Great dogs for baby boomers who want to travel with their pet
The baby boom generation has just started to retire. Born between 1946 and 1964, there are approximately 76 million baby boomers in the United States today – or about 28% of the US population. Baby boomers are healthier, wealthier and better educated than their parents and can expect to live well into their 80s. They have raised their children and are now “empty nesters” as the children have moved on to their own lives.
To fill the void in the house when the children leave, many elderly people get a pet or inherit it from their children. In fact, baby boomers are more likely than other age groups to own pets. Still, according to several recent surveys, baby boomers plan to travel a lot after they retire, and many of them will be faced with the dilemma of what to do with their dogs and cats when they travel.
Options include hiring pet sitters or leaving pets at kennels or pet hotels. Interestingly, however, a survey conducted by a pet product company found that more than half of all seniors prefer to take their pets with them when they travel. Traveling with a pet makes vacations more fulfilling for many seniors.
So what is the best dog breed for traveling baby boomers? It depends on the type of person and the type of travel. Physically fit adventure seekers who enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking might consider choosing a dog from the Sporting Group, which includes Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, English Springer Spaniels and Weimaraners. Although these dogs are generally good-natured, friendly dogs that enjoy outdoor family activities, someone considering this type of pet should be prepared to invest time and energy in training and exercising their pet.
Traveling with a larger dog is also quite different from a smaller dog. The most convenient way to travel with any dog over 15 pounds is by car or RV. This allows for frequent stops along the way to walk and hydrate the dog. Of course, the pet should always be confined for safety.
For those people who take long vacations that require air travel, there are many considerations when bringing a large pet. Undoubtedly, your pet will have to travel in the cargo compartment of the plane and therefore must have a balanced temperament. An IATA compliant pet crate will be required as well as a health check from your vet just prior to flight.
For many seniors, and certainly for apartment dwellers and those with physical limitations, a smaller dog may be a better choice. Although they also need to be restrained while traveling in a car or caravan, small pets make great companions. Most small pets enjoy a change of scenery and are genuinely happy to be with you in a new environment. However, remember that no pet should be left alone in the car.
In addition, many traveling pet owners also like the fact that their small dogs may be allowed to fly with them in the cabins of many commercial aircraft instead of in the cargo compartment. Snub-nosed breeds such as pugs are not allowed in the cargo hold due to their breathing problems, so be sure and careful when choosing this breed if you intend to travel for extended periods of time.
There are other reasons why smaller dogs may be a better choice for aging baby boomers. Larger dogs can be intimidating to strangers, and many pet-friendly hotels have dog size restrictions. Older baby boomers may also have difficulty handling larger, more energetic young dogs.
Smaller dogs that traveling baby boomers may want to consider are miniature or toy poodles, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese and Yorkshire terriers. All of these breeds are great lap dogs and wonderful companions.
On a tight budget? Don’t forget your local animal shelter!! They have wonderful pets available for adoption and many are now trained and more mature. In many cases, these animals come from loving homes that, for many reasons, can no longer care for them. In most cases, these animals are very grateful for a second chance and turn out to be loving and loyal pets.
Whether baby boomers prefer traveling by car or by air, there are several reasons why having the right size or breed of pet would interfere with their vacation. Traveling with a pet can add dimension to a trip and make it more fun for both pet and owner.
For more information on these dog breeds, click here.
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