Best Dog Breeds for Older Households

Older dog owners are best suited to low-energy dog breeds, and also breeds that are small. Smaller dogs, or lap dogs, are easier to handle than larger breeds, making them easier to walk and care for. Since puppies tend to be high energy and require a lot of time to train, many older dog lovers prefer to rescue an older dog. There are a number of dog breeds that would do well in an older household.

  1. Bichon Frise

    • In addition to being relatively low-energy dogs, bichon frises are known to be lap dogs. These little white dogs love human companionship and would do well with retired people who spend much of their time at home. A fully grown Bichon weighs between 7 and 12 pounds. Bichons do need daily walks, but will remain fairly inactive indoors. They like to go everywhere with their family and hate to be left at home. Bichon frises need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting of their fur.

    Pomeranian

    • The Pomeranian is a small dog, whose average adult weight is between 3 and 7 pounds. The Pomeranian is a smart, loyal breed that is eager to please. Pomeranians take well to positive reinforcement training, and need to be given boundaries in order to become well-rounded, balanced dogs. A Pomeranian is a good breed of dog for older active adults, as they have a fair amount of energy. They need daily walks as well as play time to take care of their exercise needs. The Pomeranian has a long double coat which requires frequent brushing to prevent tangling.

    Dachshund

    • Dachschunds come in a choice of short-haired, wire-haired or long-haired. The short-haired dachshund's coat is easy to maintain, but the wire- and long-haired dachshunds require regular grooming to keep their coats healthy. Dachshunds also come in two sizes̵1;̵1;standard and miniature. Standard dachshunds weigh approximately 20 pounds at their adult weight. Miniature dachshunds weigh approximately 11 pounds when they are fully grown. While younger dachschunds do have a great deal of energy, they are not active indoors. Daily walks will be sufficient exercise for this breed. Dachshunds are more prone to separation anxiety than other dogs, so they are a good dog for the retired adult who is home the majority of the time. The dachshund should be confined if left alone to avoid damage to the house.

    Pug

    • Pugs are happy, playful dogs with fun personalities. The pug is a breed that appreciates creature comforts and will happily nap during the day. While pugs need a daily walk for exercise, they should not be let outside in extreme hot or cold weather as their short noses can lead to breathing problems. Pugs do not need daily brushing, however their wrinkles will need to be wiped daily. A fully grown pug weighs between 13 and 20 pounds.

    Yorkshire Terrier

    • Yorkshire terriers are small dogs whose average weight is 7 pounds. Their size makes them a suitable choice for older adult households. Yorkshire terriers are loyal and energetic, and need daily walks. They can be wary of strangers, and their bark can make them a good guard dog. Their wariness can lead to aggression if allowed, so training should be implemented to avoid this.