Is there a breed that stands out for the elderly? I can walk it once a day, but am looking for an animal what will appreciate affection from a senior and vice versa. Is there a standout, slam dunk? Thanks for any info!
I’d go with a cat. They don’t have to be walked in bad weather, but still provide companionship. Not much on being protective, though.
I’ll plug my favorite breed - pugs!
They’re a good combination for the elderly. They’re not big or threatening, but they’re also not yappy or overly energetic (especially adult/older pugs). They also make a lot of eye contact, and their eyes are pointed forward, giving them a more human look. I’ve found that mine make a lot of friends simply because they pay attention to people, and look you in the face.
I used to bring my pugs to the nursing home where my Gram spent a few months, and they were big hits there. The residents went out of their way to approach them - I think their small size and non-yappiness made people feel at ease.
They also don’t need a lot of exercise, though they’d appreciate a walk once a day or so. They’re very affectionate, and like to sit next to you (or on you, if you let them) and will follow their owners around from room to room.
A big part of the answer depends on what kind of dog you like, and the specifics of your needs and facilities you have for them. Any well adjusted dog will appreciate getting and giving affection to a senior.
If you have a fenced yard where the dog can go out unsupervised, being able to walk him once per day is fine. But if you mean that would be the dog’s only opportunity to use the bathroom, all breeds should be able to ‘walk’ more than once per day if only for a few minutes.
Human age and dog breed have no real correlation. My parents are in their 70’s and have 4 Rottweilers. They’ve been dog owners their whole lives and have a huge fenced yard. That crew would be more than I am willing or able to handle at any age but my folks wouldn’t have it any other way because those are the dogs that they love.
I’d not think about it in terms of breeds, but rather temperament and energy level of the individual dog and prospective owner - an older, mellow, unwanted dog of most any sort (including mixed breeds) from a shelter could be a perfect choice.
I can only offer anecdotal evidence here.
My boyfriend’s parents have 2 Pomeranians and his 86 year old grandmother living with them. She adores the dogs. She loves to brush their soft fur, which they love too. They’re super light so they’re easy for her to pick up. As long as my dogs aren’t visiting, they’re fairly mellow dogs and they’re more than happy to sit on her lap for hours and hours.
Now, these are the only poms I’ve ever met so I have no idea what they’re like in general. But, this dog/elderly combination works very well.
I second the pugs, my 82 year old Grandaddy has one (his little Ladybug Pug) and he loves her. They are good for the reasons mentioned - low need for walking, super affectionate (and pretty funny), not all that hyper, attached to their owners.
He lives in a retirement apartment and all the old folks there love her. Pugs are awesome. He’s not in the best of health but he’s able to look after her and she gives him a reason to get out of bed and get going every day.
I wouldn’t single out any one breed, but I would suggest going to the shelter and asking to see their older adult dogs. Some shelters will even give a discount to senior humans who adopt “senior” dogs (because these dogs are often a lot harder to adopt out than puppies).
Older dogs are usually less trouble than puppies, often have lower energy demands, and in many cases may already have some basic training. Those qualities can make them easier for elderly folks to live with.
I used to have a neighbor who was in her 90’s. She had a teacup chihauhau (Sp.?) that she carried everywhere in her purse. When that dog died, she was heartbroken. Although we couldn’t afford a teacup size, we bought her a regular chihauhau and she was unbelieveably grateful. This breed forms a very strong one-person bond and was a great companion. Personally, I’d rather have a Newfie but for an elderly person it was perfect.
I agree. Have you never seen the TV shows from animal shelters where very different dogs are shown, and each dog is described with her individual temperament, training and health issues, and what owner they need - so dog A is a border collie, but has been mistreated and needs a very loving owner with a quiet household, no kids or other pets and so on; dog B has grown up with children and would fit well into a family, dog C has no problems with other pets, but doesn’t like children, dog D needs a lot of time outdoors, while cat E has been inside her whole life and would fit well with a senior in a quiet household.
Therefore, a shelter is where I would ask first, they know all the issues of the animals and can therefore advise you. Plus, it’s kinder to take an animal from the shelter than from the pet shop, and in case of expensive breeds, it might be cheaper.
Also, some breeds have health problems because the breeders concentrated on show more than on responsibility, and a mutt from the pond might be more robust.
One breed to avoid – border collies.
This. I prefer cats over dogs, but the basic principle is the same…the older ones are a lot calmer, and still have a lot of love to give. You can also contact breed rescues if you decide on a particular breed.
My parents used to keep a few Maltese. These little dogs are purely companions, and are perfectly happy to curl up in their owner’s lap and snuggle. They DO need to have their hair clipped on a regular basis, and if their hair is allowed to grow long, they need a lot of brushing. A Maltese with long hair looks like a dustmop with eyes and a nose. Since they’re so small, they don’t need a lot of exercise outside the home, but they do enjoy romping in the backyard.
I have to bring up MY personal favorite small dog, the Papillon. These little guys pack a whole lot of personality in their little bodies. Thier exercise needs can be met with a good game of fetch whick most of them love. They are adorably cute, HIGHLY intelligent, devoted to their person (you’ll never go to the bathroom alone with a Papillon in the house!) and live to make you laugh.
There are several Papillon rescues that have an abundance of adult dogs in need of a loving home; Pap Haven is one I have fostered for.
I would definitely recommend a rescue dog. A good shelter or breed rescue can help you find the right dog for your situation, which is much more important than the breed.
Looking at the breed can only tell you tendencies. To actually know how any particular dog will behave, you have to know the dog. Most rescue / shelter operations get to know the dogs so that they can place them appropriately.
And older dogs are usually already housebroken, hopefully already trained (at least minimally), and are generally calmer and less rambunctious than puppies.
An important question is size. If you live in some sort of senior housing, or might be doing that in the future, you want a small dog. IME, the smaller the better. I’ve seen maximum weight limits of 10 pounds in some facilities; others were 15 or 20 pounds.
Slight hijack:
in re shelter dogs
My 68-year old neighbor went to the local shelter (Prince George’s County Maryland) to adopt a dog to replace her pet of 13+ years. She was politely told that the shelter has a policy of not allowing its dogs to be adopted by persons older than 64. They didn’t elaborate but my neighbor thinks it’s because they don’t want to have to process the animal again – the shelter apparently thinks human life expectancy is 65-1/2.
I’d recommend yorkies. My grandmother had one and loved it! They’re only about 5 lbs so very easy to pick up. They watch you like a hawk but don’t have to have 24/7 attention. My yorkie even plays by herself but will let me throw toys for her too. Perfect appartment or small house dog. And a good alert dog.
Translation: they bark at the slightest provocation in that annoying little dog yip that makes you want to drop kick them into next Tuesday.
My apartment building neighbors have 2, and but for the apartment between us and solid poured concrete walls, there would be words. (I have met them and they are friendly little dogs in person) yip yip yipyipyipyipyip yip yip yip yipyipyipyipyip
This sort of question is best answered on a case-by-case basis, individual dogs vary. A reputable rescue should be able to match dog to family and family to dog by careful, experienced evaluation. And they are eager to do so.
My advice would be, as a former puppy-raiser for a guide dog organization, whatever you do, don’t get a puppy. I agree with the suggestions to here to get a mature dog. Avoid herding breeds like collies. I personally would also avoid breeds that tend to be extremely hyper / high-strung, like dachshunds and chihuahuas.
Doh. I realized I used the wrong term - I meant Golden Retriever, a breed selected and known for family friendliness.