Senior Dogs Large vs. Small?
What are your experiences in caring for large senior dogs vs. small senior dogs?
The level of care a senior dog will need is an important factor in choosing my next dog. My experience with senior dogs is limited, so I would appreciate reading about yours.
My parents currently own a 12.5 year old Standard poodle with severe hip dysplasia. We have to assist/carry him up and down stairs, often times he asks(barks) for assistance in getting up, and it is honestly worrying to leave him alone for long periods of time in case he got stuck in an uncomfortable/painful position and could not right himself. It is difficult and awkward hefting his 50 lbs. up and down the stairs all the time. He is pretty high needs at this point. Thankfully my Dad is retired, and able to care for Matrix well, but if Matrix was my responsibility, I would either want a sitter for during the day/bring him to my parents, or put him down. And he hasn't reached the point yet where I feel euthanasia is the best choice.
On the other hand, Tippy, our small breed dog was 17 years when she passed away, and aside from blindness and incontinence, she didn't move as well as she once did, but she was still pretty spry until the very end.
Compared to Matrix, Tippy was incredibly low maintenance as a senior. I will do anything for my dogs to make them happy and comfortable, no matter how high needs they may be, but at the same time, I need to be realistic in what needs I can afford (money & time wise).
Does the size of the dog have any bearing on the needs of the dog as a senior? Are larger dogs more prone to debilitating joint/movement problems due to age as opposed to small dogs?
What are your experiences in caring for large senior dogs vs. small senior dogs?
The level of care a senior dog will need is an important factor in choosing my next dog. My experience with senior dogs is limited, so I would appreciate reading about yours.
My parents currently own a 12.5 year old Standard poodle with severe hip dysplasia. We have to assist/carry him up and down stairs, often times he asks(barks) for assistance in getting up, and it is honestly worrying to leave him alone for long periods of time in case he got stuck in an uncomfortable/painful position and could not right himself. It is difficult and awkward hefting his 50 lbs. up and down the stairs all the time. He is pretty high needs at this point. Thankfully my Dad is retired, and able to care for Matrix well, but if Matrix was my responsibility, I would either want a sitter for during the day/bring him to my parents, or put him down. And he hasn't reached the point yet where I feel euthanasia is the best choice.
On the other hand, Tippy, our small breed dog was 17 years when she passed away, and aside from blindness and incontinence, she didn't move as well as she once did, but she was still pretty spry until the very end.
Compared to Matrix, Tippy was incredibly low maintenance as a senior. I will do anything for my dogs to make them happy and comfortable, no matter how high needs they may be, but at the same time, I need to be realistic in what needs I can afford (money & time wise).
Does the size of the dog have any bearing on the needs of the dog as a senior? Are larger dogs more prone to debilitating joint/movement problems due to age as opposed to small dogs?
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