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[meno-mel]

I plan to retire and although I won't get a pension for years and years, I get PIP and might as well rest now and spend my savings myself before the state takes it for my end of life care instead!
I have a disability and I can't take sudden jerks to my shoulders, the damage from that would build up, but I can go for walks and when I've minded my sister's dogs for holidays she has a special lead to reduce the pulling, but still I could only manage the old lady dog, my son has to take the bigger one.
My son is busting a gut to get a dog too, we all are except my husband, but I'm willing to swap  .
I love pretty dogs like king charles spaniels (Since the lady and the tramp, oh boy, are those going to be fashionable now?) but I also love whippets and greyhound type sleek dogs, they are very affectionate and not actually needing more exercise than other dogs I'm told.
Cockapoos are cute, supposed to be affectionate and smart too. That's sort of thing I want. If it slept as much as I do (a lot) that might be useful too.

So please, experienced dog carers, what should I bear in mind or look for? (rescue dog as first choice obvs, so long as it isn't too much for a small disabled woman).

[CLKD]

Time.  It's almost 24/7 if you get a puppy.  MayB go to a boarding kennels in your area and offer up your time for 3 months.  That way you will meet lots of dogs, owners with experienced kennel staff. 

Vets Bills can be HUGE! as well as a drain on emotions.  Pedigree dogs have more health problems than 1st cross or mongrels. 

Cinnamon Trust is always looking for fosterers - when people to into hospital in a hurry or when they need care when going away on Holliday.  Or when a new baby arrives and they need to spend time getting into a routine: true for new parents as well as grandparents.

I grew up with working labs and jack Russell terriers.  Most breeds are split from working strain to 'pets' even border collies.  However, hunting and chasing remains in most breeds so be prepared for time spent waiting for them to return ;-).  I spent many a happy hour watching mine following their noses, enjoying the sniffs .

My cocker spaniel was born in 1988 and or show type, she had enough brain to enjoy putting up mice and digging for moles.  How are U with picking up soft poo?  Firm is hard work but an early morning splatter  . I cared for a King Charles, two cockers and a retriever for various owners in the locality.  Meant no bills and they went home at night.  ;-)

MayB meet up with other dog walkers in your area? 

If U do get a dog; and if U decide to go on holiday without it, do book kennels at least 6 months in advance because in some areas, they get full very quickly.  Any decent kennel establishment will allow visitors during working hours to fetch up and look round.  Any that a 'not now' attitude are to be avoided.  Also, no boarding kennel should smell. 

Do U have lots of good safe walking areas, i.e. public footpaths, beside lakes etc.?  For the dog which was deaf I had a pony leading rein so that he felt free but couldn't run far. 

1 reason that we don't have pets is that we enjoy a deep sleep well into the morning, whereas  have a habit of waking at dawn  .  My cat would lift my eyelids in the early hours when he wanted feeding - purring gently as he sat on my chest. 

[Penguin]

I've always had cavaliers and they are lovely, very placid, affectionate and don't require much exercise. Our last cav, a rescue, was 6 when we got her and didn't pull at all, the others we trained from pups. The only issue with cavs is they are prone to heart disease which is very expensive to treat over time. We saved by getting prescriptions from vet and then buying the drugs ourselves, but you'd have to factor in medical costs if there are dogs you are interested in with breed specific issues. Plus, with a rescue/ older dog, there may well be pre existing conditions that are then not covered by insurance. That said, it's now rescue dogs all the way for us, and our most recent was a four month old pup who we are training ourselves. She is a cross breed so we are hoping less medical bills over time!

[Penguin]

Thats a really good idea re fostering, I think the Trust then covers any bills too? And it gives you flexibility re hols etc, plus you could say you are only able to foster older dogs / dogs that are more sedate and dont pull.

[CLKD]

Well done Penguin.   The Blenheim cavaliers certainly have heart issues, [that is brown/white] but the ori-colour are in the main, in better health.  Don't look at the K Club because they will accept any pups without checking the health of the parents.  Good breeders will have various scores for eye conditions, hip dysplasia etc..

The Swedish Kennel Club used to check every potential breeder to make sure that there were no inherent diseases in the Pedigrees involved. 

Let us know how you get on.

[Penguin]

Yes, two blenheims and they both had it really bad they were on meds from 7 or 8 although managed to live well until 12, and one declined slowly while the other suddenly went from no symptoms to gone in a couple of days, even though he was on vetmedin. Our tri also had it but slow progression and it was her rescue history (she was an ex puppy mill dog) caught up with. I still love the breed and spaniels in general, but am now more realistic about the health issues, cost, lifespan etc.

[sheila99]

IMO it's all about training. A properly trained dog won't pull regardless of it's size. I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting a rescue dog but the downside is that it may not be well trained and they're much easier to train when they're pups. I'd recommend training classes as much for you to learn what to do as for the dog. Whatever time you spend on it will be well worth it on the long run. I have working collies but I wouldn't recommend them for a pet unless you're very active. Working breeds tend to be much more trainable than pet breeds. Mine will walk beside me without a lead, will stop immediately, won't chase animals unless told to and I've never had to train recall, they've always just done it. Can't help with breed I'm afraid, a smaller, less energetic, less hairy but still intelligent and trainable dog would be ideal but I don't think they make them.

[CLKD]

Mexican hairless ......... thought there are often what are known as 'pom poms' in each litter, i.e. they are born with hair 

Agree: training is key.  As well as researching what each breed was originally used for: i.e. bull breeds, terriers, collies ......... because years down the line that instinct will be there.

Most pedigree breeds have rescue organisations.  So contact those for advice.  Also check insurance policies: Pet Protect had a 12 months period of treatment as well as treatment for life, i.e. after 12 months the premium went up.  There was a certain amount that we paid B4 being able to claim .  Some policies, after a year of treatment for a condition, won't re-insure for that particular condition so the owner has to cough up.  Kennel Club Insurance was like that!  Pet Plan were good too.  1 can pay monthly or a one-off annual payment.

[Penguin]

Animal Friends were okay until Henry had bleeding gastroenteritis. Premium went up fourfold so we had to have it as an exclusion. Unfortunately he was prone to it, so it ended up costing us thousands over his lifetime.
There was also a big increase when all the dogs turned 8 and were classed as seniors, although I have no idea whether that is the same with other insurers.
With my personal private medical insurance, the premium doesn't go up each year if you claim, so I'm not sure if it is normal or not for animal policies.

[CLKD]

Animal care policies R in the main, unregulated. 'exclusion' - that's the word for which I was searching earlier  and yes, apparently dogs/cats become elderly at age 8.  Veteran at age 10.  My JR was 14, the Labs were 13 and 14, spaniel was 11 days short of her 14th .......... her exclusion was £500.00 by the end of her Life.  It covered her chemo though.

[C.C.]

We have a Golden, she's 13 months and full of energy so I wouldn't recommend one if you are looking for a calm dog,  although they are a fabulous family breed.  We had a rescue a couple of years ago, the agency said he was the best dog the shelter in Cairo had but when he came over, he started exhibiting behaviours they didn't anticipate and I was not ready for that. We had to re-home him that same week (I keep in touch with his adoptive mom and he's doing great).  We decided another puppy worked better for us.
 I think adopting a senior dog would be a great option for you.  Good luck, I'm sure you'll find your perfect pup!

[meno-mel]

Time.  It's almost 24/7 if you get a puppy.  MayB go to a boarding kennels in your area and offer up your time for 3 months.  That way you will meet lots of dogs, owners with experienced kennel staff. 

Vets Bills can be HUGE! as well as a drain on emotions.  Pedigree dogs have more health problems than 1st cross or mongrels. 

Cinnamon Trust is always looking for fosterers - when people to into hospital in a hurry or when they need care when going away on Holliday.  Or when a new baby arrives and they need to spend time getting into a routine: true for new parents as well as grandparents.

I grew up with working labs and jack Russell terriers.  Most breeds are split from working strain to 'pets' even border collies.  However, hunting and chasing remains in most breeds so be prepared for time spent waiting for them to return ;-).  I spent many a happy hour watching mine following their noses, enjoying the sniffs .

My cocker spaniel was born in 1988 and or show type, she had enough brain to enjoy putting up mice and digging for moles.  How are U with picking up soft poo?  Firm is hard work but an early morning splatter  . I cared for a King Charles, two cockers and a retriever for various owners in the locality.  Meant no bills and they went home at night.  ;-)

MayB meet up with other dog walkers in your area? 

If U do get a dog; and if U decide to go on holiday without it, do book kennels at least 6 months in advance because in some areas, they get full very quickly.  Any decent kennel establishment will allow visitors during working hours to fetch up and look round.  Any that a 'not now' attitude are to be avoided.  Also, no boarding kennel should smell. 

Do U have lots of good safe walking areas, i.e. public footpaths, beside lakes etc.?  For the dog which was deaf I had a pony leading rein so that he felt free but couldn't run far. 

1 reason that we don't have pets is that we enjoy a deep sleep well into the morning, whereas  have a habit of waking at dawn  .  My cat would lift my eyelids in the early hours when he wanted feeding - purring gently as he sat on my chest. 

I sent cinnamon trust an email to see if they operate where I live, I like that idea because I always love looking after people's dogs if they go on holiday.
I grew up with cats, I love that yours opened your eyes with a paw!!!

[meno-mel]

a smaller, less energetic, less hairy but still intelligent and trainable dog would be ideal but I don't think they make them.

This made me laugh, yes, I need a designer dog, but I'll settle for a loving one!
I think I'd be good at dog training, I was good at kid training, lol, they had very consistant messaging and grew up into fine young men. My granny was impressed when they were young, she said I never shouted, I just changed my tone of voice to "mummy's serious now" and the preschoolers all gave me their attention instantly. Yes, I don't like shouting. I think dogs and small children have a lot in common, mostly love, food, poo and bills!

[CLKD]

I didn't make that clear - he lifted my eyelids with his lips 

[meno-mel]

Thank you all for your replies, you've all given me a lot to think about and maybe volunteering at a local shelter would work, but with arthritis, I imagine they prefer younger not disabled volunteers.
But if I got to know them, perhaps I could foster dogs for them at home. I'd love that.
Beautiful pup CC, my Dad always had a retriever and used to take her to work with him, selling home impovements, lol.

I didn't make that clear - he lifted my eyelids with his lips 

oh my, he kissed you awake