Dogs are loyal, friendly, and loving companions who stay by your side for many years to come. If you belong to a senior living community and are looking for a partner in loneliness, adopting a furry friend can be a great option.
Dogs offer unconditional love and support and help maintain your emotional well-being. Their devoted companionship makes seniors happy, lowers their blood pressure, and improves responses to stress, which in turn can lead to cardiovascular problems.
Many dog breeds make wonderful therapy dogs and help relieve anxiety. Researchers at Washington State University discovered that petting dogs significantly reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Dogs also encourage their owners to move around, which is helpful for their bodily health.
Have a look at these top 7 dog breeds offering peace of mind for seniors.
Top Dog Breeds Offering Peace of Mind for Seniors
1. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is a cheerful and adaptable dog with a minimally shedding coat. This hypoallergenic breed makes a good fit for older adults prone to allergies. Thanks to their compact size and moderate exercise needs, Bichons are ideal for apartment living.
These social butterflies warm up to new people and animals quickly. Bichons are affectionate dogs who need lots of attention to be happy. They are also prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long, explains PetMD.
It makes them one of the best dog breeds for seniors who spend most of their time at home. Bichon Frise is a smart and eager-to-please dog breed. These pooches learn new commands quickly so you can train them easily.
Bichons are quite playful; they like fetching toys, playing tug-of- war, and above all, lounging in their human’s lap.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog breed, well-suited for older adults. Their petite stature and love for companionship make them the best dog breed for seniors. Yorkies do not need extensive exercise to stay physically and mentally fit.
These brave and bossy dogs but arre quite adaptable. Yorkies can adjust well in a variety of households, including apartments. These tiny dogs get along nicely with everyone, including kids and other pets.
However, their long and silky coat, which looks a lot like human hair, requires regular grooming to stay in top-notch condition. Sometimes, their oversized personality makes them think they are much larger than they are. As a result, they can be excessive barkers.
But they can become the friendliest dogs with proper training and socialization. Despite their remarkable intelligence, Yorkies are not always easy to train. They can be willful but respond best to positive reinforcement-based methods.
3. Toy Poodle
The smallest of all Poodle variants, Toy Poodles are highly intelligent and loving dogs. These agile and athletic canines have a sociable personality. Their small size, combined with their friendly and adaptable nature make them a good choice for older adults seeking dog ownership.
Since Toy Poodles are very active, they need a good amount of exercise every day, explains the American Kennel Club. That is why they are better suited for seniors with an active lifestyle. Swimming is a great exercise for Poodles.
Poodles were bred as hunting dogs, so they have an impulse to retrieve objects like sticks, balls, or toys. You can also train them to fetch your belongings. Their affectionate nature and ability to sense changes in their owner’s moods and emotions make them outclass therapy dogs.
Toy Poodles also enjoy going on long walks and jogs with their humans. Thanks to their brain power and their eagerness to please, they can be trained easily.
4. Maltese
These small dogs love the spotlight and love the attention that an older adult can offer. Seniors also feel comforted by the presence of this quintessential lap dog. So, it is a win-win situation for both. Maltese have a gentle but lively temperament.
They enjoy playtime and are more than happy to entertain others with new tricks. One of the oldest breeds in the world, Maltese are easy-to-maintain dogs who need moderate daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Their loving nature makes them a good fit for people looking for a cuddly partner.
Seniors can also enjoy their daily walks with these adorable pooches. Despite their petite appearance, Maltese are highly alert dogs who tend to bark at unfamiliar noises. With proper training and socialization, you can teach these small white dogs not to bark excessively.
According to Hill’s Pet, these indoor dogs thrive in apartments and confined living spaces. However, their luxurious coat needs regular brushing and frequent bathing.
5. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are inherently happy and social dogs with an affectionate nature. Having a fluffy coat, these small canines weigh no more than a few pounds. Their high adaptability, manageable size, and sweet temperament make them ideal companions for seniors living in apartments.
Poms are friendly, inquisitive, and sensitive dogs, very much in tune with human emotions. That is why they make excellent therapy dogs. Poms are active but need only short walks and indoor play sessions to fulfil their exercise needs.
It makes them a good option for older adults leading a relatively sedentary lifestyle. Poms are intelligent dogs, and they can master tricks and games with ease. However, you need to be careful as you may easily hurt their feelings.
Things like ignoring greetings, not saying goodbye, not letting them sleep by your side, or changing routines abruptly can easily upset them.
6. Shih Tzu
Having a small size and a cuddly nature, Shih Tzus make wonderful pets for seniors. Their adaptable nature enables them to adjust well in a variety of homes. Shih Tzus are friendly and social dogs who get on well with almost everyone.
If you are a retiree who prefers a peaceful lifestyle, a Shih Tzu’s calm nature makes it the right dog breed for you. Well-suited for indoor living, they do not require plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy.
These hypoallergenic dogs shed minimally, so they are a good fit for seniors allergic to pet hair. However, the coat needs daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles. Training a Shih Tzu can be an amusing yet frustrating experience.
7. Papillon
These happy and alert dogs are more robust than they appear. Papillons can be easily recognized by their butterfly ears. These adaptable dogs live happily in big cities as well as open spaces. Paps were originally bred as companions, so they love spending quality time with their family.
Papillons are great companions for seniors due to their minimal exercise needs and compact stature. Indoor play sessions can provide enough physical activity for these dogs. They learn quickly, so you can train them easily.
However, Papillons tend to bark a lot. You can overcome excessive barking with proper training and socialization, but apartments with shared walls may not be the right place for them. They are also well-suited for homes with multiple pets.
Conclusion
Dog breeds for seniors are usually small in size and easy to maintain. They have minimal to moderate exercise needs and are quite adaptable. As a result, they can make great companions for senior dog owners who prefer apartment living.
These canines make loving companions and offer peace of mind to seniors, thanks to their loyal personality and calm demeanor. Their gentle yet lively personalities make them ideal family pets. Some of them, however, have high grooming needs.
