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GUIDE ABOUT BEST DOG BREEDS FOR SENIORS | Are you a senior citizen in need of a companion in the form of man’s best friend? If your answer is yes, then you need to be careful in making a selection as your lifestyle and health may not afford you the chance to properly take care of a dog.
Hence, you can’t just fall in love with any pooch you see on the internet, television, or magazine and decide that you want one. Instead, you should make proper research to find out which of the many dog breeds out there is suitable for you.
Since we know how stressful such research can be, we have come up with a list of the best dog breeds for seniors. All you need to do is read through and pick the one that is most suitable for you.
Let’s begin…
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This adorable little dog is very adaptable and affectionate. Hence, it won’t have any difficulty adapting to small living spaces that most seniors are restricted to.
It loves cuddling with its pet parent as a result of its affectionate nature. Therefore, it will make a wonderful companion for adults in their retirement years.
Grouped under the “Toy” category by the AKC, the weight range of this dog is 11 – 18 pounds and it has a height range of 12 – 13 inches. Thankfully, it is quite easy to train and handle.
The grooming needs of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel include hair grooming at regular intervals, ear cleaning as well as a visit to the groomer.
The life expectancy of this spaniel ranges between 12 – 15 years. Hence, you can enjoy the company of this furry friend for a long time.
2. Bichon Frise (One of the Best Dog Breeds for Seniors)
If you are looking for a fluffy, affectionate, and joyful dog, then look no further than the Bichon Frise. Just like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Bichon loves being with its owner.
You would need to give it a little bit of daily exercise. Moderate exercise is necessary for it to maintain its health and happiness. Given that it can be easily trained, you won’t have much of a struggle during the moderate exercise sessions.
As part of the Non-sporting group, the Bichon Frise has a weight range of 7 – 12 pounds and a height range of 9 – 12 pounds. Visit https://www.dog-breeds-expert.com/non-sporting-dog-breeds.html to learn more about the non-sporting dog breed group.
The curly and fluffy white hair of this canine requires periodic grooming. A visit to a groomer once in a month or two is recommended.
The Bichon Frise has a life expectancy of 14 – 15 years which is a lot of years to keep you company.
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3. Greyhound
Greyhounds are practically racing dogs, so it can be surprising to find them on this list. However, despite the fact that they love running once in a while or going on daily walks, they are not high-energy dogs as many have pictured them to be. In fact, many greyhounds will rather prefer sitting on the couch and just relaxing with their pet parent; hence, their appearance on this list.
Their somewhat larger size compared to the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel means that they might require a larger living space. Also, their larger size is great if you love cuddling with a large dog.
The fact that they come in different coat colors such as black, red, white, blue, etc. gives you several options to pick from. Their short but smooth coat means that you won’t have much grooming to do when it comes to these hounds.
As a well-known member of the hound group, Greyhounds have a weight range of 60 – 80 pounds and can grow as tall as 25 to 30 inches. Despite their large size, they respond well to training and can be handled easily.
The life expectancy of this hound is 10 – 13 years.
4. French Bulldog
One of the happiest dog breeds you will ever encounter is the French bulldog. Despite their muscular and compact size, they can be very active but still manageable.
The reason is that they don’t possess a great deal of endurance. Hence, their active nature doesn’t last long. Since they are active, they need a fair share of daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
The French bulldog has a short but smooth coat that could come in white, fawn, brindle, or a combination of these colors. The grooming requirements are minimal. However, you need to pay attention to some of its health issues such as brachycephalic syndrome as well as some skin problems. Click here to learn more about the brachycephalic syndrome.
Grouped as a non-sporting breed, this dog’s weight range is 19 – 28 pounds and has a height range of 11 – 134 inches.
Its life expectancy is about 10 – 12 years.
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5. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi size is regarded as either small or medium depending on the dog in question. Yet, no matter its size, it is an incredible companion to have around.
It is small enough to fit any type of space as it grows to a height of 10 – 12 inches. While its weight of 24 – 30 pounds might be larger than some on this list, it can still be handled by most folks.
The Welsh Corgi is quite smart which is one of the reasons it can be trained easily. As a natural herding dog, it requires daily exercise and daily walks will suffice.
Its double coat has medium length and comes in different colors such as red, black, fawn, tan, or sable. Irrespective of the color, white markings are found in the coat. The grooming needs are minimal.
The life expectancy of this herding dog is 12 – 13 years.
Conclusion
There you have it; the 5 best dog breeds for seniors. Any of these dogs can be adopted by a senior citizen as they have the qualities that many older adults look for in their canine pets.
