Best Dogs for Seniors – Dog Breeds for Older People

Aging brings about changes in our daily activities, and, in most cases, our active lifestyle is profoundly affected. Due to this, seniors develop different and slightly special preferences, especially when it comes to choosing their ideal companions.

Talking of companions, pet lovers find dogs as an ideal fit for most people, irrespective of their stage of life. However, seniors might find highly playful dogs a bit overwhelming, meaning that the pets might fail to match their lifestyle activity.

However, this shouldn’t be a worry anymore as there are dogs that are an ideal fit for your less active lifestyle. Our upcoming review of the best dogs for seniors will ensure you get an easy time picking the right companion even during your old age.

Considerations When Picking the Best Companion Dogs for Seniors

The special necessities, as well as the change in lifestyle, means that seniors must draw essential lines before picking their ideal pet companion. That said, here are a few tips that can help you during the process of choosing the best dogs for seniors:  

Playfulness Level

Seniors need dogs that won’t cause them problems due to their high playfulness levels. For this reason, having a dog with minimal playfulness level will be an ideal fit, as the pooch will remain good after one or two short walks. Therefore, you will end up with a dog that’s easy to manage when it comes to health matters, and these short walks will also be beneficial to you.

Weight and Dimension

These are essential as, most of the time, the dogs will be jumping on you and, at times, knocking you down. Additionally, when taking a walk, bigger dogs might easily overpower you when they aggressively pull the leash, meaning in such cases, small breeds become stress-free to manage.

Additionally, when it comes to medical and food costs, these small breeds offer ideal value for money and make you save a lot on such expenses.

Choosing Between Old and Young Dogs

When looking for the best companion dogs for seniors, choosing an older dog over a younger breed might offer incredible advantages. This is due to the high demands that come with young dogs, including house training and high demand for attention.

Fortunately, getting a well-trained pet will ensure you have nothing to worry about even when you leave your dog at home, as most of these dogs are rarely destructive.

Residential Rules

Some communities restrict people from owning particular dog breeds in the compound. Therefore, ensure you are conversant with the set rules, as parting with your adopted dog due to the set guidelines might be a painful experience.

The Dog’s Fitness

Seniors need to get dogs that aren’t prone to diseases, as these breeds might require regular and special care. The overall treatment cost might be highly expensive in some situations, while other dogs may become sick because the elderly owners lack enough time to take the required special care.

Our Top 12 Best Dogs For Seniors Reviews  

Having looked at the essential considerations during your process of purchasing the best dogs for seniors, below is a list of our over 10 best dogs for seniors that we believe fit these factors to perfection. The dogs included here are super easy to maintain, and they have a shallow playfulness level.

Maltese Dog Breed

This dog breed excites in two ways; first, it is lightweight, at about 6 pounds, and its life expectancy exceeds 15 years. The dog’s low weight places it among the best lap dogs for seniors. Additionally, the dog’s high intelligence level makes it ideal for in-house training. Besides that:

• The breed only calls for slight grooming
• Their hair isn’t bad for those with allergies
• The dog doesn’t need extra care apart from providing a healthy diet and keeping him, or her fit, therefore, making the pet one of the best small dogs for seniors.

Pug Breeds

The dogs are gentle and playful, therefore, making them an ideal option for seniors. They weigh around 16 pounds, and their life-expectancy slightly exceeds 13 years. They are a perfect match for those seeking moderate playful dogs, and those who love going for short walks. That said,

• The dogs aren’t aggressive, all in the account of their breathing problems
• They are fit, although eye and breathing hitches are standard here
• They are likewise heavy eaters.

Maintenance here is stress-free, thanks to the dogs’ need for slight grooming. Cost-wise, this is an affordable dog breed, and that’s why it is among the best dogs for seniors over 70 years.

Beagle Dogs

Here come 24-pound dogs with a life expectancy of 14 years. Their high intelligence nature makes the dogs nosy as well as tenacious. They have medium to high playfulness level and an ideal addition for anyone eyeing a hiking companion.

That said, the pooch’s high playfulness is the reason behind their love for walks and background runs. The dogs also love extra care and simulation, but that’s not all, as you will like them because of their:

• Calm
• Sweet
• Independent
• Lively traits

Chihuahua Breeds

Here comes one of the best small dogs for seniors. They weight about 5 pounds with an 18-years life expectancy. These tiny dogs suit seniors who want less demanding pooches in matters regarding exercising. Additionally, Chihuahua is stress-free in issues regarding grooming, and they possess these unique traits:

• Liveliness
• Loyalty
• Quirkiness

Boston Terrier Pooches

The pooch weighs between 10-25 lbs., with a 12-years life expectancy. They feature amongst the best medium sized dogs for seniors and here’s the best description of these dogs:

• Playful
• Affectionate
• Smart

Their short hair implies zero dog-care hitches, especially given the way the pooch doesn’t shed much. Additionally, seniors will easily get the desired companion in these pooches.

Otterhound Breeds                                                    

Not all seniors might be looking for a low energy pet, and fortunately, getting your preferred dog here is easy. The Otterhound breed is moderate, in terms of activeness, and weighs about 50lbs. The dog can live for about 12 years, and it’s suitable for swimming activities, all in the account of:

• Its webbed feet
• Water-tight twofold skin
• Its easy maintenance needs

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeds

Here’s a medium-sized dog that suits your companion needs. The breed weighs about 16 pounds and lives beyond nine years. The dog is also gentle and tends to warn you about intruders. Its silky and long fur keeps it stylish, although these can cause problems, as they are effortlessly matted.

All in all, if you want the word to describe this breed, these phrases will ideally suit the occasion;

• Friendly
• Lively
• Adaptable

Poodle Breeds

The dogs come in different sizes ranging from 6-9, 15-17, and 45-70 lbs. Some of these dogs also differ in lifespan, with some living up to 15 years and others reaching about 12 years.

• They are moderately active
• The dogs are slightly nervous
• They need moderate contact and socialization
• They are healthy and suitable for those with allergies, thanks to the dogs’ hypoallergenic fur.

Cocker Spaniel Breeds

These are medium-sized companions, and they weigh about 20 pounds. The dogs are friendly, and they bond with everyone easily. They are also easy to train, but they easily become lonely if you leave them without a companion for long. With the dogs, make sure you:

• Take them on short walks regularly
• Thoroughly groom them
• Do not leave them alone for long

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs

The dogs are ideal companions for seniors, as they weigh less than 30 pounds and are about 10 inches in height. They have a weather-tight double coat, but they are heavy shedders, meaning that thorough grooming is a must here. The dogs’ other outstanding characteristics include:

• Their super friendly nature
• High intelligence
• Highly adaptive nature

In terms of training, most of these dogs won’t cause you sleepless nights. In matters concerning health, the dogs live for about 11 years, meaning there are minimal chances of them developing huge fitness problems.

Scottish Terrier Breeds

Here comes one of the best small dogs for seniors. The dogs aren’t heavy shedders, although weekly grooming will be an ideal consideration here. They are intelligent, although slightly hard to train without treats.

These breeds are ideal for those who take regular walks as the dogs rarely pull ahead uncontrollably. That said, the dogs are an ideal fit for seniors due their:

• Hypoallergenic fur
• Tiny size
• Highly adaptive nature

Italian Greyhound Breeds

Here comes another small-sized companion for seniors. The dog is less than 11 pounds in weight, sensitive, and moderately playful. Besides that, here’s what makes this breed an ideal consideration for seniors:

• Hypoallergenic fur
• Low shedding tendency, meaning zero grooming needs
• Longer life spans

Essential Tips for Senior Dog Owners

Whereas dogs can offer the desired companion for everyone irrespective of their age, here are a few tips that can be helpful to seniors.

Pooch Training and Behavior

The best dogs for seniors must be well-trained and well-behaved. That way, your dog will not easily jump on you when you open the door, as this can cause serious injuries.

Look For Ultimately Comfy Leashes

Extra padded leashes should be your number one choice, as these reduce instances of injuries when walking with your pet, especially when it comes to arthritis patients.

Exercise

Many dogs require regular exercise, but low energy breeds are easily manageable. However, if the process is still challenging despite the dog’s low playfulness level, seek professional dog walking services, and solve the issue to your satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Owning the best companion dogs for seniors comes with special responsibilities. Still, one common thought that crosses most seniors’ minds is who takes care of the pet in instances where the task becomes unmanageable. Fortunately, the availability of dog care facilities can be an ideal consideration once the job becomes hard to manage.