Here is a topic for discussion that was inspired by real-life events.
Two couples are both interested in a big, active dog at the shelter.
One couple is older. They own their home. Property is at least several acres, but unfenced. Husband is retired and home most days, puttering in garden and with hobbies. Wife works 30 or so hours a week. They formerly owned another big, active dog, who recently died of old age. They have a 2-year-old small dog who misses having canine company. They have a trainer who they have worked with previously and plan to do so again.
Second candidate couple is young, early 20s. They are renters. They also live on several acres, but their home property is fenced. They have another big, young, active dog, a female. They both work.
My bias in placing the dog was toward the older couple. While it’s true that they lacked a fenced yard for the dog, the fact that they own their home reassures me that they won’t be at the mercy of future landlords if they have to move for whatever reason. They also have the financial wherewithal to provide the dog with whatever medical or behavioral interventions he is likely to need. A week in training? Knee or hip surgery? Wouldn’t be a problem for these people.
Staff at the shelter was biased in favor of the young couple. The fact that their property was fenced, their youth, and that they were already dealing with a big, active dog made them seem more equipped to deal with the dog’s perceived need for activity.
I’m just curious: Where would most people, or most shelter staffers, end up placing a dog like this?
I would like more information about this he dog? Age? Background? Breed? Previous training.and why surrendered or abandoned. Big and active is inadequate information.
The older couple because of all the reasons mentioned and their stability. If they have children they are grown and their pets are their babies. They’re not giving them up! With a young couple If it comes to a decision between a child who’s developed allergies to the family pet or the pet, you can be sure the pet will be dumped.
I chose the older couple almost before finishing the story.
SO WHO WAS AWARDED THE PUP?
I’m leaning towards the older couple in this case. I’d give them the dog with the stipulation that they fence a part of their land. That would lessen the chance that the new dog would surprise them with some unanticipated behavior. In our case, we have a fenced yard with a big gate that we open to the rest of our land. We can keep the dogs in a safe location to prevent strange dogs from coming onto our land, and the dogs from exploring the surrounding woods unsupervised.
The younger folks would have two dogs to exercise thoroughly each day to avoid having their rental property damaged. They should not let the dogs outside loose in a large yard all day without supervision, so the idea that the dogs will “exercise each other” isn’t wise.
Over my 40 years as a breeder and a dog rescue volunteer I have placed dogs with older and younger couples and find that, in either case, the individual people and the individual dogs are more important than any general consideration.
The older couple for many of the reasons stated above. They probably aren’t that old as the woman is still working and already have a working relationship with a trainer.
The younger couple’s circumstances could change quite dramatically – job change, house move, children.
I might suggest that the older couple try and fence an area of their property.
I agree with most comments in favor of the older couple and also for the reasons many have set out.
It appears shelter staff placed a higher priority on activity requirements, and less emphasis on the experience the older couple had with their previous large, furry companion through all or most life stages.
Also, the ability to fund ongoing care as aging occurs, which tends to progressively cost more.
And, the fact that one person is at home most times and the other works part time, suggests that pet and owner will have more time to be companions for each other.
Unlike two people (of any age) working full time, perhaps hoping a new companion will keep the current one company while they’re usy working.
Re the old vs. young debate, I personally believe it’s pointless and does little but reinforce age stereotypes. Instead, how about focusing on the actual attributes that are important in placing the dog: is the prospective owner’s physical condition good enough to give the dog sufficient exercise with/without a fenced yard; does s/he have sufficient financial resources; does s/he have knowledge of what s/he’s undertaking OR resources to learn, etc. Age makes no difference in most cases!
On the evidence give, the older couple.
But it would depend on my interviewing them and seeing how they react to the dog and what they describe about themselves.
Being ‘older’ myself, I have resolved that any future dog I might get will be a middle-aged rescue/rehoming
Older people, might die depending on what is meant by older.
Young couples might end up divorced, or needing to move and might not find another residence with permission to have pets.
I would be very very wary of homing any dog with those in rental accommodation.
Four years ago, after we lost both our beloved older dogs to cancer, I began looking for a new rescue. A rescue where a friend had gotten a dog had a younger dog that I thought was perfect for my husband (then age 77) and me (age 68). Since 1972, we have always had a high-energy Vizsla, along with a rescue with issues, so def familiar and comfortable with a large, active hunting breed, and are active in training classes, a dog breed club and with our local rescue. Plus, retired with a large fenced yard and a 1/2 acre fenced field, with references from our vet and a friend who runs a rescue. But (without a home visit), we were interviewed and refused for a medium-sized terrier mix, the rescue saying that we were too elderly for a younger, high-energy 30 lb. dog and should look for a small older dog. Having never been subject to ageism before, it felt like they simply thought we were too old—and that’s what they said. (Soon after, we adopted another terrier who belonged to a hoarder and a Vizsla pup. We do agility, parkour, and other fun classes and I am now 72. Just sayin’.)