With dog ownership rising across the UK since 2019, many people have been adopting or purchasing new puppies to keep them company.
However this can lead to older rescue dogs being overlooked in favour of newer, pedigree puppies, and struggle to be rehomed due to people being put off by their age.
But senior dogs can still have plenty of love to give, as well as a wealth of life experience under their collars, and with the right owners can make the perfect companions.
Our sister website TeamDogs has rounded up a list of some of the sweet older ladies and gentlemen who are looking for their forever homes where they can get plenty of cuddles- and perhaps even find the perfect nap buddy too.
Name: Marley
Age: Eight-years-old
Sex: Male
Breed: Presa Canario/Mastiff Cross
Likes: A good fuss when he gets to know you, and playing tug-of-war
Dislikes: Any new that can initially seem daunting
Additional Info: Sweet older Marley may be a bigger dog, but he’s surprisingly nervous for his size.
He can be unsure of new people, but could be rehomed to a house with older children who would give him the space he needs to adjust. However when he becomes comfortable he’s happy to lean into handlers for some fuss and attention, and loves playing with his toys.
Although he is not reactive to other dogs and can go on walks with them, generally he is quite unconfident and so would need to be the only pet in the home
To find out more about Marley, click the link here .
Name: Wanda
Age: Nine-years-old
Sex: Female
Breed: Lurcher
Likes: Going on adventures, getting the zoomies and playing with her toys
Dislikes: Smaller animals as she has a prey drive
Additional Info: Wanda is a friendly, loving girl with both humans and other animals, as she just wants to be friends with everybody.
She’s happy to travel in the car for adventures further afield, and could potentially live with other dogs prior to a successful meeting, although no other pets, as Wanda does have a prey drive.
She could also live in a home with secondary-aged children, as long as it has a secure garden where she can stretch her legs and maybe even get the zoomies.
To find out more about Wanda, click the link here .
Name: Troy
Age: Nine-years-old
Sex: Male
Breed: Husky Cross
Likes: Lots of cuddles, especially a good belly rub
Dislikes: Too much strenuous exercise
Additional Info: Troy is a very sweet boy who adores spending time with the humans he loves, so he can get plenty of fuss and attention.
Sadly the rescue suspects Troy has suffered neurological spinal cord damage. He is currently stable but potential adopters should be aware that this could change and be comfortable taking on a dog with some medical issues and costs.
Despite this, Troy is quite spritely and loves a nice potter and gentle adventures with his friends.
To find out more about Troy, click the link here .
Name: Dave
Age: 12- years-old
Sex: Male
Breed: Crossbreed
Likes: Daily walks and playing with squeaky balls
Dislikes: Any sudden movements and his space being invaded
Additional Info: Don’t write Dave off just because of his age, he is still full of energy and loves his daily walks, but he’s looking for patient handlers who appreciate his quirks.
Being older, he likes to do things at his own pace, and therefore would need to be the only dog in an adult-only home.
He can also be a fussy eater, but when he’s happy and comfortable with his owners he’ll reward them with plenty of kisses.
To find out more about Dave, click the link here .
Name: Peppa
Age: 12-years-old
Sex: Female
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Likes: Playing fetch
Dislikes: New dogs initially, and being handled too much
Additional Info: There’s still plenty of life in Peppa left, as the excitable dog loves to play with her toys, especially a good game of fetch.
She can be initially nervous around other dogs, but will walk happily with them after they gain her trust.
She also loves a fuss, but on her own terms, and would suit an adult-only home where her personal space could be respected, and she wouldn’t be handled too much.
To find out more about Peppa, click the link here .
Name: Kaz
Age: Eight-years-old
Sex: Female
Breed: German Shepherd
Likes: Playing with tennis balls
Dislikes: Cats or small children
Additional Info: Sweet Kaz loves nothing more than being made a fuss of, and getting plenty of attention from her favourite humans.
She is not reactive to other dogs, but can be nervous of some and prefers to keep her distance, and for this reason she would need to be the only pet in the home.
Kaz also has a playful side, and loves to play fetch with tennis balls, and stretch her legs on her daily walks.
To find out more about Kaz, click the link here .
Name: Zeus
Age: 14-years- old
Sex: Male
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Likes: Meeting new people and getting plenty of cuddles
Dislikes: Sharing his space with younger dogs
Additional Info: Cheeky Zeus is a real social butterfly, and loves to meet new people and dogs alike.
Because of his age, he would need to be the only dog in the home so he can have a quiet space where he can get undivided attention, and plenty of cuddles.
Zeus arrived with chronic ear infections which have been treated during his time at the rescue and although he is fine now these could potentially occur again so the new owners would have to bear in mind he would need to come back to us for medical check ups.
To find out more about Zeus, click the link here .
Name: Seader
Age: Eight-years-old
Sex: Female
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Likes: Carrying rocks around in her mouth
Dislikes: Trips to the vets
Additional Info: When Seader first came to the shelter, she was very nervous but she came out of her shell with patient handling, and is now a happy-go-lucky dog.
She loves going for walks and greets every dog she meets with a wagging tail, but can still be nervous around humans, and would need to be rehomed to an adult-only home.
One of her biggest fears is visiting the vets, so it would be something that new owners would need to work on.
To find out more about Seader, click the link here .
