Choosing a dog for companionship has always been a personal choice. However, those who are senior usually prefer such canine companions that are calm, loyal, and manageable. For seniors, gentle dogs are preferred over high-energy ones, which require light walks.
Moreover, for them, furry friends with a calm demeanour are the best as they provide them with emotional support. In addition to this, small and medium dog breeds generally require less physical stimulating activities than large breeds.
At such an age, they like to have a dog breed that can go along with their pace of life. A well-chosen dog not only reduces their feeling of loneliness but also provides mental satisfaction. Therefore, this article will explore the dog breeds that are well-suited for older adults.
Best Dog Breeds for Seniors Who Desire a Quiet Companion
There are several dog breeds that are best suited for seniors who want a quiet companion. Let’s explore them one by one:
1. Basenji
Basenji is a small to medium-sized dog that has a good muscular build. It forms a strong bond with the owners and is quite affectionate with them. Being one of the good lap dogs, it is liked by seniors.
Being a “barkless” companion, it does not create a disturbing environment. It is quite intelligent and well aware of its surroundings. On account of its calm demeanor and minimal barking, it ensures a peaceful environment at home. A good point is that it has fewer grooming needs due to its short coat and enjoys playtime at home.
However, it has an independent living nature, which becomes difficult to handle at times. It can also become bored if not engaged in activities for mental stimulation.
2. French Bulldog
French Bulldog is a small, muscular breed that resembles a Bulldog. Its distinctive feature is “bat-like ears”. It is gentle, amiable, and becomes a wonderful companion of its owners. It resonates well to calm lifestyle of older people.
It is an excellent lap dog that enjoys cuddling and spends most of its time on the couch. It does not bark excessively, which makes it a great companion for adults. Moreover, it provides emotional support due to its affectionate nature. It enjoys daily walks, which are short and particularly indoor.
But being a brachycephalic and being prone to hip dysplasia, it needs veterinary care. It can also become stubborn at times, but it can do better with training as it is easily trainable. As stated by America Kennel Club, it is friendly with strangers, dogs, and other pets, but supervision is necessary.
3. Pug
Pug is a small, muscular dog breed with a wrinkled face. Due to its “bat ears,” it is highly recognizable. It is extremely loving and thrives on human attention. It is gentle, affectionate, and a low-maintenance pet. Due to its happy and calm temperament, it is loved by older people.
Since it is people oriented so, it thrives on deep companionship with its owners. Interestingly, it is also known as a “shadow dog” due to its nature to follow its owners. Moreover, its small size makes it sleep and enjoy on the sofa.
An encouraging thing is that it does not bark a lot and does not require regular brushing due to its short coat. It enjoys staying active without being hyperactive.
If health care is not taken properly, then it can become obese. Therefore, it requires light activity, daily walks, and moderate exercise to keep it healthy. Last but not least, its facial folds require regular cleaning.
4. Pekingese
Pekingese is a true charmer due to its small size and extremely loyal nature. It is one of the best breeds for older adults due to its ability to stay indoors. This furry friend forms an exemplary bond with its owners. A funny fact stated by Britannica is that it is also known as “Sleeve dog”, because the Chinese emperor used to carry it in their wide sleeves.
It is generally calm with zero aggression in its personality. It enjoys lap time and cuddling with those who keep it. Pekingese’s minimal barking keeps the environment of the home peaceful. Furthermore, it also enjoys gentle play, not high-energy level games, which makes it the right dog for seniors.
Nonetheless, due to its thick, long coat, it has grooming needs on a regular basis. Even though it is a devoted companion but can become stubborn at times, so it demands consistent training.
5. Whippet
Whippet is a sleek, medium-sized dog breed that was bred for chasing, butis now also known as a “Couch Potato”. It was used by coal miners for hunting rabbits and dog racing when they could not afford feeding large Greyhound. It is one of the best dog breeds for the family because of its compatibility with seniors and children.
Whippet is a calm and gentle dog breed for seniors that makes a healthy companionship with them. It requires moderate exercise, which can be done indoors easily. Additionally, being an affectionate dog, it provides emotional support and contentment to seniors. It also gets along with other pets and dogs at home.
Besides, it can develop separation anxiety if left alone for longer periods. Due to fragile bone structure, care is needed while handling it. Moreover, due to a thin coat, it is sensitive to cold.
6. Irish wolfhound
It is one of the tallest dog breeds with a distinctive rough, wiry coat. Though it seems commanding yet gentle. It forms a strong bond with the owners owing to its friendly nature. It is perfect for older adults due to its infrequent barking.
It is a well-behaved furry friend, which makes it a perfect lap dog. It enjoys being near its humans and communicates with them through its gestures. Besides, it enjoys staying active through regular walks, which can be easily managed by seniors. It adores family life due to companionship with people at home.
However, it demands regular grooming due to its coat. It is also prone to some health issues, such as hip dysplasia, heart and gastric issues. As said by PetMD, as it is so big, so its average life span is 6-8 years. Further, it also requires a large space, whether outdoor or indoor.
7. Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is a medium sized breeds for seniors that always greets its owner with a big smile. It is loyal to the family and barks only when necessary. It is the best dog for seniors seeking a friend with a calm personality. According to Royal Canin, with Shiba, there is rarely a dull moment as it keeps others happy.
It is a highly intelligent dog breed that enjoys activities for mental stimulation. It is ra elatively quiet dog in indoor settings. Moreover, it requires minimal grooming due to low shedding coat, which makes it convenient for adults to keep it. Being a dog with moderate energy, it enjoys daily walks, moderate exercise, and light play.
But its independent living nature can become a trouble for owners. Therefore, patience and consistent training are required. It also chases small animals and pets, so it needs to be well-controlled when outside.
Conclusion
In essence, choosing the right canine companion is about finding a balance between personality and lifestyle. Seniors always seek such dogs that are low-maintenance, affectionate, and calm. As dogs with such traits are suitable for them.
In addition to this, such dog breeds also require less energy and activity demands. Due to their gentle demeanour and less barking habits, they form a strong bond with their owners. However, some can become stubborn at times, and some are prone to medical conditions. At that point, they need extra care and attention.
Ultimately, the perfect companion is the one whose temperament resonates with the lifestyle of old citizens, as they prefer a quiet environment. In this article, certain breeds are discussed, and one can choose the breed according to their lifestyle by looking at their traits.
