The presence of a loving and loyal companion can positively impact the health and well-being of older adults. Research shows that senior citizens who own dogs usually have lower body mass and make fewer visits to healthcare professionals compared to their petless peers. This is because pet ownership increases the chances of social interaction and decreases loneliness in older adults.
These gentle breeds fill the lives of older citizens with love and peace in various ways, such as offering quiet companionship, motivation for light exercise, or simply by being a loyal friend. While choosing a dog breed for the elderly, it is important to consider factors such as temperament, size, grooming needs, energy level, and age, etc.
Given below are 10 dog breeds that are known for their gentle nature, which makes them perfect for elderly individuals.
Dog Breeds Known for Their Gentle Approach with the Elderly
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most affectionate and caring dogs. This dog breed with royal roots is always in tune with its human’s emotions and is a comfort-giver in every sense.
They enjoy going for walks but are perfectly happy with shorter sessions, making them a great match for owners with moderate activity levels.
These dogs are a gentle breed that doesn’t shed excessively, and due to their minimal grooming needs, they are among the best dogs for seniors.
Adaptable to all Living Spaces
These canines are considered among dog breeds with low energy, which makes them adaptable to all living spaces, from small apartments to homes with expansive lawns. They require minimal outdoor space and can thrive without a large yard as well.
2. Shih Tzu
Known for being linked with Chinese royal history, Shih Tzus are small lap dogs that live for cuddles and attention. They are extremely friendly dogs that enjoy playing and require regular grooming.
With their friendly and gentle nature, these affectionate pets can brighten anyone’s day. They also need only minimal exercise, making them a good choice for seniors with limited mobility.
Hypoallergenic Coat
The hypoallergenic coat of Shih Tzus makes them less likely to trigger allergies. They require regular grooming but have minimal shedding. This makes them ideal for senior citizens who are prone to allergies.
3. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is known for its vibrant personality. These dogs are charming, curious, energetic, and highly intelligent. They thrive on attention and love being around people.
The Bichon Frise is known for being a small white dog that has an appearance similar to a teddy bear. These little bundles of joy are friendly with everyone.
These dogs with low-maintenance characteristics are recommended for seniors, and since they don’t shed much, these dogs are perfect pets for the elderly.
Friendly with Visitors and Strangers
These quirky clouds are sociable without being overly energetic. They bark only to alert their owners, which means that senior citizens adopting them will not have to compromise on the peace of their home.
4. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is famous for being the most beloved dog of the U.S. Labrador Retrievers are highly intelligent and friendly, and easy to train.
While Labradors aren’t naturally aggressive like some traditional guard dogs, they do have traits, such as loyalty, alertness, and a strong bond with their family, that can make them effective protectors in the right environment.
Therapy and Service-Ready
Labrador Retrievers are a good candidate for becoming therapy dogs due to their gentle nature and high level of intelligence. They are intuitive and reliable, and their people-pleasing instincts make them easy to train.
They are perfect for seniors who prefer larger dogs for their security and presence while also wishing for a gentle and reliable companion.
5. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers make excellent companions for seniors thanks to their gentle nature, loyalty, easy trainability, and positive impact on overall well-being.
Characterized by their golden fur, Golden Retrievers are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Golden Retrievers make a good choice of pet for senior citizens due to their calm and patient temperament.
Emotionally Sensitive
Golden Retrievers are highly empathetic and can sense changes in tone and affection. They bond deeply with their owners and offer great emotional support. These loyal canines are protective but not overly aggressive.
6. Pug
Small in size but big and warm in personality, Pugs bring endless joy with them wherever they go. They are charming dogs that are friendly and eager to play.
Pugs are known for their loyal and affectionate nature. They’re low-maintenance and are ideal for older adults thanks to their minimal exercise needs, gentle temperament, and love for cuddling on the couch.
Low-maintenance Dogs
Pugs have a short coat that requires minimal brushing. This makes it easy to keep them clean and a lot more convenient for elderly people.
These little bundles of joy are ranked among the calmest dog breeds, which makes them ideal for those with limited mobility. Thus, the owner of a Pug does not need to be worried about multiple visits to the dog park each day. Based on all these qualities, Pugs are one of the best dog breeds for seniors.
7. Greyhound
Known for being long-legged dogs with big hearts, Greyhounds are often misunderstood for being hyper when they are in fact couch potatoes who love to lounge around.
They love to rest for long periods of time, which makes them perfect for older adults who have mobility restrictions. Moreover, Greyhounds do not bark much and can easily adapt to calm routines.
Low Energy Dogs
According to Britannica, Greyhounds are one of the most ancient and fastest dogs. Despite this, they do not spend all day running around at top speed. In reality, Greyhounds are calm dogs that only need one daily walk.
For senior citizens, this dog is quite suitable because dogs that have minimum exercise requirements are suitable for them.
8. French Bulldog
French bulldogs are small and sturdy dogs that are full of love for everyone they meet. According to AKC, French Bulldogs ranked first in the most popular dog breeds in 2024.
French Bulldogs are easily trainable and have a medium energy level. Moreover, these dogs thrive on human interaction, so they are perfect for senior citizens who love social gatherings and also for those who love to stay indoors by themselves.
Not Overly Vocal
French Bulldogs do not just come with unlimited laughter and joy; they also come with minimal barking and less fuss as compared to other dogs. This quality makes them fit for seniors who love peace and calm more than anything.
9. Maltese
The Maltese is a small lap dog that is happy to be petted all day. Such small lap dogs that can cuddle in a lap are often preferred by seniors, and the Maltese is no exception. This furry canine is like affection, warmth, and loyalty wrapped together in snow-white fur.
Maltese are highly intelligent and, after centuries as companion dogs, they’ve mastered the art of getting what they want from their humans. That’s why consistent training is essential.
Light-weight and Elegant
Due to their small size, Maltese are easy to carry. This makes them ideal for elderly owners with mobility issues. Moreover, these dogs do not knock over easily.
In addition to this, Maltese also have a silky white coat which gives them an elegant and cute look.
10. Beagle
Beagles make nearly perfect companions for seniors, offering cheerful and constant companionship, as long as their energy needs are regularly met.
Due to their affectionate and clingy nature, Beagles are included in the category of ‘Velcro’ dogs. Characterized by their big brown or hazel eyes and long ears, Beagles are affectionate and loyal, making them suitable for seniors.
Friendly and Calm Disposition
Beagles have a very calm and non-aggressive temperament. They are naturally friendly with everyone and very welcoming to guests. They also get along with other pets, which makes them adaptable to settings with multiple pets.
Due to their affectionate nature, Beagles are well-suited for becoming therapy dogs also for becoming pets for senior citizens.
Conclusion
For senior citizens, having a pet dog is like having a loyal companion, family member, and emotional support animal all combined into one furry friend. Their gentle temperaments, combined with traits like low maintenance, emotional intelligence, and quiet demeanor, make them ideal companions for the elderly.
Some other dog breeds that are a good choice of pet for senior citizens but are not included in the above list are Pekingese, Corgis, Miniature Schnauzer, Pomeranians, and Havanese.
