Are we too old to rescue an 8-year-old lurcher?

[Freysimo]

DH and I are in mid 70s, fortunately fit and active with no major health issues, but obviously realise this could quickly change due to our ages. Our beloved rescue lurcher girl was PTS six months ago, having suffered with dementia. I'm now thinking of a rescue, 7-8 plus, but DH thinks we're too old.

I really miss walking our dog, it was a big part of my social life, but feel it wouldn't be fair if DH isn't fully on board. I do think he could be persuaded though!

We're not interested in holidaying abroad any longer and would be home most of the time.

There's a lovely lurcher lad turned up on our local rescue website, aged 8 and I'm sorely tempted.

Please give me your pros and cons!

I think it sounds perfect for you. There are so many older lurchers that just need a loving home so I think you sound like the perfect match.

Edited to add, cons - ever increasing vet and insurance bills. Pros - everything else.

Perhaps contact the rescue to see if they'd consider you at your ages, as they might have a cut-off. I think it sounds ideal, especially with an older dog, but only if your DH is on board. Good luck!

We have 4 rescues, and they are an absolute joy.

I’d go for it. You know what a lurched needs in terms of exercise, you’re in good health. The only reason why my DH won’t have another lurcher (or any other dog) is because he can’t go through the trauma of having a dog he loves PTS.

You sound ideal for an 8 year old lurcher

Nope! Never to old for a dog as long as you’re healthy and fit - anyone could drop dead tomorrow, regardless of age.

I sold a Golden Retriever puppy last year to a man who was nearly 80. Admittedly he had a very good support network, and I already knew him from a previous puppy, so it made me more comfortable that the dog would be well cared for should anything happen. I’ve also sold puppies to people in their 70s happily. Dog ownership is a blessing, and if you’re honest about finances and your fitness then there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a dog.

The only thing I would say is consider your support network (for if something happened) and your finances (I.e should you need to suddenly get a dog walker every day). But otherwise, sounds perfect.

You sound perfect I think. Still fit and active and home a lot, plus experience too.

Poor little puppy

Can’t think of any cons I know a very fit and healthy man in his late seventies who took on a young collie. He does have family who would walk/take the dog if necessary. Honestly I think the walking keeps him fit and young!

I can’t see why not - you should be fine - will keep you fit and healthy and you’re experienced lurcher owners. Also if you talk to the rescue many of them will take the dog back if the worst was to happen in case you’re worried there’s no one to have her - but I think that would be for your peace of mind more than anything.

@Carandache18 Take your ageist drivel for a swivel.

As long as the dog doesn't have any behaviour issues, I'd go for it.

I know two people in their 80s with dogs. They're both out in all weathers, walking their dogs twice a day. One's just bought a camper van to have weekends away.

@Carandache18 why? It’s not a pup. It’s an 8 year old. It would be going to a happy home where it would be well loved. I’m in my 50s. I could (hope not!) be outlived by my dogs. None of us know the future. I’ve written a will to make provision for them. Just in case.

As long as you have someone in the wings ready to take over the care of the dog if anything happens then go for it . My local rescue recently homed two elderly frenchies to a couple who looked well into their 80’s , both on sticks , so definitely possible .

I think that poster was referring to the 80 year old being sold a golder retriever puppy, not OP. I am in my mid-40s and find puppyhood hard. I can't imagine my parents in their late 70s/early 80s would cope very well with it but everyone is different and with a great support network and with a plan of where the dog would go if it all got too much I guess it's doable.

Sounds great!
do you have any family you could discuss it with, perhaps they could be a back up or at least sign up for helping with rehoming if ever needed.
my Dad is 77 and has a working cocker puppy.
it takes all the logs out of the log basket and eats them

Most rescue centres have age limits, so that might be an issue. My in-laws had trouble getting a dog for that reason.

Thanks for all the comments. Our local rescue says it judges each case on its own merits. We wouldn't rule out a retired greyhound and I believe these are often rehomed to older people. Vets bills won't be a problem, we're lucky enough to be comfortable money wise.

Unfortunately we do not have any family members who could take on a dog after we've gone and our friends are mostly in our age group. Our only child, a son, died 18 years ago.

If I were on my own I would foster but DH not keen on this. Lots to think about.

I should add I've been a volunteer for The Cinnamon Trust for 12 years but this lapsed when my dog was ill, might be worth contacting them again. Also, maybe Borrow My Doggy. Not the same as having your own though.

No not the same.
i think definitely go for it

I am 72 and DH is 70 and we adopted a 5 year old rescue saluki last year. We lost our dog in the January and having had dogs for 45 years missed him so much. We got our rescue in the May.

We did debate it because of our ages and thought about dog sitting, fostering etc but decided we wanted a dog of our own.

It has been great. The dog we lost was quite old and could not walk far so we were not walking much either. Now we are walking at least twice a day, going to lots of new places with him often for a whole day wandering around and eating in dog friendly places.

Lurchers are so overlooked and ime a perfect ddog for all ages! We rescued one when she was about 8. Sadly lost her last September to a stroke at 15...

Sorely missed.
We got a dpuppy as no rescue were happy to rehome with us having 2 dcats.
3 places refused us. Gutted because we wanted an older ddog.
You go give that ddog a happy retirement.. You can surely enjoy it together?

Would you be able to lift the dog if necessary? My only experience of a lurcher was of a very lovely but very lazy boy who occasionally had to be carried upstairs after he had exhausted himself running about like a mad thing.

If you’re comfortable enough that you could get a dog walker if you became unable to do it and presumably the rescue would take him back if anything really bad happened… I say go for it.

and tbh, they’re the sort of things anyone getting a dog should think about, at any age

Yes, sorry OP, I am sure an 8 year old lurcher would be perfect for you. I was mid 60s when I adopted an 8 year old Golden, and we get along very well. It was the 80 year old plus puppy (which could well be expected to live 15 years or more) that made me say 'Poor puppy.'

The answer to that is don't allow the dog upstairs!