Dogs are wonderful companions. Our two pups are our babies and best friends. And although dogs are known to be energetic and playful, they can also make great companions for those in the later stages of their life. Here are 27 dog breeds that are great for seniors and why they make great companions for them.
1. Beagle
Personality / Temperament: Active, energetic, sociable, easygoing, cuddly, playful, loving, attached, easily trained, outdoorsy, good with children
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding short coat requires regular brushing and bathing; will need regular ear cleaning
Exercise needs: High (examples: long daily walks, hiking, exercise in a fenced yard)
Height: 13-16 inches
Weight: 20-24 pounds
Great For: More active seniors
2. Bichon Frise
Personality / Temperament: Cheerful, loving, gentle, playful, intelligent, obedient, affectionate, cuddly, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Non-shedding coat but does require regular brushing and visits to the groomer
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks or jumping around inside)
Height: 9-12 inches
Weight: 11-22 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living
3. Boston Terrier
Personality / Temperament: Easy, quiet, low-maintenance, cuddly, loving, goofy, devoted
Grooming needs: Low-shedding short coat requires occasional baths
Exercise needs: Low to moderate (examples: 30-60 minutes per day, daily walks, short runs, avoid hot weather activity)
Height: 10-16 inches
Weight: 10-25 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living, colder weather
Personality / Temperament: Adaptable, cuddly, adventurous, laidback, intelligent, playful, quiet, cheerful, sociable, trainable, patient, routine-oriented, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: High-shedding long coat requires at least weekly brushings (to avoid matting), occasional baths and regular ear cleaning
Exercise needs: Low to moderate (examples: daily walks, playtime, chase in a fenced yard, will match owners activity level)
Height: 12-13 inches
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Great For: Apartment living or houses with fenced yards
Personality / Temperament: Spunky, entertaining, loyalty, loyal, devoted, bold, humorous, sassy
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding short coat is low-maintenance, needing only occasional baths
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, playtime, indoor exercise)
Height: 6-10 inches
Weight: 3-6 pounds
Great For: Warmer weather
Personality / Temperament: Sociable, trainable, people-pleasers, playful, loyal, good with children
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding long coat requires regular brushing (recommended daily) to avoid tangles and occasional baths
Exercise needs: Moderate (examples: regular walks or other exercise to maintain healthy muscles)
Height: 13-16 inches
Weight: 20-30 pounds
Great For: Houses with fenced yards
Personality / Temperament: Alert, playful, loyal, stubborn, happy, courageous, devoted, bold
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding coats of two varieties; short-haired variety requires minimal grooming while long-haired variety requires more frequent grooming
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime)
Height: 14-18 inches (standard), up to 14 inches (miniature)
Weight: 17-32 pounds
Great For: Houses with fenced yards
8. English Bulldog
Personality / Temperament: Friendly, playful, low-maintenance, easygoing, gentle, laidback, sociable, sweet, courageous, quiet, mild-mannered, affectionate, adaptable, people-loving, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Low-shedding short coat requires minimal grooming; wrinkles require regular cleaning
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, playtime, other low energy or exertion exercise, avoid hot weather activity)
Height: 12-16 inches
Weight: 40-50 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living, city living, colder weather
9. French Bulldog
Personality / Temperament: Loving, friendly, goofy, playful, low-maintenance, easygoing, gentle, even-tempered, laidback, calm, sociable, spirited, charming, quiet, curious, affectionate, adaptable, people-loving, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Low-shedding short coat requires minimal grooming; wrinkles require regular cleaning
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, playtime, other low energy or exertion exercise, avoid hot weather activity)
Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: 20-28 pounds
Great For: Apartment living, city living, colder weather
10. Golden Retriever
Personality / Temperament: Loving, friendly, active, playful, gentle, loyal, intelligent, affectionate, adaptable, dedicated, people-pleasing, trainable, patient, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding long coat requires regular grooming
Exercise needs: High (examples: long daily walks, running, hiking, swimming, exercise in a fenced yard)
Height: 20-24 inches
Weight: 55-75 pounds
Great For: More active seniors, seniors who want a large dog
11. Greyhound
Personality / Temperament: Friendly, sweet, calm, low-key, athletic, low-maintenance, gentle, quiet, compassionate, independent, reserved, cuddly
Grooming needs: Low-shedding short coat requires occasional grooming and brushing
Exercise needs: Moderate (examples: long daily walks, short sprints, exercise in a fenced yard, avoid cold weather activity unless using clothing)
Height: 27-30 inches
Weight: 60-88 pounds
Great For: Houses with fenced yards, warmer weather
Personality / Temperament: Outgoing, cheerful, vivacious, social, people-loving, joyful, gentle, people-pleasing, agreeable, intelligent, trainable, attention-seeking
Grooming needs: Low-shedding long coat requires frequent grooming and brushing, or can be kept short for lower maintenance
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime)
Height: 10-16 inches
Weight: 8-12 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living
Personality / Temperament: Quiet, charming, aloof, stubborn, agile, shy, loyal, loving
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding long coat requires frequent grooming and weekly brushing, or can be kept short for lower maintenance
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime)
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: 3-15 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living
Personality / Temperament: Loving, friendly, active, playful, gentle, loyal, intelligent, affectionate, adaptable, outgoing, dedicated, people-loving, trainable, patient, even-tempered, cheerful, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Moderate-shedding medium length coat requires regular grooming
Exercise needs: High (examples: long daily walks, running, hiking, swimming, exercise in a fenced yard)
Height: 22-24 inches
Weight: 55-80 pounds
Great For: More active seniors, seniors who want a large dog
15. Lhasa Apso
Personality / Temperament: Calm, friendly, affectionate, protective, independent, adaptable, sweet, loving
Grooming needs: Low-shedding long coat requires regular grooming and brushing
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor or outdoor play)
Height: 10-11 inches
Weight: 12-18 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living
Personality / Temperament: Lively, gentle, intelligent, playful, entertaining, attentive, fearless, alert, attention-seeking, trainable, cuddly, even-tempered, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Low-shedding long coat requires regular grooming (daily brushing and weekly bathing recommended) with extra attention paid to the eyes to avoid tear stains
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime, outdoor playtime)
Height: 8-10 inches
Weight: 2-8 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living
Personality / Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, active, family-oriented, protective, patient, playful, social, alert, obedient, intelligent, trainable, charming, lively, people-pleasing
Grooming needs: Low-shedding hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming and brushing
Exercise needs: Moderate (examples: daily walks, indoor playtime, outdoor playtime)
Height: 12-14 inches
Weight: 11-18 pounds
Great For: More active seniors
Personality / Temperament: Charming, calm, loyal, affectionate, independent, stubborn, outgoing, bold, dignified
Grooming needs: Moderate- to high-shedding long coat requires regular grooming and brushing (daily recommended) to prevent tangles and matting
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, short bursts of playtime, avoid hot weather activity)
Height: 6-9 inches
Weight: 7-14 pounds
Great For: Seniors living in calm environments, colder weather
Personality / Temperament: Lively, adventurous, sociable, animated, fun-loving, protective, devoted, energetic, people-pleasing, playful, good with other pets and children
Grooming needs: High-shedding coat requires regular grooming and brushing
Exercise needs: High (examples: daily walks, hiking, dog park trips, task-oriented exercise)
Height: 10-12 inches
Weight: 22-31 pounds
Great For: More active seniors
Personality / Temperament: Lovable, affectionate, independent, stubborn, lively, intelligent, curious, attention-seeking, proud, active, loud
Grooming needs: Moderate- to high-shedding long coat requires regular grooming and brushing (a few times a week)
Exercise needs: Moderate (examples: daily walks, running around the yard, dog park trips, indoor playtime)
Height: 7-12 inches
Weight: 4-8 pounds
Great For: Seniors with energy who live in a house
Personality / Temperament: Intelligent, trainable, loving, loyal, fun, obedient, proud, affectionate, people-pleasing, cuddly, gentle, nurturing, sweet
Grooming needs: Low-shedding hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming and brushing (recommended every four to six weeks)
Exercise needs: High (examples: daily walks, swimming, dog park trips, playtime)
Height: 9-11 inches (toy), 11-14 inches (miniature), 18-24 inches (standard)
Weight: 6-9 pounds (toy), 12-20 pounds (miniature), 45-70 pounds (standard)
Great For: Seniors with energy who live in a house
22. Pug
Personality / Temperament: Loving, loyal, devoted, lazy, low-maintenance, laidback, easygoing, attention-seeking, happy, calm, charming, affectionate, cuddly, gentle, adaptable, gets along with other pets and children
Grooming needs: High-shedding short coat requires occasional grooming and brushing as well as regular cleaning of face wrinkles and eye folds
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime, regular exercise to avoid weight gain, avoid hot weather activity)
Height: 10-14 inches
Weight: 14-18 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living, colder weather
Personality / Temperament: Independent, intelligent, spirited, sensible, stubborn, alert, affectionate, playful, confident, aloof, bold, feisty, excitable, sociable
Grooming needs: Low-shedding hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming, brushing (recommended weekly) and, ideally, hand-shedding
Exercise needs: Moderate (examples: daily walks, playtime, non-running exercise)
Height: 10-11 inches
Weight: 18-22 pounds
Great For: Apartment living, active seniors, seniors without other pets or family
Personality / Temperament: Outgoing, affectionate, playful, attention-seeking, cuddly, amiable, welcoming, quiet, well-rounded, low-maintenance, gentle, gets along with other pets and children
Grooming needs: Low-shedding coat requires regular brushing (recommended daily) as well as occasional professional grooming
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime, backyard exercise)
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: 9-16 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living
Personality / Temperament: Lovable, devoted, energetic, confident, intelligent, independent, cheerful, goofy, active
Grooming needs: Low-shedding hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming and brushing
Exercise needs: Moderate (examples: daily walks, indoor playtime, backyard exercise)
Height: 9-12 inches
Weight: 13-22 pounds
Great For: Homes with fenced yards
Personality / Temperament: Tenacious, feisty, loving, affectionate,
Grooming needs: Non-shedding hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming and brushing (recommended daily)
Exercise needs: Low (examples: short regular walks, indoor playtime, backyard exercise)
Height: 8-9 inches
Weight: 4-7 pounds
Great For: Apartment or assisted living, city living
Adult, senior and retired dogs are often overlooked or left behind at rescues. This means there’s a greater need to adopt these dogs and more opportunity to do so. Shelter and rescue staff can describe the personality of adoptable dogs to ensure the right match is made. Retired dogs range from racing greyhounds to police and military dogs to guide dogs and more. Older dogs tend to be calmer, with mild temperaments and lower exercise needs, making them a great option for seniors.