The 5 Best Dog Breeds for Seniors

In Spain, more than 2,300,000 people over 65 years of age live alone. There are many effects of loneliness for them: increased risk of depression, poor diet, cognitive impairment, worsening of cardiovascular and bone diseases...

For them, having a pet at home has multiple benefits: it combats loneliness and depression, keeps them active, boosts their self-esteem and exercises their memory.

Dogs love being with their owners, and retired seniors can provide them with the company and care they need in the most loving way .

But it is important to choose the right breed or type of dog (by size or character) to live with an elderly person, taking into account their state of health or mobility and their lifestyle.

SOME OF THE MOST RECOMMENDED BREEDS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

French Bulldog: This good-natured and affectionate small breed dog tends to experience separation anxiety, so u An older person who has time to dedicate to him is ideal for him. Having short hair, it does not require great care other than weekly brushing and occasional baths. He is also not much of a walker as he tires easily, so the exercise demands on him are not very great. He rarely barks, is patient and calm, and loves to be indoors and cuddled, so he may be the right dog for senior owners.

Pomeranian: is a real “toy” dog, measuring 20 to 30 cm and weighing no more than 3 kg, perfect for adapting to small flats. With his little fox face with pointed ears and his tasty fur, he makes everyone fall in love with his character and beauty. It is a very suitable animal for older people due to its cheerful and friendly character. It is always alert, which is great for people with hearing problems as it alerts them whenever there are strange noises in the house.

Bichon Maltese/Bichon Frisé: There are not many differences between them, since they come from the same breed. Both are small, affectionate and calm. The biggest difference lies in its coat, which in the case of the Frisé is double-layered, shorter and curlier, and in the Maltese it is finer, straighter and longer. It adapts perfectly to small spaces, spends a lot of time resting and loves to be with its owner and receive cuddles and caresses.

Chihuahua: is considered to be the smallest dog in the world. It measures between 15 and 20 cm and weighs between 2 and 3 kg. It will make life happy for its senior owner, but it has to be well socialized from a young age, otherwise it can be authoritarian, sullen, skittish and not very sociable. Being territorial, it barks at strange noises, which can be beneficial for older people who live alone.

Yorkshire Terrier: one of the most popular breeds in the world, it fits perfectly in the denomination of lapdog. Affectionate and unconditional towards its owners, but distrustful of strangers, at whom it does not hesitate to bark. Being small, he does not require much activity, small and short walks may be enough for him, which is appreciated by some older people who cannot walk for a long time.