Finding Your Best Small Dog Breeds for Seniors and Retirees.
As we get older, we start looking for an easier and a simpler life. With that, we still love our pets and need them in our life. It makes sense that you would want a dog that is easy to take care of and that you can enjoy every moment with.
Throughout my younger stages of life I always had larger dogs, but as I have gotten older I can now appreciate the advantages of smaller dogs and the upkeep they need in comparison. Low energy small dogs are even better for me.
Let’s look at some of my favorite small dog breeds for seniors and retirees.
Toy Poodle
Toy poodles are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent. They adore attention and are easy to train. Toy poodles aren’t big barkers, making them ideal for us older people who live in condos and apartments with other tenants or neighbors. They’re good with children as long as they’re given proper supervision.
Toy poodles are smart, don’t shed much at all, and are hypoallergenic low maintenance dogs, making them very good for those with allergies. Toy Poodles may be the best lap dog for seniors.
Havanese
A Havanese is a small, friendly, and intelligent dog that is easy to train, and are also good with children and other pets. The Havanese requires little grooming, making it an ideal choice for seniors who may not have the time or energy to spend on their pet’s appearance.
A Havanese typically lives between 12 and 14 years old—a long life-span compared to other dogs of similar size. This makes the Havanese an ideal choice for seniors and may be the one of the best small companion dogs.
The Havanese are also on our list of small dogs with the least health issues.
Maltese
Maltese is an excellent choice and could be a great choice for one of the best small dogs for seniors and retirees. They’re small, gentle, and affectionate dogs that require little upkeep.
Maltese are hypoallergenic, which means they won’t cause allergic reactions in people with allergies to fur or dander. If you have trouble bending down to maintain your dog’s grooming needs, then the Maltese is a great option—they only need to be brushed occasionally.
They also do not need much exercise outside of walks around the block (Maltese love being carried). While these little guys aren’t well-suited for hiking or jogging through rugged terrain with you, they do make excellent companions for apartment or condo living since they’re small enough to live happily in smaller homes or apartments without needing much room.
And as far as age goes: It’s not just puppies who benefit from early socialization; older dogs also respond positively when exposed to new things early on in life. The Maltese is one of the best lap dogs for seniors.
They are also on our list of easiest small dogs to potty train.
Cavapoo
The Cavapoo is a cross-breed between a cavalier king Charles spaniel and a poodle. Cavapoos are friendly, affectionate dogs that enjoy being around people. These small dogs are intelligent, trainable, and easy to groom. They are easily one of the best small dogs for seniors.
Cavapoos can adapt well to different homes with different personalities. They need daily exercise but not too much. If you live in an apartment or condo, the Cavapoo will do fine if you take it out for regular walks or playtime in your yard when it’s nice outside.
Bichon Frise
This small curly-haired dog is friendly, cheerful, and affectionate. They are well known for their charming personality and intelligence.
They’re cute with their round face and floppy ears and are easy to groom. They are good with children and other pets.
These dogs are also one of the best small therapy dogs you can find.
The Bichon Frise has a long lifespan and is easily one of the best small dog breeds for seniors and retirees.
Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso is a great companion for seniors. This small dog with a long coat has all of the traits that make it an excellent choice as a best small dog for seniors and retirees: intelligence, loyalty, and friendliness.
In addition to being relatively easy to train and housebreak, Lhasas are intelligent enough to keep you company without being too much trouble. They love cuddling on the couch with you, but they also like to play with toys, go outside for walks, or do both.
Lhasas are good watchdogs because of their alertness and territorial instincts, yet they’re not aggressive toward humans unless provoked by someone unfamiliar or threatening their owner or family members.
While they bark when somebody comes onto your property (which makes them great early warning systems), this isn’t usually considered excessive barking that’s annoying to neighbors; instead, it’s more like an alert call saying, “Hey guys! Someone’s here.”
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is known for their intelligence and loyalty. They can be stubborn, so they need training early on. Shih Tzus are great with kids and are good in apartments or tiny homes if you have a great fence to keep them safe from the outside world.
However, they require regular grooming—especially if you have a long-haired version of this breed—and should not be left alone for too long since there’s not much exercise available in an apartment setting (unless you take your dog out for walks).
Finally, Shih Tzus can be aggressive with other dogs, so choose carefully when adding another dog to your family.
Welsh Corgi
Also on our list of best small breed service dogs, Welsh corgis are a playful, loyal breed that is perfect for seniors. They can be trained to be left alone while you’re gone, and they enjoy long walks or playing in the park. They don’t need much exercise but are usually willing when you are.
However, Welsh corgis can sometimes get very excited when meeting new people or dogs on walks. They are also small enough that they can easily be carried around if needed, making them ideal for those who can’t walk around much.
Welsh Corgis are also one of the best small companion dogs.
Finding the Best Small Dog Breeds for Seniors and Retirees
Small dogs are easier to control, train, and care for than larger breeds, and they don’t need as much exercise. They are easier to handle and are a little easier on the inside of your home.
What are the best small dogs for seniors and retirees? The final choice is yours, but I hope that I gave you some good ideas to help you choose your next best small companion dog. Proper nutrition is an important part of a dog’s health along with feeding the recommended amount.
Also please consider being a dog foster parent. See my article on How to Be a Foster Parent for Dogs for details.
See my article on how to potty train a small dog to help you get a good jump on potty training.
We also recommend Phalene Papillon dogs for seniors. We have dedicated an entire article that you can view at Phalene Papillon Dogs.
There are also many small poodle mix breeds that are great hypoallergenic low maintenance dogs that we talk about on our site.
At Small Dog Living, Dogs are Family! Check out AKC for more formal information on small dogs.
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