Getting a pup in your 70's. Would you do it?

Why not take on a puppy walker role for Guide Dogs For the Blind. We did this when my 80 year old dad said he was desperate for a dog ( we had moved in with him at the time)
After a 3 months simple paperwork and home garden inspection we had Louis, a beautiful little black lab.
Dad adored her.
We all knew that we would only have her for about 12 months. Sadly Dad died when she was about 9 months old but he cherished the time and love that she gave him.

lixy I posted above, the breed specific charity I volunteer for places with people in their seventies.

Bluebird we brought an eight week old lab home in 2020. We were 70 and 69, fit and experienced dog owners. My husband was diagnosed with stage four cancer, he died six months later. I’ve had many ups and downs with the lab, whose development was impacted negatively by the way our lives changed
I have a fall back, my trainer will adopt my dog if I can’t manage due to unexpected health. My spaniel who is seven will go to a family member

Would I do it? No.
An older dog maybe, but not a puppy.

Sorry Iam64, I missed that your charity does place dogs with older people - what a very sensible policy.

My long front drive runs a,ongside a footpath which is a shortcut to the park - I have had many conversations with dog owners about their dogs and many have said they would have preferred a rescue dog but it was not possible due to their age. It’s a crying shame.

bluebird I hope you find a suitable companion soon.

"It is really really hard to be accepted by a rescue rehoming charity once you are over 50 so all those who recommend this route are on a hiding to nothing."

Not in my experience. Since turning 50 we've had three dogs from three different rescue charities.

Doodledog

I wouldn't take a rescue dog from a shelter, as you'd have no idea what had happened in the life that led to the rescue, but if you can find a dog that is in need of rehoming (eg because of the death or illness of its owner, or for other reasons that don't involve ill-treatment) it could be an answer. My son's dog, for instance, was bought as company for an older dog but it didn't work out. The older dog was aggressive towards him, and the owners put him up for sale. He is a lovely dog, and very happy in his new life with my son and DIL.

I know people who have taken dogs from shelters and had a lot of problems because they didn't know the reasons why the dog had been rescued, so couldn't deal with them.

Another consideration might be that a puppy will grow up with you and will adjust to your routines and pace - maybe more easily than an older dog might be able to do.

An old friend had a dog from someone whose health had rapidly worsened. They stayed in touch for a while, sending updates & photos etc because the parting had been such a wrench

Hi bluebird, I got my Cavapoo puppy at 8 weeks when I was 72, she’s now 5.
I have never been without a dog or two since I left home at 21 so I just could not live without one.
My Dd has promised to have her should I die before her and she knows my Dd and family well as they look after her when I travel.
I live alone and I cannot tell you how much I rely on her company, I love her so much, plus she gets me out walking every day and makes me smile a lot, she’s such a good girl.
I have thought if I become unable to walk her, I would get a dog walker and she would socialize with other dogs, as of course she does now.
I also have a large enclosed garden and she’s in and out most of the day.
I would go for it bluebell, get your little Jack, there’s life in us old dogs yet. 🤣

Sorry bluebird of course 😊

Bluebird, it sounds like you have a plan in place in case anything should happen to your health, making it hard to look after the dog. That would be the only thing holding me back. I would make sure to confirm it.

I think dogs keep us engaged and healthy; daily walks and the company of having another loving being in your household. I say go for it!

We were in our late 60s when we chose our 2 year old rescue girl. The previous girl was a rescue who was about 6 months old and we had her for 16 wonderful years. After seeing so many rescues and talking to others I would never consider buying a puppy. Many rescue organisations do a home trial.

Agree

here if you adopt a animal after 70 you have to make a god mom my daughter is theirs and they adore her..tooo many is shelters

Doodledog

I wouldn't take a rescue dog from a shelter, as you'd have no idea what had happened in the life that led to the rescue, but if you can find a dog that is in need of rehoming (eg because of the death or illness of its owner, or for other reasons that don't involve ill-treatment) it could be an answer. My son's dog, for instance, was bought as company for an older dog but it didn't work out. The older dog was aggressive towards him, and the owners put him up for sale. He is a lovely dog, and very happy in his new life with my son and DIL.

I know people who have taken dogs from shelters and had a lot of problems because they didn't know the reasons why the dog had been rescued, so couldn't deal with them.

Another consideration might be that a puppy will grow up with you and will adjust to your routines and pace - maybe more easily than an older dog might be able to do.

Doodle dog, you could consider being a foster carer.
They put a dog that matches your abilities with you until they find a forever home for it. It could be weeks or many months.The Dogs Trust do this.
Also, the Blind dog association need foster carers for their potential dogs for the blind. They cover all expenses,food, vet’s bills, everything, but, you have to say goodbye after 12 months. However, you then start again with another puppy.
I am 73, husband is 79 but 25 from the neck down!Fit as a fiddle, but that can change in a split second, we’ve all, at our age, witnessed that.
I’m desperate for another dog but I daren’t do that, as it would outlive me for certain.!My last one died 2 months ago. But, I can’t believe how ‘free’ I feel……
Try fostering first, that might just scratch the itch…

I’ve no idea how that happened! I didn’t mean to copy that letter in above mine, so sorry, not great with the nitty gritty of tech!

I'd ask the breeder if they could take the dog back if you were unable to cope at any time in the future or ensure a friend or family member would take the dog on.

Definitely. We did it last year aged 71 and 75. Lost both our old cavaliers and got two pups. Wonderful interest and exercise. Don’t hesitate.

Maybe advertise, offering to be a dog carer on weekdays. You wouldn’t have the responsibility and costs involved were it your own dog.

We got a puppy 2 years ago when I was 66 and he was really hard work he’s only just settling down now and I mean hard work

I love him to bits but if I was in the same situation again I think I would rescue a older dog

You also have to think that the dog could live till he is 14 or older how would you cope then or would you have someone that would take him on if you were no longer around

bluebird243 What are you waiting for! 🌷🌷

bluebird243

I'm 76, in good health, active and no mobility problems. I walk every day for at least 40 minutes.
A pup is for sale locally, nice family. The pup's mum is a Jack Russell who is not a barker, she's a calm, laid back dog. The pup looks like her double.

I've had a JR in the past another quiet, laid back girl and also JR x Dachshund who had a nice nature, no problems and only barked at strange noises and men with walking sticks [rehomed her at 9 months].

I know the puppy stage is full on but I'm on my own now, even the Grandchildren are grown,. Basically I have all the time in the world, friends are either unwell or passed away and I feel very lonely [more than ok with living alone though].

Would you have a pup in my circumstances? Any help I may need in an emergency would be paid help/dog sitters or walkers and I'm ok with that.

In your circumstances and with your ability to make a wise choice get a puppy.

Reputable rescues will insist on the dog's return to them if need be.

I don't advise purchase from any private person . If such a "nice family" why are they selling pups?

I bought a puppy from a "nice family" . The owner explained to me the only reason they had pups for sale was that they wanted their bitch to have one litter before the got her spayed.

And as for professional breeders who earn their livings from poor bloody brood bitches enough said !

Have you thought about Borrow My Doggy? You find a match that suits you and the owner. When our dear JR was put to sleep my husband couldn’t bear the thought of another dog so I used BMD and walked a JR cross 3x a week Hamish).When we were ready for our next dog a rescue JR I told Hamish’s owner that if they got on I’d still walk him and I do but only 1 day a week now. It’s a great way to spend time with dogs.

Up until very recently I’d have said go ahead. I’ve always had dogs and got my present girl when I was 73. I was as capable of looking after a dog as ever.
My dog is half Jack Russell. Very fit, very active and excitable, very very very noisy and reactive to every other dog.
I’m now 80 and my strength and stamina are diminishing fast. I love Polly dearly but she’s the hardest dog of all and, knowing JRTs often live to 18, I dread the future.
For me, getting a new pup in old age was a bad mistake.

A JR can live to be a good age.You may have a lot of energy at the moment but think what will happen to the dog as you get older . It’s not fair to the dog if it ends up in a shelter. Why not get an oldie who deserves some love and attention.