What a nice daughter you are!! I hope I get a daughter in law like you someday!! :O) Anyway...I have 4 golden retrievers and have always wanted a toy dog, especially a poodle beacause I've heard how great their personalities are! So.........I got Mocha(aka Mokie) 2 weeks ago and he is darling. No shedding(like that matters with 4/goldens LOL) and hypoallergenic too!! He's very sweet, not hyper at all, and so smart!!! Good luck, tell us what you decide on!! P.S I would think a terrier would be a bit too active for an older person, just my 2 cents worth!!