Poodles, Maltese, Pomeranians, and pugs are a few breeds that make good pets for seniors. The best dog breeds for older adults are mostly low-maintenance dogs with lower exercise needs. However, the canine best suited as a companion will vary from person to person depending on their lifestyle and abilities.
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.
Golden Retrievers are excellent companions, and they're wonderfully loyal. If you want a medium-sized dog and are elderly, this is our pick.
Golden Retriever
That's why goldens make great pets for seniors or retirees that are looking for new activities to replace work. Golden retrievers also make great walking companions, especially because they need at least an hour of exercise a day.
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.
Older adults may fear they are too old to get a dog, but with careful planning and strategic choices, seniors can enjoy the many benefits of dog ownership.
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.
(CDC), pets “increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, [contribute to] better cognitive function in older adults, and [provide] more opportunities to socialize." Having a pet is also linked to health benefits such as decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.
There are no specific dog breeds prone to dementia—any dog could develop it. However, smaller dog breeds can have a higher risk of developing dementia, but this can partially be attributed to the fact that they, on average, live longer than larger breed dogs.
Many senior citizens like the idea of having a dog but know they physically can't handle an active, large pet. This is why small dogs, such as a cavalier King Charles spaniel, Shih Tzu, or Maltese, make great companions for seniors.
There's a new top dog in town. For the first time in 31 years, the Labrador Retriever has been unseated as the most popular dog breed in the US, according to the American Kennel Club's 2022 registration statistics. In its place sits the cute and compact French Bulldog.
Some of the best small service dogs breeds are the Yorkshire Terrier, the Corgi, the Pug, the Poodle, and the Chihuahua. These doggies are easy-going, intelligent, with a friendly temperament, they can be easily held and petted. These canines can be easily trained and show great obedient skills when properly trained.
Considering the points listed above, a popular dog breed that often is ideal for seniors is the German Shepherd. This breed of dog is fun and friendly, making it a great option for seniors that live around other seniors, have big families, or have young grandchildren.
One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond.
It is recommended to be finished breeding when your dog reaches the ages of five to seven. After this age, dog pregnancies are rather difficult on animal's bodies. Dogs are at a significantly greater risk of having miscarriages, being injured, or even dying during pregnancy after a certain age.
Larger dogs that are between the sizes of 50 and 100 pounds are considered middle aged between the ages of 6 and 8. However, dogs that are over 100 pounds in size will be considered middle aged between the ages of 5 and 7.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing. Interested in adding a new puppy to your family?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an “older adult” as someone who is at least 60 years old. Many states may also have different definitions of “elderly” when determining what resources are available in cases of elder abuse, although most states commonly use 65 years of age as the cut-off.