The Cocker Spaniel consistently ranks among the best dogs for seniors. They weigh 20-30 pounds and have a life expectancy of 10-14 years. These dogs don't have pent-up energy they need to expel, but they need regular walks and other exercises to maintain healthy muscles.
70 is the perfect age to get a dog because many dog breeds will not outlive their owners at this age, and dogs can be useful to seniors in many ways. They can be excellent companions that help to ease pain, stave off depression, and keep their owners active.
Poodles are loyal, smart, affectionate dogs that are highly trainable and loved to be pampered. They are low-shedding dogs that are excellent companions for seniors. While they are fairly low-maintenance, poodles do enjoy daily walks, and they require professional grooming about every month or two.
Having a pet helps elderly get out of the house, exercise, meet new people, reduce stress, etc. For elderly pet owners, who often live alone or in group facilities, pets can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction and physical activity and help them learn.
Puppies Boost Senior Health
Studies have shown that older adults who have pets enjoy many health benefits. According to Mayo Clinic, owning a pet, especially a dog, can improve heart health, mood, and diet for seniors.
Benefits of Having a Dog as a Senior
There are several key ways seniors can benefit from sharing their homes with dogs. Dogs keep you fit. One study found older adults with dogs were more active, ate better and had better blood sugar levels than people without dogs. Dogs help create structure in your life.
They Make You Healthier
Studies show that dog-owning seniors have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol than their petless peers. Having a dog also reduces the risk of heart attack — and boosts your chances of long-term survival if you have one.
The quietest dog breeds include the Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bernese Mountain Dog, French Bulldog, Borzoi, Basenji, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, and Scottish Deerhound.
Dogs can live up to 14 years (some even longer) and are considered seniors at age 7. Smaller dogs typically have longer lifespans than larger dogs. Puppies are not a great choice for most seniors because they need to be housebroken and can be destructive, requiring continuous monitoring.
7 Dog Breeds That Can Be Left Alone
Basset Hound. Chihuahua. French Bulldog. Greyhound.
Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.
Stage 5: Adolescence (6 – 18 months) This can be the most difficult time during a puppy's development – adolescence. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour.
Think Ahead. The benefits of pet ownership for an older person, whose world may be getting a little smaller every day, are fabulous. Companionship, affection, stimulation, joy! Not to mention true health benefits such as lowering stress, blood pressure and increasing mental acuity.
While The National Animal Welfare Trust website does say that it may not be possible to adopt a pet if you have children in your home under a certain age, it does not state whether there is an upper age limit to adopting pets. A Dogs Trust spokesperson said: "We do not have an upper age limit for rehoming.
The benefit to an older dog is that you know what you are getting more than with a puppy. Once the dog is in the 3-5-year range, they start to mature and become who they will be in regards to their personality. They will also require less exercise for the most part than their puppy counterparts.
“Older pets usually come trained and understand at least basic cues,” Gilbreath says. “For example, older dogs are often potty-trained and may have mastered the basic cues such as sit, stay, come, and down. Adopting an already-trained dog saves pet parents the time associated with training a younger dog.”
As a quick rule of thumb, we can consider dogs 'senior' at the following ages: 5-8 years of age for very large / giant dogs. 7-10 years of age for medium-sized dogs. 9-12 years of age for small dogs.
Small dogs are much easier for most seniors to handle than big dogs. Many larger dogs have physical strength that can be too overwhelming for many seniors to handle. Smaller dogs make ideal companions because they are not as likely to overwhelm a senior as a large dog would.