Little Miss Mary Sunshine here....
Think about the life of your dogs breed. Is it 5-8 years, 5-15 years? Where does that leave you age wise? Then where does that leave him/her? NOT that anyone in their 70's is elderly. Not my point. My point is at that age you are rid of children, rid of responsibilities and able to go, do, travel - and not have to worry about leaving a pet behind if you WANTED to go and do. I have BEGGED my Mom at 73 to get a dog - NOTHING doing - she thought about a cat but when she saw how independent they were and untrainable - nope - likes her freedom. Personally I think she's missing out but here are some of her thoughts - I'll share for posterity sake....take it for what it's worth.
There is training and exercise. I'm in my 40's and not well at present. My dogs are high-energy. They REQUIRE 1 hour a night to "wind-down" so I don't have the hyper active terrier, bounce off the wall, make me nuts, barking, crazy OR totally bored and depressed creatures. It's not THEIR fault I don't feel well. Something to consider as we age with pets. Tonight was the first time in a year I've walked for 30 minutes with my dog. We're both going to pay for it tomorrow. lol. As far as Bassetts go? They're smart - BOY are they smart but they are STUBBORN and take a LOT of constant work to train. You do not see many of them in agility and that is one reason CONSTANT. Another is back trouble. Huskies are another nightmare. Smart with a capital S - but WOW - what a challenge.
There is also breed specific ailments and vet costs. Are you going to put back or purchase insurance? Will you have funds available IF something catastrophic happens? Bassets are known for cherry eye. I think its called Entropian? sp? The surgery is expensive and sometimes does not work or give relief. Shepherds can have bad hips. Danes have brains that outgrow their skulls, and stomachs that flip. Weiner dogs have bad backs. Bulldogs - (pm me I'll share my files) I'm not trying to scare you - but it's always going to be a risk. 6o or 16 -
Then there is grooming and if you don't send out for grooming - how about bending over the tub and staying bent over? I swear my 140 lb dog about kills me now....in my next house? There will be a shower for the dogs IN the mud room and a free standing blower right next to that RIGHT next to the back door. I am SO thankful he gets in and out of the tub himself. And toe nail clipping - OH please....drama queen. Pass the milkbones.
So now that I've been completely brutal about the stuff like Mom would be....here's a really neat pick a dog tool I found for you to pick your perfect next dog. I hope it helps. I'm pretty sure my next dog is going to be a box turtle. Or a Dogues DeBordeaux. All those wrinkles and the slobber and the gas - I figure when I'm 60 it will be a great cover up for me.
http://www.iams.com/pet-health/dog-breed-guide/dogue-de-bordeaux
I love the King Charles Cavalier Spaniels - they are beautiful but I'm not a Spaniel fan. I like ENORMOUS dogs. I love Molosser breeds like Mastiffs, but with them goes hips and eyes and slobber - and food bills and then you have to buy a bobcat with a bucket to scoop poop and dump truck to haul it to the field. What about going to the library and getting a dog encyclopedia and reading up on the breed and emailing a few breeders about the breeds needs, temperment etc?
About a year ago in the pound was a giant dog. He was a Fila Brasillero. Massive. Looked like a Bloodhound on steroids. He's a mastiff breed. Friendly as could be and almost 48" at the head. I called a breeder about them. She told me things I would have never known reading a book. Like they have to be socialized with the dogs they are to live with between 6-12 weeks or they will never live with other dogs - as they are extremely territorial. It took one time out of the kennel at the pound to prove her right. Alone? Fine. Near another dog? Scary. It would have never worked out - Not ever - not all the trying in the world and with a dog that would have easily gone 190 lbs...not a test animal.
So get a few ideas - put pictures of them around - and then call a few breeders or visit a few kennels. Or - like I suggest every day - ASPCA all the way!
Best of luck -