Couples who grow old together get to see the ups and downs of life by each other’s sides. Your experience throughout the years makes you resilient as a couple and builds your lives as well as a home filled with stability and peace.
Empty nest syndrome can hit at any time in your life as a couple if your kids have moved away. Adding a dog to your family can be a way to revive liveliness, valor, and happiness in your home. Even if your kids and grandkids are in close contact, having a furry presence will charm everyone.
From spending cozy afternoons together with your furry baby to watching it play around with your grandchildren, a dog is just the ideal companion for elderly couples.
If you’re wondering which dog breeds are perfect for senior citizens, this article is going to provide a comprehensive overview of just that.
Most Peaceful Dog Breeds for Elderly Couples
1. Havanese
While this breed’s name might bring you the rich visions of Havana, Havanese offer quite a view to onlookers with their long, silky coats. Havanese silk dog is another well-deserved name for them. They are considered one of the best dog breeds for stay-at-home elderly couples.
Cuba’s national dog voyaged to this region with Italian sea captains, though some also think they were brought by the Spanish colonizers. Their beauty has made them one of the most loved dogs in their home country.
Havanese are cheerful, small dogs with a glint of mischief in their eyes. These pups are clowns at heart; they make living together as an elderly couple an experience full of joy and smiles. The American Kennel Club recommends regular grooming for this long-haired dog.
As they make lovable lap dogs, combing their lush hair while they sit on their lap can be a great grooming regimen. You can even give them different hairdos, or take them to get occasional professional grooming.
2. Boston Terrier
While many dogs make amazing housemates for elderly couples, but Boston Terrier is at the top because of its love for human companionship. Seniors have more time on hand to spend with their pets, which makes both parties stay fulfilled and happy.
Boston Terriers love to pay attention to their pet parents, so senior owners will have to worry less about getting them to listen. If you want a pet that’s also a little watchful, Boston Terriers are the ideal choice. They tend to announce when there’s someone at the door.
Socializing early does make them more stranger-friendly, though. They’re playful dogs and will happily romp around with children, but they have moderate energy levels and don’t need a crazy amount of exercise.
So, what about their grooming needs? Just clean their face daily and give them a weekly brushing, and they’ll be just fine.
3. French Bulldogs
The French Bulldog (or Frenchie) is a muscular but small dog with cute bat-like ears. These family-oriented and affectionate dogs love to spend time with their owners and make great companions for older adults and elderly couples.
French bulldogs are a toy breed with a moderate energy level; they will happily play around the house but will also appreciate calm moments with you on the sofa. They’re normally great fit for seniors who love calm dogs, but if left alone for long, they can start barking to express their frustration.
These lap dogs don’t need a lot of exercise, and they’re also quite sensitive to the weather. A little physical activity is still important; short walks and games like fetch are more than enough for these low-maintenance pups.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles spaniels are one of the most popular dog choices for older people and make affectionate companions for elderly couples. These pups don’t mind a little physical activity; taking them on short, regular walks will keep both you and your pet healthy.
These small dogs are quite well-behaved and even-tempered indoors. Many seniors prefer an introverted and relaxed outstyle; these dogs are perfect for an easygoing living and make great sofa buddies.
These pups are easy to train, and despite being ready for a stroll outdoors, they also make quintessential lap dogs and love to cozy up next to you indoors.
They have a beautiful, thick coat that you’ll find soothing to comb through. They have minimal grooming needs, though; just some regular brushing will occasional bathing will do.
5. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are one of the best dogs for seniors looking for compact pets that don’t mind staying indoors. This toy breed is playful and clownish, but is quite well suited for apartment living.
Shih Tzus (also called “lion dogs” and “Chrysanthemum Dogs”) are too adorable to handle with their baby-ish faces and fluffy coats. Their energy level can be moderate to high, but they don’t mind chilling on the sofa as they’ve been developed into loving the life of leisure.
These tiny dogs make wonderful companions for senior couples due to their affectionate but clownish nature.
They can get along well with kids, but they might be a tripping hazard due to their size. So, some level of training is going to be needed for both the pets and the little humans; they’re better suited for older children.
These alert dogs have moderate exercise needs but will appreciate some playtime and mental stimulation.
6. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is a small dog with a sheep-like appearance and is known for their friendly personality. With their fluffy, thick coats and round, dark eyes, Bichons enchant everyone with their captivating presence. They are gentle and loyal dogs that make amazing pets for senior couples.
Bichons have low-shedding, hypoallergenic white coats, which isn’t just a trait people with allergies should look for in dogs, but also important for older pet owners.
These friendly dogs get along well with pretty much everyone, including other pets and children. So, if you often have visitors, like grandkids, these pups are perfect for you. They’re an energetic breed but don’t need an excessive amount of activity.
Daily walks and playtime are important for these canines as well to keep off certain health problems.
Their coats need regular grooming or they can tangle and matt. It might be a good idea to give them a cute summer cut to make their fluffy hair easier to manage.
7. Maltese
With a silky, long coat cascading down their small bodies, Maltese dogs can capture any gaze and melt any heart. These sweet-faced dogs aren’t amazing pets; they’re quite watchful canines and agile athletes in dog sports.
With their affectionate nature and low-shedding coats, Maltese are just what elderly couples need. While they can have a little stubborn streak, they respond well to reward-based training. So keep those doggo treats at hand.
Spending time grooming your pet can be a great bonding activity as well as a calming way to spend your time. The Maltese’s spectacular long coat needs regular brushing to keep it from tangling and matting. Bathe them regularly and use a good dog conditioner on their coat, and they’ll look even more magical.
Conclusion:
While not all dogs are perfect for elderly couples, there are many breeds you can pick from according to your health and activity level. Always look for dogs with hypoallergenic coats if you have any health problems and allergies that might get triggered by pet dander.
If you prefer larger dogs or active dogs, make sure you can match their activity levels and exercise needs.
Some other breeds that make great companions for elderly couples are Miniature Schnauzers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Basset Hounds.
