15 Dog Breeds That Boomers Love

“Mac yawning on the grass near Stanhope” by gregwake is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Dogs are great pets at every stage of life, and that includes your golden years. At this point in life, having a dog can help keep you active and make sure that you get fresh air and exercise. But which breed’s the right match for you? Here are the top 15 dog breeds that Boomers totally love!

Pomeranian 

Cute Pomeranian dog wearing a red sweater sitting on a cozy bed indoors.
Photo by Hanna Auramenka on Pexels

The Pomeranian is a fantastic choice for Boomers, especially since its small size easily meets the size rules in most retirement communities. These little dogs are super smart and absolutely love making their people happy. Pomeranians are adorable, cuddly, and, best of all, don’t need much exercise to stay healthy—perfect for senior owners. 

Bichon Frise

“Bichon Frise 600” by null is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

The fluffy little bichon frise is a happy and loving pup that’s a great companion for Boomers. Weighing just 7–12 pounds, this small breed is easy for most people to handle. Bichons are also pretty easy to train. While they do need regular grooming (which can be challenging for seniors), they’re otherwise pretty low-maintenance. Many pet owners take these dogs to a professional groomer every month or two.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

“Cavalier King Charles Spaniel” by Shames Privacy is licensed under CC BY 2.0

If you’re looking for one of the best dogs for the Boomer generation, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should definitely be high on your list. You’ll fall in love with their big eyes and long ears. And in return, these pups love nothing more than cuddling up and giving their owners plenty of kisses. With their eager-to-please personality, they’re pretty easy to train.

Pug

“Pug” by atlantic_lost is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

The pug’s tagline is “a lot in a little,” and it’s the perfect way to describe this breed. Small in size (weighing between 14 and 18 pounds on average), they’re easy to manage and handle. With their expressive faces and friendly personalities, pugs make great companions for seniors and are known for being one of the gentlest dog breeds. Pugs love their owners and are famous for following them everywhere (hence why they’re sometimes called little shadows).

Yorkshire Terrier 

“Yorkshire Terrier” by itarife is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Also called the Yorkie, the Yorkshire Terrier is another small breed that fits easily into an assisted living setting. While their long hair does need extra grooming, their size, and adaptability make them a great companion for many seniors. They just need a daily walk to stay healthy and love interacting with people every day.

Poodle

“Poodle” by marcia-oc is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

The poodle gives senior citizens the option to pick between a larger or smaller breed. Whether you’re staying in your current home or downsizing to a smaller apartment, there’s a poodle that will fit all your needs. These pups are easy to train, hypoallergenic, and have no problem living in all kinds of spaces, making them a great choice for seniors. 

Maltese

“Maltese Dog 1” by Alfredo Borba is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

One of the best small dogs for Boomers is the Maltese. These cute little white toy dogs were bred to be perfect companions. Loyal, sweet, calm, and adaptable, it’s easy for a Maltese to become a senior’s best four-legged friend. While they love sticking close to their owners, all they really need to stay healthy is short, easy walks. Weighing just 4 to 7 pounds on average, Malteses are also super easy to take along wherever you go (which is great since they don’t like being left alone for too long).

Miniature Schnauzer

“Dog to wait for the owner (Miniature Schnauzer)” by Dakiny is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Miniature schnauzers are the most adaptable dog breeds around. Originally bred as farm dogs in Germany, they’re just as happy living in an assisted living facility as they are running around outside. Small, sturdy, hypoallergenic, and very affectionate, miniature schnauzers are great with, say, energetic grandkids. Their calm nature and ability to tune into people’s moods also make them amazing therapy animals.

Greyhound

“Greyhound dog” by daveynin is licensed under CC BY 2.0

With their slim bodies, flexible spines, and long legs, greyhounds are famous for their athleticism and being the fastest dog breed. What’s not as well-known is that their gentle, sensitive nature and low grooming needs make them one of the best dogs for seniors. Older, retired racing greyhounds are often the perfect choice for Boomers. And even though they do need daily exercise, greyhounds—surprisingly!—are known for being pretty lazy.

Golden Retriever

“This time of year a blue floating minnow works best on golden retrievers (see story)” by Steve took it is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Golden retrievers are a big breed with an even bigger heart. For Boomers looking for a gentle dog, golden retrievers are loyal, friendly, and intelligent, and they love to please people. They’re easy to train, known for their patience, and great with the grandkids. While they do need consistent, good exercise every day, they’re more than happy to get some of that exercise by fetching balls in the backyard.

Havanese

“A havanese dog” by QHuge is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Sweet, friendly, and always ready for attention: Havanese are perfect companions for seniors who spend more time at home. As a breed, Havanese don’t like being alone for too long (hence why they’re often called Velcro dogs). These social pups love affection and get along well with other dogs and strangers. Their high intelligence makes them pretty easy to train and potty train. And at around 10 pounds, they’re light and easy to carry.

Beagle

a brown and white dog walking across a street
Photo by Kira Cherkavskaya on Unsplash

Beagles are definitely some of the cutest dogs around, and senior citizens who remember the Peanuts comics often enjoy their company because they look a lot like Snoopy. They’re just as friendly as they are loyal, and they love playing with their families. Beagles are happiest with seniors who are still active, as they can get a little stubborn if they don’t get enough exercise (trust us, you don’t want to see their destructive side).

Goldendoodle

“Woody the Goldendoodle” by sarahstierch is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

A mix between poodles and golden retrievers, goldendoodles weigh around 50 to 90 pounds and have the best qualities of both breeds. They’re loyal, obedient, and loving. For seniors with allergies or those who’d rather not deal with constant vacuuming, goldendoodles are a great choice—they mostly don’t shed and are hypoallergenic, making them perfect companions.

Shih Tzu

“Shih Tzu Reference #30” by claralieu is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Shih Tzu means “little lion,” but the fiercest thing about this breed is their love for their owner. Shih Tzu’s bond quickly with humans makes them a great choice for Boomers looking for a close canine companion. Weighing an average of 9 to 16 pounds, Shih Tzus may be small, but they’ve got a big personality packed into their long coats. They’re confident, happy-go-lucky, and a little bit stubborn.

West Highland White Terrier 

“西高地白梗 West Highland White Terrier” by Eternal-Ray is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Known for their white fur and dark, almond-shaped eyes, the West Highland white terrier (also known as Westie) is a friendly, loving companion for active seniors. Weighing between 13 and 20 pounds, Westies are small enough to handle and make great apartment dogs— as long as they get their daily long walks. Westies absolutely love to play. They’re not all fluff, though: underneath that coat is a strong, muscular body.

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