Just imagine standing in New Orleans, a melting pot of art, music, cuisine, and history, along with your perfect lap dog, and taking a stroll in this cultural and captivating city of fusions. Or imagine taking a walk through the streets of Paris on a beautiful evening or Amsterdam on a full moon night with your furry travel pets, doesn’t it feel like a dream come true?
You have been through so much; all the seasons of your life have now faded, and you finally deserve a break from your tiring schedules and hasty deadlines. Well, we agree with you, but you’ll need the right dog for this adventure after your retirement.
Let’s see something kind, elegant, preferably hypoallergenic, loyal, soothing, generally calm, and ideally low maintenance? A companion with whom you can cherish the quiet moments. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. These pooches are experts at concocting the perfect balance of harmony.
These small breeds with an easygoing nature will form strong bonds with you. Will need only moderate exercise, and be the most social dogs on the planet. That will help you make more friends with other senior citizens. They will be the perfect partners and affectionate companions for any elderly person.
Dog Breeds That Enjoy Walking Slowly With Seniors
1. Maltese
- Height: 7-9 inches | Weight: under 7 lbs.
- Longevity: 12-15 years | Energy Level: Very Energetic
- Needs: High | Exercise: 20 mins/day | Coat: Long Straight Silky Coat
- Temperament: Affectionate, Intelligent, Responsive
You cannot resist the charm of this luxurious and adaptable pup who has a show-stopping and floor-length coat. These dainty dogs are quite fearless and also quite ancient, dating back at least 2,000 years. They’ll fit right into your slow and laid-back lifestyle and love to be petted all day long.
VCA Animal Hospitals says the fluffy coat of these dogs is highly effective and therapeutic, taking all your troubles away, and is loved by many seniors for their lap dog tendencies. They feel like a tiny toy that you can groom and play with all the time.
Why are Maltese dogs ideal for elderly owners?
Stubborn and willful, sometimes, but an endearing and loyal companion for the whole time.
These hypoallergenic dogs are a dream to raise and own. Just extensive regular brushing and care will suffice. If you cannot handle their grooming requirements, then book them a regular grooming appointment.
Moreover, they are highly trainable dogs; hence, you can even convince them to stop their excessive barking.
Moreover, these tiny performers are more sophisticated than the larger dogs.
2. Havanese
- Height: 8.5-11.5 inches | Weight: 7-13 lbs.
- Longevity: 14-16 years | Energy Level: Very Energetic
- Needs: High | Exercise: 20-40 mins/day | Coat: Medium Length Straight Silky Double Coat
- Temperament: Cheerful, Sociable, Smart,
The only dog breed native to Cuba, the Havanese, exists just to make your days a bit brighter. They love staying glued to their owners and want to be the center of attention at all times.
But their interactive and playful personality makes them a heartthrob for senior citizens.
Why is the Havanese dog the ideal choice for senior citizens?
They stand among the incredibly low-maintenance dog breeds.
They are intelligent dogs that only need daily walks.
Purina UK says they will keep you entertained and happy with their tricks and laughable antics.
They also make excellent watchdogs, but will usually keep barking to a minimum.
3. French Bulldog
- Height: 11-13 inches | Weight: Under 28 lbs.
- Longevity: 10-12 years | Energy Level: Average
- Needs: High | Exercise: <20 mins/day | Coat: Short, Flat Coat
- Temperament: Playful, Alert, Adaptable
You have adapted and adjusted all your life to different circumstances, compromising for a thousand little things for your loved ones. Because they mattered and meant so much to you, but now you’ll finally know how cherished and pampered someone feels. When someone else takes the torch of compromising and adjusting from you.
Meet the Frenchie, now it is all sassy and lively in attitude, but it is an exceptional lover and companion who makes you feel endlessly valued at all times. Omlet affirms it will happily accompany you on your silent escapades and gentle strolls without being too overdramatic or overwhelming.
Why are French Bulldogs the best dogs and furry companions for senior citizens?
City dwellers from Paris to Peoria swear by this vastly amazing and companionable breed, which is a dog of few words but a master of many talents.
The sassy Frenchie is the most popular breed in America; hence, if you have a thing for trends, they are perfect for you.
Most dogs need regular grooming, but a Frenchie does not, though they often snort and snore due to their flat faces.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Height: 12-13 inches | Weight: 13-18 lbs.
- Longevity: 12-15 years | Energy Level: Average
- Needs: High | Exercise: <20 mins/day | Coat: Medium length, flat, silky, and soft coat
- Temperament: Sweet, Gentle, Attentive
The Cavalier is a frolicking squirrel chaser in the day and a mighty aristocrat in the evening. These dogs are adaptable and adjust equally well with active owners and homebodies.
The Continental Kennel Club mentions that they are upbeat athletes one day and shameless couch potatoes on the other. Hence, they’ll be whatever you want them to be. Calm dogs, or rambunctious pooches, it depends on you.
Why is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the perfect small dog breed for seniors?
They are generally low-maintenance dogs with a highly affectionate nature and beautiful eyes.
They are better than most high-maintenance medium-sized dogs that need a professional groomer.
They were the favorites of Queen Victoria and King Charles II, hence you’ll get to spend time with these prestigious royal highnesses.
5. Shih Tzu
- Height: 9-10.5 inches | Weight: 9-16 lbs.
- Longevity: 10-18 years | Energy Level: Average
- Needs: High | Exercise: <20 mins/day | Coat: Long, Luxurious and Straight Flowing Coat
- Temperament: Outgoing, Perky, Happy
If you want a dog for tender moments, cozy evenings, and gentle strolls, the Shih Tzu is tailor-made just for you.
These cuddle bugs are born for giving and receiving love and thrive on human attention and interaction. Hence, never neglect these gentle-hearted pups.
Why are Shih Tzus the best furry friends and canine companions for seniors?
Orvis says Shih Tzus are sacred and noble, but also hypoallergenic dogs that may be more suitable for allergy-prone owners.
They need less regular grooming and need a visit to the salon every 4 to 6 weeks.
These pups have a long life span, and if you don’t want to go through the hassle of caring for a puppy, you can adopt a full-grown senior dog. And yet, an adult Shih Tzu will still look just as adorable and innocent as a puppy.
6. Pug
- Height: 11-12 inches | Weight: 14-18 lbs.
- Longevity: 12-15 years | Energy Level: Average
- Needs: High | Exercise: 20 mins/day | Coat: Short, Flat, Dense and Smooth Double Coat
- Temperament: Serious, Stubborn, Affectionate
This small, friendly dog with a large, round head, short muzzle, and wrinkly forehead is a lot of dog in a small package. But it can also be the reason for your endless entertainment.
The vertical wrinkle on their forehead resembles the Chinese character for “Prince,” and is known as the Prince mark. Hence, this pooch is royal too. What more can you ask for?
PDSA says they are the sturdiest and most fun dogs of the toy group that have a unique mastiff heritage. These pooches also have signature protruding eyes that can easily be injured and tightly curled tails, which bring warmth and laughter wherever they go.
Why are Pugs the ideal dogs for seniors?
They are extremely low-maintenance and low-energy pooches, making them perfect partners for older adults.
If you cannot deal with a large, energetic pup, these lovable Pugs, who form strong bonds with their owners, are ideal for you. Just check the dog’s age and adopt these sturdy pooches for the long run.
Pugs work great with apartment living, and older dogs are just as cute as the Pug puppies.
7. Pomeranian
- Height: 10-11 inches | Weight: 3-7 lbs.
- Longevity: 12-16 years | Energy Level: Very Energetic
- Needs: Low | Exercise: <20 mins/day | Coat: Medium Length, Straight Double Coat
- Temperament: Active, Intelligent, Alert
A small dog with a bold personality, that’s quite interesting and rare to see. If you want a lap dog, + a guard dog + a watchdog, + a Spitz dog, and a dash of attitude all mixed up into an intense mocktail, the Pomeranian is perfect for you.
Because they are unafraid to be who they are. Hill’s Pet says they can be carried around in a purse, can snuggle and snooze off in your lap, and even play adorably with their dog toys. They love to be pampered, are quite loud barkers and heavy shedders, and you’ll have to brush them regularly to maintain their cute, fluffy looks.
Why are Pomeranians the perfect companion dogs for seniors?
This small breed of Spitz dog is only for those owners who need the spunk and sass of a big dog in a small package.
Poms are special and unique than other lap dogs, they are quite big show-offs and have the bright attitude of a performer.
Want something stylish with a bit of pizzazz or a protective guardian in a small body? The Poms don’t even need to convince someone to adopt them, because people just want them anyway.
Conclusion
So, are you ready to take that cruise you dreamed about or a long vacation in the Bahamas with your perfect little low-maintenance dogs? These pooches with their incredibly affectionate nature, hypoallergenic coats, and inclination towards indoor playtime need only moderate daily exercise and minimal grooming, making pet ownership a breeze.
Now, not every dog is ideal for those short walks by the beach or makes a great lap dog. But we assure you, these small dogs with big hearts make life so much more meaningful and worth it. Dog ownership was never meant to be a cakewalk, but these pooches have proved us wrong by being so loving.
