Our priorities usually change as we enter the golden years of our age. Peace, comfort, and meaningful companionship are all you need, and that’s why many seniors end up having a dog.
83% of pet owners between 50 and 80 years of age report that their pets give them a sense of life, and 73% said that they allow them to enjoy life, as per the report of the University of Michigan.
Although dogs provide emotional support, there are numerous studies that show how they reduce stress levels and blood pressure. Plus, they actually keep seniors physically active with a gentle morning walk and also protect them from feeling lonely.
So, yeah, that’s the reason almost 73% of 55+ people have chosen dogs as their pets. But you have to be careful when selecting dogs for seniors, so don’t end up getting hyperactive, independent, or stubborn ones. Seniors actually need peaceful and calm pups and low to moderate exercise needs.
They should be a little mischievous to make them giggle, but shouldn’t irritate them at all. We have listed 9 such dogs for seniors that stay by their side no matter what. We will also share their training needs and grooming routine so you can actually see if you can handle them or maintain their coats or not.
Charming Dog Breeds for Seniors Seeking Peace of Mind
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, patient, calm, and affectionate dog breeds that were bred to be lap warmers for royals. They even got their name after King Charles I and his son, as they used to carry them to parliaments, as per PetMD.
Their compact size makes them safe to handle and easy to carry for seniors. These little dogs are good natured with strangers and even other pets, so they reduce the stress of social outings. That being said, Cavaliers are eager to please and highly intelligent, so seniors can easily train them without any professional help.
In addition, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel just needs a few short walks around the block for mental stimulation. They have a silky coat that does not shed much but still requires brushing 2-3 times a week to prevent mats. So, these levels of grooming are actually manageable for seniors.
2. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are also called “little lions”, as they were bred to look like lions and specifically as companions for Chinese royalty. They have a friendly, confident, outgoing, and playful nature. Shih Tzus are perfect if your main goal is peace of mind because they don’t have any prey drive.
These small dogs are smart but sometimes get a bit stubborn if sessions are too long. However, they are not difficult to train if you keep training short, fun, and reward-based. Shih Tzus have very modest exercise needs as they are generally happy with short walks and playing indoors.
But they are prone to overheating. That’s why it is best if you prefer to stay at home. Shih Tzus have a long, flowing double coat that requires frequent brushing to prevent tangles and mats. So yeah, they actually require attention, and many seniors also go for a puppy cut to manage their brushing needs.
3. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are often described as having bubbly personalities due to their cheerful and high-spirited nature. Many people call them cotton candy, marshmallow, and even a walking cloud out of love. These white dogs are an excellent choice for seniors who want a happy-go-lucky dog.
They are super affectionate and form strong bonds with their owners. Apart from this, these little dogs have an eager-to-please nature, so training them gets a bit easier. You can easily teach them commands using positive reinforcement or tasty treats.
Bichons are active but still need only short walks for mental stimulation. They have a curly hypoallergenic coat that does not shed much but requires daily brushing to maintain their puffball look. So yeah, they are perfect for seniors who are allergic to dogs, but you have to commit to brushing them, which is a fair deal.
4. Maltese
Maltese are known for their gentle, playful, and affectionate nature, though they were also bred to be lapdogs. However, Greeks even built tombs and statues of Maltese in Egypt, as per Purina. These velcro dogs are perfect for seniors as they always stick to them and never let them feel lonely even for a second.
These small dogs respond well to training as they don’t have any herding or hunting drives. Plus, they are quick learners, though they can be a little bossy if they feel irritated, so consistent training is recommended. Maltese fulfill most of their exercise needs by following you around the house and enjoy short walks.
These white dogs have a single-layer silky coat that does not shed much and requires daily brushing to prevent painful mats. However, most senior owners choose a puppy cut so they may have to brush 3 to 4 times a week to keep the coat healthy.
5. Havanese
Havanese are the national dog of Cuba and were bred specifically to be companions. These velcro dogs are exceptionally affectionate, friendly, bright, and cheerful. They are famous for being happy-go-lucky dogs and adapt well to your compact homes due to their compact size.
Their eager-to-please nature and moderate exercise needs make them perfect companions for seniors. They are often referred to as clowns because they enjoy performing tricks just to make you laugh, and are highly trainable. In addition, they may bark if you don’t properly socialize or train them, so focus on training them in the early days.
These calm dogs enjoy daily walks around the block and some indoor playtime for mental stimulation. Honestly, they are always up to spend their day with you after meeting their energy needs. These small dogs have long, silky coats that are non-shedding and prone to tangles, so you have to brush them frequently.
6. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are loyal, bold, and bright dogs that were downsized from large sled-pulling dogs in the Arctic. They are often described as “big dog in a little body” and often alert if someone is at the door. They are fiercely devoted to their owners and enjoy being lapdogs.
These small dogs are quick to learn, though they can be stubborn occasionally, and respond well to short and fun sessions. A senior owner can easily train Poms with basic tricks and tasty treats.
In addition, Pomeranians are quite active for their size, but still, they don’t require long vigorous exercise. These pups are actually happy with a 20-minute short stroll around the block. That being said, they have a thick, double fluffy coat that requires brushing 3-4 times every week to remove loose hair.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are confident, affectionate, and a little bossy dogs that were bred to chase rodents in textile mills and coal mines. They possess a big dog personality in a tiny body and form strong bonds with their family members.
Their small size makes them easy to carry and manage for seniors, and their alert nature also gives relief. They are perfect for both apartment living and small homes as they don’t require big yards.
Yorkies are not difficult to train, but they are actually independent thinkers, so you have to be firm, consistent, and use tasty treats to engage them. Their plus point is their moderate exercise needs, as they stay happy with short, gentle walks and do not demand outdoor activities, which is best if you are a homebody.
8. Coton de Tulear
Coton de Tuléars are charming, clownish, and affectionate pups that were bred to be companions for royals. This is the reason they got the nickname, “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” as per WebMD.
These white fluffy pups are actually one of the best therapy dogs and have a unique way of sensing emotions. Cotons are also famous for smiling and hopping on their hind legs to get a laugh, so they actually are the best supporters and entertainers for seniors.
That being said, they are people pleasers and love daily walks and a few active play sessions for mental stimulation. However, they have a cotton-like soft and dense coat that does not shed much but regularly protects them from matting.
9. Pug
Pugs have a very predictable temperament and are famous for being gentle, mischievous, and calm dogs. They are not prone to aggressive behaviors or excessive barking, and that’s what makes them perfect pets for seniors.
They are intelligent but also have that stubborn streak, so you use tasty treats to keep them motivated. Apart from this, Pugs have low exercise requirements and are also sensitive to heat and humidity, so they are best suited for seniors who prefer to stay indoors.
They are all best, but their high-shedding coats and snoring habits may not suit everyone’s lifestyle. These little dogs have brachycephalic heads, so they breathe loudly and also have wrinkled skin that requires daily cleaning. So pet them only if you are ready for commitment.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned dog breeds are perfect for seniors due to their easygoing nature, low to moderate exercise needs, and small sizes. Some of them are low-shedding dogs, so you don’t have to keep vacuuming every other day, while others are high-shedding with their own pros and cons.
But low shedding does not mean you don’t have to brush them because almost all of them require brushing to keep their coat clean. However, the frequency varies, and so do their training needs. So, make sure to read the details before choosing any dog to be your companion.
