Are we too old to get a dog

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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're definitely not too old to get a dog! They are wonderful company and get you out of the house every day (and they're a great ice breaker. You'll always find someone to chat to, if you have a dog with you). Go for it! But remember that puppies are really hard work (and can't be walked long distances for several months), so you may want to get an adult dog. Also, research breeds carefully. Working cocker spaniels for example (which I have) - or indeed, any 'working' breed of dog, will need lots of exercise and mental stimulation, which may not be what you want. Good luck - and happy dog hunting!

Go for an older rescue dog.

And whatever your age- I think it is essential to always put a plan in place for 'just in case'. With all pets, any pet.

All my rescues and fosters have presented less training issues than my last puppy who came from a good breeder, was properly socialised etc.
Dont be put off rescuing and do not feel you have to go for an older rescue. Older dogs do need homes and I'm not trying to put anyone off but, don't feel because of your age you must go for an older dog

Well no one has said I am too old (I think) and that was my main concern, so thank you gransnetters???? I shall post when I have news ?

Best of luck in your search.

Go for it. You sound like lovely dog parents! Enjoy.

There are so many older dogs (and cats) looking for a home that you would be ideal!
If you are worried about putting them in kennels, maybe there is someone nearby that will either house sit for you or look after them in their own home.

Absolutely not, will do you both the world of good! My 83 yr old Mum took on a more elderly chap last year as she missed having one so much - if anything happens to her then he would go back to the charity that rehomed him in the first place if none of us could take him on ..... she is fitter than I am!

Again, put plans in place for 'in case' - that should always be done, with any pet, at any age. A plan, agreed with those who would take over- and finance to go with it, if required.

Our dogs have all lived to very ripe old age- Pepper at about 18 (as a rescue, his age was estimated at 3 when we found him)- Gatsby about 17, and even Slinky the rescue dachs- in late life blind and diabetic- lived to a good 17. Our Emma is now 13.5 and she is as fit as a fiddle and I imagine has another good 5+ years in her.

We got our first ever dog aged 70 and 72. We did not have any problem finding a dog and were welcomed by rescue centres. Our dog has been with us 15 months and has just turned 9. We are both fit and active. She is the most amazing companion and has transformed our lives.

An alternative to getting a dog from a shelter is, if you have a specific breed in mind, to contact breeders or breed clubs and see if they have or know of an older dog they wish to re-home. This may be a dog they have bred from or shown or even an older puppy that has not quite made the grade for the breeders future plans.
Rescue dogs from shelters are not always the best option for everyone in my opinion.