Are we too old to get a dog

BusterTank, I take on board what you say and you are trying to cover some aspects you think we may not have thought of. I would expect settling issues of some sort from any dog, it is bound to feel insecure at first, from wherever it comes from. We would naturally fit any time away around the dog but this would only be about twice a year, we could not give up visiting dgc. I am determined to be positive about this, I cannot imagine all dog owners who don’t have family, or whoever, to step in never leave the UK. As others have said we will find a really good kennels, boarder or dog carer and then it will probably be us with separation anxiety ?

You are certainly not too old to get a dog, if you both want one. Just make sure it isn't so large as to need very long walks every day or a job of work to do.

But dogs are a completely different kettle of fish to cats, so you will probably still miss a cat. You could try for a dog that has been used to cats, and introduce a kitten when he or she has settled down. Our preference is definitely for bitches.

If you start looking now, it should be possible to find someone who will look after the dog when you are away.
Who looked after the cat?

Absolutely go for it, you sound as though you will be great dog parents. Don't worry about the holidays, we use Trustedhousesitters.com. They come with good references, you get to know them before you go, and they come and live in your house and cherish your pet(s). There are other similar sites which you could look at too, but we have been delighted with those, and they sit for free so they can explore a different part of the world to where they live.

We got 3 new cats last summer & I am 68 too. DH a lot younger but I do all the cat care. That makes 4 with our older lady. Best thing we ever did- they are wonderful & I've had cats/dogs all my life.
We did consider another dog but our last one was a one off & we could never get another as gorgeous- I still miss her every day-plus she always stayed with a friend who looks after dogs in her own house when we went away & she is moving to Oz!
I believe pets enrich your life & give so much more back than you can ever imagine- go for it & enjoy every minute.
ALL my animals have always come from rescue centres. There are so many beautiful animals just longing for a forever home.

JohnD although you are right about 99.9% of dogs there are some who hate walks and are happy to play in the back garden instead.

Many years ago we took in a rescue dog that had been abandoned by being thrown out of a car on a back country road. I could never get her to go outside our front door or indeed in a car ever again. If I tried she would wet and worse with fear and start to shake uncontrollably.

Kept as a house dog with a canine companion, she learned to chase a ball, play tuggy and romp around with the other dog and lived happily ever after, inside the house or the back garden. . I’ve since met several other rescue dogs with a similar problem.

Our new 6-year old rescue dog will now go out for walks, but it’s taken months to build up his comfidence and even now if something spooks him he wants to go home, where he feels safe.

Oh dear BusterTank that's a very negative view of dog ownership. The issues you raise whilst they could possibly happen are not usual. My last rescue dog was 3 when we got her and had been so cruelly treated. Now she is the happiest, kindest and most lovable dog you could want. Of course oldgirl needs to be aware of the downside but there are so many positives and people who can help and advise.

If you take on a dog from somewhere like Dogs Trust they have an arrangement whereby they will take it back if things change.

oldgirl2 The best home boarding people are often booked up way in advance. If you do go ahead and get a dog, don't leave it till the last minute to book your sitter before your holiday. A reputable sitter will invite you round to meet your dog before the start of your holiday, too.

Hi , I don't want to be a downer but what would happen to the dog it something happen to you ? You say your looking for a dog about five , any dog of that she would have been given up or abandon so would have speration issues . So you going of holiday would traumatised the dog because it wouldn't know if you where coming back . If you where to get a dog you would need a puppy because it wouldn't have the issues of revise your holidays so you can take the dog with you . I don't want to be a downer but you have to consider these things before you get one and dogs are a tye because you can't just do what you want . Also if they have seperation problems and you go out , they tend to howl , so if you have neighbours you need to consider that . I hope what ever direction you go , it all goes well.

If you cannot walk out daily with your pet, then you certainly are too old.. The dogs need exercise and it is essential it gets it. You shouldn't have to rely on someone else.

When our kids were growing up we always had a dog but our children have long since left and we have downsized.

Now we are both 70 and settled (not travelling too much) we are planning to see if a dog wants us at our local dog's home.

We've been their volunteer dog walkers for some time and we very much regret not asking for a pair of lively cocker spaniels to help keep us fit.

Anja, the charity I volunteer for places all dogs with foster carers for assessment before they're matched with prospective adopters. There are many so called 'failed fosterers' who fell in love with one (or more) and kept them.

I’m in my 70s and have 3 rescue dogs. One is only 20 months, the other two are 7 and 14.

Should anything happen to us my family will have the dogs.

I would say yes to you. There are so many dogs out there looking for forever homes. Don’t be put off but an older dog and go for a small-medium dog I’d suggest.

Look at the online charities too. I started by fostering and ended up keeping.

No I don't think you are too old to have a dog.
I got my dog when I was 70. She was a rescue dog aged 9 months. She's a Havanese, weighs 16 lbs, rarely barks, very loyal, great with children and other dogs and I am besotted with her!

No, you're not too old. Get an older dog if you are worried about a puppy outliving you or being too much for you. I do not mean to be unkind to you when I say this.

Go for it old girl, the thought you're giving it says you'll be good dog owners. It's worth researching breeds as there aren't many genuine mongrels around these days. Many dog rescue shelters are full of staffs and old German shepherds.
There are many charities that are breed specific. Decide what characteristics and size will work in your lives. Many breed specific charities place dogs in foster homes pre adoption, which means adopters are matched with dogs that suit their needs, plus they get good information from the foster carer about behaviour, exercise and training needs. Best of luck

Yes, go for it.
I meant to get another retired greyhound when we lost Gracie, they are generally retired around 4, but ended up with 18 month old Hattie who is the gentlest dog ever.
I do wonder about our future though as I am 70 and the other hounds lived to 12, 12and 14 respectively. ?

As long as you’re fit enough to give a dog a good home then you’re not too old.
I got my present puppy when I was 73 and we have had such a loving fun-filled time together. I hope to live at least the 17 years which she could live.

The Cinnamon Trust often has dogs looking for long term fostering. The advantage (apart from them paying vets bills etc) is that they will also take the dog back if for any reason you can’t continue to care for it. A bit of added security that your hound will never be homeless.

Nothing at all wrong with a quality kennels, If you do use a home based dog sitting service make sure their property is secure and they have quality insurance. I've heard some horror stories of dogs escaping from their sitters house and going missing or getting hit by a car. Apart from that it sounds like you're thinking it all through.

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. We have been researching breeds, training and everything else we can think of for a while now, so haven’t rushed into it. We are looking forward to this change in lifestyle, it will be a big change for us, as long as holidays abroad are not over completely. Vet bills will not be a problem, we have had plenty of those in the past?, also I agree it is a good idea to have arrangements in place for the future. Thank you all for being helpful, this is a good place to share doubts, I may even share my views in future.......instead of being a lurker ??

If you get a dog, will it be an adult/mature one? Some dogs live for many years, so as long as you'll still be fit enough and will have enough to pay for vet bills etc., why not?

We got a puppy when my husband was 70 and a year old rescue dog a year later. I'm a few years younger than dh. We have arrangements for them if we pass on before they do! We no longer have holidays but if you research carefully Im sure you will find the right care for them. Our dogs have made our retirement for us. Long walks every day, new friends in the doggy world. We had a lot of work to do with the rescue dog and needed the help of a specialist trainer, but we got there and he's the loveliest of dogs now. Make sure you match the breed to the amount of exercise and mental stimulation you are able to provide. all the very best to you and the dog you decide on ( or who decides on you)

We got our little dog last year because she needed a home.When we were much younger we had a dog ...a mongrel ...who lived to be nearly 17. We vowed when she was pts that we would never have another ...and didn't succumb for another 18 years.

However we love having a dog again. She is big enough to enjoy walks of over 5 miles when we have our once a week coastal outing but small enough to be content with a much smaller daily walk on other days.

As well as the pleasure she gives us she has altered our lives in many ways though. We have to think more carefully about our holidays. When we go abroad our daughter looks after her with her own retriever but our holidays in this country have totally changed. We used to like cheapie bus trips or our own touring incorporating lovely historic buildings and gorgeous lunch stop offs.

Now we tend to choose coastal or country destinations where we can take her with us. More planning required because not all hotels take dogs. Lovely on summer days watching the world go by sitting outside a coastal pub enjoying a glass of wine. Not so great in the winter in places where we can't take her inside. However l google ahead now if we fancy lunch out half way through a dog walk.

We are both almost 67. In good health at present thank goodness but we know that if anything happened our dog lover daughter would take our dog. You also need to consider the price of vet insurance ext and the time and patience necessary to train. I would highly recommend.

Nothing wrong with a good Boarding Kennels - its just not suitable for our dog, she's a rescue dog and was very stressed by her stay in kennels. Also bonding well with someone willing to have our dog as a guest is really useful for those odd long days out when taking a dog would not be suitable. Having someone to provide the odd 'doggy daycare sessions' has been invaluable.