9 Amazing Dog Breeds For Seniors

Dog breeds for seniors improve health, boost social interactions, and enhance the quality of life. Every day there are more and more studies released that prove the amazing benefits of owning a cuddly canine companion.

Let’s take a look at some of these adorable pups that will melt your heart, raise your spirits, and better your life!

Best dog breeds for seniors are the Shih Tzu, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Poodle, Havanese, Golden Retriever, Shihpoo, and the Maltipoo.

What are the best dog breeds for seniors? Dogs, in general, are good for the soul no matter what our age. They add a purpose and meaning to our life; a sense of being wanted and needed.

But, for those of us that are seniors or retirees, we need to make sure that we find the perfect pooch that matches our activity levels and living arrangements.

In this post, you are going to learn all about the best dog breeds for seniors, small dogs for seniors, and the best dogs for seniors with allergies.

Plus, as an added bonus, we will take a look at two insanely cute poodle mixes that my family could not live without.

After learning all about these adorable dog breeds for seniors, you will be able to find the perfect cuddly canine that fits wonderfully into your family.

This post is all about the best dog breeds for seniors that will melt your heart and be your new forever companion.

 

1. Shih Tzu – Small Dogs For Seniors

Known for their smashed noses, this charming canine weighs 9-16 pounds and stands 9-10.5 inches tall. They are one of the best low-maintenance dog breeds for seniors and retirees. Shih Tzu’s can thrive in both apartment and home environments.

These affectionate small dog breeds are primarily companion dogs and are one of the most lovable dog breeds that you will find. These social lapdogs are warm, affectionate, and trusting. They are at their happiest when they are curled up beside you, which makes them the perfect small dogs for seniors.

These friendly, floppy-eared fur babies will stay close and follow you from room to room.

How about a good night’s sleep? These precious plush canines prefer to climb right up in bed next to you to sleep. Their calm presence at night can even help you sleep better.

Regular brushing and grooming will be needed for their ever-growing coat. They can also have serious dental issues, so you’ll need to brush their teeth a few times a week.

Shih Tzu’s are sensitive to heat and require only moderate exercise. Their gentle temperament makes them a great choice for seniors with grandkids.

2. Pug – Dog Breeds For Seniors

Known as the entertainers of the dog world, this huggable pooch weighs 14-18 pounds and stands one foot tall. They are loyal, loving, and animated comedic creatures. Pugs are one of the top dog breeds for seniors and retirees.

Pugs are a great dog breed for seniors because of their alert nature, making them excellent watchdogs. They don’t bark often and are easy to train, making them ideal for house or apartment living.

This eager to please small dog breed is not designed to be a jogging companion, nor can they tolerate it. They only require short, daily walks to remain in good health. But do not overdo it, especially if you start to hear them wheeze.

Pugs are a breathing-challenged dog breed and do not tolerate heat well, so they must live inside with air conditioning. They cannot live outside.

These animated characters are all about affection. They’re never happier than when they are spending time with their human family. They will love you with all the strength in their little, compact, muscular frames. They will quickly become your best friend and, wherever you go, they go.

A pug sitting on your lap will instantly improve your mood. They are patient, well-mannered, and even-tempered, making them great emotional support dogs.

Pugs, with their chunky little physiques, love to eat so monitor their food and keep treats to a minimum. They are people pleasers and will pout if you hurt their feelings, so yelling at them is counterproductive.

You will want to clean their little wrinkles and eye areas daily and brush their coat every 1-3 days.

Pugs are prone to breathing issues, eye issues, and a neurological disease known as Pug Dog Encephalitis.

Does this adorable breed sound like the perfect fit for you? If so, please talk to a veterinarian regarding these medical concerns to make sure that you’re up for the task.

{RELATED POST: 6 Most Affectionate Small Dog Breeds That Love To Cuddle}

3. Graceful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Known as the breed that won over royal hearts, this graceful affectionate small dog breed weighs between 13-18 pounds and stands 12-13 inches in height. This sweet, tail-wagging baby is just as content snuggling up in your lap for a belly rub as he is running, hiking, and playing.

This makes him a top pick when looking for the best small dogs for seniors and retirees who are a little more active.

You’ll never be alone when you own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as they love to follow their humans everywhere they go. They are a warm, affectionate, kid-friendly, and dog-friendly breed.

These precious pups are known for being one the best emotional support dogs for anxiety.

These people pleasers have a soft personality so yelling at them is likely to send them into hiding. A soft tone will go a long way with these cozy canines.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pups will bark when someone knocks at the door. But they don’t really qualify as guard dogs because of their friendly nature. They are more likely to run to the door with tails wagging, tongues out, and ready to make a new friend.

This faithful breed becomes very attached to its human family. They will experience high levels of separation anxiety and disappointment if you leave them alone. So … take them with you! Their loving personality allows you to take them anywhere and everywhere with you while you run errands.

This is one of the few breeds that continuously grows hair on their feet. They will require trimming from time to time. Brushing their coats regularly is needed since they do shed a bit.

This breed loves to exercise in the yard, or you can leash up and go for a 30-minute walk.

4. Bichon Frise – Hypoallergenic Dogs

Known as the world’s great personality dog, the Bichon Frise weighs 12-18 pounds and stands 9.5-11.5 inches tall. They have an adorable little teddy bear face and have never met a stranger.

These playful yet gentle white balls of fluff are also very good with kids. This makes them one of the best dog breeds for seniors and retirees who have grandchildren that visit often.

You will have a lap full of cuddles with this sweet, social, and affectionate baby. They are beautiful, hypoallergenic dog breeds with a curly white coat that doesn’t shed. This makes them an ideal breed for allergy sufferers.

Bichon Frise’s are loyal but not aggressive, love short walks, and they don’t bark often. They’re a great small but sturdy alert watchdog for the apartment lifestyle.

These devoted, kindhearted canines hate to be alone. They thrive in a home where someone is around most of the time due to their separation anxiety.

Bichon Frise’s are precious, jolly little balls of cotton. They have a strong desire to protect their human family that they love so much.

{RELATED POST: 5 Adorable Dog Behaviors That Prove Your Pooch Loves You}

5. Poodles – Best Small Dogs For Seniors

Known for being a very intelligent dog breed, poodles weigh 5-9 pounds for toy breeds and about 45-70 pounds for standard poodles. Their dander has a low probability of causing allergic reactions, which makes them ideal for seniors with respiratory issues or allergies.

Just take this elegant breed out for one good walk per day and they are ready to cuddle with you for the rest of the evening.

These faithful companions form very strong bonds with their more mature humans. They are hypersensitive and can be easily overwhelmed by stress and loud children. So, if the grandkids come for a visit, your sweet poodle may need a moment to decompress.

They are peaceful, patient dogs who crave the same in their environment. Poodles are great, low-maintenance dog breeds for seniors.

Poodles come in three different sizes including the tiny toy poodle, miniature poodle, and standard poodle.

Whatever size you’re looking for, you will be able to find your perfect curly companion in a poodle.

6. Cuddly Havanese

Known as the national dog of Cuba, these cheerful creatures weigh in between 7-13 pounds and stand 8.5-11.5 inches tall. These vivacious and sociable canines have soft, wavy coats that come in many different colors.

This adorable-faced teddy bear is smart, sweet, and eager to please.

This affectionate small dog breed has the comic instincts of a clown and loves entertaining, making them one of the best dogs for seniors to adopt. And, because of their genuine and affectionate loving nature, the Havanese is a great emotional support dog.

These adorable little faces will turn to mush if you scold them so a soft approach will be needed.

They are quiet dogs and tend to bark less than most small dogs, making them perfect for the apartment lifestyle.

Havanese crave companionship and prefer being right up next to you or, even better, in your lap. Like many small dog breeds, they can suffer from separation anxiety issues if left alone. They’re not big barkers, but if left alone, they will bark out of boredom and fear.

Havanese are not especially active and can get all the exercise they need just by running around the house.

Although this breed is known to be fairly healthy, they are still prone to deafness, eye disorders, and heart disease.

Havanese are devoted little characters with a gentle demeanor. This clever dog breed will make up its own games and train you to play with him. This trait makes him the ideal, fun-loving companion no matter what your age.

{RELATED POST: What Are The Cutest Small Dog Breeds That Stay Small? Check Out These Top 10 Teeny-Weeny Tots}

7. Golden Retrievers

Large Dog Breeds For Seniors

Known as one of America’s most popular dog breeds, the Golden Retriever takes the cake as one of the best large dog breeds for seniors. Weighing in at about 50-75 pounds, these gentle, lovable creatures are loyal to a fault and make ideal furry companions.

If you are an active senior or retiree looking for a four-legged friend to exercise with, then the confident Golden Retriever may be just the ticket,

But, keep in mind, this friendly, kind breed is very active and will require at least an hour of exercise every day. They love to run, retrieve (living up to their name), and swim. Exercise is an essential part of their day.

If you find that you love the kindhearted, sweet, and loyal personality of a Golden but you’re not sure that you can keep up with their active nature, consider adopting one that is a little more mature, called Golden Oldies.

Once these intelligent pets are around eight years old they begin to mellow a bit. While they still love to run and play, the intensity is definitely less. At this point, they are content just going for walks with their humans and coming home and snuggling beside you. They have a calm, tolerant attitude making them one of the best dog breeds for seniors with grandchildren.

If a Golden Oldie is what you are considering, keep in mind that these charming, silver-faced beauties typically live to be about 10-12 years old.

Although this most affectionate large dog breed does require grooming, they consider themselves part of the family and will bond quickly with their new human family.

Bonus: The next two lovable canines are cute poodle mixes. These playful, fun-loving pooches will also make the perfect, cozy companion for any senior or retiree.

8. Sassy Shihpoo

Best Dogs For Seniors With Allergies

Known for their fluffy appearance and affectionate personality, Shihpoo weigh-in between 13-20 pounds and stands about 8-18 inches tall. This bubbly mixed breed is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Toy Poodle. They are an ideal match for a senior or retiree looking for a snuggle buddy.

These faithful, devoted fur babies are extreme lap dogs and take the art of snuggling very seriously. They are also one of the best emotional support dogs for anxiety.

These poodle mix puppies are smart, lovable characters that always want to have one paw on you, just to make sure your complete attention is towards them only.

Similar to other small dog breeds, you are never alone if you own a Shihpoo. They can thrive in homes or apartments, as long as they are with their humans, but they do not like to be left outside alone, most especially at night. These are inside huggable babies that pride themselves on being part of the family.

Their coats on these affectionate small dog breeds can be curly like their parent Poodle, or straight like their Shih Tzu parent. They are a hypoallergenic dog breed and come in a variety of colors and combinations.

Although these cozy canines love to play, they are just as content to take a snooze in your lap.

Shihpoos love attention, love to be spoiled, and love kids, making them the perfect pooch for any senior.

{RELATED POST: 11 Extremely Helpful Puppy Care Tips For Bringing Your New Pup Home}

9. Entertaining Maltipoo

Known as one of the most popular deliberate mixes, the Maltipoo weighs about 5-20 pounds and has an average height of 8-14 inches tall. This animated mixed breed is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. They are affectionate, gentle, and easy to train, making them perfect small dogs for seniors.

Your Maltipoo will be a feisty, fun-loving part of your family that loves to play games and make you laugh. They enjoy life, they are never in a hurry and love to cuddle with their human family. They are truly concerned about your feelings; if you’re sad, then they’re sad.

Maltipoo’s can be barkers and will alert you to everyone and everything that’s going on around them. But, they are quick to respond to your training of what is and what is not important to bark about.

This sweet, gentle, easy-going mixed breed makes great therapy dogs and will keep you entertained watching him do his “zoomies” around the coffee table. But not to worry, after about 10 minutes, he’s spent.

If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, this tiny face is just what the doctor ordered.

The Maltipoo doesn’t seem to mind a little alone time if you need to step out for a bit.

Like the Shihpoo, the Maltipoo’s coat can be straight like his Maltese parent, or curly like his Poodle parent. They also come in a variety of colors and combinations.

The Maltipoo is at his happiest just sitting in your lap watching the world go by with his favorite human family.

{RELATED POST: 9 Best Emotional Support Dogs For Anxiety That May Surprise You}

Summing It All Up – Dog Breeds For Seniors

Dog breeds for seniors play a very important role. They raise our spirits and create a social, loving, and calm atmosphere.

Not only do these cozy companions provide us with lasting friendship and tons of love, but they also help to keep us a little more active. This works wonders for our sociability, heart, and mental health.

And during these times, what more could you ask for?

There are so many benefits that you will enjoy when you finally bring home that almost-human, furry bundle of cuteness!

This post was all about the best dog breeds for seniors to help you be as prepared as possible when choosing the canine companion that’s right for you!

 

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