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

I recently finished reading Sophie, the dog from Romania by Rory Cellan-Jones. He is retired and has Parkinson’s. It was a good enough read to start but that dog was scared of it’s own shadow and by the time the book ended they had spent a whole year trying to get it to come out from behind the sofa. They also could not let the dog near visitors or grandchildren.
I can’t find any enjoyment in having a dog like that with so many problems and which you can’t even take out for an enjoyable walk.

I did just that.
He was one this Tuesday.
It has been a really hard, but very rewarding year. He's great fun and absolutely full of bouncing beans.
I use a wonderful dog walker twice a week. Worth every penny as I found I was getting over tired.
Takes a lot to wear Cavapoos out.
My last dog was a 2 year old rescue. That's very rewarding too. Promise you one thing, it will never be dull !!

Always had a dog in our family. Adopted a 3 1/2 Weimaraner at 71, unfortunately my husband whos 73 does have some health issues. We both do the morning walks but I do the evening walks. The Weimaraner came from a young family with 3 children (1 a newborn). The husband had a back injury so they were struggling to walk him. He is a lovely dog and our third Weimaraner. They have said that if for any reason in the future we need to rehome him to call them 1st. (I guess they were looking at our age). Our last Weimaraner was nearly 15 when we lost her so hopefully I will be fit enough into my 80s but think he will be out last dog. I would advise adopting an older dog, you do forget how much more exercise and attention a younger dog requires.

I was going to have a dog when I was a fit 70 year old, but then cancer came and then another cancer 18 months later, then I broke my leg tripping over a pipe in my garden. So I'm glad I don't have dog.

Bear in mind as well a Jack Russell is generally a long lived dog, can you be relatively sure that you will be there at his end? If you go ahead I would imagine making plans for him, should you no longer be able to be there for him, should play an important part in your decision.

My BIL bought a puppy about a year after his wife died. He was 74. They had always had dogs so knew what it involved, or so he thought.

The dog is a JR cross and is absolutely on the go 24/7. He is now 3 years old and you cannot tire him out. He gets two long walks a day and runs after a ball thrown from one of those shooter things. All their other dogs were treated to the same amount of exercise but knew when enough was enough. This boyo doesn’t and sits whining at his master who is trying to watch TV until he gives in and plays another game.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

bluebird243 What are you waiting for! 🌷🌷

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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…

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

Agree

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.

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!

Sorry bluebird of course 😊

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. 🤣

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