Dogs certainly turn out to be the happiest part of the family, especially for seniors who live by themselves and enjoy more free time.
Choosing a dog must be given much thought, as the breed of dog that is well suited for active households might not always be the one that people would prefer in their later years.
But again, for seniors, a dog brings a lot of benefits into their lives. The companionship of a dog has been medically proven to lower blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Another important benefit is that dogs help seniors stay physically active, as dogs need to go for walks, and so do seniors.
1. Maltese
The Maltese dog breed is a popular and quintessential little white lapdog that thoroughly enjoys napping in your lap and going for short, easy walks.
This dog will require regular trim sessions from professional groomers to maintain their furry coat. They’re quite easy to train and weigh approximately 4-7 pounds.
They’re so easy to handle, too, that you can even carry them to the market or mall in your bag.
2. Greyhound
You must be wondering how racing dogs can be one of the best dogs for seniors, right? Well, you’ll be surprised to realize that greyhounds are far from the many high-energy dogs they are thought to be.
While they do enjoy walks daily and occasional sprinting, on the contrary, they do tend to be couch potatoes who like to chill all day with their humans.
They tend to be very responsive to training, though most weigh about 60 to 80 pounds. If you like bigger dogs but worry about handling one, the greyhound is something to check out.
Moreover, given their short coat that sheds less to moderate amounts, grooming is also quite low maintenance for this breed.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Much loved and highly preferred for their puppy-like charm, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is truly affectionate, adorable, and adaptable. And when it comes to these small dogs, they live their happy moments just snuggling with their families.
The breed is around 11 to 18 pounds in weight and can be handled and trained with ease. The few grooming needs of the Cavalier include hair brushing, ear cleaning, and occasional haircut appointments.
4. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
If you want a small-to-medium dog for companionship, corgis can be yet another apt option of dog breed for you. They weigh between 24 and 30 pounds and are also considered small enough to be handled by most people.
Smart and even fairly easy to train, what makes corgis special-looking are their short, stubby legs. Being herding dogs, corgis require exercise on a regular basis, but they are more than happy with a daily walk. Plus, grooming is minimal for corgis, which is a real plus point for seniors!
5. French Bulldog
If one needs a joyous dog, nothing could be better than a Frenchie in the house. French bulldogs are among the happiest dog breeds.
They’re a muscular, small, and active type of dog. But irrespective of their temperate energy, weighing around 19 to 28 pounds, they are manageable and one of the best fits for senior citizens.
Although highly energetic, it doesn’t mean French bulldogs are great at endurance. Moderate exercise during the day is just fine for these guys. They are low maintenance as far as grooming is concerned; however, they should be checked for health issues such as brachycephalic syndrome and skin problems.
6. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is another common breed of dog considered a good choice for seniors. At about 9 to 16 pounds, these dogs are easy to handle and come with a trait of being a bit stubborn. Although they can be trained well without much trouble.
Daily walks and occasional grooming are the key to keeping the breed healthy and happy.
Much like French bulldogs, the Shih Tzu is also prone to skin problems and, of course, brachycephalic syndrome.
7. West Highland White Terrier
Commonly called a Westie, this breed has proved to be a great companion for people of all ages, including senior citizens. They are small in size, weighing around 13 to 20 pounds.
While Westies do not really require intense exercise, they can prove to be a little stubborn and often difficult to train. Because of their wiry coats, this breed needs minimal grooming in comparison to the other dogs on this list.
In general, the Westie is friendly and quite low maintenance.
8. Pug
There are a few reasons why pugs are considered among the best dogs for elderly people. It is one of the most affectionate breeds, and if you wanted, they’d sit in your lap and keep licking you constantly.
These dogs tend to get excited at the drop of a hat, but would be content with only short walks. With no such problem of regular shedding, these dogs are pretty easy to groom.
Pugs are usually prone to getting fat. But in turn, they bring about a bunch of other health conflicts; therefore, these dogs must be kept on a healthy diet.
9. Beagle
There is nothing better than a breed of beagle for seniors who love staying active and enjoy companionship.
These dogs are smart, energetic, sociable, loyal, and mischief makers. Walking is one of their favorite activities, and they do enjoy unlimited zoomies, stealing socks, and barking at the door whenever someone is visiting you.
10. Poodle
As one of the most adored dog breeds, poodles are preferred by all because of their unlimited cuteness and curly clouds of fur. They are easier to train and bond quite well with families and individuals.
The other advantage of having poodles is that they barely shed and have low allergen levels. This makes them a really good and thoughtful choice for seniors who generally suffer from allergies and respiratory problems.
There are three types of poodles: the toy poodle, the miniature poodle, and the standard poodle. Depending on their apartment size, one can choose the apt poodle for them.
11. Bichon Frise
Another famous dog breed that shares similar traits with poodles when it comes to curly white hair and non-shedding fur is the Bichon Frise. This breed of dog is also considered a suitable match for the elderly.
Another advantage of Bichons is that they get on well with other household pets and children. Although they don’t shed a lot, their white fur does need frequent grooming.
12. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are a dog breed that looks very similar to plush toys because of their silky fur. Similar to the other dogs in this list, Pomeranians are also quite smart, but sometimes they tend to get a little stubborn when it comes to training.
With that said, these little furballs are quite the warriors, too. Whenever they sense anything suspicious, like deliveries showing up at the door, they bark, and it’s LOUD.
They usually weigh between 3 and 7 pounds and are cozy lap dogs who want to chill inside on rainy days.
Conclusion
As our parents or grandparents grow old, they look for companionship and comfort more than anybody. For the elderly, dogs are the ones who can fill their lives with unconditional joy.
From having a lively companion for going on strolls in the morning to having a lapdog that listens to their stories quietly, the right breed of dog can make their life perfect in all aspects.
