Dogs are an ideal companion for any stage of life. There is nothing quite like the bond developed between a human and canine. But not every breed of dog serves as an ideal therapy dog. And not all therapy dogs are right for seniors. If you or an aging loved one is struggling to identify the best pooch for therapy, fitness, health, companionship and happiness, you’re not alone. A bit of information can help you make the right decision.
10 Best Therapy Dog Breeds for Seniors
1. Poodle
In certain circles, poodles get a bad reputation. However, they are extremely clever, loyal companions. These canines are exceptionally easy to train and have the stamina to provide you with comfort all day and night. While poodles enjoy being pampered, they hardly shed at all and are fairly low maintenance. You can expect your poofy pooch to provide you with 12 to 15 years of therapeutic, comforting companionship.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is arguably the most beautiful, low-shedding lapdog ever to be bred. This breed truly earns its place as one of the best therapy dog breeds for seniors. This dog breed is ideal for seniors who are not as mobile as they used to be. These dogs are incredibly independent.
They are also incredibly protective, acting as much as a guard dog as a Rottweiler, Bullmastiff or Boxer. If you’ve never had an indoor dog before, we strongly recommend hiring a professional to house-train your Yorkie. But other than that, this is an ideal therapy dog breed for seniors.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavaliers are one of the best therapy dog breeds for seniors because of their quiet nature. They are calm, demure, extremely intelligent, easygoing and super friendly. While most small dogs are known for their impatient temperament, the King Charles spaniel is the opposite.
If you choose a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, your pooch pal will match her activity level to yours. In fact, the only thing this dog has going against it is its tendency to shed. But if you enjoy grooming your dogs, this is definitely the therapy dog for you.
4. Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is another beloved member of the Terrier group. Larger than a toy dog, these vocal dogs have the same friendly terrier temperament as the Yorkie, without the difficulty of house training. One of the best things about these dogs is they don’t yap as most little dogs do. When given adequate exercise, they are perfectly calm indoors and content to sit on your lap and bring you comforting companionship in the evening.
5. German Shepherd
German shepherds are known for their police work, but what isn’t as well known is that they are perfect therapy dogs for seniors. They are incredibly obedient, intelligent, easy to train, gentle and great with the grandchildren. German shepherds are one of the best therapy dogs for senior women because they are so loyal and inherently protective. If you’re not looking for a lapdog, we can’t recommend the German shepherd highly enough.
German shepherds bond with their owners just as well as any other dog and are attentive enough to notice if you are feeling anxious. If you start to have a panic attack, they will immediately come and comfort. They are strong and large enough to help the mobility-impaired, helping you stand and walk when you need it.
They also have one of the best senses of smell, making them perfect for diabetics who need help monitoring their blood sugar levels. They can even be trained to fetch you a snack if your blood glucose level crashes.
6. Dachsund
If you need a therapy dog for companionship and emotional support, it doesn’t get much better than a Dachsund. These therapy dogs feel perfectly at home on your snuggled up in your lap and love being around people. If you regularly have grandchildren or friends over for dinner, a Dachsund won’t get overwhelmed. In fact, they’ll be excited for the additional company. These fearless, fun-loving dogs also love activity. If you need motivation to get up and go for a walk short distances with a well-trained dog, we strongly recommend the Dachsund.
7. Maltese
If you’re not as active as you once were, the Maltese is a great therapy dog for you. It’s impossible to resist stroking its silky, gorgeous coat. Like so many other breeds of small dogs, these pups feel at home in your lap, and they love napping. Over the past several decades, breeders have bred the Maltese to love and be loved, meaning they were bred specifically to be therapy dogs.
8. Labrador Retriever
These incredibly friendly, good-natured dogs bond very strongly with their owners. They love having a job to do, and larger labs can help their owners stand and walk. If you’re fairly mobility-impaired, a larger lab is ideal for you. If you need help grasping and manipulating items around the house, a smaller lab, or even a mutt, such as a labradoodle can help you.
Labs have a natural instinct to fetch. They also have “soft mouths”, meaning that they grip things with their teeth very lightly. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about them mangling anything you need them to retrieve.
9. Golden Retriever
Like the Labrador retriever, the golden retriever is ideal for fetching items around the house for you. However, rather than being ideal for mobility assistance, they are best known for their ability to reduce anxiety, help seniors through PTSD-related panic attacks and provide general emotional support. These gentle, lovable canines shed a good deal. But other than that, they are perfect for seniors looking for a larger therapy dog. These dogs are also great for the blind and visually impaired.
10. Boxers
When you think of a therapy dog, you probably don’t think about the boxer. However, when you consider their traits, they have everything you could possibly need and want in a service dog. They are large enough to help you get around but small enough to navigate crowded places comfortably. They are exceptionally good-natured, friendly with adults and excellent with children. Like retrievers, they have high energy levels. But if you make sure they get plenty of playtime, they are surprisingly suited for small apartments.
Learn More About the Best Dog Breeds for Seniors Today
Dogs make great companions at any stage in life. Research has even proven that dog owners are happier, healthier, more self-confident, more conscientious and more socially outgoing. The three most popular therapeutic dogs for seniors are poodles, Yorkshire terriers and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But, as long as you or a loved one can care for your pet, you can’t go wrong with any dog on this list.
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