A great post on WebMD.
Now I appreciate that many who come to this place are not seniors but as I approach 80 that makes me most definitely a senior.
So this article was highly relevant.
ooOOoo
Best Dogs for Seniors
Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on October 12, 2023
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Any dog owner can tell you there’s nothing like having a loyal companion. Dogs are good pets for people of any age, as long as you choose the right dog for your lifestyle.
If you’re an older adult looking to find a furry, four-legged friend, here are a few things you should consider.
Why Get a Dog?
It’s a big responsibility, but the benefits are worth the work. Dogs can give you joy, companionship, and unconditional love. They can bring warmth and comfort into your life.
Better health. Decades of studies have shown the health benefits of spending time with dogs. Dog owners tend to have better heart and blood vessel health, including lower blood pressure, than those who don’t have a pet pup. That’s because dogs get people moving. Walking a dog regularly can help you boost how much exercise you get each day.
Less lonely. Dogs offer companionship just by being around. They might also help you be more social. Taking your dog on walks gives you a chance to meet neighbors or other canine owners at the local dog park.
Much happier. Looking at your dog can release a hormone that makes you feel happier. Science shows that gazing into your dog’s eye releases oxytocin. Known as the love hormone, oxytocin quickly boosts your mood.
Caring for a Dog
Before you get a furry pal, you should think about what you can offer the dog, as well as what they can offer you. You want to make sure to choose a dog that will be happy with the kind of life you lead. Consider these things when you start looking for a new pet.
Space. How much room do you have indoors and outdoors? You need to pick a dog that will be happy with the space you have to offer.
Exercise. Some dogs need a lot of exercise, while others are happy hanging out on the couch all day. Think about how much exercise time you can give your pup. Also, think about how fit you are. You may not want a large, strong dog that could tug hard on the leash and cause you to get hurt on a walk.
Cost. All dogs need vet care, food, and toys. If they need a lot of grooming, you need to consider paying a professional groomer.
Age. Puppies are cute, but they’re also a lot of work. Older dogs may already have some training, but they might be set in their ways. Spend some time thinking about what you’re willing to accept in dog behavior.
Best Breeds for Seniors
Here are a few breeds that are natural choices for older adults.
Bichon Frise. These dogs are very small and cute. Their fluffy coats need regular grooming. They’re happy in small homes and apartments, and they only need moderate exercise.
Cocker spaniels. These dogs are known for their beautiful, soft coats, which need regular grooming. They’re gentle and friendly, and usually weigh under 30 pounds. They need regular walks to stay fit, but they aren’t highly energetic.
Beagles. They’re small, smart, and make wonderful companions. Their short coats are easy to groom. Beagles are energetic and need a lot of exercise every day.
Greyhounds. They can run fast, but they don’t always want to. They’re happiest lounging around indoors, but they need walks to stay fit. They’re large, usually weighing around 60 pounds, but they have short coats that don’t require a lot of grooming.
Pugs. These happy little dogs make great companions. They’re usually around 15 pounds and have short, easy-to-groom coats. They need more exercise than they want because they’re prone to be overweight. Regular walks can take care of that.
If you’re an older adult looking for a four-legged companion, you can speak to a veterinarian or a dog trainer in your area for more information. They can help you choose the perfect pet.
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I am certain there are many people who will find this a practical help in deciding what dog to get.
In my own case we currently have two dogs, Cleo and Oliver, and I frequently ponder on what Jean and I do when the last of them dies.
This article reminds me and Jean that at whatever age we are it is better to have a dog than not!
Learning from Dogs 
Yes!!! I think this topic is always high on the list when a pet owner reaches senior status. You begin to consider things you never considered in middle age like vet costs, the size/weight of the pet, lifespan, and activity level. Also, seniors tend to downsize to apartments and condos. Some dogs do better in small spaces, and some don’t. Some are genetic barkers and howlers. Some aren’t. These are also important considerations. And it’s important for senior pet owners to include provision for their pets in their will.
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Your mention of including our pet dogs in our Wills is a very telling point, for that is an area where Jean and I did not cover when we had our Wills drawn up about ten years ago, and we had many more dogs then than we do now. Must give that some thought, and a make a decision to amend our Wills because I cannot foresee a day without a dog or two in our elderly lives.
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Exactly!!!
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Ok, this is going to sound somewhat counter intuitive but, Beagles… We are loyal, we love our humans and we don’t need as much grooming as some other breeds. However we need a ton of exercise, we prefer large gardens to run around in, some of us can go off lead sometimes, we can be very prey driven, we are stubborn and very determined when we want to go somewhere or eat something, we could eat for Britain (substitute your country of residence), we eat all sorts of pavement and field food most of which doesn’t need description and we have perfected the art of using our eyes to guilt trip our humans into giving into to our culinary desires (apart from my humans who are cold hearted 😀). Please always think and think again before getting a beagle, especially a rescue. Some of us have had very traumatic early lives so we may have some mental baggage that needs to be understood. We can get bored quite easily and our beds and toys are dismantled very proficiently. We, along with all other dog breeds, will need walking in all weather and sometimes at all hours (see above for eating the wrong stuff).
Don’t let me put anyone off as we are gentle, lovable and we will be your friend for life. Just asking that people think and ask as many questions before committing to one or more of us. We are a commitment as I have spoken about in earlier blogs. Thank you.
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Thank you so much for your very helpful reply. That is most interesting and I support your comment towards the end of your response. Like so many things in life, a deep think beforehand is precious. Thank you!
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I agree. I was surprised to see beagles on the list (adorable as they are!). They are hunting dogs. Very energetic. Very much in need of daily exercise. Very vocal. I was also surprised at absence of more small dogs on the list like Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Frenchies, which are perfect for seniors and suitable for condos, apartments, and patio homes.
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It strikes me that this article wasn’t so ‘fantastic’ that I wrote!
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Oh no. It was excellent in the fact that it brought attention to something many senior dog owners don’t consider. In rescue I see the sad effects of this every day. Many of the dogs dumped at shelters and on the street were owned by seniors. Either they passed away and made no provision for their dogs in their will. Or they went into assisted living and their kids ended up with the dogs and they don’t want them. I also belong to rehoming groups on Facebook and every week someone adopted a dog that requires more activity than the senior owner can handle for one reason or another, so they are trying to rehomed it or give it away for free (very dangerous for the dog). I almost cringe every time I see a senior has adopted a puppy that will live 12-20 years (depending on the breed). The list of dogs in your article may not have been well researched. But all the other points were excellent. Very important factors for seniors to consider when adopting a dog. So I’m glad you posted it!!
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Thank you, my dear. I just cannot imagine Jean and me being without dogs, but … One idea that we have had is to foster dogs after Cleo and Oliver die. This senior persons subject is worthy of another post; do you want to give me some ideas of what else to say?
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Thank YOU!! The only thing I would add is that it is generally suggested that seniors consider adopting adult dogs or seniors (4-7+ years, depending on the lifespan of the breed). Or, like you said, fostering is also an option, although fostering entails a LOT of extra work, because you have to be able to take the dog to the vet (paid for by the rescue of course) for however many visits are required, depending on the dog’s medical issues. And you will need to bring the dog to rescue events every week or month. Transport to adopters may also be required. Depending on the dog’s condition at the time of rescue, some sort of rehabilitation and/or training may also be involved. The primary purpose of a foster is to get a dog into an adoptable state. If socialization is involved, you may only have the dog for 2-3 weeks before it is rotated to another foster. Fosters actually work very, very hard. They are truly the unsung heroes of rescue!! 🩷🐶
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Wow, I had no idea of the work involved in being a foster to dogs. But then again neither Jean nor me have done research on the subject! That must change our opinion and thank you for the information.
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Adopting a senior dog (7 or older) would probably be a better option for you. And sooooo many seniors are being dumped at shelters now. Breaks my heart!!! 💔
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Again, that is very helpful. In time, we will look at our local shelters but, hopefully, not for a year or two.
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Paul, all well and good to choose appropriate dogs based on our senior ages. But we chose Border Aussies. Two half siblings! They are medium to large sized, energetic, one quiet, one a barker (more Border Collie). They require physical activity and mental stimulation. We have a house with a yard. Dog sniffy walks every day. We are seniors, one in early 70s, one med 80s. Both dogs are certified emotional support dogs and know their jobs, even at 3 years old. It depends on the individual dog breed and behaviors. I had a beagle years ago, and gave it to a hunter friend. It was a hunter, not a family pet. Some small dogs are barkers and require too much care, medical and behavioral. Our dogs are highly intelligent, well trained, watchful and obedient. Even to the point of getting out of our way when we walk around in the house. We are at the fall risk age. They are not in my will. But have designated receivers of the dogs when our time comes. I just plan on living until they have reached their 15 years of life. You know the benefits of owning large dogs. 🐶🎶🧡🎶🐶 Christine
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Christine, thanks for your long reply. Our two dogs, Cleo, a GSD, and Oliver, a Labrador mix are gorgeous yet not small dogs. Oliver, in particular, is a darling and he very frequently curls up beside me when I’m sitting in the three-seater settee. You speak our language! We would echo your remarks on our dogs being intelligent and, as with yours, they get out of our way when we are moving around, especially valuable for Jean. Kind regards, Paul
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