Getting a dog during your golden years can be the best way of infusing fun activities, cuteness, and slobbery kisses into your life. Independent living communities such as Riddle Village allow you to bring a small dog when you move in, and selecting the perfect pet from breeds for seniors can set you up for more than a decade of furry love. If you’re considering getting a canine companion during retirement, here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on the best small dog breeds for seniors and retirees.

 

Senior woman sitting on the couch with her terrier concept image for best small dog breeds for seniors and retirees

 

Benefits of Dog Ownership for Seniors

Many people view retirement as a life stage where you shouldn’t take on more responsibilities than necessary. The work required to give dogs a happy, healthy life can make you feel dog ownership is not for seniors. However, these benefits of having a dog may make you reconsider your position.

Dogs Make You Lead An Active Lifestyle

A pet dog requires a safe, secure home, free from hazards that can endanger its life. Your four-legged friend also requires daily walks, healthy food, and a good cleaning and grooming routine. Thus, having a pet dog encourages you to move around to maintain your home’s hygiene, make it healthy food, and take it for walks.

All these activities help reduce the likelihood of settling into a sedentary retirement lifestyle. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that seniors with pets have lower chances of developing high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.

Dogs Reduce Loneliness and Isolation

Social isolation is one of the big challenges seniors face. You can experience a lot of loneliness after the kids move out or live too far away to visit frequently. The isolation may also intensify if you lose your life partner and friends.

A pet can keep you company in your home, giving you another living thing you can talk to and laugh with. Walking your dog or taking it to a local dog park provides the perfect icebreaker when interacting with new people, allowing you to form connections based on your love for pets.

Seniors with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression should seriously consider keeping a dog during their retirement years.

Why Choose Small Dogs for Seniors?

Small dogs make the perfect companion dog breeds for seniors for several reasons, including:

  • Longer life expectancy. Losing a beloved pet is one of the most devastating things you can experience. According to the American Kennel Club, small dogs have a longer life span than medium-sized and larger dogs. Thus, a small dog can offer you more years of friendship and companionship than its larger counterparts.
  • Easy mobility. Contrary to expectations, retirement years often require a lot of moving and traveling. Having small companion dogs keeps you travel-ready, whether you’re going to a different city to visit loved ones or touring a different country altogether.
  • Require less space. Smaller dogs take up less space than bigger breeds. You can comfortably live with a small dog in a studio or one-bedroom apartment in an independent living community.
  • Easy to keep up with. Small dogs have fewer dietary and exercise demands than large dogs, making them ideal for seniors. You can feed your little Chihuahua less food throughout the day and take shorter walks with it compared to the amount of effort required to keep a German shepherd content. Such easy care allows you to keep your pet happy while leaving enough time for you to engage in other independent living activities.

 

Senior couple holding their Bichon Frise.

 

5 Best Small Dog Breeds for Seniors and Retirees – Choosing the Right Companion

Best First Dog: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles spaniels, commonly referred to as Cavs, are the best dog breed to get if you’ve never had a dog before. Cavs are heart-wrenchingly adorable, with big eyes that’ll make you feel like their whole world. They’re also gentle and very affectionate, capable of getting along with humans and other pets without fussing.

A Cav will easily transition into a retirement community and get along with all the human and pet friends you make during your daily walk around the neighborhood.

Best Lap Dog: Bichon Frise

Bichons are among the best companion dog breeds for seniors because they believe there’s no better place to be than beside you. Bichons make excellent lap dogs, happily sitting on your lap all day as you watch movies, read, or talk to friends. They can make excellent emotional support dogs because petting your fluffy white dog can make even the hardest days easy. Bichons do require moderate play, helping you exercise before a long day of fluffy kisses and snuggles.

A shih tzu is another affectionate dog that will happily spend its days on your lap.

Best Apartment Dog: Poodles

Senior living may require moving to a smaller apartment, which means your furry companion needs to be easy to train and intelligent enough to remember house rules. Poodles is one of the best small dog breeds for seniors and retirees and are among the most popular because they easily adapt to apartment living. Poodles are known for their fluffy coats that can be shaped into various cuts. Standard poodles are calm, smart, and highly obedient, characteristics you need in the best dogs for seniors.

Best Calm Dog: Japanese Chin

Chins understand every senior’s dream of a quiet and peaceful retirement. Dogs from this breed are very proud, often viewing barking as a disgrace to their species. When not playing in the yard or amusing themselves with toys, they prefer to have you pet their silky manes as you tell them how much you adore them.

Runner-up: A French bulldog is another calm dog seniors should consider getting during retirement.

Best Dog for Active Seniors: Dachshunds

Don’t let their size fool you — dachshunds perfectly fit the bill of small but active dogs. Sausage dogs were originally bred as independent hunters, making them ideal for seniors who need a guard dog. Dachshunds are very courageous, outgoing dogs whose big personalities wrapped in small bodies open many avenues for interesting conversations with other dog lovers. Their short hair and overall body composition make them easy to groom after a long day of fun.

Runner-up: A West Highland white terrier might fit the bill if you prefer a fluffier, more active dog.

If you’re looking for a continuing care retirement community in PA designed to accommodate you and your canine companion around Media, PA, look no further than Riddle Village, the best senior retirement community. Reach out to us at 610-891-3700 to learn about the various living options we offer you and your furry friend.