{{{{{{{{{{{Pearls}}}}}}}}}}}} OH honey!! So here you are in this complicated relationship with your mom, and the Geographical Cure is failing you... oh, I can sooo relate! There are times when I would give ANYTHING to be back in Phoenix just for a day--just one day!--to sort out something or other for my mom.... and then yanno I would have to sky outta there before nightfall, lol, just to keep my sanity!
So. Here's the thing. Your mom is really good with small dogs but not all small dogs are going to be good for her. You want to avoid the really yappy ones--Yorkies and Chihuahuas come to mind, and so, unfortunately, do Pomeranians; and the bitey ones--again, most unfortunately, Pommies and Chihuahuas.
You also want to consider your mom's physical grace level. If she's clumsy and at ALL inclined to trip--OR if her vision is failing!!--you want to avoid the teacups and miniatures. Their bones are fragile and it would cause her immense pain to step on or crush a furbaby; plus, if one jumps off a couch, say, or a bed, they run the risk of breaking bones... and if you get her a puppy, they are in constant danger of hypoglycemia until about six months of age.
I think getting her a dog which will naturally run about fifteen to twenty pounds would probably be the safest for her, as well as the best for the dog. A short haired dog would be easiest to take care of and also would be more easily able to deal with any summer heat. I'm a fan of rescued mutts because I think their genetics are usually better--but if you go with a purebred, I believe very strongly in meeting the breeder face to face. The same thing which tells you which patients are likely to resist taking their meds (the first time you meet them) will also tell you if the breeder is honest.
Good luck to you, honey. I hope you and your mother can find the right dog very soon.
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