Adopting a dog is never only reserved for young families. We’ve found 15 best dog breeds that are calm, loyal and friendly for elderly people, also 5 dog breeds that are not suitable for the elderly.
1. Good For You: Italian Greyhound
Generally, the greyhound is a pretty large dog, but if you are a fan of its cute look and you have a smaller house or an apartment, then an Italian greyhound may be your perfect dog breed. It has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years and only needs one hour of exercise a day.
2. Good For You: Japanese Spaniel
The Japanese Spaniel has many benefitting qualities: it doesn’t need excessive physical activities and you only need to brush it once a week. It is also quieter than other breeds. The cute dog likes having a little fun in the yard, and it also enjoys coming back directly to your lap.
3. Good For You: Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is another dog breed that is ideal for seniors, because it wants your attention but is not too needy. Besides, it is very easy to groom and can live as long as 14 years on average.
4. Good For You: Poodle
Poodles are very popular among elderly people because of intelligence and loyalty. They are also the perfect dog breed for people with allergies thanks to their hypoallergenic nature.
5. Good For You: Otterhound
Although Otterhound is not as famous as the other dogs on our list, it is indeed a faithful, loving companion. It only requires a moderate amount of exercise and has a life expectancy of 12 years.
6. Good For You: Welsh Corgi Pembroke
Welsh Corgi Pembroke has been a royal favorite for years. These adorable dogs are known for their intelligence and they are ideal for apartment occupants. Keep in mind that they are very active and love outdoor exercises, so you might want to buy some toys to keep them occupied.
7. Good For You: French Bulldog
French Bulldog is an excellent pocket dog for apartments and smaller houses. It has an adorable personality and requires little exercise and maintenance.
8. Good For You: Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier is often seen in rented apartments or living centers because it needs little maintenance besides daily brushing. It is a small and gentle dog that is expected to live 13-20 years on average. What’s more, exercise is not really a need for Yorkies and they prefer cuddling in your knees.
9. Good For You: Mixed Breeds
Your perfect retirement companion doesn’t have to be a purebred dog. Many dog experts recommend that seniors adopt a suitable mixed breed dog from a local shelter. When dogs enter the shelter, the handlers will check their personality, care needs, and other qualities in order to place the dog with the right person. Adopting a mixed breed dog from a shelter is a great act of charity and saves you the trouble of training a puppy.
10. Good For You: Pug
For senior people who spend most of their time on the couch and can’t exercise outdoors as much as they would like, Pugs are a perfect dog breed. They are adaptive to most situations and require little grooming. These cheerful little dogs will be a hit in a retirement home.
11. Good For You: Pomeranian
The Pomeranian has a small size and a big heart. It is a lively, affectionate and loyal dog best suited in an apartment or other small space. The fluffy dog is perfect to cuddle with and it only requires regular brushing. It is also a very intelligent dog that can save you a lot of trouble in training.
12. Good For You: Beagle
Many people think Beagles are too noisy, but a number of senior care experts have listed these friendly dogs as one of the best breeds for seniors. Their liveliness can keep you active and they don’t require a lot of grooming. Furthermore, Beagles love playing with children, so they are perfect for a get-together with your grandchildren.
13. Good For You: Goldendoodle
Goldendoodle is created from the poodle and the Golden Retriever. It is very energetic and needs daily exercise, so it is very suitable if you like getting out and moving. This breed can be your faithful companion of love with its intelligence and playful nature.
14. Good For You: Bolognese Bichon
Bolognese bichon is another excellent dog breed for the elderly. Thanks to its plush-like fur, it needs little grooming maintenance. Its intelligence can save you a lot of time in obedience classes. If you prefer calm and quiet dog breeds, the Bolognese bichon is a wonderful choice, especially if you live in apartments and other small spaces.
15. Good For You: Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is also known as the “Lion Dog”. It is very loyal, friendly and easy-going. This dog breed loves snuggling up against you on the couch and requires very little exercise. It is also an excellent guard dog though it doesn’t seem like one. A lively and adorable Shih Tzu will adapt to your lifestyle whether you are renting an apartment or own a home.
16. Not For You: Irish Setter
The Irish setter is not a suitable choice for seniors because they are very energetic, difficult to train and require a lot of maintenance. What’s more, they don’t like being left alone and are in poor health.
17. Not For You: Rottweiler
Rottweiler requires a lot of training and needs bigger spaces. It is more suitable for energetic people who lives in a bigger estate. If you live in a rented house and don’t like spending too much time in obedience classes, we suggest you choose other breeds.
18. Not For You: Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are very active dogs and they demand attention for 12 hours a day. If you don’t have a good health insurance and don’t want to test your heart’s capacities, we suggest you pass on that breed. After all, it all depends on how you want to live your retirement life.
19. Not For You: Dalmatian
The Dalmatians require a lot of outdoor exercises, and they can be quite destructive indoors if you leave them at home most of the time. They are difficult to train and some of these dogs can be very fearful and aggressive, depending on their lineage. All in all, they are not a good choice for retired citizens.
20. Not For You: Border Collie
Border Collies are very difficult to handle for the elderly. They love having fun outdoors and require a lot of grooming. This breed is more suitable for people with a large property and lots of energy.
