50 Of The Best Dog Breeds For Seniors

Dogs are one of the best pets for senior citizens to have. Not only do they come in all different shapes and sizes, but they are easy to look after if trained well. Choosing the perfect dog breed can be tough, but there are a few key items that can help.

First, do you live in a house or an apartment? The size of your home, and your mobility will help to determine how big a dog should be. Smaller dogs make great choices for seniors, because they can sit in a lap, and be taken outside without any fuss. Bigger dogs, like Great Danes, can be very strong, and require a lot of exercise. It’s best to avoid dogs that need to be walked regularly, if you have some mobility issues, like needing a walker or a wheelchair.

There are a ton of amazing options when it comes to dog breeds for seniors, and to aid in the search for the perfect breed, we have put together a handy list. Keep scrolling to find out about some of the most adorable dog breeds that love to cuddle, and some that are easy to train. You may want to train a dog to help out with some tasks around the home, like turning lights on and off, or pushing emergency buttons. That means you need a very intelligent breed.

The Cocker Spaniel

The cocker spaniel has been one of the most popular breeds in North America and Europe for decades. They are a smaller breed, with long fluffy fur, and a sunny disposition. British monarchs loved cocker spaniels, as they were known as lap dogs. Now, families tend to select the breed as they get on well with children, and don’t require that much exercise.

They are a good companion dog for seniors who live in apartments, as they don’t need a lot of space like a larger breed. They do shed, which seniors with allergies should be mindful of.

Schipperke

Schipperkes are little black balls of fur that love sniffing around apartments and curling up with their owners. They tend to be quite bouncy, but they are very good at entertaining themselves, which means you can give them a toy and they will keep themselves busy. As well, they don’t tend to weigh more than 15 pounds which makes them very portable.

One thing to be aware of is that these little guys tend to be quite headstrong, which means they need to be trained as puppies to follow basic commands. This can be done by a senior, or the puppy can be enrolled in training classes.

Bulldog

Bulldogs are known for their unique faces, and lolling tongues. Originally from Great Britain, this breed was known for being a working dog, and was used to bait bulls at farms. While they are pretty heavy dogs, weighing around 40 pounds they make great companions.

Their short hair means that they don’t shed very much, and their smaller size makes them a good fit for apartments. On top of that, they tend to have docile temperaments and enjoy cold weather. However, they don’t live as long as some other breeds, due to some of the health conditions they have, such as problems breathing.

Miniature Schnauzer

Toy breeds are perfect for the senior that wants a dog that can easily fit in their bags and are easy to pick up. The miniature schnauzer is a nice breed for this, and they have adorable mustachioed faces. In general, schnauzers are incredibly intelligent, and are very easy to train. The miniature variety weighs about 10 pounds, and enjoys following their owners around the park.

One of their favorite things to do is to zip around a park, while their owner watches them. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, and going for long walks then a miniature schnauzer is the dog for you.