A DOG rehoming charity is urging would-be pet owners to consider giving an older dog a home following a spike in people looking for puppies during lockdown.

Dogs Trust Darlington is highlighting the benefits of giving an older dog a home after its research found half of people approaching the charity wanted a puppy under the age of six months, while just five per cent wanted a dog over the age of eight. About one fifth of the dogs which need rehomed at the Darlington site are aged eight or over.

One such dog is Jack, a 17-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who came into the care of Dogs Trust Darlington after his previous owner died. He was recently adopted by 96-year-old Marjory, from Durham.

She said: “Sadly, I lost my previous dog just before lockdown in 2020 and the house has felt so empty ever since. I’ve had dogs most of my life so when I noticed Jack on the Dogs Trust website, I knew straight away he was the one for me. When I found out how old Jack was it made me even more intent on giving him a home because I couldn’t bear the idea of him spending the rest of his life living in kennels."

“He is a very calm dog and likes to take life at his own pace, so this suits me very well. I love going for walks with him because he doesn’t pull on his lead and he even stays by my side when he is off the lead as well.

“I would encourage anyone thinking of adopting a dog to consider an older dog. They are so full of character and are more likely to adjust in a new home if, like Jack, they have spent the majority of their life as part of a family. Jack makes me so happy and seeing him happy is fantastic.”

In the nine months up to the end of March this year, almost 50 per cent of people looking to adopt a dog from Dogs Trust were looking for a four-legged friend under six months, compared to 5 per cent looking for a dog aged 8 or over.

Sue Embleton, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Darlington said: "In the last year so many people have wanted to welcome a puppy into their family, but just like Jack has proven, older dogs make fantastic companions too.

“Currently around 20 per cent of the dogs here at Dogs Trust Darlington that are ready to find their forever homes are over eight and we would love to find them their perfect families.

“Older dogs are often calmer and less energetic so although they may still be playful and enjoy a stroll in the park, hiking up hills may be a thing of the past for them, which suits some owners, young and not so young.

“Also with an older dog, what you see is what you get both in terms of personality and size and although you can certainly teach an older dog new tricks, they usually know the training basics and have experienced many things in their lives, so as long as they have had positive experiences, they will take things in their stride.

“Helping an older dog enjoy their autumnal years and giving them the chance to live their best life is incredibly rewarding. Owners like Marjory always tell us that the feeling you get from seeing them safe, warm, happy and enjoying an afternoon snooze snuggled up on the sofa, is something that can’t be beaten.”

Dogs Trust is working to change the tale for older dogs who find themselves without a forever home.

To find out more please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk/olddogs To find out more about caring for an older dog, visit dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/getting-or-buying-a-dog/rehoming-and-looking-after-an-older-dog