Hello people

[SteveM]

I have owned Miniature Schnauzers for the best part of 35 years. My first was a stray who was 5 years old (we discovered later) and lived to over 13. The 2nd was a Deansgate pup, and also lived to 13+years. Archie who we have now will be 13 next month and came from a breeder at Dinnington near Sheffield, and is still going strong, but as you would expect, sleeps a lot these days. Earlier this year my wife had an accident and can no longer walk very far, although in time, we are hoping that she will make a full recovery. I am missing my long walks because of her incapacity, and the dog's age, so I am thinking of getting a puppy. I am a very active retiree who can't sit on my backside watching TV all day!

[zeta1454]

Welcome to the Forum

It is always a big change when a dog reaches their senior years and they are no longer so active and you can miss their company on long walks. Having said that our mini schnauzer, Magic who was 14 years in April still enjoys a walk - 5k this morning along the lanes round our village. Although it is tempting to get a puppy who will have more energy, you will need to consider the needs of your wife and Archie at the present time. In the first few months a new puppy is very demanding of time and a senior dog does not always welcome a lively puppy, however, if you are confined to home for a while and you can make sure that Archie still has his usual routine, it could be good for you and your wife to have that bonding / training time together with the puppy.

Good luck with your search

[SteveM]

Thanks for the reply, and for the advice. Re Archie, when it's not hot (6.30 am this week), he can easily do a couple of miles at his own pace, but he's definitely slowing down. I hear what you're saying about him possibly getting his nose pushed out of we get a puppy, and we're still talking about it and not rushing off to get a puppy on a whim or anything. I am actually a walking guide and do 2 fairly long walks a week, and I've had to retire Archie from doing that this year, after 'helping' me on probably 1200 walks over the years! I don't often do 10 miles like I did today, but I always take him out first, and then when I come back, so I've probably walked 11.5 altogether today, and would look to ease the pup into this, like I did Archie. As you can tell, I love walking!