Pawz4me wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
Dogs are very accomodating. With a few exceptions, they can and will adjust to the owner's physical abilities.
I strongly disagree with that. IME and IMO it's a recipe for disaster for a physically disabled or elderly person to get a big, energetic dog. Working in rescue I've seen so many bad outcomes from that. The dogs are generally the ones who suffer the most, but many of the owners do, too.
This is different than your prior statement. Your prior statement said not to get a big dog if you can't walk it which is different than your second statement that says not to get a big energetic dog if you are physically unable to handle it.
My point was in reference to the idea that a large dog requires more exercise than a small dog. This is not true. There are many large dogs that are happy in a more sedentary life and small dogs who need a lot of physical exercise.
Getting a dog of any size that fits your activity level is important. But a low physical level does not require a small dog.
