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?
Definitely the older couple due to experience, financial stability and time at home with the dog.
Anyone who has done any adoptions, for any animal adoption-type program, knows that this is a no brainer: definitely the older couple! Why? For all of the reasons that you wrote about and more:
1. The husband is at home most of the time, so the dog will likely get a lot more attention.
2. There is evidence to suggest that they took great care of their previous dog who passed away at an older age.
3. There is evidence to suggest that they put money into their dogs. They put money into trainers, etc. Dogs are expensive.
Based upon ONLY the information you gave, the older couple seem to be more settled and would be a better option. However, I would ask a lot more questions of both couples before adopting the dog out. I always like to know: Where will your dog sleep at night? Will your dog be allowed in the house at all times? Will your dog be confined within your house to a particular room? If no fence, how do you intend to contain your dog and what are the hazards nearby? What if your dog is sick at night and has to go out numerous times in the night to go potty? Are there children involved? Grandchildren? Who is your vet, and may I contact her/him? Are you healthy enough to care for a dog who might live 12 years?
I’m part of a national rescue organization. I have placed many dogs and would have chosen the older couple. I’ve seen too many times when younger couples have adopted a dog only later to Give it up to or return it to the shelter because they had a child. And they feared the dog hurting the child. It’s happened many many times. I select for the good of the dog, the ability of potential adopter to properly care for the dog, their experience and stability.
Older. Home more. Dogs really love their moms and dads to be home.
As a breeder, I’ve sold many dogs over the years to carefully evaluated homes and don’t think there is one right answer to this. I’d probably go with the older couple just because they have “provedn themselves” able to handle a large active dog and have the time to do so. On the other hand, people often forget how much work their dog was when it was younger since the senior years are generally much easier. Can they actually handle a lively dog now? Will they be able to stay in their home if there are future health issues? The younger couple probably thinks it would be nice to have a second dog to entertain the first dog – and I can see both dogs spending a whole lot of time in the yard entertaining themselves, digging and barking and annoying the neighbors. Time is probably an issue already, and if they plan to have children the dogs may end up neglected or returned. This is a case where getting to know the people and understanding their expectations is very important. Filling out a form is NOT sufficient.
Yes the older couple but no fence can be a problem. Their age is such they cant run around if the dog goes wandering or gets lost.
However I can say that the mute r totally at the mercy of those who adopt them. Weshow shld learn to keep them by our side through thick and thin.
For the dog I can say whoever adopts him God blesd him always.
I would have chosen the older couple for the same reasons! Had already made up my mind before I got to you saying you chose them, and could hardly wait to get to the end to see if you did,
! Wise choice!
There just isn’t enough information to make a good decision. First off saying an ‘older’ couple is very open to interpretation while you specify the other couple is in their 20’s. And there could be a big difference between a couple in their 80’s vs a couple in their 50’s although both are ‘older.’ It would also be a good idea to speak with and get input from their trainer and even their vet.
For the younger couple, how long have they been in the rental home? Have they provided written permission from the home owner or rental management company to have another big dog? Since both are working, how long have they been with their current employer. How many hours a day are they away from home (work plus commute). Do either or both have to travel with their job? What will they do with the dogs when they are not home. Also check with their vet. Does the adoptive dog get along with children? Have the younger couple considered the impact if they do have children in the future?
What is the gender of the dog to be adopted and it’s age? What is the gender of the older couple’s dog? The young couple have a female. If the adoptive dog is also female, SSA is something to consider. Is the adoptive dog good with other dogs? Absolutely must have a M&G with the dogs in both families as the dogs getting along takes priority.
Definitely the older couple. Experienced and committed having lived a lifetime with their previous dog, prepared to invest in training, at home most of the time. The younger couple as you say may have to move, may split up, they have one active dog already – two at home on their own could become a problem.
What are the older couple’s age? Do they have the ability to lift/put a big dog in the car if it gets sick? Consider that they will be getting older, too, and may face medical issues. Once their dog gets older, he/she will be having more medical issues. How many senior dogs get sent to shelters when their elderly caretakers can’t take care of them anymore? If they have a plan in place for those circumstances, then that’s a different story.
My father in his 80s wanted to get a puppy after my parents’ Yorkie died. But they got her 13 years earlier when they could handle her. They just can’t manage one now full time though they do watch my dog when I am at work. But he was 5 when I adopted him. They let him out in the yard and feed and pet him and he seems satisfied with that. I had been turned down by other rescues who thought my parents would be better off with a senior dog but I had my experiences nursing seniors in their old age and that has a lot of challenges, too.
I know neighbors who have fenced yards or are home all day but never walk their dogs. Are the people who work full time engaged in other activities or will their dogs play an active role in those activities, too? As others have said, a good conversation and making the right queries will determine the best fit. Perhaps posing “what if” questions would help, for example, what if you are forced to relocate for job, medical, or other reasons? Why are you getting a dog?