2006-12-20 06:04:14 · 32 answers · asked by Chris S 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Not at all. Just mature and ready for a more laid back lifestyle.
We have seen several older dogs make great pets.
I gave one to one lady because he was dying. He did he only lasted 4 months but she gave him a happy four months and then adopted another dog.
2006-12-20 06:07:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no animal is too old for love. if you think you can take good care of this dog and are financially able to take on the proper care and feeding of a senoir pet, then good for you, many senior dogs are euthanized because no one wants them, so thumbs up to you for considering it! but before you commit keep in mind that older dogs do usually require more expense immediatly. being a lab the dog my have arthritis problems that would require daily meds, other issues also associated that you don't even know about also. some of these can be costly. labs usually can live anywhere from 10-15 or so years, the most common is around 12 years. so this dog still has years of a good life left possibly and if you think you can provide that then by all means take this seasoned pup home. YAY you!
2006-12-20 06:08:52 · answer #2 · answered by cagney 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A dog is never too old to be adopted! You may only get a couple of years with him, but if you're prepared for that, you can give him a very wonderful life during his last years.
2006-12-20 06:26:57 · answer #3 · answered by kalamibe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could give a 10 year old labrador a wonderful life.
You should know that since he is old, you may have some vet bills coming ahead, but the payoff, is that you are giving an old dog some wonderful last years! I don't know how old dogs get, I'd say 13 is a nice old age. So you have three wonderful years together! That is sweet of you! Do it!
2006-12-20 06:14:18 · answer #4 · answered by LittleFreedom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No! I adopted a 10yr old Lab 2 months ago, I now have 3 dogs. He was a foster dog and is just as bright as a pin and has lots of energy he plays well with my 4yr old Bouvier, and they are slowly becoming best friends.
The nice thing about older dogs are they are usually well trained and housebroken.
So I recommend you adopt it.
2006-12-20 06:50:37 · answer #5 · answered by coonrapper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do a lot of rescue for my particular breed and I must say that anyone wanting to adopt a senior is a special person. You are giving this dog the opportunity to live out the rest of his life with someone to love and care for him. I have more respect for those considering seniors then any one else.
Now you do have issues with an older dog, but any adoption has it's risks. Just be sure to read up on the breed, visit the national breed club website and talk to responsible breeders who can give you advice on what to expect as the dog ages.
Seems a certain dog just might have found his special angel!
2006-12-20 06:23:24 · answer #6 · answered by horsenhound 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, and Bless you for wanting to adopt an oder dog!! That it is the greatest gift you could give him/her, and also open a space up in the rescue or shelter for another deserving dog!!!
Please adopt him! He's way past the puppy stage, and you and him could have a very good and rewarding relationship!
http://www.libertydogtraining.com
2006-12-20 06:57:41 · answer #7 · answered by libertydogtraining 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are pro's and con's to this. My advice would be to consider them carefully and if you choose to adopt an older dog you will never regret it.
I'll give you the negatives first, then the positives.
Con's: The dog has already established most of his behavoirs, and is likely to have some bad habits which will be difficult and sometimes impossible to change. He will be harder to bond with. He won't live as long as a puppy would, naturally. He'll be set in his ways to an extent, and you'll need to be willing to adjust to HIM as much as he will to you -- for as he did not grow up with you, he'll have a personality of his own which you have little effect on. He may be frightened of loud noises or fast gestures, especially if he's a rescue dog. There's even a chance of aggression, depending on his upbringing.
Pro's: Older dogs, once they DO bond with you, will typically form an incredibly tight, loyal, faithful bond. His world has been disrupted and you will become the absolute center of it. If he is in a pound or animal shelter, you are almost certainly saving his life -- most people like cute little puppies, and older animals are typically either euthanized or, if it's a no-kill shelter, live out the remainder of their lives there. It's not a good way for any good loyal friend to live. He will probably already be housebroken and possibly also trained to basic commands. His intelligence is already matured and as such, he may be exceptionally bright and able to learn what you want from him. He has already established good habits (as well as the bad ones previously mentioned). He will become totally devoted to you as the one who brought him through when his world turned upside down.
I hope you'll choose to adopt this older dog. But be lenient with him, recognize that he's an adult and his previous owners may have condoned behavoirs that you don't -- for instance, he might think it perfectly acceptable to beg at the dinner table or jump on the furniture, while you might think those things totally off limits. Give him time to learn and adjust, and be particularly kind to him while he learns to love you. You'll have a faithful, loyal, dog for the rest of his life.
2006-12-20 06:17:41 · answer #8 · answered by goddessdawnie 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Older dogs need loving homes as much if not more than younger dogs. It's very hard on and older dog to stay in a kennel at a shelter. Their joints can't handle sleeping on the hard floor. You may only have a few years with this dog, but labs can live to be14 or 15 years old.. my golden just passed away at 14 years. If the dog is house broken, that's also a benefit to adopting an adult dog.
Things to be aware of, he will likely need more vet trips and treatments since he is getting to be an old dog.
Sometimes older dogs are not good around young and very active children... they may make him nervouse and get him agitated.
those are the only drawbacks I can think of... i' think it'd be wonderful of you to take him in as long as you can provide for him!
2006-12-20 06:11:51 · answer #9 · answered by timesdragonfly 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
nope, not to old, I myself adopted a 13 yr old pomerainian.
Just remember, big dogs don't live long, so a 10yr labrador is REALLY up there. You MUST MUST MUST be prepared for the vet bills, he may have health problems such as heart problems, hip displaysia, and many others....
I always try to adopt older first when I have my chance, as chances are not many people want to adopt older animals
2006-12-20 06:07:38 · answer #10 · answered by Sapphire 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋