Great dogs for baby boomers who want to travel with their pet

The baby boomer 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 children” as the children have gone on to live their own lives.

To fill the void at home when the children are gone, many older people get a pet or inherit it from their children. In fact, baby boomers are more likely than other age groups to own pets. However, according to several recent surveys, baby boomers plan to travel a lot during their retirement, 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 in kennels or pet hotels. Interestingly, however, a survey 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 satisfying 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 trip. Fitness adventure seekers who enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking may want to consider choosing a dog from the Sporting Group, which includes Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, English Springer Spaniels and Weimaraners. Although these dogs are typically friendly, good-natured dogs that thrive on family outdoor activities, someone considering this type of pet must be ready to spend time and energy training and exercising their pet.

Traveling with a larger dog is also quite different than traveling with a smaller dog. The most comfortable 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 restrained for safety.

For those taking extended vacations that require air travel, there are many considerations when bringing a large pet. Without a doubt, your pet must travel in the hold of the plane, so it must have a balanced temperament. A pet crate that meets IATA requirements will be required, as will a health exam by your veterinarian just before you fly.

For many seniors, and certainly apartment dwellers and those with physical limitations, a smaller dog may be a better option. Although they also need to be restrained while traveling in a car or RV, small pets make great travel companions. Most small pets enjoy the change of scenery and are genuinely happy to be with you in a new environment. Remember, however, that no pet should ever be left alone in the car.

Plus, many traveling pet owners also like the fact that their small dogs can fly with them in the cabins of many commercial airliners instead of in the cargo hold. Snub-nosed breeds such as Pugs are not allowed in the cargo hold due to their respiratory problems, so be sure and take care when selecting this breed if you plan to travel a lot.

There are other reasons smaller dogs may be a better choice for aging baby boomers. Larger dogs can be intimidating to strangers, and many pet-friendly hotels have size restrictions for dogs. Older baby boomers may also have a hard time handling larger, more energetic young dogs.

Smaller dogs that traveling baby boomers may want to consider include toy or miniature poodles, chihuahuas, shih tzus, pekingese, maltese, lhasa apso, pekingese, and yorkshire terriers. All of these breeds make excellent lapdogs and wonderful companions.

Do we have a strict budget? Don’t forget your local animal shelter!! They have wonderful pets for adoption and many of them have already been housetrained and are more mature. In many cases, these animals come from loving homes that, for many reasons, were no longer able to care for them. In most cases, these animals are very grateful for a second chance and prove to be loving and loyal pets.

Whether a baby boomer prefers to travel by car or plane, there’s little reason why having a pet of the right size or breed could hinder your 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.