The Top 10 Best Small Dogs For Seniors

We have listed the best small dogs for seniors as we know that getting a small dog as a companion is something that many older people are considering, especially if they are currently living alone.

You do need to conscious of things such as choosing an appropriate size and breed along with temperament and behavior that fits with your wants and needs.

You also have to be conscious of the average lifespan of the breed and whether you think you can still look after the dog as your years advance.

We found the following list of the best small dogs for seniors at nylabone, and have added our own commentary to theirs for each breed:

Top 10 best dogs for elderly widow

1. Shih Tzu

This breed originates from China and is considered as a royal breed.

The Shih Tzu is a gentle and affectionate dog that thrives on love.

They are considered to be affectionate, clever, intelligent, independent and lively.

Surprisingly they are sturdier than they look, the Shih Tzu will enjoy a good, brisk daily walk.

Grooming wise they are low shedding but need daily brushing. Many get an occasional professional trim to look their best.

They are considered ideal for people with allergies.

Most are very quiet dogs, although some have been known to snore.

Their lifespan is 10 – 16 years on average.

They are available in a range of colours.

2. Pug

A dog with a sociable personality making them a great family companion for older adults.

They can be strong-willed, charming, clever, docile, sociable, stubborn, playful, quiet, attentive and very obedient.

They are known for being a bit lazy, love a good nap and require relatively minimal exercise.

Well suited to living in a smaller home or apartment.

They can be prone to cataracts and also to breathing difficulties in warm weather.

Their coat sheds profusely, requiring regular attention and brushing.

They are available in a range of colours.

Their lifespan is 12 – 15 years on average.

3. Chihuahua

Chihuahua’s are known to be alert, courageous, devoted, lively, loyal, proud, and quick.

They are a lap dog that makes a wonderful companion; ideal for an older owner.

These are vocal dogs that make excellent alert dogs.

Puppies can be difficult to housetrain.

Well suited to living in a smaller home or apartment.

Grooming wise they will require a good brushing once a week.

They do need 20 – 30 minutes exercise daily.

They are available in a range of colours.

Their lifespan is 12 – 20 years on average.

4. Poodle

The Poodle breed is highly trainable, affectionate, and low-shedding.

Poodle comes in three sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard.

The Toy and Miniature are well suited to living in a smaller home or apartment.

They are active, alert, faithful, intelligent and instinctual.

They love to be pampered, and will adore the daily brushing and combing that is required.

However, this is a breed ideal for people with allergies.

They require up to an hour of exercise per day; such as a good walk and/or game of fetch.

They are available in a range of colours.

Their lifespan is 12 – 15 years on average.

5. Boston Terrier

Also nicknamed the American Gentleman, the Boston Terrier is great to have around for those that enjoy a fun, sociable breed.

As a breed they are not considered to be a sporting breed.

They are friendly, intelligent and lively but can be stubborn at times.

There origin is as a companion dog which makes them ideally suited for an older owner.

They can have a sensitive digestive system and are known to suffer from flatulence.

With a short, shiny, smooth coat, Boston Terriers require little grooming.

They love to play and have a daily walk for exercise.

They don’t do well with temperature extremes, needing a coat in Winter and can suffer with Summer heat.

Grooming is easy with them being very low maintenance thanks to their smooth coat.

Their lifespan is 13 – 15 years on average.

They are available in a range of colours.

6. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of small dog of the Schnauzer type that originated in Germany in the mid-to-late 19th century.

They are Terriers, not Toy dogs that have the strong but friendly terrier temperament.

As a breed they are known to be alert, fearless, friendly, intelligent, obedient, and spirited.

If given sufficient exercise, they are calm indoors.

They are great alert dogs since they tend to be vocal without that little dog yap making them an ideal watch dog.

They are also easy to train.

Their coat can be wiry and harsh when stripped by hand, or soft and curly when unclipped.

They require regular grooming as if left ungroomed their coat will become tangled and curled.

However, this is a breed ideal for people with allergies.

They will need 30 – 60 minutes for a brisk walk as their daily exercise.

Their lifespan is 12 – 15 years on average.

They are available in a small range of colours.

7. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire terriers are low-shedding, lapdogs who are very loving and loyal.

Like many small dogs they can be both independent and overprotective; to the point of acting as if a massive guard dogs.

As a breed they are bold, confident, courageous, intelligent, and independent.

Sometimes they can be difficult to housetrain, as is the case with many toy breeds.

They will love a daily brush as their grooming but never do this when the hair is completely dry as it can break off.

For exercise, a moderate to brisk walk of 30 – 60 minutes per day should suffice.

Yorkshire terriers often have a delicate digestive system, with diarrhea or vomiting as a result of consuming foods outside their regular diet.

Their lifespan is 13 – 16 years on average.

They are available in a small range of colours.

8. Maltese

Originally thought to have originated from Malta it is now believed that they are members of the spitz-type dogs in central Europe.

They are lively but gentle and as a breed the Maltese loves people and does not like being alone.

Despite their soft looks, Maltese are fearless.

As a breed they are known to be active, affectionate, docile, easygoing, fearless, gentle, intelligent, lively, playful, responsive, and sweet-tempered.

They can remain moderately active from puppy stage right through until old age.

Well suited to living in a smaller home or apartment.

Their silky, low-shedding white coat requires daily attention and professional grooming to look its best.

Daily combing and brushing, along with weekly baths, are essential or their long luxurious coat will mat.

They need a walk of around 30 minutes per day.

Their lifespan is 12 – 15 years on average.

They are available in White only

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles is a gentle, playful and very affectionate toy spaniel.

Known to be adaptable, very obedient, sociable, and fearless making them an ideal family companion dog and are great with an older owner.

They are also not fazed with socializing with larger dogs.

They adapt easily to different environments and situations.

Well suited to living in a smaller home or apartment.

They are one of the more grooming intensive toy breeds, needing a lot of brushing and combing.

A daily walk or play session will satisfy them for exercise.

Their lifespan is 9 – 14 years on average.

They are available in a range of colours.

10. Pekingese

A toy dog breed that originated in China.

As a breed they are known to be affectionate, aggressive, good-natured, intelligent, opinionated and stubborn.

This is the ultimate lapdog, that will even sleep on your lap while you spend an hour each day brushing its coat.

They also make an excellent companion dog.

They are extraordinarily loyal and affectionate, although they’re also independent and willful at times.

Well suited to living in a smaller home or apartment.

Be careful with giving them treats to eat as they can become obese easily.

However, they are a fairly active dog and a short walk daily will suffice for exercise.

Their lifespan is 12 – 15 years on average.

They are available in a range of colours.

Summary of the best small dogs for seniors

The joy and happiness that a dog can bring to your life is immeasurable.

Hopefully this blog article can guide you through a lot of things that you need to consider before buying a small dog for that older family member. Be sure to check out some designer dog beds when you decide on a breed.

Small dogs make excellent companions and our guide is designed to highlight how they can make a huge difference.