7 Perfect Breeds for People Over 50

By Millie Rainer –

So, you’ve entered your golden years and are looking to make a new furry best friend? That’s a great idea and what could be better than having a friend that accompanies you wherever you go, doesn’t complain of boredom, lavishes you with attention, and is satisfied with what you give him – a dog!

Most dogs have the ability to bring joy and love to any home they go to. They provide unconditional love and limitless warmth, entertainment, companionship, and security to their owners. Not only are they great to spend time with, having them around has its health benefits too.

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Choosing the right canine companion is crucial because that will enable you foster a joyful alliance with him. An unruly or unsuitable dog will only mean a partnership fraught with stress and, in some cases, even injury.

There are certain factors that need to be taken into consideration to make sure you end up with the right pooch. Let’s have a look at them.

Size Does Matter

This is one of the key considerations when picking a pooch, especially if you have a petite frame and are injury-prone or fragile. If you opt for a huge and heavy dog, chances are that you will always be overpowered by him. Additionally, if the dog becomes ill or gets injured, it would be difficult for you take him to the vet.

It is advisable to go for smaller breeds. The variety is plenty and they look adorable. Then again, do not fall for dog breed stereotypes. Individual dogs have their own characteristics and are always more important than the breed.

Physical Activity Levels

It is important that your mutt’s physical activity requirement matches the kind of time and energy you are capable of and willing to donate to meet his exercise requirement. If you get a dog which needs to perform high-energy activities, while you can barely make it for regular evening walks, it’s going to result in a disastrous partnership.

That does not mean you lose faith because there are several small-sized breeds with high energy, but low exercise requirements as they can get it by simply running around the house.

Temperament

You don’t want to end up with a dog with a volatile temperament either as not only will he fill your peaceful home with loud barking noises, your neighbors too won’t waste any time in complaining about him.

While this aspect can be tackled with adequate and timely training, certain breeds (or dogs within a breed) are noisier than others, especially if left alone for a long period of time. Noisy and territorial breeds, however, may work from the security point of view in case you live alone.

Training

Most dogs get a delight out of pleasing their owners and the good news is that a majority of them can be trained to co-exist happily and peacefully with human beings, which makes a huge difference to how easy or difficult it is to live with them.

On the other hand, dogs with more of an independent streak may be difficult to tame, which would make it tough for you to keep your patience with them.

Keeping the above points in mind, mentioned below are 7 dog breeds that are popular with people over 50.

  1. Shih Tzu
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    The tiny Shih Tzu is an ideal dog not just because of its cute diminutive stature, but also because it is calm, affectionate, patient, and bonds easily with those who take care of it. Be prepared for frequent visits to a good dog grooming service though, as it tends to shed quite a bit.
  2. Yorkshire Terrier
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    The yorkie is a relatively laid-back dog who will be more than happy to spend his afternoons snuggled up cozily on your couch or your lap, whichever he finds more comfortable. This is another breed that gets attached to the owners, which means he would be great at being your constant companion.
  3. Chihuahua
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    Chihuahuas are small-sized dogs that hail from Mexico. They tend to have very low exercising requirements and are best for people who may not be up for long walks every day. Although they do love going outdoors, they are equally fine being indoors.
  4. Maltese
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    If you’re going to be a first time dog owner, it would make sense to go for a Maltese. They can be really patient and will probably overlook most of your mistakes with them. Not very demanding, they are quite content lounging around with you at home and get along well with most people they come in contact with. They are perfect for people with allergies as they do not shed much, but they do bark a lot.
  5. Pug
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    Pugs come with an inherent quality – they’re always looking to please their owner by entertaining him with their activities. They’re a bundle of love and affection and demand attention, which they return in greater measure. Although they love playing around, they also find comfort and calm in their owner’s lap.
  6. Lhasa Apso
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    Lhasa Apso are homely dogs that prefer to “hang around” in the house than go outdoors. They’re small in size, but strong and make for good watchdogs. They love spending time with their owners, but tend to bark a lot, which will alert you when you have a visitor at the door.
  7. Greyhound
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    Yes, they’re huge, but they will not overwhelm you. Greyhounds are down-to-earth, gentle, and affectionate dogs that love lazing around and do not require much physical activity or exercise. They are calm and low-energy dogs and make great pets to those who are necessarily looking for a big dog.

Having a dog around can be great fun, irrespective of your age. I hope the above tips and advice will help you pick a mutt that will strike the right chord with you.

Millie Rainer writes on a variety of topics such as Parenting, DIY, Fashion, Home, Pets and more. Her core focus is on building her authority as a blogger and she is doing this by writing actionable, useful and engaging content. Follow her on Twitter @MillieRainer.

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7 Perfect Breeds for People Over 50
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