, she actually hugs, wraps her paws around your neck and hugs you!....she's lovely!.....