age limits - Page 1

A couple of times I have been posed with the question,

Rather or not to sell a puppy to someone elderly, lets say 65 or older.

Would you think they would be able to raise and keep a GSD for it's life time?

Just bored and this was on my mind today.


Moons.

Yes, at least some.  My parents are now 74 and 75 and going strong.  Still have a large garden, lots of sheep, dogs and horses.

Depends on the person not their age.

My grandfather is 91 and still going strong. I agree with Red but their does come a time when it is probably best to not sell.

You're kidding, right??  

This depends SOOOO much on the person!

My riding instructor was riding and training horses at the age of 87, when he was stricken with cancer, and died 6 months later. I never would have doubted his ability to take care of a dog or a horse until those final months.

If the person seemed elderly and infirm, I'd enquire about what plans were in place to look after the dog if the owner became ill. I would also ask to talk to the substitute caregiver, to make sure they were okay with the idea.

If I wasn't happy with the answers I got, then I'd say no.

But don't deny an elderly person the companionship of a dog just because they're old. Many studies have shown pets can help keep seniors young, and prolong their lives.

I remember taking my first GSD into the vet. I'd named her Lili Marlene, after the old WWII song. There was an elderly veteran and his grand-daughter, sitting with a bulldog pup that was in for its shots. Here was this guy, probably in his 80's, starting all over with a puppy!

When I told him my dog's name, he began to sing the song!    "Underneath the lamp light, by the barracks gate, darlin' I remember the way you used to wait..."

It still warms my heart to think about him!

I hope nobody refuses to sell me a puppy 7 years from now!

I would want to know more about them...like do they have someone you approve of that would take the pup should something happen to them.  I'm not that old but it weighs on my mind as to whom I would entrust my girl to if something were to happen to us.  I don't know anyone as picky as I am about how they treat their dogs.  I'm sure several of them would be willing to step up but would I want to hand her over to them if I were able to make the decision...I just don't know.  That's something else to think about Moons...just because someone is young and healthy when you sell them a pup doesn't mean they won't get hit by a bus the next month.  It depends on the person regardless of age.  Questions like this make me think about all the perils of having a litter and only convinces me more that I shouldn't  consider it.  But then there is the puppy breath....sigh.

GSD's can be more work than many breeds, that is for sure. 

I'm curious Moons, do you have many elderly people wanting a GSD or are they mostly younger folk, like me.?

I've seen some that did well with the pup, and I've seen some that admitted to being wrong about their ability to handle  one. Even a moderate drive pup can wreak havoc on an elderly person with thin skin. My decision would be based on the pup as well as the person or persons involved. I might choose instead to let them take the pup for a test drive so to speak before I signed over any paperwork. As for as the life span of the owner,who knows how long any of us will be here.