<p>I am helping some seniors whose Cocker Spaniel just died, they are too old to do the puppy thing again and want to adopt an adult dog. Any suggestions for the best breed options for senior citizens. Neither one walks well, but the dog would have a 1 acre fenced yard and doggie door. They want something in the range 25-40# and I am open to suggestions as to breeds to seek and breeds to avoid. The dog would get a lot of snuggling, but not a lot of play time and human leadership in exercise.</p>
<p>They would appreciate a smart dog, but I am leery of the really clever breeds, like say a Jack Russell, wondering if the dog would be more clever than the owners!</p>
<p>I would reach out to a local rescue for an older (4+ yo) dog that has been surrendered for non-behavior reasons. (prior owner passed away, relocated, etc). Try petfinder. I have a friend who fosters rescues and they are all listed here. Many of these dogs are being held in a home environment, so their temperament and bathroom habits are known. </p>
<p>I have a small (16 lb) dog who is a chi pug mix. He is mostly pug in personality. Perfect with my senior citizens parents. Even when you walk him he can only go a bout a mile. He has a sweet disposition as do most pugs but doesn’t snore or mouth breath…
I would look for that type…</p>
<p>Havanese - I have two, one is about 15 lb, other 30 lbs. They are non-shedding, soft fur. Were circus dogs of Cuba - easy to train, very silly but don’t demand alot of walking or playing - eg they will bring the entertainment and not demand it of you. Havanese Club of America - (hca.org) has breeder referrals for your state, from there you might find a breeder who has a older dog. Downside of these guys, they yap at door bells and I can’t get them to knock it off.</p>
<p>Most lightweight dogs bark. They have to! My MIL loved having a daschund, well into her old age. </p>
<p>The companionship was great, but practical care for the dog became hard as MIL aged extremely. What she could do for a dog at age 75 - walking, bending, lifting – was nothing like what she could do after age 85. I’d encourage all to be honest and project forward over the lifetime of the dog to imagine how they’ll care for it as they ( the humans) age extremely. </p>
<p>As my MIL was dying, she became anxious to know who from the family would adopt the dog. A cousin finally agreed to, but for weeks it was upsetting to my MIL not to know. Please try to have a working plan for the end-game.</p>
<p>ETA: My own parents liked their Cairn Terriers.</p>
<p>I second PetFinder. They separate the animals out by age, and for an older couple, a middle-aged dog would already be trained and not too active. If they could get a dog that is already trained to do his business outside without going on a long walk, that would be good as older people might have trouble taking a dog for a long walk twice a day.</p>
<p>Havanese are a good choice. So would be PBGVs, who like to sit around, and are generally quiet, but when they need to announce someone’s arrival, you can really hear them. </p>
<p>Mini - can you elaborate why no terriers? (Also my parents weren’t very old when they had their Cairn Terriers - I mean, my parents were MY age!)</p>
<p>I would suggest sticking to the size and temperament of dogs they already know. IE- now is not the time to adopt a great dane (although they are wonderful, low maintenance dogs). If the seniors liked their cocker spaniel, I’m going to echo those here and say contact a cocker spaniel rescue. If they don’t think this is a good dog for a senior, they can recommend a similar dog that’s more appropriate. </p>
<p>Good luck :). Adopting an adult dog can add years to both the dog’s life and the seniors’ lives !</p>
<p>We (actually my D) just adopted a 10 yo corgi/lab mix who has been wonderful. Low energy, loving, smart. We have always adopted adult dogs. Our first Irish Setter was about 5 yo, our shepherd/Saint mix was 1 1/2 yo, a full Saint at 3 yo and this one. Love the older dogs and really prefer the mixes for both temperament and less health issues.</p>
<p>We have a 12 lb rat terrier. She is excellent with older people. She has a large fenced yard to run around in and happily chases rabbits and squirrels as long as it is not too cold. She doesn’t need to be walked and is very content to curl up next to you on the couch for most of the day too. She likes walks as long as it is not too hot or too cold. She hasn’t gained any weight in 7 years just being able to run around in the yard. </p>
<p>They are smart dogs, easy to train, minimal shedding and grooming. VERY easy to care for. With the dog door we can leave her home alone for a day or two as well, very handy. They are very sturdy dogs too. She is on the smaller size for the breed, most are closer to 20 lbs.</p>
<p>She does bark when people come to the door but we haven’t really tried to train her out of that because she is a dog and I want her barking if people come to the house that aren’t supposed to be here. She HATES the UPS guy though, but then again, I know when we have a delivery :D.</p>
<p>I am partial to corgis …perhaps contact a breeder that has retired show dog ? They are super smart , loyal and generally sweet lap dogs. Older would be best. My dogs get the bulk of their exercise in our fenced in yard</p>
<p>Boston Terriers are perfect for this. They don’t need much exercise, love to cuddle, don’t shed much at all and have little if any odor so they don’t need to be bathed often. They don’t bark much at all. Mine only barks when someone knocks on the door. If he gets a little restless he runs around inside the house a few times - the Boston 500- and then settles back down for a nap. I always associated Boston Terriers with elderly people when I was younger and now I can’t believe I have one. </p>
<p>I agree about not getting a terrier or any dog that wants a job. You want a non-sporting breed.</p>
<p>Some humane societies have a Seniors for Seniors program where you can get a senior dog (usually 7yo and up) for free for a senior citizen. We got my 95-year-old great aunt a sweet 8yo Maltese mix. She had two live-in nurses and they all loved playing with the dog. It livened up the whole house.</p>