2 years, 1 month ago
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What dog breeds make good companions for the elderly?
My grandmother is lonely since her husband has died. We want to get her a dog for companionship. We are concerned that some breeds will be trouble and too energetic for her to keep up with. We do not want a dog that will cause her to trip or knock her down. The size is not of importance as long as it is a semi calm dog. What would be some good breed choices for her. Anything else we should consider?
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M$2 Answers
Hello Cosmopinkice!
Typically from what I heard and from what I found from research, small, kind, and cute dogs are definitely more suitable for the elderly than the bigger dogs, for obvious reasons, if small dogs get sick, it will be easier for an elderly person to take the dog to the vet. Also, smaller dogs are not as aggressive so they do not scare the elderly as much. Also, because elderly people are looking for companion and friendship, it is much better if you have a small, cute, and friendly dog by your side.
Here are the specific kinds of dogs I suggest to you.
Schnauzer. The standard and miniature schnauzer are wonderful pets for seniors. They are super cute, and they are eager to please and to keep his family safe, easy to take care of, easy to maintain, and they love human companionship.
http://www.straysanatomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/schnauzer.jpg
Miniature or toy poodles - These are the breed of choice for owners who want to pamper their dog. Poodles also love human companionship, and they are relatively easy to train, however, a downside to the poodle is that they need a moderate amount of exercise.
Scottish terrier. This working dog from the Scottish Highlands weighs around 15 to 20 pounds. They may not be the prettiest kind of dog ever, but they are very loyal and easy to train.
http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wallpaper/Animal/Dogs/Scottish-Terrier-1-800x600.jpg
Shih tzu. The shih tzu is from Tibet and China, where the name means "lion dog" because of the breed's appearance. The breed is alert, curious and gentle. My aunt had one of these and it was a lot of fun to be around with!!!
Yorkshire terrier. The Yorkie is a tiny dog, it doesn't need a lot of exercise, and, although cute, can be extremely lazy at times.
Cocker spaniel. The popular cocker with his curly hair and sad eyes is a good choice for seniors. It just needs some basic exercise, otherwise it is not very hard to take care of.
Welsh corgi. At about 25 pounds, the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a popular pet. It is stocky, healthy, and does not cause trouble.
American Eskimo. Descended from the German "Spitz" line of dogs, the American Eskimo was bred from ancient times to watch over people and property. The Eskimo is a small- to medium-sized dog that bonds closely with his family and tends to distrust strangers.
Chihuahua. The Chihuahua is a small dog with a big bark. He will bark vigorously when someone approaches, a perfect watchdog!!!
Pekingese. This is a Chinese dog, it looks extraordinary funny and is bound to cause laughs. The Pekingese is a bold, regal toy dog that is extremely loyal. A natural guardian and lap dog, the Peke needs regular grooming though, which may not be a good thing.
http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/721/pekingese4.jpg
Typically from what I heard and from what I found from research, small, kind, and cute dogs are definitely more suitable for the elderly than the bigger dogs, for obvious reasons, if small dogs get sick, it will be easier for an elderly person to take the dog to the vet. Also, smaller dogs are not as aggressive so they do not scare the elderly as much. Also, because elderly people are looking for companion and friendship, it is much better if you have a small, cute, and friendly dog by your side.
Here are the specific kinds of dogs I suggest to you.
Schnauzer. The standard and miniature schnauzer are wonderful pets for seniors. They are super cute, and they are eager to please and to keep his family safe, easy to take care of, easy to maintain, and they love human companionship.
Miniature or toy poodles - These are the breed of choice for owners who want to pamper their dog. Poodles also love human companionship, and they are relatively easy to train, however, a downside to the poodle is that they need a moderate amount of exercise.
Scottish terrier. This working dog from the Scottish Highlands weighs around 15 to 20 pounds. They may not be the prettiest kind of dog ever, but they are very loyal and easy to train.
Shih tzu. The shih tzu is from Tibet and China, where the name means "lion dog" because of the breed's appearance. The breed is alert, curious and gentle. My aunt had one of these and it was a lot of fun to be around with!!!
Yorkshire terrier. The Yorkie is a tiny dog, it doesn't need a lot of exercise, and, although cute, can be extremely lazy at times.
Cocker spaniel. The popular cocker with his curly hair and sad eyes is a good choice for seniors. It just needs some basic exercise, otherwise it is not very hard to take care of.
Welsh corgi. At about 25 pounds, the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a popular pet. It is stocky, healthy, and does not cause trouble.
American Eskimo. Descended from the German "Spitz" line of dogs, the American Eskimo was bred from ancient times to watch over people and property. The Eskimo is a small- to medium-sized dog that bonds closely with his family and tends to distrust strangers.
Chihuahua. The Chihuahua is a small dog with a big bark. He will bark vigorously when someone approaches, a perfect watchdog!!!
Pekingese. This is a Chinese dog, it looks extraordinary funny and is bound to cause laughs. The Pekingese is a bold, regal toy dog that is extremely loyal. A natural guardian and lap dog, the Peke needs regular grooming though, which may not be a good thing.
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M$Report Abuse
http://www.rusticgirls.com/animals/best-dog-breeds-for-seniors.html.
Smaller dogs also tend to need less exercise.
thrive on attention.
A puppy may need energy to train may be rowdy.
Of the breeds the Pomeranian looks like an interesting choice
http://www.paws.ie/petsandelderly.html
A dog can motivate a person to keep going, get up in the morning and follow a routine.
Opportunity to nurture
Paws will match dogs with owners. homing program find suitable owners for dogs in shelters.
Smaller dogs also tend to need less exercise.
thrive on attention.
A puppy may need energy to train may be rowdy.
Of the breeds the Pomeranian looks like an interesting choice
http://www.paws.ie/petsandelderly.html
A dog can motivate a person to keep going, get up in the morning and follow a routine.
Opportunity to nurture
Paws will match dogs with owners. homing program find suitable owners for dogs in shelters.
images:
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
