Owning a dog can be one of the best things for seniors, but it’s important that a senior adopts the right kind of dog to provide them with comfort and not stress. There are some dog breeds that are not suitable for seniors due to their size, strength, or high energy, and these breeds should be avoided by seniors looking to adopt a companion animal. Our article gives you more details about the worst dog breeds for seniors.
Can Seniors Benefit from Owning a Dog?
Seniors, like many other individuals, can benefit from owning a dog. The comfort that a dog can bring, combined with the helpful routine of caring for a pet, can encourage feelings of happiness and reduce stress or other negative emotions. Additionally, adding a dog into their daily routine can help give a senior something to leave the house for and encourage them to socialize with others, both factors that are incredibly important in staying mentally and physically healthy in old age.
However, it’s important that the dog a senior owns is not a breed that is difficult to take care of, or one that is too strong and prone to behavioral issues without significant training. This can be dangerous for both the dog and the senior, as it may put them at risk of injury.
Where Can I Get a Support Animal for a Senior?
You can adopt emotional support animals or therapy dogs for seniors from any local shelter or animal rescue. Some of the best support animals for seniors include dogs and cats that do not require a high level of upkeep, and those that prefer to be lap animals or are generally calm and gentle. We recommend asking your senior loved one what they feel comfortable taking care of in terms of an animal before you start looking around local shelters and rescues to adopt.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Seniors to Own
The following dog breeds are, in general, not good choices for seniors to own. These dogs either require too much energy to maintain, they are overall high-maintenance, or they could be prone to behavioral issues and aggression without proper handling or training.
For both the safety of the dog and a senior, it’s important to choose a dog breed that can safely be owned by your senior loved one.
Some of the worst dog breeds for seniors include:
- Jack Russell terriers
- Pitbulls, or pitbull mixes
- Chow chows
- Akitas
- Australian shepherds
- Border collies
- Dalmatians
- Rottweilers
- Siberian huskies
- Beagles
- German shepherds
- English springer spaniels
Keep in mind that this does not mean that a senior should not be around these dogs – a senior may in fact love visiting with these dog breeds. But, in many cases, the upkeep and proper care of the dog breeds above is not recommended for senior individuals.
What Are the Best Dog Breeds for Seniors?
The best dog breeds for seniors are dogs that do not require too much maintenance in terms of training, grooming, and exercise, and ones that may not be too large or too strong. Dog breeds that have a tendency to act as lap animals or couch potatoes are also a great choice for seniors, as it doesn’t take too much work to keep these kinds of dogs happy.
Some of the best dog breeds for seniors include:
- Corgis
- Bichon frisé
- Greyhounds
- French bulldogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Shih tzus
- Pomeranians
- Poodles, standard or miniature
- West Highland white terrier
In general, the dog breeds above have lower exercise needs, and they have generally sweet, calm, and quiet temperaments. They bond strongly with their owners and love to spend time together playing gently or cuddling.
Helping a Senior Feel Supported
Dogs make wonderful companion animals, and seniors especially can benefit from the love and support that a dog provides. However, when helping a senior you love to adopt a dog, it’s important to make sure that the dog is manageable and safe for a senior to own. As a general rule, you should stay away from dogs that are too active and too strong, in addition to dogs who may need a firm hand and consistent training to stay well-behaved.
Once you find a dog that your senior is in love with, and one that they can easily care for, your senior loved one can start benefiting from the presence and routine that their canine companion brings.
