Too old for a dog??

[justasking111]

We were due to see a puppy today. We lost our old dog in January. OH said he'd changed his mind because he's now too old for a puppy and dog . He's 71 I'm 66. I'm just so sad to think that's it. We do have an 8 year old dog so aren't dogless so to speak.

Anyone else feel that your present pet will be the last

Does it have to be a puppy? There are lots of older dogs needing homes. I know someone who adopted an 8 or 9 year old dog in their 70s whose owner had died

Yes. I'd go for an older dog.

I don’t think, as a couple, that you are too old for a puppy.

If it was a single person alone at 71, I’d think twice. But the puppy will age as you age, and at 66 I assume you still have the energy for a young dog, which you might not have in 5 years time (like your DH). So if you are willing to put in most of the graft, and if you are choosing your dog carefully (no string, high energy breeds), then I’d want to reopen the discussion.

I lost darling dog in March; she was 16 and although I’m younger than you I thought she’d be my last as I could foresee how having a dog with grand children/ travelling/ downsizing would be complicated. I lasted a fortnight before contacting Battersea, newdarlingdog is 12 and very very loved and happy.

Crikey, we’re 68 and 72 and loving having our puppy (she’s now 19 months old).
We have plenty of time for long walks and training sessions, she’s my shadow.
No way do I regret having her.

We lost our dog at 12 a year and a half ago and just felt completely bereft.

We're 71 and 76 and we got ourselves a puppy. We checked with relatives and friends who are dog lovers whether they would be prepared to take on our dog if anything happened to us and several said they would - we went ahead and they are like part of our dogs family we make sure they are included eg dog sitting and coming on dog walks occasionally.

We looked at rescues and at the time -towards the end of lockdown there wasn't much and the competition was steep. We found our pup through friends who knew the breeder so it worked out really well, he keeps us active and gets us out of the house everyday and adds to our life. Even my doctor approved as it's good for our physical and mental health. Also when you can't walk far neither will he she be able to.

Oh another plus is you're around the house more than younger people who're usually at work.

You are only 66 and most dogs live no longer than 16 years and many a lot less. I would say you can definitely have another dog but a rescue would be better than puppy.

Monty Don is 67 and just posted a pic of his new puppy on Twitter. Just saying. www.birminghammail.co.uk/photosales/monty-don-introduces-new-family-24990437.amp

I'm a dog walker so I'm out with dogs for a good 4-5 hours a day, and I see a lot of older folk out with their dogs, so it can definitely be done.

But I think maybe you need to be quite selective about breed (and age) and also think about what you'd do if neither of you could manage walks anymore - eg. could you afford a daily dog walker or daycare?

I look at my parents in their late sixties and they're definitely both fit and healthy enough for dog, but my in-laws are only about ten years older, and they both struggle with their mobility and definitely couldn't cope with a dog full-time - even with a dog walker they would struggle with basics like toilet walks in bad weather etc.

As it is, my in-laws borrow our dog during the day so they get their fix without the work. I walk the dog for 1-2 hours in the morning with my early morning groups, then he goes to my in-laws while I do my busy lunchtime walks. Dog mostly sleeps and shares their lunch

For me personally I would feel terrible thinking I might die before my dog as I have no one that would take him.

And yes I know that can happen anytime but obviously it's more likely as you get older and having seen relatives die soon after retirement age it makes me aware of it even more.

We thought carefully about this, we have several younger friends and relatives who would take her, so not worried on that front.
Dying before your dog can, of course, happen at any age sadly. In the meantime I intend to keep fit walking her and enjoy having a lovely companion 😊

I'll be 74 in a just over a month, my dog is 11 years old.

I got her as an 8 week old puppy when I retired.

We're growing old together. We're both still pretty lively but neither of us can do the sort of two hour walks we did in her younger days.

I live on my own, apart from my dog of course, and I can't imagine getting another dog when her life span ends, although, she a fairly long lived breed so might very well outlive me.

If I were to get another dog though, I'd get an older rescue. I just don't have the energy any more to meet a puppy's needs.

70 and 74. Got a big ole handful of a rescue staffie cross last year - he is coming along nicely. You are not dead until you are dead.

I know of someone in their eighties with new dogs!! I think once you can mind them with no issues it's fine :-)

At 64 my DM found she was indeed too old for a puppy, and he had to be rehomed. She just couldn't keep up with him.

She now has two older dogs - a grumpy French 8 yo bulldog, and a half blind 13 yo Jack Russell cross, and they all rub along nicely together.

Sorry should have said we have working dogs so high energy. ESS breed would have been our third. We've also had two labradors over the years. Our families wouldn't take on the dog for various reasons unfortunately.

A friend's children have given him a puppy for his 80th birthday, but have promised to take it on 'if necessary'. He had always had dogs and was bereft without one.

Absolutely not! My mum got a puppy age 70 & her hubby is 80. Tbh though if anything happened to them we would take on their dog as she's gorgeous and our dog loves her too.

Think of the health benefits of walking a dog every day. You might think you're too old but if the dog keeps you young you'll probably outlive it.

Why do you want a puppy. You could rescue an adult dog there are plenty that are waiting for a home. I can recommend a lurcher. Fantastic dogs that are happy to snooze until you are ready for a walk.

Could you not go for a calmer breed that doesn't need quite as much exercise?

Lurchers aren't a suitable breed for training. It's something that you start with puppies

It definitely makes a difference if you have someone to take on a dog if necessary.

I have no one to take on my dog if I die so she could be finding herself in kennels for years or have to be pts.

It's all very well getting a puppy when you're very old but again, only if you have someone who can help with the walking.

Not many 80 year olds would have the energy for a puppy and I think you definitely forget how full on a puppy can be when you've had an older, mellow dog.

My parents have said no more dogs when their current two pass away .
I've always said I'll take in any dogs they have should anything happen but it's their choice .