I am looking for a small breed dog.. no bigger than spaniel size preferably smaller so could ride on lap in powered wheelchair.

I do have scooter but am having difficulty getting on/off it and my condition is progressive. I have a new powerchair arriving next month. A small dog that could sit on my lap if it got tired if I wanted to take it to parks further away would be ideal.

My previous dogs have been medium sized lab/collies etc but I feel I would struggle with all the exercise they would need and it wouldn't be fair to them.

I would hope to be able to get it out at least once a day myself, as I like to get out of the house myself! but if not I will have a PA to help further down the line.

If you know of any breed rescues in yorkshire I would be willing to take an older dog already part trained in basic obedience.

I'm not sure what breeds to start looking at.. I don't want a very tiny yappy dog but it can't be too big it couldn't sit on my lap in the powerchair. (kind of small-medium). I'd like a bright breed which would enjoy doing a few things like picking things up for me, pulling socks off, and playing with puzzles (Nina Ottosson type) to keep them happy when I have lots of pain.

I don't have children but my best friend visits who has three at 7-14yrs old and 2 dogs and a young nephew (age 2) so would need to be able to cope with occasional visits from other kids/pets.

Any suggestions.

Thanks

Lilly

Hi Lilly,

Rather than a specific breed, can I suggest contacting the Oldies Club? They have all sorts come through their doors, from 7 years and upwards, so many of them have gone through the puppy phase and got to the sensible adult stage

You could explain your situation and they may well have the right dog, or will bear you in mind for any dogs they help with rehoming.

Oldies Club

Hi

I'll look into that.. there doesn't seem to be anyone near me. I have thought of trying Dogs Trust.

I'm worried that they wouldn't think the dog I liked would be suitable for me as it says on many adoption sites. From past experience many people assume what I can't do so I'm anticipating having more difficulty.

I also thought of looking at local people in free ads looking for someone to give a dog a home but as I said I wasn't sure what breed would have the best characteristics, though I do really like the little Ruby Cavaliers.

As I don't have a car and my electric powerchair means taxi's are expensive and some rescue centre's difficult to access, is anyone aware of a charity or breeder of Ruby Cavi's that would bring a dog to my home to show me? Maybe if I emailed them and explained my circumstances?

Mini poodle would be good as they can spring up onto your lap, love being on your lap. Dont like leaving you and are very clever

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Some rescue organisations rehome dogs nationally, they operate with a network of volunteers, who home check and foster dogs so that they don't have to stay in kennels. Here's a couple of links for you, Lizzie's Barn have got a lovely cocker bitch looking for a home, good luck with your search:

Lizzie's Barn Animal Sanctuary

Oldies Club

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Rescue and Welfare UK

Thanks for the links. At the moment I'm just doing research as have to go in hospital for surgery soon and maybe in 2-3 weeks so I want to wait until that's out of the way so as not to unsettle a new dog with having to go back into kennels for a few weeks shortly after moving in, or having to cope with another stranger.

I hadn't thought of poodles, mainly cos only ones I'd seen were ones with shaved faces and pom pom's on their legs and tails! I've seen quite a few poodle crosses that I liked though during recent searches, although the names make me laugh (cockerpoo??).

I did notice they come up on top of list as most intelligent of the smaller breeds (Toy Poodles).

I've never owned a breed that needs professional clipping etc, (our family pets from childhood have been GSD, Beagle cross, yellow lab/collie cross, Border collie/whippet/lab cross)They have all lived to their teens..so obviously regular costs like professional grooming can soon add up on a limited income. How much would this cost and how often would it need doing? As that's something I'd have to take into consideration too.

I'm a big believer in dog been part of the family and not just getting rid of them cos money is tight etc so would rather know before I choose a dog if professional grooming is an extra cost I can afford on a regular basis for the lifetime of the dog.

I think Shih Tzu's are cute too with the short teddy bear look rather than really long hair, don't know if they be able to jump on and off my lap from floor or onto footplate?.. be easier for me to lift it from footplate than floor.

Thanks

Lilly

Clipping is more of a preference than a requirement with some of the smaller breeds that can have shaggy coats. I've got a friend online who has a poodle that she only has clipped once or twice a year at most, she just makes sure she keeps on top of grooming so that the dog doesn't develop tangles and matted fur. With breeds like cockers, the coat can vary quite a lot, from dense and shaggy to quite sparse and shiny. There are a lot of small cross breed dogs around at the moment, and finding one that's been ethically bred, from parents that have had appropriate health tests is a bit like looking for rocking horse poo to be quite honest. And if one ends up in rescue, then it's unlikely, unless it's a rescue specifically for cross breeds, to know the exact breeding.

I'm sure something like a toy poodle, or cocker would definitely be able to jump up into your lap no problem, but wouldn't like to say with regards to some of the smaller breeds you mention, just how high they could/should be jumping.

Good luck with the operation and your search for a dog.

Hi

I think a Cocker spaniel may be a bit too heavy on my legs. I don't mind if its a cross breed once I work out what kind of height/weight I'm going for, it would just be to give them an idea of kind of size I was looking for when I first emailed rescue places.

I'm guessing a Toy Poodle would be lighter than a Cocker Spaniel?.. We used to see a little spaniel when I took my previous dog to park, it was much smaller than a cocker spaniel but it wasn't a CKCS.

Any cross breed those kind of sizes would be fine, I wouldn't want too old as I would hope to be able to train it to help me around the house abit as my other one did but I'd had her from 4 months old. However I was fully mobile when I first got her and didn't need wheelchair until she was about 3 so she had all her basic obedience.. so maybe a dog between around 4-6yrs old but again its flexible depending on dogs available and what basic obedience they had.

I think it's hard to tell from pictures and videos on internet, I'll probably see if a friend or family member can drive me to a rescue centre to have a look at some after I've got through the op.

Thanks for your advice/links

Lilly

Cockers can range in size, so I wouldn't rule them out as a whole, or other breeds where the size range can vary, particularly if you're looking to rehome a young adult who will have done most of their growing, as you will be able to see their fully grown size

I have a mini poodle and he is by far as smart as my collies if not smarter, I clip him myself and I learnt by watching some youtube video and having ago. They are really the most suitable dog for what you are discribing but do need regular brushing and clipping. He is only 11 mths and is a silver, but already is on level with collies at the obedience and has started doing agility pup training and boy is he a fast learner! I will try and put a photo on

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