Top 10 Dog Breeds for Senior Citizens
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Are dogs good for seniors and retirees? The answer is YES! The best dogs for seniors are those who require little exercise and have a friendly demeanor.
Dogs are man’s best friend, and they make excellent companions for people of all ages. Being a retired pet parent, adopting a dog has several health benefits, such as keeping you active and improving your mental health.
However, you must ensure that you will be able to meet your dog’s basic needs, such as exercise and health care. Therefore, always choose a breed that is a good fit for your lifestyle.
So, if you are thinking about spending your golden years with a four-legged companion, we have compiled a list of the top ten best dog breeds for senior citizens to adopt.
#1. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most adaptable dogs for seniors and can easily fit into any lifestyle. This breed is ideal for our senior citizens due to its quiet and easy-going personality. Cavaliers are intelligent dogs that follow their owner’s commands, making them easy to train. This breed is playful and enjoys brisk walks.
However, they can also be happy to spend the day snuggling on the couch with their pet parents. The Cavalier’s long, wavy coat requires regular brushing, and their ears should also be cleaned regularly.
- Height: 12 to 13 inches
- Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
- Coat: Wavy and Silky coat
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Breed: Toy
#2. Shih Tzu
Another small breed that our senior citizens adore is the Shih Tzu. Their kind and friendly demeanor make them so popular among elders.
These lovable and friendly dogs are also known as “little lions.” Shih Tzus get along well with children, and therefore, they will be terrific playmates for your grandchildren.
Surprisingly, their long coat sheds very little, and all they need is regular brushing at home and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Shih Tzus enjoy cuddling and snuggling on their owners’ laps, but they also enjoy going for walks.
- Height: 8 to 11 inches
- Weight: 9 to 16 pounds
- Coat: Long Double coat
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 16 years
- Breed: Toy
#3. Poodle
Poodles are without a doubt one of the most popular dog breeds among seniors. Poodles are affectionate and faithful companion that comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy, and each of them is lovely in its own way.
This super-intelligent dog, with a distinctive, lively appearance coupled with a fun and playful personality, is a top ten pick for any senior citizen.
Poodles enjoy being pampered and receiving attention from multiple people, so they are a good fit for families with senior citizens. Poodles are among the most intelligent and quick-learner canines, making them easy to train.
They have a gorgeous coat, and the fact that they are a hypoallergenic and low-maintenance breed is a cherry on the top. However, they require professional grooming every month.
- Height: Standard: 15 inches; Miniatures: between 10 to 15 inches; and Toy: 10 inches and under
- Weight: Standard: 45 to 70 pounds; Miniature: 15 to 18 pounds; Toy: 5 to 9 pounds
- Coat: Curly and Dense
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
- Breed: Non-sporting
#4. Pug:
Pugs are ideal cuddling mates for seniors who enjoy curling up in bed. Most of this breed prefers relaxing with their owners and playing indoors. Pugs are foodies, but you must only feed them what they need. Otherwise, they may become overweight, leading to many health issues.
Pugs like to interact with people, but sometimes they are suspicious of strangers and warn them by barking. This characteristic makes them good “alert dogs,” ideal for alerting older owners if they hear a strange noise or notice strange people approaching.
Simple games and short walks are more than enough exercise for this breed. Pugs have a short, smooth coat that is quite easy to groom; nevertheless, they shed a lot because they have a double coat.
Furthermore, they have folds near their eyes which get dirty quite often and must be cleaned.
- Height: 10 to 13 inches
- Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
- Coat: Short and Smooth Double coat
- Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
- Breed: Toy
#5. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are an excellent choice for seniors looking for a small dog. Poms are one of the most popular breeds who thrive on the affection and attention of their pet parents.
Pomeranians are alert dogs and bark at anything suspicious, making them ideal for living with older people who have hearing problems.
This adorable breed makes wonderful companions and is incredibly easy to look after. Moreover, they are intelligent dogs and easy to train. For a pom, a little bit of playing and walking is more than enough exercise. Despite their lovely long hair, they are low-maintenance dogs who only need to be brushed regularly.
- Height: 6 to 7 inches
- Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
- Coat: Long, Double Coat
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
- Breed: Toy
#6. French Bulldog
French bulldogs are one of the happiest dog breeds. They adore being the center of attention for their pet parents and are extremely easy to please. They are excellent pets for seniors due to their loving and playful personalities.
Frenchies snore a lot due to their shortened muzzle. As a result, avoid strenuous exercise, preferring to go for short walks or play indoors.
French Bulldogs are prone to Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS) syndrome, which creates many respiratory problems. However, to prevent distress take the following steps with your Frenchie: take them for a short walk, avoid overfeeding, use harness instead of leash, maintain body weight.
- Height: 11 to 13 inches
- Weight: 19 to 28 pounds
- Coat: Short and Smooth coat
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
- Breed: Non-sporting
#7. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small dog that makes a beautiful companion for senior citizens. Bichon is a bundle of joy and happiness who adores his family and can fit into any lifestyle.
They are simple to train and easy to handle, making them senior-friendly dogs. Brushing and grooming are required to keep their coat fluffy and clean, but other than that, they are low maintenance dogs. They require less exercise; simple activities and walks are all that is required to keep them happy and healthy.
- Height: 9 to 12 inches
- Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
- Coat: Fluffy and curly white hair
- Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
- Breed: Nonsporting
#8. Greyhound
How does a breed of athletic hounds land into Best Dogs for Seniors? Well, Greyhounds are special. Once they get enough exercise, they like to rest and stay calm throughout the rest of the day. They are calm, content, and quiet dogs.
Their independent nature also makes them reserved around crowds, so they do not require constant attention. Their coat is another feature that makes them low-maintenance and an excellent choice for seniors. They have a short, smooth coat that only requires brushing occasionally.
- Height: 25 to 30 inches
- Weight: 60 to 80 pounds
- Coat: Short and Smooth coat
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 13 years
- Breed: Hound
#9. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature schnauzers are a high-energy breed. As a result, they are ideal for active seniors. They make excellent family dogs due to their small size, outgoing personality, and friendly demeanour. And their temperament makes them ideal for our senior citizens.
Miniature Schnauzers are incredibly low-maintenance dogs that shed minimally and require little grooming. They require a daily walk and exercise, which seniors can easily manage due to their small size.
- Height: 12 to 14 inches
- Weight: 11 to 19 pounds
- Coat: Wiry overcoat, soft undercoat
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Breed: Terrier
#10. Maltese
These little lap dogs enjoy being the centre of attention, and if you love them, they will love you back. Maltese are intelligent dogs that can quickly learn tricks to entertain their owners. But that’s not all. They are mastered at sensing their pet parent’s emotions, making them excellent therapy dogs.
Maltese have a single layer of fur that sheds infrequently. The long, silky coat, on the other hand, requires daily brushing and professional grooming to keep it in good condition.
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 4 to 7 pounds
- Coat: Long and Silky Single layer coat
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Breed: Toy
We hope you like the above list of best dog breeds for seniors and elderly. Now it’s your turn to decide which one you choose to spend your golden years.
