We need a bulldog minus the 70 pounds of drool and extensive health problems.

July 26, 2009 1:27 PM

My grandma's beloved bulldog just died, so grandma needs a new dog so that well she doesn't go the same way as her bulldog. Help me find a good breed/mixed breed for her to adopt!

So my grandma is in her early 80's and lives alone, but is fairly disabled. Her old english bulldog was very sassy and demanding and that seemed to suit her very well.

My grandma lives in a big house with a big yard for the dog, but she wouldn't be able to walk the dog (this was fine for her old dog because the bulldog wouldn't walk past the driveway, literally we tried there was no way she was leaving the house by any other means than a car or maybe a motorized cart if the option had ever been made available to her). We would probably be able to arrange for family, neighbors, or the kids of my grandmother's maid or gardener (who she is pretty close to) to walk the dog once or twice a week, but otherwise it would have to be a breed that is pretty low energy and would be content with a yard.

A smaller to possibly medium sized dog would be best. A size where it could comfortably sit on the other side of her bed. Very affectionate breed is a must as my grandmother enjoys spending a lot of time with her dog. Watching movies, making meals, going to the supermarket, that sort of thing. There is virtually no life activity that my grandmother would not want to bring her dog too.

Relatively few health problems would also be a plus, although I realize with pure breeds this can be a tall order.

My grandmother is also willing to personally cook whatever complex dietary regime the dog may require, so food requirements are no concern.

My grandmother would also like a dog with "good eyes" you know big staring ones like a bulldog, she believes this fosters a better human to dog connection.

I know a lot of people are going to say just go to the pound, but I don't think that is going to work as my grandmother is the type to want to know all about the breed before getting one. She is a life long bulldog lover and this is her first foray into other breeds. I could probably talk her into a mixed breed however, but I don't know much about mixed breeds. We would probably be getting an older dog from a dog rescue as opposed to a puppy, as grandma is very worried about the dog outliving her and being sent to a shelter if none of us were in a position to take the dog (which given various family members' allergies is a pretty high chance).

I realize some people may object to someone in her physical condition getting a dog, but trust me this dog will be loved and adored like no other.

posted by whoaali to pets & animals (26 comments total)

How about an older chihuahua from a rescue? The ones I've known have been pretty friendly and low energy.
posted by youcancallmeal at 1:34 PM on July 26

Perhaps a Boston Terrier? They have the big eyes, are a good size for Grandma, and are intelligent and loyal companions.
posted by Oriole Adams at 1:45 PM on July 26

A pug? My friend has pugs and your list of needs made me think of them right away. They like going on walks but mostly hers are content to run around the yard and don't need tons of extra exercise. They are extremely people-oriented and affectionate, are typically confident, playful and curious and make endearing little snortling noises when they're happy. They do bark but no more than a regular dog, none of hers are yappy.

On the downside: they are prone to health problems, can be hard to house train and they are both stubborn and a bit dim so training can take a while. They shed like fiends. And they eat everything, you have to watch them a bit or they will get into stuff they shouldn't. If you get an older dog you'll know what you're getting into house training and health wise though so those two items might not be an issue.
posted by fshgrl at 1:46 PM on July 26

I'd recommend an older dachshund. The last few years of my mother's life were made significantly happier because of her dachshund rescue dog, Ashley, who was 10 years old when my mother took her. Ashley was VERY low energy and spent most of her time sitting on the sofa next to my mother (who, because of her illness, was also very low energy.) Because she was an older and small dog, she got all the exercise she needed just wandering around the house. Dachshunds are very smart and have great, expressive eyes. I think your grandmother would really love having one and, the gods know, there are plenty of little old dachshunds looking for homes.

I'm so sorry for you grandmother's loss. For older people, in particular, a beloved pet is such a HUGE part of one's life. I remember reading somewhere how, as people get older, physical contact with other people tends to decrease -- there are fewer hugs, fewer kind touches in general. A pet provides the physical contact that can really make a difference in a person's mental and physical health.
posted by rhartong at 1:56 PM on July 26

ditto the dachshund
posted by Gungho at 1:58 PM on July 26

If it helps you at all, you can search for a rescue dog on petfinder.com by breed. (Once you figure out a breed, of course.)

I'm so sorry for your grandma's loss.
posted by corey flood at 2:19 PM on July 26 [1 favorite]

Well she definitely doesn't need a puppy. I'd recommend a Seniors for Seniors program. Check petfinder.com for older dogs of medium size. When you see some you like, start googling the breeds. So many of these animals are surrendered because their owners have passed away, can no longer afford the dogs or enter an assisted living center of some sort.
posted by jerseygirl at 2:26 PM on July 26

I read the question and all the answers so far and couldn't believe no one stated the obvious, "Why not get her another bulldog?". But then I noticed the title.

In that case, I'd second a Boston Terrier. It's true they are terriers which are known for being high-energy, active dogs, but the two I know personally are perfectly content to run around their (fenced) yard all day, and are not nearly as high-energy as my own Fox Terrier.
posted by trip and a half at 2:44 PM on July 26

Thanks for all the recommendations! And keep them coming. I think personality wise I'm really leaning towards a pug. Petfinder.com looks really good, I think I'll show that to my grandmother when I see her and then she can look online and find a dog she likes and then maybe me or one of my aunts could go pick it up for her. Some of the shelters seem to demand things like home visits and whatnot, I worry a little that they wouldn't allow someone in my grandmother's physical condition to adopt, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
posted by whoaali at 2:49 PM on July 26

trip and a half: yeah we love bulldogs, but her old bulldog just destroyed the house on a regular basis. Even with my grandmother's beloved maid who did her best to keep up with it and my aunt visiting twice a month and cleaning every inch of the house, it was still generally a disaster area a good deal of the time. My grandmother didn't train her well enough and didn't say no to her enough and I doubt if we got her another one it would be any better. Also for someone that can barely lift 10 pounds (and that's pushing it) a 70 lb bulldog was a bit much for her to manage sometimes.

I also agree with everyone that getting a puppy is a bad idea. I actually think an older dog that is already house trained would be perfect, because my grandmother can only infect it with so many bad habits.
posted by whoaali at 2:54 PM on July 26

Pugs are wonderful friends. And they tend to be quite couch potatoey as they get older. The only health problems so far have been eye and teeth problems. They do shed a lot and are not the brightest bulb on the street. But as my mother says, Kate's smart enough to wrap me around her little paws! Couldn't ask for a sweeter dog..
posted by AuntieRuth at 3:14 PM on July 26

Italian Greyhound! Or two. We adopted two purebred males from Italian Greyhound rescue (there are chapters everywhere) and it was a delightful experience.

Generally, they're lovely little hot water bottles who want to love you and cuddle you. They can be a skosh challenging to housetrain but if there's a big SECURELY FENCED yard they should be fine. They're pure silky beautiful love.

And, as sight hounds, they're pretty much the definition of "having good eyes."


An older, rescue iggie would be idea imho. Please feel free to MeMail me about this; I can go on at appalling length about the iglets.



Italian Greyhounds!!!
posted by Neofelis at 3:20 PM on July 26 [1 favorite]

How about a French Bulldog? They are every bit a bulldog but in a small body. Many breeders retire out their older ones to good homes. There is also a rescue that is pretty stringent about who they will place their dogs with. I used to work with them, and I am quite familiar with their process.

I had a retired girl that was just *wonderful*. She was just the sweetest thing you could ever imagine. In fact, we're on our second generation of 'pigdogs', as we call them. Our first set have moved on (they were both 11yrs old). Our current set - and yes, we are crazy - is 4, almost 5, and Stymie the Rescue will be 13 (!!) in November. Their lifespans are 12-14 years, though I remember meeting a Frenchie in Manhattan several years ago that was 15. Yes, she was old and rickety, but was really full of life. When I asked what her person's trick was to getting Monkey (the dog) to live so long, she told me the Frenchie spent half the year in Paris. Uh, I think I might hang on a little longer if I was guaranteed half my lifetime in Paris, too.

Memail me if you want to talk more. I'm so sorry that your grandmother lost her beloved bully. :( It's just so heartbreaking when they die. I know how sad she is and how lonely she must be. But good on you for helping find a new friend.
posted by dancinglamb at 3:23 PM on July 26

Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Sweet, loving dogs who do not need much exercise and so are very easy to care for. Tolerant of all kinds of things. Ready to love anybody. Cuddly as all get out. Bug-eyed and inclined to gaze at one adoringly.

Puppies can be very expensive but they are great dogs.
posted by not that girl at 4:10 PM on July 26

Dogbreedinfo has a little thing to let you find which breeds fit your criteria. You might poke around through that a little.
posted by dilettante at 4:26 PM on July 26

I would vote for a pug too. Mine is 3, and he is content to hang around the house all day. I take him out three times a day, which involves me letting him go outside my apartment building so he can go to the bathroom and come back. He's very low maintenance and only gets demanding when it's time to eat. I have taken him into stores and other public places, and he is generally well-behaved; he's just happy to be with me and around other people. As mentioned by others, he's not the brightest bulb, but he's very sweet and affectionate, even if he does look like a goblin.
posted by lemonwheel at 4:51 PM on July 26

Why don't you get in a touch with a local group that works with people who are infirm or in hospice care? A lot of these sprang up during the early days of AIDS. Although there missing it to keep people and pets together as long as possible, they do see animals who need a new home - animals who are comfortable with a low-key lifestyle. They will likely be able to find a good match between an animal they know and her lifestyle.

Additionally, they may be able to offer some pet-care help. Call your local shelter in see if your area has something like Sponsor a Senior. You'll be dealing with people who have a lot of experience keeping elderly and pets together.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 7:36 PM on July 26

I have an Italian Greyhound and a Boston Terrier/Beagle mix, or hybid (sometimes known as a Boglen Terrier). I fervently believe that, unless your grandmother is unusually gifted at housetraining a dog do not opt for an Italian Greyhound. Many Italian Greyhounds are never successfully housetrained. Ours is seven years old and we got him at 12 weeks. It took an almost superhuman effort of relentless vigilance for the first year to housebreak, Even now, if the weather is rainy or cold the greyhound will sometimes slink off to an un-trafficked corner of the house and take a crap. Otherwise, it is a generally smart and well-mannered dog. I would not characterize the dog or any other Italian Greyhound that I have known as being even remotely "sassy." "Shy and retiring" is much more accurate description.

The Boglen, on the other hand, is now one year old and took virtually no effort to train and is a sassy delight. Awesome, awesome dog.
posted by bz at 9:53 PM on July 26

Yeah I don't think the italian greyhounds would be that great for my grandmother. I can't imagine my grandmother with a dog that dainty. She's more for a rough and tumble kind of a dog. Ideally one from fine English stock, like a bulldog, but we can't everything. Also she definitely does not have a well secured fence, more of a 2 foot rock type thing.

I don't think my grandmother would go for a French Bulldog just on principle (we are a family of committed Anglophiles), but I actually think it's a very good suggestion. My roommate has a french bulldog mix that has a ridiculous amount of energy, but is a very loving dog, so maybe a frenchie pug would be good!

The Boglen Terrier looks like an interesting idea. She's expressed some interest in a Boston Terrier, but doesn't like the crazy heavy breathing. However her old bulldog did that incessantly and she's half deaf so I really don't think it would bother all that much.
posted by whoaali at 10:35 PM on July 26

There are tons of pugs in rescues. But if she got to know a Frenchie, she'd fall in love. I say this as a proud servant to two English bulldogs; I think Frenchies are awesome as well.
posted by azpenguin at 10:58 PM on July 26

I say this as a proud servant to two English bulldogs; I think Frenchies are awesome as well.

I love, love, LOVE English Bullies. We briefly had a female that we got from the ASPCA in NYC when I was pregnant with twins. She was utterly out of control. She ate an Aero bed, a Vornado fan, she was so strong, I couldn't walk her, and she jumped non-stop. It got to the point that I was afraid I was going to get injured (and really was afraid she'd hurt any babies in house). She also did the same thing to our Frenchie on more than one occasion. I had no *idea* English bullies could be that way. Sadly, we ended up giving her to a rescue (she was ultimately placed with a family who had a bunch of older kids and a huge yard - much better than a Hoboken apt), and we ended up with a second Frenchie. It was suggested to me by the rescue people that English Bulldogs are kind of puppylike in their behaviour until they are about three. I don't know if that is really true (this girl was about three), but she was definitely not controllable, even with schooling.

Frenchies truly are "little big dogs". Not ankle biters, or you know, bait with fur. :)

Funny thing is, my kids are now completely drawn to all the brachycephalic dogs - whether pugs, bullies, or mastiffs, etc. If we see them on the street or in a park, we go straight over to ask if we can play. Maybe it really is genetic!
posted by dancinglamb at 6:33 AM on July 27

Our Boglen seems to combine the better traits of the Boston Terrier and the Beagle, including a better health outlook. No heavy breathing of the Boston smashed face syndrome, either.

Very rambunctious. Not very vocal and almost never barks. Chews toys to pieces but has only chewed one non-toy (an iron cord that was, thankfully, not plugged in). Seems to learn quickly and observes rules resolutely (can't go upstairs which she learned by being told "no" and being carried back downstairs only a very few times - perhaps less than five times).

She's now, at a year old, about 22 pounds and the picture of a healthy, happy dog. A "real" dog. These are dogs that are likely not available at the shelter. We got ours from a breeder in Missouri ($800) after a two year research effort that included Pharoah Hound, Basenji, Whippet, French Bulldog and, to a lesser extent, the Welsh Corgi (which, by the way, might not be able to clear that 2 foot rock fence). In the end, the Boglen won primarily due to the stories and admiration for the dog from other owners.

There were times, early on, where we thought we'd made a mistake but, now, we can't even remember why we ever thought that. Given your description of your grandmother's tastes and priorities in a dog, I do think that the Boglen is worthy of your interest.

Also, the dog costs a lot less than a French Bulldog!
posted by bz at 9:21 AM on July 27

Oh, and big, intelligent eyes with visible whites like the Boston Terrier with a great willingness to establish and maintain eye contact.
posted by bz at 9:23 AM on July 27

You might want to read up on the history of French Bulldogs. They actually are thought to be English in origin.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:03 PM on July 27

Thanks for everyone's suggestions! I will bring them to grandma and hopefully she will find a new pup for her to wait on hand and foot, have professional photos taken of, endlessly buy toys for, and quite possible bequeath all her earthly possessions to!
posted by whoaali at 10:37 PM on July 27

OK, this is sort of old now but I did want to agree that in the absence of a REALLY SECURE FENCE Italian Greyhounds can be problematic (especially if your grandma isn't up to taking them out all the darn time.) They can definitely be absolutely scandalous when it comes to potty-training, so yeah. Probably not the best choice.

...which is too bad, because I know mine consider themselves entitled to a life of being waited on hand and foot, having professional photos taken, endless toys, and everyone's earthly possessions.
posted by Neofelis at 11:25 AM on August 2