The Best Dogs for Seniors
Many people know that keeping a dog positively affects their emotions and health. Having a dog reduces stress and blood pressure. It also prevents anxiety and depression. Also, exercising with dogs increases physical activity. But what are the best dogs for seniors? The truth is that if you can take care of a dog, any dog can be right for you. However, it would help to choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. It would help if you also met your dog’s needs, such as exercise, hygiene, and health. In today’s article of Living Maples Mag, we will introduce the best dogs for seniors.
Read More: Benefits of Keeping Pets for Seniors
An energetic dog will be right for you if you have an active lifestyle or family members can help you keep a dog. On the other hand, If you can’t keep an energetic dog, you should think of a less energetic dog. If your health problems do not allow you to keep a large dog, it is better to keep a small one. Furthermore, if you do not have the patience to pay attention to a puppy or adult dog’s needs, you can buy an old dog. Do not forget that there are different breeds of dogs in different sizes and shapes. If you want to keep such a dog, talk to the owner about the care it needs you. However, it would help to choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. It would help if you also met your dog’s needs, such as exercise, hygiene, and health. In today’s article of Living Maples Mag, we will introduce the best dogs for seniors.
Best Dogs for Seniors
Bichon Frise
This cute and lovely dog can be a good companion for seniors. This small dog weighs 3.5 to 6 kg and is easily carried. It is also easy to train these dogs. Although you should comb the Bichon Fries regularly, it requires a little care. Many pet owners take these dogs to special clinics to trim their hair once or twice a month. Moderate exercise can keep these dogs healthy and happy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
It is a lovely little dog that is both kind and adaptable. This little dog is the happiest when it is with its owner. It weighs between 5.5 and 9 kg and is easy to train. This dog needs care such as combing hair, cleaning ears, and trimming its hair. It is popular among seniors who are interested in small dogs.
French Bulldog
You will never feel upset with this beautiful dog. French Bulldogs are one of the happiest breeds ever. These strong, muscular, and active dogs, weighing about 8.5 to 14 kg, are among the best choices for seniors. Although the energy of these dogs is high, they have a low tolerance threshold. That is why daily activities are essential for them. They should also be cared for like other dogs. But if you are keeping these dogs, you should be careful about the brachycephalic syndrome and various skin diseases prevalent in these breeds.
Greyhounds: One of the Dogs Seniors Love
How can a racing dog be a good dog for the elderly? You may be surprised to learn that greyhounds are not very energetic. Although they enjoy daily walking and running, most of them like to be alone with their owner. These dogs weigh 30 to 40 kg and are easily trained. If you want to have a big dog but are afraid to keep it, this dog is for you.
Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)
Yorkies are the best lap dogs since they love being around their owners. They also love tennis ball toss. Yorkies are easy to handle and fun to be with, and they weigh less than 6 kg. You can easily carry them or hold them on your lap. They are intelligent, eager to please, and highly motivated by treats, making them easy to train. Furthermore, the Yorkies are very alert to people entering your home or apartment. They can bring peace of mind to seniors living alone.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis: Perfect Dogs for Seniors
If you want a small to medium dog to accompany you, this dog is for you. Pembroke Welsh Corgis weighs 12 to 15 kg and is easy to keep. These dogs are smart and easy to train. The short legs of these dogs make them funnier. Although these dogs have a higher energy level, daily walks are enough. The good news for seniors is that these dogs don’t need much brushing and cleaning; hence, they are the best choices for the elderly.
Pomeranian
Do you like small dogs? This dog weighs 1.5 to 3.5 kg and is easy to hold, and fits even in your bag. This breed is a kind and happy companion who enjoys accompanying you and playing with toys. Pomeranians are affectionate and good-natured dogs that are easy to handle. They want attention from their owner and need special care such as brushing.
Poodle
For seniors with allergies or respiratory issues, Poodles are a great choice. It is one of the smartest dogs ever and one of the most popular breeds. The good news is that you can choose the size yourself. Whether you choose a small toy poodle, a small miniature poodle, or a standard larger poodle, this dog is a loyal and kind creature. Poodles are fast learners, easy to train, and loyal and affectionate. They need to be brushed every two months.
Shih Tzu: One of the Popular Dogs for Seniors
With their small bodies and short faces, Shih Tzus are adorable. They are good companions for seniors and enjoy sitting beside their owners. Shih Tzu can quickly adapt to various senior living environments, although they require routine exercise and grooming. They need a good trainer since they can be very stubborn sometimes. They are among the most playful and friendliest companion dogs for seniors.
My grandfather kept Black and Tan coonhounds until he died at 89.
If you get an older experienced dog, you won’t experience all the behaviours you expect from a puppy. With a puppy, one has to go through the training of it, the chewing cycle, the barking, yipping, howling for attention cycle and lots of training…
I’ve seen both ends of the stick when it comes to dogs and older folks…
Some have them in their 80’s and beyond! The dogs are mellow around their owners but get defensive around strangers. Keep that in mind as well, people!
Dogs indeed get defensive with strangers, but it’s all up to their training and somewhat their breed. I suppose they’re the only pets really created to be and live with humans. It’s been so since the old times.
I’ve been thinking about getting my mom a dog, so, great article, thank you….
I’ve researched this topic quite a lot, and I just want to mention that if your beloved is a little unstable on their feet, get them a dog that isn’t so tiny that could be easily tripped on, or one that’s so huge that they could knock them over! Maybe a dog that is approx 20–40 lbs.
Also, maybe get them an older dog because they are usually calmer than a puppy, and they may already have some basic obedience and housebreaking training. Good luck!
I don’t see Golden Retrievers on the list, and I’m shocked! They’re intelligent, cute and super kind. Don’t you think they are perfect for seniors?
I don’t think so, especially if your senior is prone to allergies. Golden Retrievers are heavy shedders, and you must be okay with this fact. You’ll see a lot of hair on your clothing and furniture. They also have a distinct doggy smell and produce a lot of dander. Not the suitable breed for anyone with any allergies!
I agree. Despite heavy shedders, this kind of dog needs plenty of daily exercise. So this breed is not suitable for seniors who can not walk or move a lot.
Oh, I would love to have a pomeranian. But I don’t know if I can really take care of one. I’m afraid it’s the overloaded cuteness of this breed that pushes me to get one of them as a pet, but I’ve never had any pets, so I’m not sure I’ll be a good owner or not. Do you think there is a way I get to spend time with dogs without actually owning them first? I know there are shelters, but how informative can they be?
Dear Angela, I’m not sure about that, but the simplest way is to visit your relatives or friends who have one and spend time with them for some days, if possible. They’re also the best source of information.
I know there are shelters that let you spend as long as a full day with dogs to see if you can get along. It’s very useful in my experience. And the experts in shelters give you all the information you need. Some of them are very well educated. Overall I think you can get the answers to all your questions in a shelter.
I’m not sure if it’s always favorable to have a pet, especially a dog, because my experience showed that it could sometimes be more distressing than relaxing. My grandpa had a dog, and when she got ill and died, my grandpa, living alone, went through severe heartbreak. So the emotional side of getting dependent on your dog can be counterproductive!
My dad is fond of dogs, and I like to buy him one as a gift for Father’s Day, but he is allergic. Does anyone know which breed of dogs causes the slightest allergy and sheds less hair?
The last time I spoke with my father’s therapist, he believed that he needed motivation in his life since he was about to get depressed. I don’t know dog breeds and can’t decide what breed is most suitable for him. he is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s and can’t move without a cane.