It is often believed that a dog is man’s best friend, and there’s a pretty good reason for it. Ideally, dogs are known to be excellent companions to their owners, regardless of their age. They offer companionship that is unmatched by other pets or even humans. Therefore, just because one is a senior and cannot handle a much larger dog is not reason enough not to enjoy a canine’s company.
While age alone cannot prevent an older adult from owning a dog, other factors related to health and lifestyle can affect a senior’s ability to own and care for our canine friends. They’ve even been used in care facilities as therapy dogs and, according to a nursing home abuse attorney, are particularly effective for those that suffered as a result of nursing home abuse in the past.
As an older adult, it’s essential to find a dog breed that best fits your abilities and lifestyle. This means that you should always go for a dog breed that you can comfortably meet its needs, such as health care, exercise, and grooming, among others.
This article is going to give you a brief review of the best dog breeds that are great for elderly people. These dogs tend to be smaller in size and have moderate energy levels. Importantly, these dog breeds are great companions to spend your golden years with. Let’s take a look at them.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a tiny dog that is not only fluffy and beautiful but accords its owner’s excellent companionship. It’s one of the few dogs that are highly affectionate and intelligent at the same time. Since it weighs an average of 7-12 pounds, a Bichon Frise is relatively simple to handle and train by many people, making it one of the best dog breeds for the elderly.
When it comes to maintenance, the Bichon Frise is quite a low maintenance dog. As an elderly owner, you will only have to groom it every once in a while. Simultaneously, the Bichon Frise requires moderate daily exercise to keep it healthy and in great shape.
Maltese
The Maltese is another excellent dog for the elderly. Closely similar to the Bichon Frise, the Maltese is the classic lap dog. This is because this little white dog always enjoys staying on its owner’s lap and short easy walks.
Just like the Bichon Frise, the Maltese have little maintenance requirements, and a trip to a professional groomer once every month will be enough to maintain the small dog’s looks. Apart from being easily trainable, the Maltese weigh between 4-7 pounds, making it easy to carry around.
Pomeranian
Commonly known as the Pom, this tiny dog weighs between 3-7 pounds. The Pomeranian is easy to train and handle and can be carried with ease in your bag due to its size and weight. It is considered to be one of the happiest dog breeds, making it an affectionate companion.
Generally, the Pom will always spend time snoozing in your lap. However, when it’s awake, the Pom loves playing around the house or in the yard with toys. It’s worth mentioning that the pom is also a low maintenance dog and, best of all, a good companion at all times.
The Poodle
Coupled with the fact that the Poodle is one of the smartest dogs around, it is also an affectionate and loyal dog. This dog has gained popularity among the elderly because of many of its incredible traits. Best of all, the poodle comes in three different sizes, including the tiny toy poodle, the miniature poodle, and the larger standard poodle. Regardless of the size you choose, you will be getting a dog that can quickly learn and adapt to your living environment and low in maintenance.
Find the Perfect Companion
As a senior, the best dog is one that perfectly matches all your preferences and abilities to provide and handle its maintenance. Whether you are looking for a small or large dog, sedate or active dog, you should always know that there’s a furry companion that is just right for you!
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/s1YHaZhC–Y
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