The other thread re difficult behaviour brought to light a topic which is never far from my mind...three years ago we had our beloved lab PTS when he bit my husband for the second time, despite us having seen a behaviourist after the first incident, and spent lots of time, money & effort in training him. We have his mum, now 8 years old, who has a wonderful friendly temperament. She is quite happy as an only dog, & OH is content with the status quo. However....having had two, I still feel an enormous gap....but having put so much effort in with such a disastrous outcome, I have lost confidence to some extent. There is always the thought, "what if it happened again?" Common sense dictates that we stay as we are. I know that. I trust we shall enjoy many more years with our lovely bitch, by which time I shall be too old for another dog anyway...:-(  but....somehow the broodiness won't disappear...

A similar story to yours happened to a relative. The rehomed a large breed dog because the other owners couldnt manage the large dog in their house circumstances having changed. The dog was brilliant very friendly except not lead trained and very strong no problems until a few weeks later he suddenly went for a visitor as the were about to leave the house. No injuries just frightend everyone. A week later someone something similar happend again. fter much soul searching they decided they could not rehouse again would have been forth home and having young children sadly he was pts.
A year down the line having fallen in love with the breed they bought a pup from a good breeder and 3years on have a beautiful  bitch with a fantastic temperment.
The difference here of course is they did not have another dog but a so pleased they got their confidenc back as you put it and went ahead.
Anyway are you sure you would be too old for another dog ? :)

Thanks for that - it's good to hear that there was a happy ending for that family. :-) Regarding the age (mine) I am 67, so I think it's getting a bit late even now to consider a puppy - adding a possible 15 years on would make me 82....and we don't have extended family who would be willing to take on a dog after our death...:-( I'm hesitant about rescue as I'm very aware that they don't always have the full story of why a dog has been given up.

mmm I can see your dilema needs lots of thought not that I would consider 67 old btw but when do you not have a pup is an akward choice.
I hope you find the right answer for all of you

>I'm hesitant about rescue as I'm very aware that they don't always have the full story of why a dog has been given up.

Some small rescue organisations do foster placements first to assess the dog before homing, others seem more than willing to help and support through the transition phase.

One that comes to mind (from reading their website only)  is Black Retriever Cross Rescue.  I don't have any personal experience of them but when I was looking with a friend I thought they sounded more sensible than most.

You could even offer yourself as a foster family to see how you'll cope and to dip your toe back in as it were...

67, aren't the 60's the new 40's. Have just had my Aunt to stay who has 31 years on you, realise she is very fortunate, still very active, lives alone, walks every day sometimes taking a neighbours dog, does her own gardening/shopping, has people to lunch and would have benefited, enjoyed and loved the company of a dog. Walked 4 miles back from the doctor the other week when she got sick of waiting for the taxi! None of us know what is around the corner, just as well, but don't be put off by age.

How about an older dog that a breeder has 'run on' ? You could get to know the dog and introduce it to your own dog to check compatibility before comitting and the breeder will be able to tell you about it's temperament - unlike a rescue.
How about contacting the breed club to see what is available ?

breed rescue?? I agree with this....

I got my dalmatian through the Dalmatian Welfare. We were visited, seen as a good home, and offered support for as long as we asked. He did have some problems,  joining their forum (this is where I came across JG),and  getting advice from experienced dallie people there has been  a very happy outcome for us and our lovely boy ;-)

My sister now has a ESS via that breed rescue as well.

Just depends how young you feel :) :) One of our ex-neighbours is well in her 90s and was allowed a small, but very active, terrier from a local rescue a few years ago. She is out walking him in the fields in all weathers and having always had dogs must be one of the reasons that she is so fit and active :) :)

Daisy

Regarding the age (mine) I am 67, so I think it's getting a bit late even now to consider a puppy - adding a possible 15 years on would make me 82...

I am 71 and have to admit that I won't be getting any more puppies as if they live for at least 12 years then I will be 83 and who knows if I could have health issues by then.
If I outlive my 3 dogs that I have at the moment then I would probably consider taking on very elderly rescues, the age that most people would not even consider taking on. This way they can be loved and cared for, for whatever time they have left and we can both have company in our twilight years.

It is very sad the amount of elderly dogs spending their last months or years in a kennels when their owners have just handed them over in order to get a younger dog without a thought of the distress and confusion of a loving family dog that has spent all it's life with one family only to be dumped for a younger model when it gets too old to run around and 'be fun'

I am 63 next year & am considering another pup .My last one I think !! average age for them 12-13 years so would be roughly 76 at least .Would rescue consider my age a problem then .Lg breed ,Guarding instinct. need exercising lots.

There's the Cinnamon Trust who take on people's dogs if they die, plus if you have a dog from Dog's Trust they'd have it back and rehome if possible, you could have an older dog (ie not a puppy) and give such a dog an opportunity, plus they'd take it back if anything happened to you.  I used to work in 'housing' and took one of our more mature tenants (in sheltered housing) to the dogs trust and they got a lovely dog. Yes, breed rescue will also do this I'm sure.  There are plenty of opportunities, we needed be dogless in our older years :-)

Thank you, everyone, for your very helpful and encouraging replies. They have all helped me to feel much more positive about the "doggy future". 
A very Happy New Year to all of you. :-)