We are both 65, we have lost our beautiful dog. 65 is too old for a puppy, isn't it?

[Slowslowreader]

It's not now I'm worried about. We are both well and active and wfh. It's 10 and 15 years time. We have been offered by friend and local farmer a beautiful little collie (as we had before) from his new litter. We know the parents and grandparents, they are gorgeous dogs. But what when we grow old? There is no family to take them on. We could afford a dog walker, but even so, we would be old. My father had dementia by late 70s. It could be me.

I'm so sorry you've lost your ddog, it's heart breaking isn't it.

We lost ours last year and are a similar age to you. We have decided against another for just those reasons. It's not just the day to day care and vet visits; what if one of us was hospitalised.. someone would need to look after the dog. Never mind when we are gone.

I don't want that worry.

How about an older rescue dog?

My mum could absolutely give a collie what it needed in her 70s. My dad absolutely could not have. Which makes it really difficult. I think if it were just thinking about the dog, an older dog would be better.

Sorry. I'd love a collie puppy!

Go for it, if the worst happens, there are people out there that will adopt an older dog.

Hmm tough one OP. You’re obviously very thoughtful for considering 10-15 years time and where the doggie would go.

would you and partner consider maybe partnering up with a local shelter and doing short term fostering of older, calm dogs? Maybe give a few good years to an old dog whose first owner passed away!

By the way I’m not saying don’t get a new dog either - it’s totally up to you. Sounds like you could give a doggy a great life :)

So sorry for the loss of your dog.
If a dog makes you happy and will enrich your lives as well as the dog, then why should age be a factor. 65 is young! I don't believe in dealing with the worries of 'what if'. Just enjoy your life with another dog. And if you need a dog walker at a later date, then so be it! You will still be there for the dog the rest of the time .

I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't think you are too old.

Maybe think of it in terms of what a great life you can give this puppy, who is already here of course. It may well give you a new lease of life and the exercise will keep you fit. 65 isn't old!

dh and i are 67 and HE just picked up an airedale pup.
so far so good.
knock on wood i hope we are both well till 85 at least.

A pup can be both physically and mentally draining. I had forgotten when we got ours 2yrs ago! You will cope, buy I say this as someone without children, we both WFH in relaxed jobs, so have time to totally dedicate it to the dog.

There were times I did think an older dog have been better. Cinnamon trust is one a neighbour had very good experience with as another option. The Cinnamon Trust – The National Charity for older people, the terminally ill and their pets

My Dad took on a dog in his 80s when he wanted a companion but he made sure I would be there to step in. They doted on each other for a few years and I visited daily to walk her. When he was in hospital either my daughter or I had her. She has lived with us for 7 years now and is getting old herself. When she goes we'll get another dog, a rescue, and my daughter will be on stand by.

I'm puzzled. You've lost a dog and are thinking about a puppy but you'll be 65 in 10 - 15 years time? Then your dog won't be a puppy..

Cinnamon Trust is a great charity should you need it. They do provide walkers. I sincerely hope you’d never need it but they also rehome pets (as a permanent foster) should their owners die.
Dogs keep you young and healthy. I would!!

Personally, I would not consider 2 x fit and active 65 year olds too old.

Especially if you set up the dog so it was used to being walked by someone else occasionally (eg dog walker) so it's no big deal if this needs to increase later on.

However, even a collie is slowing down usually by 10 years old - so there is a good chance you'll maybe slow down together.

My parents had a new puppy at 75, they are fit and it keeps them very active. They would stagnate without a dog!

If you’re both fit and well now I think it’s a fair enough gamble to take, it isn’t like adopting a baby, the worst case scenario is that you rehome a well trained older collie, which I’d imagine would be pretty easy compared to rehoming many other breeds or for behavioural issues. And chances are you’ll be fine to give the dog a happy home for its whole life, and it’ll probably keep you younger (after the puppy years have aged you considerably anyway…)

Your 65 not 95!

Huh? They’re 65 now and considering a new pup. But OP is looking to the future, and wondering when they’re 75 or 80 will they still be in a position to look after their beloved dog.

My in-laws did this and nice as they are I was pissed off at them till the dog died.

The dog got all the love and toys but it was never walked enough because they weren't mobile enough. It was not the life the dog deserved.

Of course. Duh at me. Thanks.

Get the dog - who knows what will happen tomorrow let alone in 10 / 15 years time !
You are fit and well now and hopefully this will continue for many years . There is no certainty to the dogs lifetime either . However why not enjoy something that will bring you much pleasure rather than not because of what ifs ?

I can't really think of a better life for a collie than someone your age tbh - owners home all day, still have years of life left to give them good exercise and attention, knows what's involved in getting a puppy so isn't woefully naive, knows the breed. Just a perfect match tbh.

Collie pup and as an adult need loads of exercise.your best bet 3 year old onwards a lab or similar

Get the puppy! It will add so much to your life, and keep you fit and active like just a collie can. Also, in 10/15 years the collie will also be 10/15 and maybe slowing down a bit, so you can grow older together.
please update with pics!

A collie lifespan is 12-15 years (according to Google) so I'm struggling to understand what the conundrum is. Maybe a calmer smaller dog would be a better fit, I wouldn't get a collie now and I'm in my 30s.

No you aren’t too old to get a dog.

A collie might not be the best choice of breed however.

Too energetic, and too strong. Perhaps not right now… but as you say, in 5 or 10 years what will it look like.