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.

The conundrum would be that many many 75 yo people would not be able to exercise and care for a fit 10 yo collie. Some would. Many would not. Border Collies need a lot of exercise.

Same age here. I'd be worried about taking on a collie - they require so much mental stimulation and exercise. We have older rescue labs and I have toyed with the idea of a puppy but haven't gone ahead as we have the same reservations as you.

Getting another dog now might be the one thing that keeps you fit and active and still capable of looking after a dog in 10 or 15 years time!

If you have been used to needing to take a dog out walking every day, you may not realise how good that has been for your health - you just don't really notice it because it is part of your daily routine. But if you suddenly stop having that canine enforcer of daily exercise now, you are in much more danger of losing your mobility over the next decade.

I saw it happen to my parents, and I am noticing it in myself: I am a decade younger than you, but my dog died a couple of years ago and because of other stuff going on in my life I have not yet been able to get another dog. I have definitely noticed a decline in my fitness, and making myself go for walks without a dog, or to the gym as a substitute, is much harder to do without someone whining at me by the door... As soon as I am in a position to have a dog again I will do so, because the physical and mental health benefits are clear to me.

If you are really worried, maybe choose a different breed that is slightly less high-energy than a collie, or adopt a slightly older dog?

Go for it. The fact you are considering the future and planning for it means the dog will be okay. As others the cinnamon trust is good. Get a dog Walker or two involved from an early age so your dog is used to other people walking it and also try and board it with a registered boarder so he or she won't be distressed in different environments. If you do that from early on you won't worry so much if you have periods when you can't walk the dog as you can get others to step in.
You never know what's round the corner, but you're first and healthy now and the dog will grow old with you.

My ils got a dpuppy at 72 and 74.. No ddog is more loved.

I’d get another dog but I’d not get a farm bred collie. What about one of the lower energy terrier breeds?

Go get that puppy. You’ll stay fit by walking it. And you aren’t old

I'm picking up a new pup in a months time. I'm 69. It's not how old you are, it's how fit you are. I've had dogs for 40+yrs, so walked them every day. By any metric you want to use I'm fit and healthy, can touch my toes, do the whole standing on one leg for 3 minutes thing..... lift heavy objects like sacks of chicken feed and hay bales.

I might go under a bus tomorrow - but I might be fit and healthy into my 90's. My local area is full of dog walkers older than me, still getting out in all weathers. 65 is not too old (having said that I'd never have a collie, I prefer calmer breeds 🤷🏼‍♀️)

In 10-15 years time, it wouldn't be an untrained, unsocialised puppy or adolescent though, would it? It would be a far easier, mature dog if a walker or even a new home were required.

We are in same position and just before Xmas we got ourselves a cockerpoo puppy. I won't lie it has been hard adjusting to life with a puppy whilst older. I am 65 and DH is 70.

But my goodness, it is so worth it. The joy he had brought to our retirement is wonderful. We are keeping fit with daily walks and find we have lots to discuss and talk to each other about.

One thing to consider, is what to do with the dog when you want to go to dog free places. I contacted a local group who do doggy day care at very reasonable rates.

I don't regret it one bit and I do have some chronic health problems (which will get worse as I get older) but getting our puppy is the best thing we've done.

Can you get a rescue dog? Let them have their middle age and then retirement with you? I don’t think you are too old to get a puppy in the slightest, I just think you could give a rescue a wonderful home

My in laws are 77 and 78 and walk our 4 year old dog every day and look after her when we are on holiday. They are all fine with that. She gets proper glen and beach walks with her and then they all nap in the conservatory afterwards. They are growing old together but at the moment she is keeping them healthy out and young.

get the dog, train it well, if something happens someone will always take a well behaved dog.

I would get a puppy but maybe not that breed.

it would be different if you were struggling now but you are both fit and well and hopefully years of enjoying your dog ahead of you.

Some relatives recently lost their dog and decided not to get another as they are too old - but they are in their 80s. Good health and local doggy support but even so - that was an understandable decision.

I’d go for , I know someone in her mid 80s who still has a horse .

As you age, so will your dog

Question is whether you can manage a puppy now at the age and fitness you are.

My border collie is 12 and still needs 2 hours minimum of off lead walking a day, and she's never been a typical 'high energy border collie' because she's from show lineage rather than working. If you had family who'd take the dog on I'd say it might be ok, but to be honest I think it'd be selfish to get a puppy if you don't. Collies are so very closely connected with their people, it'd be so distressing for it to have to be rehomed. I'd look at adopting an older dog of 5 or so - young enough to still be lots of fun for years to come.

Perhaps foster and see where that leads you?

65 is fine, it’s not 75. You might need a pet plan of some sort. You could plan ahead with that or wait 3-5 years

I understand that she and her DH are 65 now. But a puppy may be around for another 10-15 years at which point they may not be up to caring for a dog. They don't have family so if they were no longer able to take care of it, it would mean rehoming an old dog, which is sad.

I expect we will be in a similar position and I don't think I would get a puppy mid-late 60s - but perhaps an older rescue.

OTOH my friend's parents took on a rescue dog in their late 70s and I think taking it out for walks helped to maintain their fitness .

I don't think you're too old! Bloody hell, I'm budgeting to live to about 87.

Noooooooo 5 is not too old. Get the puppy!!!! You could be retired and have more flexible time for your dog than a younger person. You are fit enjoy the time with your new dog.

In the dog world 65 is nothing!. I am not sure where all these unfit doddery 70 year old are. People are out competing in agility in their 70's, best scentwork and obedience handlers are in their 70s.

Get out there and enjoy your new puppy.

Recently a young 29 year old agility handler with 6 collies died in a car crash. We can not predict the future live today. (If worried you can set money aside in your will to pay for your dogs welfare if anything happens in the future)

Lovely typo 5 !! obviously 65

DH & I are 62. We have 2 labs, the older of whom is close to 14. We have discussed this back and forth, and have concluded that for us, 2 fit 60-somethings, accustomed to walking, these will be our last puppies.

Any future additions will be older dogs, needing love and attention.

It seems strange from where I am sitting , it so much can change over 15 years at this stage.

I was calculating today how old I would be, roughly, when I would be getting a new puppy. 75. So no, I don't think you are too old.

My DM got a puppy at 78. Go for it.