“Man’s best friend” is a great companion for all the stages of life: childhood, adulthood, and the golden years. Studies have shown that owning a dog can reduce stress and improve cardiovascular health, among other things. Not to mention, seniors who own pets are a quarter less likely to have depression than non-pet-owning seniors. This is likely because they are loving creatures and can get you up and moving a little more.
Even younger adults need to research which type of dog breed will best suit their individual and family needs. Just because you are an older adult doesn’t mean that dog ownership is out for you. What’s most important is that you truthfully evaluate your lifestyle and select the right dog breed that will suit you.
Without further ado, here is our ultimate list of the best dog breeds for seniors and the elderly.
Related Read: 20 Worst Dogs Breeds for Seniors and Elderly
The 16 Best Dog Breeds for Seniors
1. Havanese
| Weight: | 7 – 13 pounds |
| Coat: | Varies, from silky and straight to wavy to ringlets |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
An outgoing and highly intelligent dog breed, the Havanese is a perfect companion for anyone. Havanese dogs have been known to come up with games to teach their owners. They are content to go on a short 30-minute walk a day, which is great for your heart, too! The only thing that makes this dog breed harder work is its grooming schedule. Due to its long coat, you will want to have it groomed at least once a month. Otherwise, the Havanese dog is a friendly, happy dog to have by your side.
2. Poodle
| Weight: | 45 – 70 pounds / Miniature: 15–18 pounds / Toy: 5–9 pounds |
| Coat: | Curly, with solid or spotted colors |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
Here’s a dog breed where you can pick your size: Poodles come in standard, miniature, or toy sizes, depending on your desires or needs. Poodles are incredibly intelligent. You can even train them to help you around the house, they are so smart. A daily walk is all they need to stay in healthy shape, and when they are not doing that, they are content to sit by your side and cuddle. Every month or so, you will want to take them to the groomer, but they are otherwise very easy dogs to care for.
3. Pomeranian
| Weight: | 3 – 7 pounds |
| Coat: | Long and fluffy |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low |
If you’re looking for a super small dog that you can carry around with you, look no further than the Pomeranian. Although sometimes known to be a yippy dog, Pomeranians love to play and aren’t that interested in running around all the time. They love to relax and interact with people, making them great companions for any age, but especially older people. Their long and fluffy coat requires a little more grooming than short-haired breeds.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
| Weight: | 13–18 pounds |
| Coat: | Silky, wavy, and medium-length with feathered accents |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low |
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gives you a Spaniel-breed look in a smaller-sized package. These dogs have a beautiful brown and white coat with slender legs and lovable, floppy ears. King Charles Spaniels do not require a lot of maintenance: they are happy to run around in the yard for exercise, and their coats only really need a good regular brushing. They love a good lap snuggle, and their playfulness and intelligence will win your heart over for years to come.
5. Greyhound
| Weight: | 60 – 80 pounds |
| Coat: | Short, with colors like black, brindle, white, fawn, blue, red |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
It might be shocking to you to find the Greyhound on this list of dog breeds for elderly people. The Greyhound, most well-known for its ability to race, is surprisingly chill. If you’re looking for a larger dog without the large-dog energy levels, the Greyhound dog might be perfect for you. They are easier to train than other dogs, which means they can walk at your pace and lay or sit down on command. When they aren’t with you on a daily walk or playing in your backyard, they are more than happy to lounge around on the couch with you.
6. Maltese
| Weight: | 4 – 7 pounds |
| Coat: | White, long and silky. |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low |
One of the smallest dogs on this list, the Maltese could be your next pup pal. Weighing in at only 7 pounds maximum, the Maltese can be easily carried around with you wherever you go, even fitting in a small bag. These tiny dogs carry a lot of personality, though. Their quirky traits and big heart will bring you home lots of joy. Your Maltese will be happy to sit on your lap most of the time, but you will have to make sure to take care of her beautiful coat of fur.
7. Shih Tzu
| Weight: | 9–16 pounds |
| Coat: | Long, double coat of hair |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
Shih Tzus make perfect companions for seniors with their low to moderate energy and their ease of trainability. With a low weight of around 12 pounds on average, this dog is handled easily. They love to sit on laps and go on short, daily walks. Shih Tzus are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. Besides their moderate grooming needs, their only other high need is their need for attention!
8. Golden Retriever
| Weight: | 55 – 75 pounds |
| Coat: | Long and golden |
| Energy Level Rating: | Moderate to high |
If you want a lifelong companion and still have a fairly active lifestyle, the Golden Retriever might be right for you. Because they have a sixth sense of human emotions, Golden Retrievers are fantastic therapy dogs. They stick by your side and will be there for you when you need them. Some reasons this type of dog may not be for you could be its hefty weight, and Golden Retrievers are known to have hereditary health problems, which may cost you a lot of time and money in the long run. However, when it comes to having the best furry friend, the Golden Retriever can’t be beaten.
9. Chihuahua
| Weight: | 6 pounds or less |
| Coat: | Short or long |
| Energy Level Rating: | Moderate to high |
With an energy that rivals a small child, the Chihuahua is another dog that may be best suited for people with more active lifestyles. With that being said, though, Chihuahuas are known to be latched to their owners. Plus, their small size makes them easy to care for. They make great pup partners to older people because their personalities are fun and they love to be showered with affection.
10. French Bulldog
| Weight: | 19 – 28 pounds |
| Coat: | Short, colors are brindle, white and brindle, white, fawn, tan |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low |
This could be the happiest dog breed around. The French Bulldog will keep your spirits up with their scrunchy faces, stocky figure, and continued presence. As long as they are by you, your Frenchie will be content. Although they are on the bigger end of the small dog spectrum, they are strong and can hold their own well. With a coat that doesn’t need much care and a lack of high physical endurance, the French Bulldog can make a perfect companion for an older individual.
11. Pug
| Weight: | 14 – 18 pounds |
| Coat: | Short |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low |
Originally bred to be lap dogs, Pugs are small dogs that love to snooze away. Are you stuck inside due to illness or bad weather? No problem, your pug will keep you company and join you in resting on your bed or the couch. Because they do not weigh more than 18 pounds, they are still easy to carry if you needed to. Their personality traits are smart, friendly, and calm, making them the perfect dog for even small spaces, like an apartment.
12. Boston Terrier
| Weight: | 10 – 25 pounds |
| Coat: | Short, black and white |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
The Boston Terrier was originally a crossbreed between an English Bulldog and a White English Terrier, and these dogs are good-natured. They get along great with their owners and other pets alike. They are lively but do not require more than a daily walk outside. Their snuggling instinct is apparent when they home make a small den out of blankets or towels or cuddle up next to you. They love to feel snug and secure, and won’t bark too much.
13. Bichon Frise
| Weight: | 7 – 12 pounds |
| Coat: | Powder-puff like and curly, usually white |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
The Bichon Frise’s strengths lie in its joyful personality, affection, size, and loyalty. No matter the threat, a Bichon will aim to protect you at all costs. Though they need at least a walk a day, any other time they will be more than happy to lounge around the house with you. Keep in mind that her pretty coat also requires a little extra maintenance, but a trip to the groomer each month will keep it in good shape.
14. Lhasa Apso
| Weight: | 11–18 pounds |
| Coat: | Long, dense coat |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to moderate |
The Lhasa Apso, though their hair is very long, is a great hypoallergenic dog if that suits your needs best. They are quite small, but they are protective. Originally from Tibet, this breed has been mostly used as a guard dog through the species’ existence. Lhasa Apsos are playful and happy dogs with a mischievous streak. Do you need a hearing ear dog? Lhasa Apsos are good at that, too. Daily walks are necessary, but this dog breed is not high maintenance unless you decide to keep its hair long. In this case, daily brushing will be necessary.
15. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
| Weight: | 24–30 pounds |
| Coat: | Short, brown, and white |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low to Moderate |
This British dog breed oozes cuteness with its short legs and pointy ears. Not only that, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is content with a daily walk as far as energy goes, and their coats are easy to maintain. The Corgi is a great mix between small and medium dogs. Since the corgi weighs about the same as a young toddler, its weight should be manageable for you, too.
16. West Highland White Terrier
| Weight: | 13 – 20 pounds |
| Coat: | White, long and rough |
| Energy Level Rating: | Low |
Though they are small, they are mighty! The West Highland White Terrier, also called “Westies,” are tough and muscular, making them a sturdier dog than some of the other toy dogs on this list. They’ve got a charming personality, and are great at entertaining themselves. Besides needing at least one walk or playtime a day, these Westies are considered low energy. They have big dog personalities in a little dog body, making them a great pet for an older person.
The Perfect Dog for Seniors and Elderly
Dog breeds that will be best for seniors will have the following temperament traits:
Calm
All dogs get excited, but a hyperactive dog breed might be more tiring to care for than a rather calm breed. An older individual may not want to adopt a dog breed with high energy needs either, like a Border Collie, for example.
Small
Smaller dog breeds are generally easier to care for than bigger dogs. They require less time and energy for grooming, usually have lower activity levels, and eat and drink less than big dogs. A small dog is also way less likely to accidentally knock you over than a big dog.
Easy to Care For
In addition to being small, a dog for a senior should have no major health issues that require extra care or extra vet trips. A dog that’s not a puppy anymore is less work for an elderly person (or any person!) than adopting a puppy that you have to train and keep up with.
Things to Consider When Buying a Dog as a Senior
Dogs, especially bigger dogs, can make you fall more easily. The CDC reports that 86,000 of the falls that happen per year are caused by dogs. Keep this in mind when looking into dog breeds and plan to be aware of where your dog is when you walk around your house.
A maintenance-free dog does not exist. All dogs, no matter what breed, will need basic care like daily feeding, grooming, trips to the vet, and some exercise. When you are researching different dog breeds, evaluate if the needs of the dog and the dog’s energy level match well with yours or not. However, websites like EuroPuppy are great for researching different dog breeds and find a suitable pup for your lifestyle.
Which One Will You Choose?
We’ve provided you with the ultimate list of perfect dogs for seniors and the elderly, now you’ve got the somewhat difficult task of picking out the perfect one for you. This can be a hard decision for anyone! Whatever you choose, know that you are bringing home a great companion, one that will help you in health and life.
SEE ALSO: 20 Worst Dogs Breeds for Seniors and Elderly
Featured Image Credit by: Yuttana Jaowattana, Shutterstock
