As we get older, we tend to become more reliant on other people. We might appreciate having our children take us to health appointments, be involved in family get-togethers, or enjoy our retirement by filling our days with enriching activities.
These measures can help us enjoy life and live our later years with a sense of love and connection. As a relative to an elderly family member, helping them enjoy their golden chapter is very much a priority. That being said, it takes good planning and practical steps to make sure we engage with everything we need to do daily, should this work at all.
One consideration you may have thought about is providing your elderly relative with a lovely dog. This can help them gain a little companionship when you’re not around to socialize, while also acting as somewhat of a security measure should they live alone. Of course, some experience taking care of dogs in the past helps here, but still, a family friendly pooch is best of all.
Let’s consider how you might determine the most suitable dog breed for your elderly family member:
Temperament & Personality Traits
It’s important to find a dog that can be controlled. An elderly relative might not have the strength to pull back a leash or prevent their dog from bounding out of the house if a door is slightly cracked, and that’s a problem.
For this reason, it’s important to be clear about the temperament of the dog you’re purchasing. Ideally, they should already be trained. Avoid shelter dogs if you can, as while it’s important to give them a home, a suitable home is just as necessary. Moreover, don’t assume that smaller dogs are always nicer. Some of them can have vicious temperaments, especially if, because of their small stature, previous owners haven’t really felt it necessary to set boundaries or train them.
A soft, lovable dog suitable around children will usually be good around the elderly. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a good example, because they tend to be rather placid, not large enough to run and hurt anyone, and can be trained relatively well.
Size & Physical Requirements
At first, it may seem as though buying a small or toy dog for your elderly relative is the smartest option. Surely, if they’re easier to pick up and handle, they’re easier to care for? Possibly. But it’s important to remember that your elderly relative could have trouble bending over to pick them up, especially if they have particular mobility issues.
A larger dog, of course, might innocently jump up at your elderly relative and cause more harm than they intended to. A mid-sized dog, then, like a smaller retriever, Jack Russel or Spaniel could be a perfect option.
Also, consider that bigger dogs leave bigger poops, need to eat more, demand more exercise, require more intensive bathing and grooming, and might easily jump on and damage furniture. It’s important to opt for the right size and temperament because not all dogs are necessarily worthwhile.
Exercise & Activity Level
Odds are, your elderly relative isn’t the most athletic member of your family. That doesn’t mean they won’t go out and enjoy time with their friends, but these things become more difficult as we age.
For that reason, having a dog that needs to run around for miles each day is usually a bad idea for an elderly person’s companion. For example, a Husky or German Shepherd might seem like a great idea from a security perspective, but these are working dogs and require hard effort each day to remain at their healthiest.
Some toy dogs may also have physical issues, such as pugs who struggle to breathe, and if your relative likes dog walking in the park, this could be less helpful. A smaller dog, referring to our above suggestions, can be a good option. This way, your relative can allow their pet to run around in the garden on days they intend to stay at home while also returning and enjoying the odd walk without trouble. This way, you have a nice balance, but a few days without intense exercise isn’t going to cause long-term issues for their furry friend.
Grooming & Maintenance Needs
All dogs will need grooming from time to time, either brushing down to remove knots from their coat or visits to professional groomers. However, it’s true that it’s not just about your dog’s coat, but any medical issues their breed is known for, or how much they molt and how much cleaning the household will imply.
Now, there’s no such thing as a perfect dog that barely molts, is always in perfect grooming condition, and will never suffer a health defect. That being said, grooming and maintenance needs are an essential first step to caring for your furry friend, and finding a breed that has relatively easy upkeep is worthwhile.
Smaller dogs can be ideal here, but dogs with manageable coast are also helpful. You may need to help your relative with this just a little more than usual. Find an easy-to-maintain breed and you’ll be on the right track.
Affection & Companionship
A nice dog is all you really need. This is why finding a dog from a previous home can be a good idea, because speaking to the owner about their dog and how they might have behaved in the past gives you a good picture of how they’ll behave for your relative.
Placid dogs that may have already been sprayed or neutered can be a good place to start because they won’t have the same kind of overbearing breeding urge that others do, and you won’t have to worry about them becoming pregnant after a fateful experience with a neighbor’s dog. Companionship is also a thing to picture, as a dog that can sit easily in the lap of your relative, will be happy to go for walks, and is unlikely to bark or howl through the night is worthwhile. This is as much about personality as much as anything else.
Bonus: Security
Of course, security is important when finding a dog for your relative. Having a pet that can scare trespassers away is a good idea. But usually, an attention dog with a notable bark can often do the trick more than a huge ex-police narcotics detector ready to pounce in a moment. As such, you have some flexibility here.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to find the best breed of dog for your lovely elderly relative.
