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

"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.

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.

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

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

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.

It so depends on your lifestyle, if you like spontaneity and going away don’t do it. The tie for me now would be my only concern.
I would also suggest the cinnamon trust as an alternative for a doggy fix and occasional walking companion. Having a middle aged dog and a partner who keeps informing me he’s the last I have been wrestling with the idea of this too.

Goodness, yes, go for it.
You know about looking after a dog, you know the puppy’s background and you know your own circumstances. Your circumstances may change, as anyone’s may, but you are able to make provision for that.

Absolutely go for it - one very lucky young pup I think to have found such a good home.

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.

And to answer your actual question, yes I would in a heartbeat but OH says no and I think a pet needs to be a ‘whole household’ decision.

I would not advise a puppy at your age. I have always had rescue dogs, which most centres will match to your situation.
As I have aged so have the dogs(lady dogs) I am now 77 and my
latest girl was 5 when I adopted her and we are perfectly matched. I should say we, as my husband is 82 and he does most of the walks. My lovely part time gardener and his wife recently bought a puppy after their old dog died. They are late 40s and early fifties, they said it was mistake and wished like me, they had bought an older rescue dog. They are finding it very hard , even though they have always had dogs and are experienced dog owners. One thing I would stress is, have a back up plan in case of your falling ill or dying. I am lucky my grown up children would happily take in my dog if the worst happened. All devoted dog owners. I would say my husbands health, he is an a diabetic and suffers from COPD has greatly improved since having another dog to walk, something he greatly missed when our last girl died. I wish you well, a house can be very empty without a dog.

I wouldn't basically due to cost. Have you looked into dog sitting. Used to use a service for holidays. Person from company vets the dogs and gathers info about it. When needed they can collect the dog, or person can deliver to you. You are given details about feeding, habits, likes/dislikes. Used this kind of service many times. Dogs seem to enjoy it. The carers even gave us some photos of what the rascals were up to at times. You would have the company without the responsibility and expense of being an owner.

bluebird243

I've tried to rehome an older dog time and again but my age isn't acceptable to any places near me. From private homes I've seen behaviour problems which i found daunting and not suitable for my situation.

I may be accepted by a rescue dealing with dogs from other countries but I don't want to do that [friend had bad experience].

The one day a week dog care is a great idea, thank you.

You might try the Cinnamon Trust. They take in dogs whose elderly/ sick owners can't cope, so must quite often get older dogs. They guarantee care for life but can foster out suitable dogs to approved homes.

Imported rescues; please don't.

<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwq40vjw8lo>

I volunteer for a breed specific rescue. We do place with older people. I confirmed an adoption by a man of seventy with a five year old dog whose owner had become ill and couldn’t keep him

I wouldn't have a pet anymore for the reasons merlotgran has posted. Too many variables here- maybe you can just enjoy other people's dogs as I do, although to be fair none of my friends of the same age have decided to take on the responsibility again once their dogs have passed.

You may feel able now, but taking on a pet is a big commitment and the older we get the fewer guarantees there are.

Unless your family are willing to take on the care at the outset I would not risk it for the dog's sake.

Maybe a 'family' dog that you could all share may be an answer, but I have also seen this go wrong a few times too.

No, I would not take on a puppy at your age.

We've had many rescues over 40 years, starting when we and the dogs were young powerful and energetic; but chose older rescue dogs as we've got older, to keep our activity levels and longevity in synch.

The previous dog was a retired racing greyhound ; arrived age 6 ( after first failed rehoming) and lived to 10. Total gentleman, they are great dogs for older owners. The current rescue ( lively staffy cross) was 9 when we got him , he's now 11, just beginning to slow down a leetle bit, and will last another 2 or 3. By then we'll be in our 80's.

merlotgran

I’m 78 and my beloved 15yr old JR has just had to be put to sleep. This is the first time I have never had a dog in my life but I’m not the least bit tempted to get another one.
Much as I miss her I will focus on the advantages of not having to pay for vet bills, insurance and kennel fees. I spent a couple of nights in hospital last winter and a week recuperating. Sorting out Peggy’s needs was an added worry.
I can now do things on a whim like day trips and overnight stays without having to put a dog at the top of my list of priorities.

Think carefully!

So sorry to hear this. Whenever you post I always think of Jack Russells. But a wise decision.

I’m 78 and my beloved 15yr old JR has just had to be put to sleep. This is the first time I have never had a dog in my life but I’m not the least bit tempted to get another one.
Much as I miss her I will focus on the advantages of not having to pay for vet bills, insurance and kennel fees. I spent a couple of nights in hospital last winter and a week recuperating. Sorting out Peggy’s needs was an added worry.
I can now do things on a whim like day trips and overnight stays without having to put a dog at the top of my list of priorities.

Think carefully!

I think I am probably being selfish here, yes.

The pup is so much what I would have looked for years ago but I have to face facts. I've rehomed a few times in the past and will maybe keep trying to find a genuine older dog needing a home for the right reasons [it isn't easy though]. Vet fees will not be a problem.

Thanks all.

Thinking of the dog I would say not a good idea. I've known people who took in a pup in their mid seventies and found it was a mistake. I hope you will be agile for a long time but things happen.
You have to be prepared to walk the dog twice a day in all weathers. Fine now but when you're in your eighties it may be much harder.

We have always had dogs but all have now died and we are not considered suitable to re-home as we are in our 80. My son has given guarantees that if we pop our clogs he will take the dog but no can do apart from really ancient sick dogs that we would not be able to insure and cost a fortune in vet fees. I am sure a few years with us would be better than being in kennels.

What would happen to your dog if died before it, or became unable to care for it? There are so many older dogs and cats looking for new homes for exactly that reason. Most of them are euthanised. To take on a young dog, knowing full well you might have to abandon it in the future, is selfish. Like other posters have suggested, if you can afford the insurance, consider rehoming an older dog.

If anything did happen I'm pretty sure that if the dog was not a complete tyrant, one of my sons and his family would have her. They like dogs, my granddaughter especially, but too busy to consider a pup of their own at the moment. And I bet they'd love one past the puppy stages.

I understand why you’d like the puppy and I,too, prefer having a puppy that I can train and know it’s history. My main concern is the Jack Russells are long lived little dogs. I’m 73, my dog is nearly 7. I share her with my partner ( who doesn’t live with me) and her breeder will always take back any of her dogs. Even so the thing I worry about more than anything is my dog outliving both of us as my daughter isn’t keen on whippets and Winnie doesn’t get on well with her dog. I know she would take her but it would be out of duty and not love for the dog. If, heaven forbid, I did lose her I think I would take on a rescue because at least I’d know that I was giving it a second chance and presume the rescue would always take her back. One of the worst things about getting old is having a dilemma when it comes to wanting a puppy or a kitten .

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.

I know my health could take a turn any day, that is my worry and I think why I posted.

However my neighbour is 93 and fit as anything, goes out every day, still drives, does all her own housework and cooking etc. My Aunt is 90 this month, fit, no real problems, always out and about.

So that's where my optimism comes in!

At 74, I’ll never have another dog. We rehomed all of ours as DH’s condition deteriorated.
However, we’re all different, but my main worry in your shoes, would be what would happen to the dog, if something happened to you?

I've tried to rehome an older dog time and again but my age isn't acceptable to any places near me. From private homes I've seen behaviour problems which i found daunting and not suitable for my situation.

I may be accepted by a rescue dealing with dogs from other countries but I don't want to do that [friend had bad experience].

The one day a week dog care is a great idea, thank you.