My dad wants a dog....

As the title says..My dad is wanting a dog. He's asked me to help him.
He is wanting a Border collie or BC X, although to be honest i'm not sure that is the right breed for him, so thought i'd ask others opinions and see what you all thought.

Here's a bit of background info on my dad, he is 65 yrs young.
My parents split up 2 years ago, He went to stay with my sister in Staffordshire, who managed to get him a flat in a sheltered housing place in Stafford.

The flat is lovely he is the top floor of a 2 storey flat, and although the flat does not have its own garden, the whole complex is gated/secured off, and my dad is an early riser never out of bed later than 6am. My dad is still very active and is in control of all his faculities
He walks a lot and is wanting a middle aged/elder dog that can be his companion as he is very lonely and is missing doggy companionship.
He loved my mum's old dog Sindy who was a Border Collie/labrador, and also he loved her Border collies too... I think that is why he is wanting a BC.
He's always loved "big" dogs, his own dad many years ago used to own gsd's, and he always adored my Dobes. He loves Aura my Boxer too, although he admits Boxers are a little bit bouncy for him.
He likes our Min Pins, although he's not too sure about having a small dog like them, as he's afraid of stepping on something so small, and also as he walks a lot he is wanting a dog that is fit and active enough to walk with him.
This dog if he manages to get one, will go everywhere with him.

He has asked for permission to own a dog, and has been granted permission by the housing association.
He cant home a dog from a rescue centre because they wont home to anyone without a garden.

Should I be helping him in trying to acquire an elder dog for him, or should I be putting him off the idea?

Would any one rehome a dog to someone living in a flat.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice you have.

How about a lab or retired greyhound?

Hmmm to be honest I would not have thought a very active dog would be right for living in a flat - however and yes Im sure everyone knows whats coming apart from the stairs issue - erm how about an older greyhound? There are certainly rescues out there that would rehome to a situation like his and they are happy to laze around a lot (the greys not the rescues).

Just a thought, but a valid one I think.

Sindy my mums old dog was lab/border collie... markings of a BC, but i'd say more the temperment of a lab, So maybe an older lab would be a good suggestion to him.
I will also ask him if he's thought about retired greyhound.
The stairs I dont think would be an issue, they are split stairs. as in I think there's about 5 steps at the bottom then a landing type area then about 7 more steps to his flat. The flat isn't small, nice sized kitchen, living room ( plenty of room for a dog to sprawl out, and a nice big bedroom.

There are rescues that will home to people who live in flats, but they tend to be the smaller rescues I believe. My cousin has a lovely rescued collie x who is really easy-going but still a smart little dog - you might find a collie cross that fits the bill. I thought of a greyhound too - is there a lift in the building?

No there is no lift in the building, But the flats are not high storey flats, they look more like town houses, with like a downstairs flat, then the upstairs one.
The stairs are not steep though.

Yes as mentioned before look into smaller rescues and maybe go with your dad. I think there's a rescue for retired greyhounds as well. A nice, calm older dog would be ideal for your dad.

Sounds like he would give a great home to an older rescue. Perhaps go to breed specific rescues if 'larger' (Dogs Trust, RSPCA, etc.) rescues won't give him a look in? I don't know if a BC specific rescue would be accommodating to people living in flats, but I doubt he would have a problem with (as already well suggested!) Lab or Greyhound rescue. Older Labs and Greyhounds generally make excellent dogs for flat/apartment living.

A older collie would be fine, if its the right one, they are very adapatable & clean & will cope with Flat life.there are tons in rescue & maybe one of the more specialised BC rescues may be more understanding to your dads situation. As long as he is up to decent exercise per day, should be fine.

http://valgraysbcrescue.webs.com/newdogs.htm

There is a old lady on here, but may be too old for him, however Val sees new dogs all the time

Why not try oldies club, they have lots of older dogs (7 + or is this too old) and i'm sure they take each dog on merit